.
Panels and workshops will be added weekly so check back often to see what's new. Have an idea for a panel? Contact us to help set it up. This is a tentative list and will change as the con gets closer.
A full schedule with times and dates will be posted as the convention gets closer but here is what we have lined up so far.
1-Blindfold candy taste test – contestants will be blindfolded and given different kinds of Japanese candy; they have to describe what it is – specific, not just Mochi, also what type (you can’t participate if you have any kind of food allergies; not all the candy is going to taste good as a matter of fact some will taste very,very bad)
2- Cosplay checkers – jump your opponent to be the King...I know it sounds wrong somehow but trust us on this
3 - Japanese Gameshow – you’ve seen them on YouTube, now it’s your turn to participate in a Japanese gameshow – must be strong-willed, not get motion sickness, not embarrass easily, have a strong stomach and Big Wheel riding abilities are a plus – contestants can win Japanese candy prizes
4 - Kitchen princess-Learn to cook Japanese cuisine w/chef in this hands-on demo
5 - Cosplay contest- dress to impress in the best dressed cosplay of the con.
6 – Japanese 101 – basic foundation and introduction to the Japanese Language and culture
7 - How to draw manga – art instruction on the basics of perspective, expression and human anatomy Manga-style
8 - Whose line is it anyway – open to all – 4 contestants at a time, best improv troupe at the end wins some loot so try your hand at some comedy
9 - Movie scene dubbing contest – take a classic Hollywood movie and redub it – all movies will be in the public domain; you’ll be asked to dub a 5-minute clip; all clips will be replayed on Sunday. Note, this has nothing to do with anime…unless of course you’re creative
10 - Who am I –panel guesses cosplayers identity – one hidden cosplayer with two groups of three contestants asking a total of 20 questions (10 questions per group); whoever can guess the identity first wins and moves on to the next phase with a new group of contestants…prizes will be awarded
11 - Dating game – classic game show, with three contestants asking questions to win the heart of a lucky lady or man…an actual date win not be involved but lets see who could win their hearts anyway
12 - Kaiji- different Japanese monsters throughout the year; do you have a favorite?
13 - What I have learned about japan via youtube – the best YouTube clips I could find; many disturbing, many more very disturbing, but all fun
14 – Horror movie makeup- learn the art of movie make-up – how to become a zombie or other creature of the night– what you need, how to apply it and most importantly how to remove it
15 – Zombie make-up – be a zombie for a day – we’ll have a make-up artist on hand to turn you into a Zombie for free – Are you cosplaying Sakura? Wonder what she would look like as a zombie? Come find out! We will also be doing a Zombie themed Con calendar and are looking for cosplayers to pose for pics with zombies during the con
16 - Martial arts demo? – There is, tentatively, a Dojo performing martial arts demonstrations
17 - Japanese spelling bee – Can you spell “Naruto”? That’s great, but it’s not going to win you the contest. You better start brushing up on words now because there are prizes involved
18-Who’s the best kisser, best anime kisses throughout the years
19- Origami- learn the basics of origami and bring home your very own Swan.
20-Manga pictionary...'nuff said
20- 30 minute manga -You have 30 minutes to write and draw your own 1 page manga. Points will be given for originality and teams are welcome. Anyone from artists alley want to take a shot?
21-Tea ceremony- Japanese Tea Ceremony ~ 1 hr
The Japanese Tea Ceremony has been performed to standing room only crowds at most conventions. It is an interactive demonstration of a traditional Japanese Thin Tea Ceremony, including a discussion of its symbolism, history, and its roots in Zen. Li Izumi studied Tea Ceremony in Akita, Japan. Panel participants will be able to sample the Japanese Green Tea at the end of the demonstration, and a few participants will be able to act as ‘guests’ during the demonstration.
22- Video rooms showing Anime 24 hours a day
23-A theater company will be preforming throughout Friday and Saturday, sit back, relax and watch the comedy ensue
24-1 Stage Show Friday Evening (1 Hour Show, with comedic warm up)
25- Movement Work shops Twice 1.5 Hour Each. This would encompass Commedia, Clown, Japanese Movement Training.
26-2-3 Stage Shows of Commedia Mania theater during Saturday 30-45 Sets.
27- Asian Brush painting ~ 1 hr
An interactive demonstration of the brush techniques used in Calligraphy and Asian Brush Painting (in Japan, Sumi-e). We will relate painting to the meditation process and the history of these techniques, the roots of which originated in China. Workshop participants will have the opportunity to create their Own brush painting.
28- A Brief History of Japan : The Early Years ~ 1 hr
This panel talks about the history of Japan to the medieval times, so that fans can have a better sense of the historical context that has helped shape some of their favorite anime and manga. Find out why you too might like yayoi! Poetry for sex and politics in the Heian era! The rise of the Samurai!
29- Kimono & Yukata ~1 hr
A demonstration of how to properly put on Kimono and Yukata,including how to tie the obi. In addition, we will discuss the differences between Kimono and Yukata and Japanese ideals of beauty. We will talk about how to make your own Yukata, including where to find patterns and fabric choices. Li Izumi studied how to properly put on a Kimono (a nearly hour long process) in Akita, Japan. Akiko Meigetsu and Li zumi have sewn their own Yukata and Kimono.
30- How to Draw – Chibi Style! ~ 1 hr
We see it everywhere in manga and anime, from Fushigi Yuugi to Evangelian to Trigun to Dragon Half. In this panel we’ll talk about the different ways to do chibi (super-deformed) characters, including different proportion rules and what makes them so damn cute! Participants will be able to try their hand at the style.
1-Blindfold candy taste test – contestants will be blindfolded and given different kinds of Japanese candy; they have to describe what it is – specific, not just Mochi, also what type (you can’t participate if you have any kind of food allergies; not all the candy is going to taste good as a matter of fact some will taste very,very bad)
2- Cosplay checkers – jump your opponent to be the King...I know it sounds wrong somehow but trust us on this
3 - Japanese Gameshow – you’ve seen them on YouTube, now it’s your turn to participate in a Japanese gameshow – must be strong-willed, not get motion sickness, not embarrass easily, have a strong stomach and Big Wheel riding abilities are a plus – contestants can win Japanese candy prizes
4 - Kitchen princess-Learn to cook Japanese cuisine w/chef in this hands-on demo
5 - Cosplay contest- dress to impress in the best dressed cosplay of the con.
6 – Japanese 101 – basic foundation and introduction to the Japanese Language and culture
7 - How to draw manga – art instruction on the basics of perspective, expression and human anatomy Manga-style
8 - Whose line is it anyway – open to all – 4 contestants at a time, best improv troupe at the end wins some loot so try your hand at some comedy
9 - Movie scene dubbing contest – take a classic Hollywood movie and redub it – all movies will be in the public domain; you’ll be asked to dub a 5-minute clip; all clips will be replayed on Sunday. Note, this has nothing to do with anime…unless of course you’re creative
10 - Who am I –panel guesses cosplayers identity – one hidden cosplayer with two groups of three contestants asking a total of 20 questions (10 questions per group); whoever can guess the identity first wins and moves on to the next phase with a new group of contestants…prizes will be awarded
11 - Dating game – classic game show, with three contestants asking questions to win the heart of a lucky lady or man…an actual date win not be involved but lets see who could win their hearts anyway
12 - Kaiji- different Japanese monsters throughout the year; do you have a favorite?
13 - What I have learned about japan via youtube – the best YouTube clips I could find; many disturbing, many more very disturbing, but all fun
14 – Horror movie makeup- learn the art of movie make-up – how to become a zombie or other creature of the night– what you need, how to apply it and most importantly how to remove it
15 – Zombie make-up – be a zombie for a day – we’ll have a make-up artist on hand to turn you into a Zombie for free – Are you cosplaying Sakura? Wonder what she would look like as a zombie? Come find out! We will also be doing a Zombie themed Con calendar and are looking for cosplayers to pose for pics with zombies during the con
16 - Martial arts demo? – There is, tentatively, a Dojo performing martial arts demonstrations
17 - Japanese spelling bee – Can you spell “Naruto”? That’s great, but it’s not going to win you the contest. You better start brushing up on words now because there are prizes involved
18-Who’s the best kisser, best anime kisses throughout the years
19- Origami- learn the basics of origami and bring home your very own Swan.
20-Manga pictionary...'nuff said
20- 30 minute manga -You have 30 minutes to write and draw your own 1 page manga. Points will be given for originality and teams are welcome. Anyone from artists alley want to take a shot?
21-Tea ceremony- Japanese Tea Ceremony ~ 1 hr
The Japanese Tea Ceremony has been performed to standing room only crowds at most conventions. It is an interactive demonstration of a traditional Japanese Thin Tea Ceremony, including a discussion of its symbolism, history, and its roots in Zen. Li Izumi studied Tea Ceremony in Akita, Japan. Panel participants will be able to sample the Japanese Green Tea at the end of the demonstration, and a few participants will be able to act as ‘guests’ during the demonstration.
22- Video rooms showing Anime 24 hours a day
23-A theater company will be preforming throughout Friday and Saturday, sit back, relax and watch the comedy ensue
24-1 Stage Show Friday Evening (1 Hour Show, with comedic warm up)
25- Movement Work shops Twice 1.5 Hour Each. This would encompass Commedia, Clown, Japanese Movement Training.
26-2-3 Stage Shows of Commedia Mania theater during Saturday 30-45 Sets.
27- Asian Brush painting ~ 1 hr
An interactive demonstration of the brush techniques used in Calligraphy and Asian Brush Painting (in Japan, Sumi-e). We will relate painting to the meditation process and the history of these techniques, the roots of which originated in China. Workshop participants will have the opportunity to create their Own brush painting.
28- A Brief History of Japan : The Early Years ~ 1 hr
This panel talks about the history of Japan to the medieval times, so that fans can have a better sense of the historical context that has helped shape some of their favorite anime and manga. Find out why you too might like yayoi! Poetry for sex and politics in the Heian era! The rise of the Samurai!
29- Kimono & Yukata ~1 hr
A demonstration of how to properly put on Kimono and Yukata,including how to tie the obi. In addition, we will discuss the differences between Kimono and Yukata and Japanese ideals of beauty. We will talk about how to make your own Yukata, including where to find patterns and fabric choices. Li Izumi studied how to properly put on a Kimono (a nearly hour long process) in Akita, Japan. Akiko Meigetsu and Li zumi have sewn their own Yukata and Kimono.
30- How to Draw – Chibi Style! ~ 1 hr
We see it everywhere in manga and anime, from Fushigi Yuugi to Evangelian to Trigun to Dragon Half. In this panel we’ll talk about the different ways to do chibi (super-deformed) characters, including different proportion rules and what makes them so damn cute! Participants will be able to try their hand at the style.