LLNN Coverage of Anime Expo 2004


Macross: Veterans of the Macross world compendium were on hand to discuss the latest offerings for diehard Macross fans. Reports discussed various artbooks, Robotech universes, delving into characters and various book releases, and digging up exciting news about the Valkyries and assorted toys that would make any collector drool.	Shitajiki: Otherwise known as pencil boards, shitajikis have always been a growing interest for the casual to diehard anime collectors. Fans got together and showed off their latest boxes and books full of various shitajikis and shared stories about their favorite shows and shopping trips.

Ragnorok: Hosted by Gravity Interactive and Tokyopop, Ragnorok creator and artist Myung-Jin Lee talked about the surge of interest in Korean online gaming and their influence in modern anime. Topics included the popular Ragnorok Online, Ragnarok the Animation, character design works, cool RO cosplayers, and much more.	Anime Hero with a Thousand Faces: Veteran voice actor and voice director Crispin Freeman led an inspiring discussion on heroes in anime and what makes a true hero. Topics included dependency vs. independency, courage, strength, and rules of character and how it all works into producing the characters we all love in anime.

Anime Club Summit: Presidents, founders, and top officers from various anime clubs around the nation gathered together an informal session to talk about their memberships, anime libraries, how to get new videos for screenings, and getting advice from online resources.	Whose Line is it Anime? Think you got what it takes to be the ultimate otaku? Well, try actually becoming an anime character for a few minutes and then totally shifting into another one! This comedy game show saw competitors on stage acting out their roles to the amusement of the audience.
Additional panels and discussions held throughout the busy AX2004 weekend included: Go-Gaia!, Del Rey Manga, Bang Zoom! Entertainment, FUNimation Presents "How Anime Comes to the U.S.", Geneon Entertainment: Lunar Legend Tsukihime, Synch-Point, Broccoli Books, Nintendo Project 2003, Veterans of Anime Music Videos, EZ Board Get-Together, ADV's New Fist of the North Star, Animerica, Marmalade Boy, Right Stuf, Geneon: Read or Die, Bang Zoom! Studios: Voice Acting, No Need for Cosplaying, Central Park Media, AN Entertainment, Tofu Records, Mechanized Propulsion Systems, Webcomics, Harmony Gold, Pop Japan Travel, Inuyasha Fans, Magnitude 8 Post: The Art of Adaptation, JC Staff, Viz Communications, Bandai Entertainment, Koei and Atlus: Video Game Localization, Tokyopop Industry Insider and Artist Recruitment, Infinity Studios and ComicsOne, DDR Anime Mix and DDR Simulation, J-Pop Culture 101: Intro to Japanese Pop Culture, AnimEigo, Media Blasters, SPJA Board Meeting, Manga Academy, and more.