EVENT PREVIEW
Anime Weekend Atlanta
10 a.m. Sept. 26-8 p.m. Sept. 28. (There is 24-hour programming.) Sept. 26: $40; $25 ages 6-11. Sept. 27: $45; $30 ages 6-11. Sept. 28: $35; $20 ages 6-11. Two-day pass: $50; $35 ages 6-11. Three-day pass: $65; $50 ages 6-11. Renaissance Atlanta Waverly Hotel and the Cobb Galleria Centre, 2450 Galleria Parkway, Atlanta. awa-con.com.
Anime Weekend Atlanta certainly bows to its namesake, the popular form of Japanese animation featuring stylized saucer-eyed characters. Yet now in its 20th year, this annual three-day fan gathering on Sept. 26-28 plays more like a virtual trip to the land of the rising sun.
According to Faisal Ahmed, AWA’s CEO, it remains the largest Japanese pop culture convention in the Southeast. This year, organizers expect more than 20,000 guests sharing their passion for Japanese cartoons, comics, video games, fashion and more. Think Dragon Con with Japanese subtitles.
“No other conventions in Atlanta bring Japanese guests such as bands, fashion designers, artists, voice actors and directors from Japan,” Ahmed said.
Navigating the con’s multitude of events can be as daunting as surfing Shonan’s typhoon swells. That’s because Anime Weekend Atlanta’s massive schedule has more options than an all-you-can-eat sushi buffet. We, however, digested it all and offer the following highlights:
Have a ball
You won’t simply find AWA fans hanging out around the hotel bar. The AWA Formal Ball injects a bit of elegance into the proceedings, giving anime fans a swanky opportunity to rub elbows with one another. This black-tie formal dance, complete with a classical quartet providing the soundtrack, invites guests to have the promlike experience of their geeky dreams. The sprawling dance floor offers plenty of room for ballroom dancing. Attendees can dress in costume — cosplay in convention speak — but are required to stay in step with the strict dress code. They’re asked to imagine what their respective character might wear to a formal event.
Saturday night fever
A more club-style experience bursts to life in the form of the Saturday Night Dance, one of AWA’s more popular events. The electronic music dance party gets its power from more than 30 (18-inch) subwoofers. The booming beat lures throngs of dancers to the floor, some donning costumes and others waving glow sticks. Don’t be surprised to see and hear a roster of world-famous DJs, including Zanio and Hachioji-P, spin tunes.
Panel-palooza
Anime lovers get access to more fan-centric information than they could ingest over three days. An exhaustive list of panel discussions takes place throughout the weekend, and the schedule can be found online at www.awa-con.com. Organized chats on 1970s anime, cosplay, anime vampires and popular productions including "Sailor Moon" and "Mobile Suit Gundam" are but a fraction of what's available at AWA.
Finding the right voice
Anime fans get the rare opportunity to meet the voice actors behind popular animated TV shows and films. Junichi Suwabe (“Space Dandy,” “Bleach”) makes his first North American appearance at AWA. Voice actors from several classic anime productions are set to appear. Toru Furuya (“Mobile Suit Gundam”), Yuko Minaguchi (“Sailor Moon S”), Cherami Leigh ( “D. Gray-man”) and Bryce Papenbrook (“Sword Art Online”) are just a few.
Music matters
A total of eight concerts featuring acts straight from Japan rock the AWA ballrooms. Genres range from the Japanese hip-hop of Home Made Kazoku to garage rockers Shonen Knife. Miq, known as the queen of anime singers, will likely croon theme songs from anime classics such as “Gundam 0083,” “Aura Battler Dunbine” and “Area 88.”
Maid to order
Guests get a true taste of Japan in the form of the Imperial Maid Cafe. Modeled after a traditional Japanese maid cafe, it provides a relaxing retreat away from convention sensory overload. Plop down $13, and you can chill in the cafe for 45 minutes, and choose a dessert and a drink. The costumed servers, known as maids and butlers, each don a colorful name and persona. You might hang out with Kitty, a maid crowned in cat ears, or a buff butler named Rook. Each server interacts with and entertains guests by playing games and simply chatting.
Game on
Gamers can find plenty of action in the video game rooms. Whether you’re playing for fun or competing in tournaments for cash prizes, AWA has a wide range of game play. Belly up to an arcade cabinet in the free-play arcade room, or unplug with a card or board game.
Fashion
A pair of fashion shows drop at AWA. Baby, the Stars Shine Bright, a Lolita clothing brand from Tokyo, spotlights its latest creations. Local designers show off their own wares with a special indie fashion show. At the cosplay costume contest, you might find characters such as Asuna Yuuki, Speed Racer and Vampire Hunter D duking it out for bragging rights.
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