News

Anime fans take it to Boston
By Jeanne Adams

Boston--A group of nine area teenagers, along with 5,000 other participants, recently attended AnimeBoston, one of the country's largest conventions focusing on anime, Japanese animation techniques, characters, and costumes.

Six of the group took part in Cosplaying (dressing up as their favorite character). "They worked for weeks making their costumes," said Fran Dombrowski, mother of a cosplayer and chaperone for the weekend. At the Cons (convention) the youths participated in "Masquerade" (two minutes to perform for professional costumers). They were judged on costume craftsmanship and presentation. Below, Katie Wowk as Bunchu. Note the third eye, which opens when the character is angry. Her weapon iscalled a kinben.

These teens first found anime about 5 years ago - on TV watching "Sailor Moon" and "Pokemon", and during the "Pokemon" card game craze. The appeal that has kept their interest? "Cartoons are just another way to tell a story." said Brie Dombrowski, Cons participant. In America, popular cartoons are usually created for children. In Japan, animation is an art form created for all ages and interests.


There are many genres, as many different kinds of genres as many types of movies that come from Hollywood every year. For example: Shonen is Japanese for boy and is anime for boys, and Shoujo means girl and is anime for girls. Hentai, for example, may contain sexually explicit content.
Anime is different from Western cartooning in several respects.

Osamu Tezuka was an early groundbreaker to the Japanese cartoonists. Tezuka used large heads and expressive faces in his drawings. Tezuka wanted to convey a variety of expressive emotions on his faces, and decide that large eyes was the best way to accomplish this.

Early anime cartoonists told stories that continued, serial style, rather than ending at the conclusion of each episode as they did on the West. Tezuka's "Astro Boy" and later work "Kimba the White Lion" told a continuing story revolving around recurring characters. Another difference was that characters were also subject to change - unusual in Western cartooning, where characters usually reacted in ways that were familiar to viewers.

Anime has sparked an interest in all things Japanese for these enthusiasts. A popular snack is "Pocky" a flavored stick-like chocolate dipped cookie. Another food we're familiar with is Ramen Noodles, the cup version is often seen in anime. The fans learn about Japanese culture - school, dress, work, etc., as they watch anime (cartoons) or read manga (traditional Japanese black and white comic books).

Brie's favorite musician is Gackt, a popular J-rock (Japanese rock) star. She also has a Japanese pen pal.

At the Cons, the teens from Gray took part in a contest to win free manga - they did the chicken dance (in anime costume) and won the prize for silliest thing. Walking through the hallways at the Cons, other cosplayers greeted them with shrieks of delight at seeing their favorite characters. The kids watched anime, participated in the events and workshops and struck up friendships with other cosplayers who they are looking forward to seeing next year, at AnimeBoston 2005.

And that's the heart of it, anime & manga are simply another way to tell a story, and for these teens, attending the cons has added a happy chapter to their own story. Left, Brie Dombrowski as Youzen, her weapon is called a sansentou

side bar:
www.anipike.com
FYE - video store at the Maine Mall
Weekend Anime Store, Westbrook
www.bunnyhat.com
www.animeboston.com
Ben-Kay, Japanese Restaurant, Portland

Upcoming Anime Convention in Maine
PortCon Maine
www.portconmaine.com
June 18-20, 2004
Best Western Merry Manor Inn
South Portland, Maine