Anime North 2011

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It’s no secret that I’m kind of a geek and it’s more than likely that you, the one reading this post, is cut from the same nerdy cloth. Whether you’re a closet geek or a full blown level 10 Dweeb Wizard you could have a little fun at a special interest convention. I’ve covered a few comic cons in the past, including Fan Expo 2010 and Wizard World Comicon 2011, because I think a day at the con can be a fun way to spend an afternoon for anyone. You can be among like minded people in total comfort without any judgement and that’s a great environment to be a part of. Oh and apparently there’s a whole lotta dancing.

Well played...

Anime North is uncharted territory for me. I grew up with traditional characters like Superman and the lot who tend to embody decidedly Western values and culture. When you jump into the world of manga and anime it’s an entirely new ball game. Other than the often distinct Asian aesthetic woven into most of the material you will also notice, should you be brave enough to jump right in, that the creators behind any given mange title are just about fearless with what subject matter they will explore in their works. One trip to Anime North or a similar anime convention (although Anime North is a particularly massive one) and you will see manga and anime that pretty much scoff in the face of the old Comics Code Authority with subject matter such as ultra gore, tentacles and even gay sex between popular characters (Yaoi and Yuri). Many of you are probably most familiar with popular titles like Dragonball Z when it comes to anime/manga but that’s just the beginning and only describes a series that ended in 1996! Since then the sky has been the limit and manga has become synonymous with outlandish, unbridled, hyperbole – and it’s great.

I attended this year’s Anime North 2011 with local nerd princesses Heather Cooper and Alice Quinn who convinced me to cosplay for the first time ever. They dressed as two of the three Powerpuff girls (Dani Ray was supposed to be the third but came down with a nasty case of bronchitis) and needed a Professor Utonium. All I needed was a labcoat, a tobacco pipe and a look of fatherly pride. Check. Granted the costume was nowhere near as elaborate as the bulk of those I saw at the con, it was at least a start. Most of the costumes were just really badass. Those of you who’ve been to a few of these: have you ever noticed the high prevalence of people carrying giant scythes? What is it about anime and garden tools? My favourite scythe wielder was the Double Rainbow Unicorn, by far.

To be honest I don’t know if I am yet ready to go full out cosplay just yet but I suppose I will work on it. Maybe it’s because all the manga I’ve ever read has been brought to me by my brother who is a big otaku and loves all things Japanese. Then again I do tend to go all out on Halloween so maybe it’s not that different. If I was to be asked what my most favourite costume of the con was, I would have to give it to the Phoenix Wright “OBJECTION” guy (see slideshow below). No scythe needed to cut down the competition. Although black Jesus came in a close second…coming.

Check out Heada.ca‘s and TdotComics’ blog about day 1 and 2 of Anime North 2011