Coming Conventions for cosplayphotos.com!

2008-03-19 14:19:53

Japan Appoints Cartoon Ambassador(admin, ::am) By MARI YAMAGUCHI, Associated Press Japan has created an unusual government post to promote animation, and named a perfect figure Wednesday to the position: a popular cartoon robot cat named Doraemon. Foreign Minister Masahiko Komura appointed the cat an "anime ambassador," handing a human-sized Doraemon doll an official certificate at an inauguration ceremony, along with dozens of "dorayaki" red bean pancakes — his favorite dessert — piled on a huge plate. Komura told the doll, with an unidentified person inside, that he hoped he would widely promote Japanese animated cartoons, or "anime." "Doraemon, I hope you will travel around the world as an anime ambassador to deepen people's understanding of Japan so they will become friends with Japan," Komura told the blue-and-white cat. The appointment is part of Japan's recent effort to harness the power of pop culture in diplomacy. Japan also created an International Manga Award last year under comic enthusiast former Foreign Minister Taro Aso, who likened it to a "Nobel Prize" for an artist working abroad. Manga, the name used for Japanese-syle comic books, often combine complex stories with drawing styles that differ from their overseas superhero counterparts, particularly in their emphasis on cuteness. This year, the ministry plans to arrange showings of a Doraemon film in Singapore, China, Spain, France, and at other Japanese diplomatic missions around the world. Doraemon — through voice actress Wasabi Mizuta, who spoke from behind a sliding paper screen — promised Komura that "through my cartoons, I hope to convey to people abroad what ordinary Japanese people think, our lifestyles and what kind of future we want to build." Created by cartoonist Fujiko F. Fujio, Doraemon is a Japanese cultural icon and is popular around the world, especially in Asia. The robotic cat travels back in time from the 22nd century and uses gadgets such as a "time machine" and an "anywhere door" that come out of a fourth-dimensional pocket on his stomach to help his friends, allowing them to travel anywhere and to any time they wish. Astro Boy, another cartoon icon, was named last November as ambassador for overseas safety.

2008-03-19 11:06:49

Science fiction author Arthur C. Clarke dies aged 90(admin, ::am) Sir Arthur C. Clarke, the science fiction writer, has died aged 90 in his adopted home of Sri Lanka, it was confirmed tonight. Clarke, who had battled debilitating post-polio syndrome since the 1960s and sometimes used a wheelchair, died at 1:30am after suffering breathing problems, his personal secretary Rohan De Silva said. “Sir Arthur passed away a short while ago at the Apollo Hospital [in Colombo]. He had a cardio-respiratory attack,” he said. His valet, W. K. M. Dharmawardena, said that funeral arrangements would be finalised when his close family returned to the island from Australia. Mr Dharmawardena said that Clarke’s condition had begun to deteriorate in recent weeks and he had been in hospital for four days. The visionary author of more than 70 books, who was nominated for a Nobel Prize after predicting the existence of satellites, was most famous for his short story "The Sentinel", which was expanded into the novel that was later adapted for Stanley Kubrick's film "2001: A Space Odyssey". He was also credited with inventing the concept of communications satellites in 1945, decades before they became a reality. Clarke was the last surviving member of what was sometimes known as the "Big Three" of science fiction, alongside Robert A. Heinlein and Isaac Asimov. The astronomer Sir Patrick Moore said that his friend was a “great visionary, brilliant science-fiction writer and great forecaster”. “He said there would be a man on the Moon by 1970, while I said 1980 — and he was right,” he said. “He was ahead of his time in so many ways. I’m very, very sad that he’s gone." The pair met at the British Interplanetary Society in the 1930s and became friends. Sir Patrick said he spoke to the author a few weeks ago and was concerned about his health. The son of an English farming family, Clarke was born in the seaside town of Minehead, Somerset, England on December 16, 1917. His father died when he was 13. After attending schools in his home county, Arthur Clarke moved to London in 1936. There he pursued his early interest in space sciences by joining the British Interplanetary Society. He started to contribute to the BIS Bulletin and began to write science fiction. With the onset of World War II he joined the RAF, eventually becoming an officer in charge of the first radar talk-down equipment, the Ground Controlled Approach, during its experimental trials. Later, his only non-science-fiction novel, Glide Path, was based on this work. In 1945, the UK periodical magazine “Wireless World” published his landmark technical paper "Extra-terrestrial Relays" in which he first set out the principles of satellite communication with satellites in geostationary orbits, a speculation that was realised 25 years later. He was paid £15 for the article. During the evolution of his discovery, he worked with scientists and engineers in the USA in the development of spacecraft and launch systems, and addressed the United Nations during their deliberations on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space. Today, the geostationary orbit at 36,000 kilometres above the Equator is named The Clarke Orbit by the International Astronomical Union. Clarke is best known as a visionary science fiction writer. The first story he sold professionally was "Rescue Party", written in March 1945 and appearing in "Astounding Science" in May 1946. He went on to become a prolific writer of science fiction, renowned worldwide with his break coming when "The Sentinel", was noticed by Kubrick . In 1964 he started to work with the noted film producer on a science fiction movie script. Four years later, he shared an Oscar nomination with Kubrick at the Hollywood Academy Awards for the film version of “2001: A Space Odyssey”. In television, Clarke worked alongside Walter Cronkite and Wally Schirra for the CBS coverage of the Apollo 12 and 15 space missions. His thirteen-part TV series "Arthur C. Clarke's Mysterious World" in 1981 and "Arthur C. Clarke's World of Strange Powers" in 1984 have been screened in many countries and he has contributed to other TV series about space, such as Walter Cronkite's "Universe" series in 1981. Clarke first visited Colombo, Sri Lanka (then called Ceylon) in December 1954. He moved there in 1956 and lived there ever since, pursuing an enthusiasm for underwater exploration along that coast and on the Great Barrier Reef. His fascination with diving led to him meeting his wife Marilyn Mayfield, whom he divorced ten years later. In 1998, his lifetime work was recognized when he was honored with a knighthood – formally conferred by Prince Charles in Sri Lanka two years later. In recent years, he has been largely confined to a wheelchair due to post-polio syndrome, but his output as a writer continued undiminished. Marking his “90th orbit of the Sun” in December, the author said that he did not feel "a day over 89" and made three birthday wishes: for ET to call, for man to kick his oil habit and for peace in Sri Lanka.

2008-03-12 12:16:04

The Pillows are coming to Seattle!(admin, ::am) The Stereo Future Presents 2008 Delicious Bump Tour in the USA Featuring Japanese rockers THE PILLOWS and NOODLES @ Club Motor, Wednesday, March 19th Continuing a three-year trans-Pacific relationship, Seattle's own The Stereo Future is pleased to welcome Japanese friends, power-pop group The Pillows and girl-trio Noodles, back to Seattle for a very special evening at the new Club Motor on March 19th. The Pillows and Noodles return to the USA on their 2008 Delicious Bump Tour, with shows in LA, San Francisco, Seattle, Boston, New York, and at the SXSW festival in Austin. The Pillows are best known stateside for their memorable contributions to the soundtrack of the popular "animanga" FLCL, which has shown on the Cartoon Network's Adult Swim since 2003. In Japan, however, The Pillows have been major-label recording artists for well over 10 years, and have been part of the foundation of the Tokyo rock scene since the early 90's. The Pillows first brought their Delicious Bump Tour to Seattle's Crocodile Cafe in 2005, where The Pillows and Noodles played to a large crowd of very exuberant fans. By the time The Pillows returned to the Crocodile in 2006, word of their energetic live show had truly gotten out, and they were greeted by a capacity crowd of hundreds of fans lined up around the block hours before the show. Noodles, signed to Pillows frontman Sawao Yamanaka's own Delicious Label since 1999, have likewise grown a dedicated fanbase here on this side of the Pacific. Having opened for longtime idols the Breeders in Osaka in 2003, they traveled to the US in 2004 to play showcases at CMJ and SXSW, and as part of a tour which brought them to Seattle for a show at Seattle's Sunset Tavern, where they were befriended by members of the Stereo Future, setting the stage for future collaboration. They've been releasing records and touring non-stop around the globe ever since. The Stereo Future have been a part of the Delicious Label family since shortly after playing with The Pillows here in Seattle back in 2005. They have toured with Noodles in Japan and up the West Coast of the US, and always look forward to reuniting with their Japanese friends whenever the Delicious gang comes to town. This year marks the third time the lineup has played here in Seattle, and it promises to be the best, as all bands come to the stage with new songs and new records to add to the roster of fan favorites. The Pillows and Noodles are available March 19th for interviews , with Nick on hand for translation. For further information, please contact Nick at the number or e-mail above. The Pillows' official MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/thepillows Noodles' official MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/noodlesvelvet The Stereo Future website: http://www.thestereofuture.com 3.19.2008/ Doors open at 8 show at 9 The Pillows * Noodles * The Stereo Future @ Club Motor, 1950 1st Avenue S, Seattle $18 adv, $20 DOS / ALL-AGES! Tickets are available here. (http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/30159)

2008-03-05 17:35:17

Gary Gygax, \'Father of D&D,\' Dies at 69 (admin, ::am) Gary Gygax, one of the co-creators of the Dungeons & Dragons role-playing game, died Tuesday morning at his home in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin, according to Stephen Chenault, CEO of Troll Lord Games. Gygax designed the original D&D game with Dave Arneson in 1974, and went on to create the Dangerous Journeys and Lejendary Adventure RPGs, as well as a number of board games. He also wrote several fantasy novels. "I don't think I've really grokked it yet," said Mike Mearls, the lead developer of the upcoming 4th edition of Dungeons and Dragons. "He was like the cool uncle that every gamer had. He shaped an entire generation of gamers." Gygax was not directly involved with Dungeons & Dragons after 1985, and his relationship with his former company, TSR Inc., was not friendly at first. The company sued him over his competing game Dangerous Journeys, and in a 2004 interview with GameSpy he stated that he was "pleased to say" that he thought the cost of the suit and settlement drove TSR to sell the rights to the game. While reportedly unimpressed with the current edition of the Dungeons and Dragons game, he created adventures and settings that could be used with it, which were published by Troll Lord Games. Gygax went well beyond the role of game developer and became an icon to gamers, appearing as himself in episodes of Futurama and Code Monkeys and participating in discussions on roleplaying-related message boards. Gygax had been in poor health for some time, according to his wife Gail. Chenault says he will publish more information, including funeral arrangements, on the Troll Lord message board as it becomes available.

2008-02-04 13:10:30

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE-ANIME EXPO® 2008: SWEET FEBRUARY PRE-REGISTRATION DEAL(admin, ::am) FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE ANIME EXPO® 2008: SWEET FEBRUARY PRE-REGISTRATION DEAL Nation¹s Largest Convention Announces January Winners Anaheim, California (February 4, 2008) ‹ Anime fans can win fantastic prizes the month of February from such amazing companies like Gaia Online by just registering for the nation¹s largest Anime/Manga convention! Anime Expo® 2007 will be held from July 3-6, 2008 at the Los Angeles Convention Center in Los Angeles, CA. More information can be found on the website www.anime-expo.org . Prizes consist of trading cards, anime DVD¹s, posters, books, manga, Gaia Online Water Meat Plushies, Gaia Online Gwee key chains, Gaia Online Gold Cards and much more! All registrants who register before the end of February 2008 are automatically placed into the drawing. Those who have already pre-registered are also automatically entered into this drawing. Fifteen (15) winners have been announced for the month of January 2008 and will receive their prizes shortly. January 2008 winners are: · J. Laune-Riverside, CA · B. Chi-Rosemead, CA · N. Phillips-Healdton, OK · J. Logrono-Aliso Viejo, CA · B. Goldhammer-Bakersfield, CA · T. Holland-Northridge, CA · P. Leung-Diamond Bar, CA · J. Garland-Katy, TX · W. Hong-Cupertino, CA · E. Woo-Los Angeles, CA · S. Wolf-Scotts Valley, CA · T. Zsiga-Las Vegas, NV · B. Miller-Buena Park, CA · T. Bui-Westminster, CA · C. Anderson-Seattle, WA Attendees can register and book their rooms online at: http://registration.expoexchange.com/ShowSPJ081/Default.aspx No special code is needed. Limited rooms are available and attendees are encouraged to book their hotels early. Attendees, Press and Industry Members are also encouraged to view the video coverage site of the 2007 convention at www.AXBackstage.org.

2008-01-30 15:25:25

Join Sakura-Con at the Asian Pacific Cultural Center\'s New Year Celebration!!(admin, ::am) Team Sakura will have a table at the Asian Pacific Cultural Center's 2008 New Year Celebration! We will be selling registration at the reduced price of $40.00 in honor of this event. Here is the press release from the organization for more details... 2008 New Year Celebration A Celebration of Cultures in the Tacoma Dome The Asia Pacific Cultural Center is pleased to announce the 10th Annual New Year Celebration of the Chinese New Year, the Year of the Rat. The 2008 New Year Celebration features rich culture and heritage of Cambodia with entertainment from other Asia Pacific cultures in our community. The event is being held on Saturday, February 9 from 9 a.m. – 6 p.m., in the Tacoma Dome Exhibition Hall, located at 2727 East "D" Street, Tacoma, Washington. The day is filled with entertainment from the different Asia Pacific cultures, community information booths, vendor booths, food booths and educational, hands on activities for kids. It's a free, fun filled, family friendly celebration! The APCC New Year Celebration is sponsored by the Tacoma Arts Commission, Pierce College, and Albers & Company, Inc. The Asia Pacific Cultural Center serves as an interactive cultural crossroads between local and international communities by bridging East and West through arts, culture, education and business. Our mission is to celebrate and increase awareness of Asia Pacific cultures. For more information on Asia Pacific Cultural Center, classes or events visit . Event: 10th Annual New Year Celebration Date: Saturday, February 9th, 2008 Time: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Location: Tacoma Dome Exhibition Hall, 2727 East "D" Street, Tacoma, Washington

2008-01-28 13:21:03

SOCIETY FOR THE PROMOTION OF JAPANESE ANIMATION ACCEPTING SUBMISSIONS FOR THE SPJA INDUSTRY AWARDS(admin, ::am) SOCIETY FOR THE PROMOTION OF JAPANESE ANIMATION ACCEPTING SUBMISSIONS FOR THE SPJA INDUSTRY AWARDS Submissions for SPJA Awards Now Being Accepted Anaheim, California (January 28, 2008) ‹ The Society for the Promotion of Japanese Animation (SPJA), the overseeing body of the nation¹s largest anime/manga convention (Anime Expo®), announces a call for submissions for the highly recognized and coveted SPJA Industry Awards. More information can be found on the website www.spja.org . ³The SPJA Board of Directors are proud to stand behind the SPJA Industry Awards. It is a fantastic opportunity for the public to recognize titles and individuals that have made an major impact within the anime and manga industry during the past year,² states Mr. Marc Perez SPJA Board chairman. "The SPJA Industry awards give fans the opportunity to see what is new in the past year in the anime and manga world, and to voice what they liked. It is also an opportunity to bring recognition and attention to titles that may have been over-looked but are worthy for public consideration,² states Anime Expo® 2008 Director of Programs Ms. May Anderson. With twenty-one (21) official categories, industry companies will be allowed to submit one (1) entry per category which will be narrowed, by an internal voting body, to a pool of finalists to be voted upon by the public via the SPJA (www.spja.org ) and Anime Expo® (www.anime-expo.org ) websites. Winners will be announced via an awards ceremony during Anime Expo® 2008 (July 3-6, 2008; Los Angeles Convention Center) at the official SPJA Industry Reception. The nomination entry deadline is February 22, 2008 at 11:59 PM PDT (Pacific Daylight-Savings Time). SPJA Industry Awards official criteria for eligibility, rules, procedures and forms can be downloaded from the official SPJA website www.spja.org . Inquiries can be made to Awards@spja.org SPJA Industry Awards Categories Category 01: BEST VOICE ACTOR (JAPANESE) Japanese male voice for an animated role in a TV or OVA series; does not necessarily have to be the main male lead in the series. Category 02: BEST VOICE ACTOR (ENGLISH) English male voice for an animated role in a TV or OVA series; does not necessarily have to be the main male lead in the series. Category 03: BEST VOICE ACTRESS (JAPANESE) Japanese female voice for an animated role in a TV or OVA series; does not necessarily have to be the main female lead in the series. Category 04: BEST VOICE ACTRESS (ENGLISH) English female voice for an animated role in a TV or OVA series; does not necessarily have to be the main female lead in the series. Category 05: BEST CASTING DIRECTOR The English casting director that best casts the roles of all spoken parts in an anime TV or OVA series in contrast to the original Japanese version. Category 06: BEST CHARACTER DESIGNER The designer is responsible for designing, drawing, and interpreting original production characters for an anime TV or OVA series. Category 07: BEST MECHANICAL DESIGNER The mechanical designer is based upon the design and drawing of key production mechanisms for a TV or OVA series including mecha, ships, space stations, and other working mechanics. Category 08: BEST MALE CHARACTER The male character is a non-female gender character in a TV or OVA series; does not necessarily have to be the main male lead in the series. This category will factor in overall character design, development, and voice. Category 08: BEST FEMALE CHARACTER The female character is a non-male gender character in a TV or OVA series; does not necessarily have to be the main female lead in the series. This category will factor in overall character design, development, and voice. Category 10: BEST MASCOT CHARACTER The mascot is a character that primarily does not take on human form and portrays a supporting role in a TV or OVA series. Category 11: BEST BACKGROUND DESIGNER The background designer is responsible for designing and drawing key production backgrounds for a TV or OVA series. Category 12: BEST ORIGINAL VIDEO ANIMATION Anime series that is made specially to be released on home video formats, with a majority release without prior showings on broadcast TV or in theaters. It is usually referred to as an OVA or OAV series. Category 13: BEST FEATURE FILM Anime feature film which is made specially to be released in theaters, with a majority release without prior showings on TV. No distinction shall be made with regards to short films or series films. Category 14: BEST TELEVISION SERIES Anime series that was made originally for broadcast television in Japan. Usually consists of thirteen (13) or more episodes. Category 15: BEST ORIGINAL SCORE An original score is a substantial body of music in the form of dramatic underscoring originating with the submitting anime TV series. Category 16: BEST ORIGINAL SONG An original song consists of words and music, both of which are original and written specifically for the anime TV series. There must be a clearly audible, intelligible, substantive rendition (not necessarily visually presented) of both lyric and melody, used in the body of the series or as the opening and/or ending credits. Category 17: BEST DIRECTOR The person responsible for the best interpretive aspects of a TV or OVA series; including the integration of all the elements as acting, staging, artistry required to realize the writer's conception. Category 18: BEST MANGA - ACTION Manga class of creative works characterized by a greater emphasis on exciting action sequences than on character development or story-telling. Category 19: BEST MANGA - COMEDY Manga class of creative works characterized by a greater emphasis on humorous sequences than on character development or story-telling. Category 20: BEST MANGA - DRAMA Manga class of creative works characterized by a series of events consisting of vivid, emotional, conflicting, or striking interest in character development and story-telling. Category 21: BEST PUBLICATION Includes periodicals such as magazines, scholarly journals, and newspapers covering anime and manga.

2007-09-22 01:38:03

Unofficial photoshoot for cosplayers September 2007(admin, ::am) While only a few of us showed up for the cosplay gathering it was lots of fun and some great photos were taken. We ended up migrating from the UW to gassworks park. We surprised more then one park goer and a few tour boats. One thought our Akane Tendo was instead reenacting a scene from the movie 'The Sound of Music'. We plan on making the gathering a monthly event so if you live in the Seattle area and want to join in check back for the next date.

2007-09-18 03:00:00

Nan Desu Kan 2007(admin, ::am) Photos are processing an uploading now from this years Nan Desu Kan. There were lots of great costumers there this year and even your cosplayphotos.com webmaster joined in on the fun Sunday. The Anime Orchestra was awesome this year as it was last time. Carlos and Hector of Ani-Music Unlimited once again played music in the halls to an audience consisting of anime and video game characers, zombies, a break dancing Waldo, a banana guy, and other attendees simulating falling Tetris blocks. Speaking of zombies these guys wandered the halls for the entire convention without leaving character except to dance briefly while Hector played 'thriller'. Cosplayers were unusually creative at this convention. On Friday I ran into: Sailor Saske a candy cane ninja a functional DRD and a chibi Eva01 click here to see all the convention photos

2007-09-11 02:49:22

Kumoricon 2008 mascot winner!(admin, ::am)