Otaku is a Japanese term used to refer to people with obsessive interests, particularly anime, manga, and video games. Now I can see the word being applied to many Twilight and Edward Cullen fans and maybe chocolate but anime…also known as Japanimation is in a league of its own.
There were over 44,000 people in attendance at this convention.
Per my husband’s request I brought my Kikyo costume all the way to LA, put it on and instantly felt embarrassed. At these conventions there is something called Cosplay.
It is apparently very popular in Japan. Think of it as a Star Wars convention and everyone is dressed as a Jedi but here everyone is dressed as a favorite Anime or Manga (Japanese Comic Book) character. It’s like being at a Halloween Party. ***note: I was only in costume for about 2 hours, the rest of time I was in normal clothes
Walking down the streets of downtown LA I could feel the eyes of the “normal” people starring at me. Well, actually I couldn't see much of anything since I was wearing my sister’s large bug eyed sunglasses. With no prescription and polarized lenses obstructing half my face I began my Otaku journey, but along the way I unfortunately zinged some of the most important non-family members at the convention.
My apologies to Vic
Mignogna, (an American Voice Actor), getting up early, standing in line took its toll and instead of just smiling and saying something like, “I really enjoy your work, thanks so much,” I made a stupid comment to which he replied, “No, I really enjoy what I do.” And there is that poor boy who asked for my picture as
Kikyo…to which I replied, “well, as long as I can’t see myself….
yadda yadda.” I think I was just so nervous about the experience that I wanted to be that one normal person there at the convention, but instead I realized that everyone there was normal. Each of us has our own normal and to that I wish I would have embraced my inner 18 year old self. Eighteen years old, that I what a guy on the bus told me, I looked 18! He obviously
didn’t see my wedding ring. I had hoped to direct him towards my sisters but by the time the bus ride was over he seemed very surprised when I told him my age and the fact I was married with a 2 yr old at home. I got a picture with him and the huge wooden sword he carved by hand. Some of these
Otaku are hard-core.
After a few hours I began to feel more relaxed and then I saw men and women dressed as
Pikachu. I was immediately brought back to the realization that I was in another world. There are a few shows besides
Pokémon I am familiar with. The ones I have seen or own are clean, well written and funny. So in that sense I suppose I am
Otaku but only to a select few. By the end of trip I still wanted to learn more about the culture and experience of it all. There were panels hosted by the video distributing companies, workshops, guest speakers and even voice acting experts. It was very much like going to Disneyland and I even saw a Disney Princess.
So in a nutshell…did I have fun? Yes
Was it strange? Yes, but only for a little while
Will I go back? Don’t know, depends on what is going on
What I do know…I am 100% glad I went and got to share this experience with my two sisters, we laughed, giggled, only had a few spats, and thanks to a room-service mix up we three got to share a large pitcher of Hot Chocolate for
FREE.
More highlights: late night Karaoke
Dancing
Tasting my first authentic Sticky-bun
Taking a taxi for the first time
Seeing “Little Tokyo”
Eating at Mr. Ramen: very authentic only chopsticks allowed
Seeing all the Michael Jackson posters
Signing the Michael Jackson wall at the Staples Center
Staying at the Westin Bonaventure downtown: (all except the front desk guy that caused much unnecessary drama) that hotel is massive.
Subway: it was the cheapest place to get dinner
Seeing Lauren being interviewed for a webcast
Erin winning multiple freebies…thanks for sharing, Gabriella loves that plushie.
My 6:30 am flight back home
Buying my first collectable animation cel
Winning free stuff UPDATE:I emailed Vic...cause I was feeling bad and guilty so I apologized and he totally emailed me back! What a nice guy!!!
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