Anime Invasion

By: Jay-Anne Casuga | jcasuga@richmond.com
Published: June 12, 2002

A decade ago, if you said the word "anime," you'd most likely encounter a wide range of blank stares and quizzical expressions. Sometimes though, you'd get lucky and meet someone with a bit of awareness: "Oh, you mean those cartoons with the big eyes, right?"

But in the past several years, the world of Japanese animation has crashed tsunami-like through American pop culture, transforming anime from a cult-obsession to a household name.

Long gone are the days when anime fans, known as "otaku" (the Japanese word for "fanatic"), had to travel great distances to attend a convention. Now, Richmond's otaku don't have to go any further than Midlothian to enjoy their love of anime.

This weekend, the second annual Anime Mid-Atlantic convention will be held at the Holiday Inn Select, Koger Center.

The con has something for everyone from diehard otaku to anime newbies.

Veg out and watch anime from early in the morning to late at night. Three video rooms will present new and old anime around the clock such as 1985's "Robotech" and the recent six-episode series "FLCL," which will be distributed nationally this July.

Over the course of the three-day event, visit artist's alley and chat it up with the creative types, strut your stuff in the "Cosplay" competition dressed as your favorite anime character, sing karaoke or test your mettle in the video game tournament, which will feature games like "Capcom vs. SNK 2" and "Dance Dance Revolution."

Head over to the Dealer's Room and peruse the tables showcasing plush toys, figurines, playing cards, original Japanese or translated manga (comic books), apparel, imported CDs, wall scrolls and other paraphernalia. Be prepared to shell out the big bucks, though. An authentic anime soundtrack, for instance, can cost at least $30.

AMA's special guests include Carl Macek, most widely known for combining three separate anime shows and forming "Robotech." "You could say that he is the 'father of anime' in this country," said Edward Fortner , AMA's chairman and chief executive. "He really brought it into the mainstream."

Last year, more than 600 people attended AMA, Fortner said. This year, he estimated that the con would see about 800 to 1,000 visitors.

The registration tables will be open from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday and 9 a.m. to 2:45 p.m. Sunday. Admission costs $35 for the entire weekend, cash only. Single day passes are also available: $10, Friday; $25, Saturday; $10, Sunday. Children under 7, with an accompanying adult, are admitted free.

Anime Invasion

Share This:

More from this channel:

Deal of the Day

Most Popular

Follow Us On Twitter

Richmonddotcom

Things to Do