Orpheus Emerged

Anime North 2007
The anniversary of my arrival in Toronto and the long awaited event of Anime North occur simultaneously, and what better way to celebrate than by spending the weekend in an orgy of absolute geekiness, steeped in fandom and cloaked in costumery! We rented a hotel suite near the convention centre, spent weeks on our costumes, and planned out a schedule in advance that would allow us to absorb every worthwhile panel, viewing, game and workshop imaginable; predictably the costumes fell apart and nearly every event was missed in a frantic and exhausting debacle. Such is the convention experience! I also spent an inordinate amount of money on toys, and avoided the rare books that would have depleted my savings entirely.

By the last day I was unshaven, barely conscious due to a terrifying lack of sleep, smelling awful, and laden down with merchandise and swag, stomach bloated and skin oily from a steady diet of snack food and alcohol, feet swollen from marching endlessly between buildings and nerves frayed from the unending barrage of humanity jostling me at every moment.

I did well in the standings at the Goldeneye Tournament, but having not played it in years seemed to have taken it's toll, and I failed to take home the prize.

Worthwhile events included a panel on 'Living in Japan' by those who had done just that, as students and teachers, and the competition among 'Animated Music Videos (AMV's)'.

Unfortunate events included a panel discussion on Final Fantasy that was the equivalent of argueing about your favourite game with strangers in a comic book shop, cheetos clutched feverishly in your gesticulating fist, as well as a workshop on cel painting that ended up just being Stephen Bennet (a man with an shady past apparently, renowned for failing to pay his writers and artists when he ran a failed publishing house) prattling on about his childhood and his opinions on social development for nearly an hour before handing out a poor selection of cels and chunky acrylics, complete with old frayed brushes and a minimum of practical advice.

Now, for the moment you've been waiting for, ( 40+ photos of the entire extravaganza. )

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