Best of the Cons, Part 2: The Top Southern California Conventions of 2011
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| Shannon Cottrell |
Southern California Ghostbusters @ Anaheim Comic Con
Southern California Ghostbusters is one of many costuming groups across the globe dedicated to the popular '80s film. They caught our attention at Anaheim Comic Con this year with their proton packs and PKE meters. This group's nicely detailed costumes and props made their table stand out in the convention hall.
Best Convention Party
Shannon Cottrell Partying with Venture Bros. fans in San Diego
The Venture Bros. @ San Diego Comic-Con
This year at San Diego Comic-Con, Adult Swim hosted several nights at Gaslamp Quarter club Quality Social. Each night was dedicated to a different show. The Venture Bros. party, which featured a special set from Flying Lotus, drew a massive line of fans ready to enter the party's cosplay contest. Some of the best costumed partygoers made it into the network's promotional bumps in the weeks that followed.
Most Enthusiastic Panel
Shannon Cottrell Durarara!! fans outside of the panel room at Anime Expo
Durarara!! at Anime Expo
Props to Aniplex for putting together a massive fan-oriented panel for Durarara!! at Anime Expo. The show's popularity within the anime community is rising steadily, particularly after Adult Swim began airing episodes earlier last summer. The panel, which featured most of the U.S. voice cast, was light on news but big on enthusiasm. Sometimes the screams were so loud that it was difficult to hear the panelists. That's not bad.
Most Hyped Convention Event
Shannon Cottrell From Anime Expo's Hatsune Miku panel
Hatsune Miku at Anime Expo
When Anime Expo announced that virtual pop star Hatsune Miku was a guest at this year's convention, fans went wild. For several years, Miku videos had been trickling into the U.S. from Japanese video sharing sites like Nico Nico Douga. This event was a major acknowledgment of Miku's expanding U.S. fanbase. And, sure enough, there were more people sporting Miku's long, blue pigtails than normal this year. During the course of the convention, fans got a chance to check out MikuKitty (Miku + Hello Kitty) and see Miku in concert. Did the event live up to the hype? You'll have to read the review to find out for sure.
Follow Liz Ohanesian on Twitter and Facebook. Also follow Shannon Cottrell and LAWeeklyArts on Twitter.
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