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BIG APPLE ANIME FEST
The Big Apple Anime Fest (aka BAAF) occurred during the weekend before Halloween, October 26 - 28. The year 2001 was the first year this convention occurred, and it was the first anime convention that I've ever gone to. It was most definitely a wonderful experience and well worth the time and effort I put into getting there for the weekend. Even the veteran anime con goers said that they were enjoying themselves, though there were some comments on the setup of the con. However, I can't really comment on any of that, since this was the first anime con that I have ever been to, and therefore have nothing with which to base a critique of the setup on.
Anyway, enough of that. Onto what I thought of the con. Frankly, I seriously enjoyed myself that weekend. I can't wait to go back next year actually, because it seems like it will just get better. The people who run it appear to be open to suggestions for next year's con. Also, I'm hoping to do cosplay next year, because everyone who did it this year said that they really enjoyed themselves.
Oh, by the way, if you want an actual review of the movies and anime episodes seen during the convention, click on the links, which will take you to each animes separate review page.
| Day 1 (October 26) | Day 2 (October 27) | Day 3 (October 28) |
The first day was an interesting one. It was my first time ever at a con, so it was pretty exciting. I went into the Park Central Hotel and registered when I got there at about 3. Then I went straight into the Dealer's Room. Not everybody was set up, but most of the booths were set up and people were already busy buying stuff. I didn't get too much this day, but I did manage to get Shoujo Kakumei Utena: Adolescence Mokushiroku and Shoujo Kakumei Utena episodes 1-13. I also got a couple of Christmas presents, but you know I'm not going to say what they or who they're for. Anyway, while I was there purchasing a present, I met one of the guys there, and hung out with him the rest of the day. We decided to go see the premier of Metropolis.
We left early to be sure that we found the theater it was being showed in, which was the Director's Guild of America theater. We got there pretty early, but got good seats. Actually, we were fortunate that we got there early. Several people I talked to said that they got there late and couldn't see it. It was fun. The people running the con introduced many of guests that were at the con before the showing of Metropolis, so we got to see some of the American voice actors for other series, and some of the directors, both American and Japanese, including the Japanese directors of Metropolis. There was also some background information for the movie, and then we got to see Metropolis. Afterwards, we left the theater, walked around for a couple of minutes, and then reentered the theater to watch Spriggan.
Once these two movies were over, we left the Director's Guild of America and went back to the Park Central Hotel. Since the Dealer's Room was closed by this time, we headed to the Screening Rooms. Nothing was really playing when we got there, so we just hung around for a while. When Dragonball Z started, we decided to watch that because there wasn't anything else that was starting up right away. Since it was the dub, we just sat there and made fun of it. That ended early, though, so we watched part of the first episode of Pet Shop of Horrors. However, we left that early because we decided to go watch Twilight of the Dark Masters. Once that finished, we decided to head back home, since we both had prior commitments that we had to go to in the morning. All in all, a very fun day.
Well, I got to the hotel on day two later than I expected, but that was okay, since I managed to meet up with some of my friends who I hadn't seen all year right when I got there. We went over to the Director's Guild of America for the Cosplay on Broadway (Two of my friends were participating this year). I didn't stay too long, but still, it was fun to see all the costumes. I left after a little while, and went back to the Park Central Hotel, where I headed straight for the Dealer's Room and finished up the Christmas shopping. I went back up to Screening Rooms afterward, and saw the Shoujo Kakumei Utena Panel. And yes, it is true that Ikuhara frequently says "It's a secret." Also, it turns out only Crispin Freeman (he voiced Touga) has seen the entire Utena series, aside from Ikuhara Kunihiko.
Once the panel finished, I decided to go see the Pilot Candidate premier, which was episodes 1-3. That took a little while to start, since Cowboy Bebop was running over. It managed to end on time though, so I was able to go see Ghost in the Shell without missing too much of the beginning. When that finished, I decided to go see Gasaraki episodes 1-4. By the time this ended, I was tired, so I headed back home. Again, another amusing day.
Unfortunately, I got back to BAAF later than expected on this day too. Fortunately, I made it before one of my friends had to leave, so I hung out with him for a little while. Eventually, I went to the Dealer's Room. I didn't buy anything else, but it's always fun to look at possibilities for later on. I didn't get to spend much time there because Escaflowne: A Girl in Gaea was starting soon. I was able to watch that, but I didn't have time for anything else. I left right after the showing of Escaflowne: A Girl in Gaea.
