A-Kon, June 9-11, Dallas, TX

[Dmiller]

Nobody seems to have mentioned it yet and it's barely eight weeks away.

Once again it will be at the Adam's Mark in downtown Dallas.

A Few of the confirmed guests are:

Vic Mignogna
Caitlan Glass
Jonathan Klein
Doug Smith
Samantha Inoue Harte
Jonathan C. Osborne
and a number of others.

Looks like a fun show.

If someone would post the link that would be great. I'm haveing problems getting that to work.

[Ben Phillips]

[ QUOTE ]
If someone would post the link that would be great. I'm haveing problems getting that to work.

[/ QUOTE ]

A-Kon.com (http://www.a-kon.com)

And according to the site, you can add Jamie McGonnigal, Patrick Seitz, and Xero Reynolds to the guest list.

[Justin Richardson]

Yeah, I'm gonna be pulling a 11 hour drive to this con. Pretty hyped about it too - got a good list of guests and I look forward to some of the events too.

I look forward to seeing some of you down there!

I've already got my ticket, my hotel room. I'm ready to go. I do have an opening or 2 in my hotel room, just got to pay your share.

[GHardin]

I'm looking forward to another year at A-Kon! /images/graemlins/catgirl0.gif

Might be a little silly to leave the house at 5:30 in the morning (I live in Denton, about 40 minutes from Dallas), but it's always fun to beat the traffic rush....only to succumb to exhaustion before it even starts! /images/graemlins/sdsmiley.gif

[chojinlocke]

I'm counting the days! I'm looking forward to being on some panels for Psy-Comm (and maybe do a report for Calling Manga Island) and such and talking to as many people as possible. Hope to meet you there. Which reminds me, I'd better get crackin if I want to enter the Karoake contest!
Hope to see more AODVD peeps there!
-TS

[Dmiller]

[ QUOTE ]
GHardin said:
I'm looking forward to another year at A-Kon! /images/graemlins/catgirl0.gif

Might be a little silly to leave the house at 5:30 in the morning (I live in Denton, about 40 minutes from Dallas), but it's always fun to beat the traffic rush....only to succumb to exhaustion before it even starts! /images/graemlins/sdsmiley.gif

[/ QUOTE ]
I decided to splurge this year and get a room at the hotel. Luckily I booked so early that I beat the show rate by $10.

After missing last years show because of work I'm ready to relax and have a weekend without worrying about any of the realities of my current life (yesterday was a real prize winner).

It's going to take 40+ hours to fly to the States and another 10 hour drive to get to the show. But it should be worth the effort.

[Dmiller]

According to an e-mail forwarded by a friend it appears that Peter Mayhew (otherwise known as Chewbacca) will be at the show doing a panel on how to become the character your costume shows.

I'm not that big of a Star Wars fan but I'll probably line up for an autograph. I do recall the first movie with fondness.

At least the furry crowd has something to look forward to. /images/graemlins/sdsmiley.gif

[ex_mutants]

BTW here's the list of musical acts for A-Kon this year:

FRIDAY
Kristina Sa - http://www.kristinesa.com/
KOTOKO - http://www.geneon-ent.co.jp/rondorobe/music/kotoko/

SATURDAY
PENICILLIN Nano - For those of you into JRock HAKUEI and Chisato will be there

Chromelodeon opens for the Dance Saturday night.

[Dmiller]

It appears that the 2006 Robotech tour will be making a stop by the show this year. Hopefully they will avoid talking about ratings during their panel like they did last year when I saw them in Nashville.

The upside is they will be having Tony Oliver (Rick Hunter) and Dan Woren (Roy Fokker and General Reinhardt) there so that should be fun.

On top of that they will be previewing the movie "The Shadow Chronicles".

I'll avoid making my standard evangelion ripoff line and just say that I'll be in the audience for this one.

[Dmiller]

Now that it’s just shy of two weeks away, I wanted to post a more complete rundown of who will be at the show. This list counts all the guests, not just Anime/Manga folk.

This is pulled straight for the convention website.

Media Guests:

Sonny Strait
Caitlin Glass
Patrick Seitz
Doug Smith
Sean Teague
Jamie McGonnigal
Samantha Innoue Harte
Jonathan C. Osborne
Darrel Guilbeau
Anthony Brownrigg
Vic Mignogna
Tony Oliver
Dan Woren
Jonathan Klein
Peter Mayhew

Industry Guests:

Trammel “T. Ray” Isaac
J.E. Sawyer
Chris Avellone
Jeremy Ross
Jan Scott-Frazier
Philip Nelson

Artists and Writers:

Tony Salvaggio
Paul Benjamin
Zel Harris
Robert & Emily DeJesus
Xero Reynolds
Bruce Lewis
Steve Bennett
Helen McCarthy
Steve Kyte
Melanie Fletcher
Fred Perry
Ben Dunn
P.N. Elrod
Newton Ewell

Musicians and other Performers:

Kobushi Taiko
Hakuei and Chisato: PENICILLIN nano
Michael “Piano Squall” Gluck
Chromeleodeon
Kotoko
Kristine Sa

It looks like there will be something for everybody’s tastes.

[Dmiller]

I saw on the main page where The Shadow Chronicles will be showing at certain venues. Next weekend it will be seen at A-Kon as part of the Robotech Tour.

Just a heads up for those in reasonable driving distance who might want to see the movie.

[thecapt1701]

Schedule is now posted on the A-Kon web site.

One note of interest is that it appears there will be no ADV industry panel. Interesting since it wouldn't be that far for them to go. Hmmmm.


Enjoy!!

[BULLDOG1]

[ QUOTE ]
TheCapt1701 said:
One note of interest is that it appears there will be no ADV industry panel. Interesting since it wouldn't be that far for them to go. Hmmmm.


[/ QUOTE ]

Actually, I would be slightly surprised if there was one on the schedule. /images/graemlins/tongue.gif

Then again, I doubt that the programming schedule is truly "set in stone" at this point....so, anything's possible. /images/graemlins/wink.gif

At least....I hope that isn't the case.

I mean.....a Geneon panel at 4PM on Sunday....when I have to catch a 6:45PM flight out of DFW. /images/graemlins/sweat200.gif

Gah...what were they thinking. /images/graemlins/sad.gif

A.J.

[thecapt1701]

[ QUOTE ]
Bulldog said:
[ QUOTE ]
TheCapt1701 said:
One note of interest is that it appears there will be no ADV industry panel. Interesting since it wouldn't be that far for them to go. Hmmmm.


[/ QUOTE ]

Actually, I would be slightly surprised if there was one on the schedule. /images/graemlins/tongue.gif

Then again, I doubt that the programming schedule is truly "set in stone" at this point....so, anything's possible. /images/graemlins/wink.gif

At least....I hope that isn't the case.

I mean.....a Geneon panel at 4PM on Sunday....when I have to catch a 6:45PM flight out of DFW. /images/graemlins/sweat200.gif

Gah...what were they thinking. /images/graemlins/sad.gif

A.J.

[/ QUOTE ]

Yeah, I was kinda bummed about the time slot for the Geneon panel as I too have a flight out at around that time. I guess I'll just catch it at AX.

We'll see what changes come to the schedule in the next 24-48 hours.

Enjoy!!

[BULLDOG1]

[ QUOTE ]
TheCapt1701 said:
[ QUOTE ]
Bulldog said:
[ QUOTE ]
TheCapt1701 said:
One note of interest is that it appears there will be no ADV industry panel. Interesting since it wouldn't be that far for them to go. Hmmmm.


[/ QUOTE ]

Actually, I would be slightly surprised if there was one on the schedule. /images/graemlins/tongue.gif

Then again, I doubt that the programming schedule is truly "set in stone" at this point....so, anything's possible. /images/graemlins/wink.gif

At least....I hope that isn't the case.

I mean.....a Geneon panel at 4PM on Sunday....when I have to catch a 6:45PM flight out of DFW. /images/graemlins/sweat200.gif

Gah...what were they thinking. /images/graemlins/sad.gif

A.J.

[/ QUOTE ]

Yeah, I was kinda bummed about the time slot for the Geneon panel as I too have a flight out at around that time. I guess I'll just catch it at AX.

[/ QUOTE ]

That's what I was thinking.......since I'll also be at AX. /images/graemlins/happy.gif

Worst case scenario.....I might attend the panel and then catch a cab to DFW for my flight.....instead of taking Super Shuttle at 4PM.

AFAIK, it's supposed to be a 35-40 minute drive.....so, I should theoretically make to DFW by 5:45PM....which would give me an hour. /images/graemlins/wink.gif

The only thing is.....is it worth the cost of a taxi. /images/graemlins/sweat200.gif

[ QUOTE ]
TheCapt1701 said:
We'll see what changes come to the schedule in the next 24-48 hours.

[/ QUOTE ]

Right...

If there's one thing I've learned about anime cons....is that schedules are subject to change. /images/graemlins/tongue.gif

Sakura-con 2006 was a prime example of it. /images/graemlins/sdsmiley.gif

[ QUOTE ]
TheCapt1701 said:
Enjoy!!

[/ QUOTE ]

I always try my best to do so. /images/graemlins/wink.gif

A.J.

[Nosredna]

If the Geneon panel is anything like the one at Anime North, I'm guessing they'll bring in Kotoko to talk and not have much information other wise......but I could be wrong /images/graemlins/sweat000.gif.

[BULLDOG1]

[ QUOTE ]
Nosredna said:
If the Geneon panel is anything like the one at Anime North, I'm guessing they'll bring in Kotoko to talk and not have much information other wise......but I could be wrong /images/graemlins/sweat000.gif.

[/ QUOTE ]

There's a separate Kotoko Q/A panel on the Saturday programming schedule.

A.J.

[Nosredna]

[ QUOTE ]
Bulldog said:
[ QUOTE ]
Nosredna said:
If the Geneon panel is anything like the one at Anime North, I'm guessing they'll bring in Kotoko to talk and not have much information other wise......but I could be wrong /images/graemlins/sweat000.gif.

[/ QUOTE ]

There's a separate Kotoko Q/A panel on the Saturday programming schedule.

A.J.

[/ QUOTE ]

Ah okay, I guess I should have read the schedule before I opened my big mouth /images/graemlins/sweat200.gif.

[ QUOTE ]
TheCapt1701 said:
Schedule is now posted on the A-Kon web site.

One note of interest is that it appears there will be no ADV industry panel. Interesting since it wouldn't be that far for them to go. Hmmmm.


Enjoy!!

[/ QUOTE ]

I will be really disappointed if ADV does not show up

[thecapt1701]

[ QUOTE ]
Starfyre said:
[ QUOTE ]
TheCapt1701 said:
Schedule is now posted on the A-Kon web site.

One note of interest is that it appears there will be no ADV industry panel. Interesting since it wouldn't be that far for them to go. Hmmmm.


Enjoy!!

[/ QUOTE ]

I will be really disappointed if ADV does not show up

[/ QUOTE ]

While they may end up doing an 11th hour type thing, it may just be that they don't have that much to say. What little announcements they may have they are probalby holding for AX three weeks after A-Kon. We'll see.


Enjoy!!

Out of the 8-9 years I have attended this con, this one was disappointing than the others. The room was not worth the price I paid for it, we had something leaking in the bathroom from the room above, hotel staff was not the friendliest, espically the maids(We even tried to tip them on a daily basis, but they didn't take the money and on the last day because they had not done a good job, we took it back)

New Gen talked a bit about what they have done and mentioned their new work, Ergo Proxy. Then they showed a clip of Kamichu and Gun x Sword.

Manga mentioned they didn't have anything to mention now, but expect to hear stuff from them later in the year.

Funimation showed their previews and answered questions. They announced Black Cat, but it had been mentioned before. I asked the question about FMP:TSR and if they were going to keep the same actors, Lance said something will be said later on in the year.

Media Blasters just answered Q&A.

Trinity Blood film version was cool, but there needs to be something between the different episodes, when it switched it just kinda jerked you to the new episode.

Got to meet Peter Mayhew. Overheard security mention that Peter was not happy with A-kon. Peter wanted to keep working his table where you paid for an autograph, A-kon wanted him in multi-hour long panels which would keep him from making money at his table.(A-kon doesn't pay guests beyond their room)

Not too much variety in costumes, most of them were in Naruto, a bunch from Bleach. Best costumes in my opinion were the two sets from Gankutsuou(colored hair, face, costume was perfect for both the Count and Hedee) and there was the Chocobo

[GHardin]

Funny thing is, I enjoyed this A-Kon more than the last 3 I attended. /images/graemlins/sweat000.gif Yes, the dealer's room was kind of lacking this year (you know something is wrong when there is a big open center aisle), but I enjoyed myself more. Then again, all we've been doing the previous years was going to the dealer's room and maybe the video rooms (the fact that I enjoyed it more than the others despite a lousy dealer's room is a mystery in its own). The Friday night concerts (Kristine Sa, KOTOKO) were the highlight of the con for me (I didn't get to see Penicillin Nano on Saturday night...was slightly deaf after Friday /images/graemlins/sweat000.gif). I guess it depends on how high or low you set your expectations. Skipped on the video rooms this year - to me, they've gone downhill since A-Kon 14 (when I started going); that, or I didn't want to be spoiled by anything I might want to see later. /images/graemlins/stunned1.gif

Yes, I have to see things the opposite way! /images/graemlins/tongue.gif

[KomoriKiri]

[ QUOTE ]
GHardin said:
(you know something is wrong when there is a big open center aisle)

[/ QUOTE ]

Or the fire marshal is being more strict ^_^ They got in trouble last year when someone blocked an exit and the fire marshal forced them close the dealer's room for several hours.

Amusing story, btw. On Saturday I went to the first cosplay panel on the schedule. The fire marshal was up checking out the room, dressed in full regalia mind, and talking with con staff. Not sure why, but he stayed around long enough for the panel to start, and although the panelists didn't show up there was no shortage of cosplayers to take over. He was really intersted. He ended up sitting in the front of the room where the panelists would normally be while people stood up in the audience and talked. He was just leaning on the table, and so intently conenctrating on the converstaion. He stayed for the entire panel. I found it fairly amusing.

Wraith
"If you try hard enough you can make any language FORTRAN."
-- NASA

[GHardin]

[ QUOTE ]
Wraith said:
[ QUOTE ]
GHardin said:
(you know something is wrong when there is a big open center aisle)

[/ QUOTE ]

Or the fire marshal is being more strict ^_^ They got in trouble last year when someone blocked an exit and the fire marshal forced them close the dealer's room for several hours.

[/ QUOTE ]
I remember that incident...I was going to go to the Dealer's Room, and remember seeing the place closed, and of course, no one could offer a good explanation at the time. Thought something bad might have happened. As compensation, they opened the room the next day a little earlier (yippee.). /images/graemlins/tongue.gif

I laughed at the schedule today, noting that the dealer's room was supposed to open at 10:30...*11:00am rolls by* Nope, still not open! /images/graemlins/sweat000.gif

[ QUOTE ]

Amusing story, btw. On Saturday I went to the first cosplay panel on the schedule. The fire marshal was up checking out the room, dressed in full regalia mind, and talking with con staff. Not sure why, but he stayed around long enough for the panel to start, and although the panelists didn't show up there was no shortage of cosplayers to take over. He was really intersted. He ended up sitting in the front of the room where the panelists would normally be while people stood up in the audience and talked. He was just leaning on the table, and so intently conenctrating on the converstaion. He stayed for the entire panel. I found it fairly amusing.


[/ QUOTE ]

That does sound amusing and interesting at the same time... /images/graemlins/sdsmiley.gif

[Justin Richardson]

Personally got back about an hour ago - a weekend of ups and downs for sure.

I will say that the con was quite enjoyable and is something that I would consider going back to again if time allows.

I personally stayed at the Westin and thought it was a pretty decent hotel and staff. I didn't enjoy the nice 15 minute run to get back to the room but thats what you get when you get the backup hotel for a con. =)

Manga did note a something - a new SF movie is in the works. A totally new character MIGHT be created for the movie and whatnot but nothing is set in stone. Otherwise, see my ACen report and you got what you need to know.

Funi panel was something else...basic trailer reels and whatnot along with Lance's wit and Mike Mcfarline's humor. Personal stuff aside, a pretty good panel that the audience in Dallas ate up.

I didn't personally get to go to the Geneon panel (which genious in programming thought of that time slot???) or the Media Blasters panel due to time conflicts.

Will get full con report up soon.

Interesting note: I hate whoever did the layout of the roads in Dallas/Fort Worth. Arggg!!!! I got lost for over 2 hours as I made my way to the Funi office and got the pleasure of getting lost for almost another 2 hours getting back. *sigh*

[Shibi]

[ QUOTE ]
Justin Richardson said:
Personally got back about an hour ago - a weekend of ups and downs for sure.

I will say that the con was quite enjoyable and is something that I would consider going back to again if time allows.

I personally stayed at the Westin and thought it was a pretty decent hotel and staff. I didn't enjoy the nice 15 minute run to get back to the room but thats what you get when you get the backup hotel for a con. =)

Manga did note a something - a new SF movie is in the works. A totally new character MIGHT be created for the movie and whatnot but nothing is set in stone. Otherwise, see my ACen report and you got what you need to know.

Funi panel was something else...basic trailer reels and whatnot along with Lance's wit and Mike Mcfarline's humor. Personal stuff aside, a pretty good panel that the audience in Dallas ate up.

I didn't personally get to go to the Geneon panel (which genious in programming thought of that time slot???) or the Media Blasters panel due to time conflicts.

Will get full con report up soon.

Interesting note: I hate whoever did the layout of the roads in Dallas/Fort Worth. Arggg!!!! I got lost for over 2 hours as I made my way to the Funi office and got the pleasure of getting lost for almost another 2 hours getting back. *sigh*

[/ QUOTE ]

With regards to the Geneon panel, the Geneon rep Terry Ho, did state that the time was entirely Geneon's fault. Apparently Geneon thought they had already scheduled a panel for the convention only to find out shortly before the con that they had not, thus forcing them to take a late Sunday panel time rather than not have one at all.

[GHardin]

[ QUOTE ]
Justin Richardson said:
Interesting note: I hate whoever did the layout of the roads in Dallas/Fort Worth. Arggg!!!! I got lost for over 2 hours as I made my way to the Funi office and got the pleasure of getting lost for almost another 2 hours getting back. *sigh*

[/ QUOTE ]

Ouch. And here I thought getting to the hotel was bad enough. /images/graemlins/sweat000.gif Traffic sucked in Dallas, period. Thursday night, it was obviously bad, with the Mavs game going on, and half of the streets being blocked off for some "special event," which I never did figure out. Took us about 30 minutes to travel around one block because of this detour. Left the house at 4:40pm, got there around 6:30pm (shouldn't have taken more than 40 minutes to get there /images/graemlins/sweat000.gif).

I hate Dallas traffic. /images/graemlins/tongue.gif

I wish I could have attended the other panels, but I pretty much forgot about them. I was either in the room, still resting after Friday night's concerts (knees and feet were on the verge of falling apart), in the dealer's room trying to blow some money (most of the good figures were gone as usual), roaming the hotel, or was waiting in the autograph line. *Kicks self for not going through multiple times*

[animegirl22]

I dunno if you all noticed or not, but did you guys see the guy with the double camera setup that was taking 3D pictures? yeah, funny thing is that he's one of the art directors for Troublemaker Studios....Robert Rodriguez's studio. Crazy ey? lol. I dragged him out there to show him what an anime convention was like and he took soooooo many 3D pics it was crazy. Also, wanted to thank all the fans who did interviews with me, I was there with a film crew filming the convention. I didn't get a chance to thank everyone, so I figured I'd do it here. /images/graemlins/wink.gif
Cheers,
sami