Well, Anizona finally came and went, and while being a relatively small con, it was rather enjoyable for what it was worth. I went along with my friends because it's pretty interesting helping them out with her their costumes, plus, I got the chance to meet Yoshitaka Amano briefly.
The first day of the con, they had an Amano panel where the discussion would cover general aspects of his career. I'd have to say that I was severely disappointed when someone asked:
"Where did you become an artist?"
I immediately had an image of Amano having an epiphany while in the shitter, somehow coming to the idea that Art would be his Muse and concluding the day with a few plunks and a flush.
There were a few decent questions, but I can't say if the translation was fairly accurate considering some of the answers didn't address what was asked at times. My japanese is horrid and it's been 2 years since I've even spoke with someone with even a minimally competent level.
The second day panel would cover his Final Fantasy work which I, sadly, could not attend.
Here are pics of the panel:
After an hour of dicussion followed an hour of signing, where each row was carefully lined up, one after another, until the everyone had a turn. I was lucky enough to have a friend attend who didn't want anything signed, so I had him bring up my second book for me. Surprisingly enough, Amano didn't personalize the books for you, so I wonder how people will handle those items come time for an Ebay sale. I'll be keeping mine for sure.
The first day was pretty lax, so it was great getting a good seat -- those who decided to attend the second day weren't so lucky, as they capped off occupancy and closed the room up due to such a high attendance.
It was unfortunate watching people walk up to Amano expecting him to sign Tetsuya Nomura CG artwork. I think they mentioned it at one point that they would "prefer" if you actually brought artwork by Amano, but a lot of that fell on deaf ears. I wonder what Amano felt like *_*
The rest of the con comprised mainly of watching the other cosplayers and tending to my cosplay diva friends. I saw an awesome Amano styled Gogo that I had to take a pic of:
Unfortunately, as hot as the Amano style Terra was, no amount of "I wish I had my camera" would suffice for a magical camera-to-my-hands teleportation spell to work. Stupid me for thinking I left it at my friend's place rather than remember it was under her passenger side seat.
A few pics of my friends in costume and others who weren't in costume
Friend dressed up as Medusa from Pet Shop of Horrors:
*
Another friend dressed up as Black Rose from .Hack (It was fun painting her body ^_^):
*
*
Just wish I had more time, we woke up late and arrived late to the con because I never had experience with bodypaint or painting on someone's body before.
*Last Images courtesy of EuroBeat King =D
And another of me painfully tired and allergy ridden after working all day, hanging out with friends for dinner before a movie, driving out to Arizona for 5 hours, registering at the con, enduring a days worth of events, and then having dinner again before I knocked out.
I could stand to lose a few pounds
The first day of the con, they had an Amano panel where the discussion would cover general aspects of his career. I'd have to say that I was severely disappointed when someone asked:
"Where did you become an artist?"
I immediately had an image of Amano having an epiphany while in the shitter, somehow coming to the idea that Art would be his Muse and concluding the day with a few plunks and a flush.
There were a few decent questions, but I can't say if the translation was fairly accurate considering some of the answers didn't address what was asked at times. My japanese is horrid and it's been 2 years since I've even spoke with someone with even a minimally competent level.
The second day panel would cover his Final Fantasy work which I, sadly, could not attend.
Here are pics of the panel:
After an hour of dicussion followed an hour of signing, where each row was carefully lined up, one after another, until the everyone had a turn. I was lucky enough to have a friend attend who didn't want anything signed, so I had him bring up my second book for me. Surprisingly enough, Amano didn't personalize the books for you, so I wonder how people will handle those items come time for an Ebay sale. I'll be keeping mine for sure.
The first day was pretty lax, so it was great getting a good seat -- those who decided to attend the second day weren't so lucky, as they capped off occupancy and closed the room up due to such a high attendance.
It was unfortunate watching people walk up to Amano expecting him to sign Tetsuya Nomura CG artwork. I think they mentioned it at one point that they would "prefer" if you actually brought artwork by Amano, but a lot of that fell on deaf ears. I wonder what Amano felt like *_*
The rest of the con comprised mainly of watching the other cosplayers and tending to my cosplay diva friends. I saw an awesome Amano styled Gogo that I had to take a pic of:
Unfortunately, as hot as the Amano style Terra was, no amount of "I wish I had my camera" would suffice for a magical camera-to-my-hands teleportation spell to work. Stupid me for thinking I left it at my friend's place rather than remember it was under her passenger side seat.
A few pics of my friends in costume and others who weren't in costume
Friend dressed up as Medusa from Pet Shop of Horrors:
Another friend dressed up as Black Rose from .Hack (It was fun painting her body ^_^):
Just wish I had more time, we woke up late and arrived late to the con because I never had experience with bodypaint or painting on someone's body before.
*Last Images courtesy of EuroBeat King =D
And another of me painfully tired and allergy ridden after working all day, hanging out with friends for dinner before a movie, driving out to Arizona for 5 hours, registering at the con, enduring a days worth of events, and then having dinner again before I knocked out.
I could stand to lose a few pounds