72
A quick glance at the calendar on my desk shows there are more than seven months to go until late April and the next edition of Kawaii Kon, the local anime convention.
It’s never too early to start buzzing about what’s going on to prepare for next year, though. And there are several tidbits already worth talking about.
Convention chairman Stan Dahlin’s been dropping hints on the Kawaii Kon online forums that an announcement of the first two guests will come sometime this month.
I know who they are, but I’ve been sworn to secrecy on the matter.
I will say this, though: It’s one female and one male guest, neither of whom are from Japan, both of whom will be appearing at Kawaii Kon for the first time.
And while forum members have managed to figure out the male guest was in "Inu-Yasha," they haven’t gotten much else.
That makes me feel rather melancholy. Apparently only God knows at this stage who the female guest is.
She could be hanging out with a ragtag bunch of space cowboys or the Galaxy Police, for all we know. As for the male guest, sure, "Inu-Yasha" is one of his primary concerns, but I like to think he plays with Gundams and Transformers as well, along with some serious dabbling in alchemy and space piracy.
Those are all the hints I’m providing; happy guessing, folks.
The convention also is putting out a call for volunteers, with the first meeting at 11 a.m. Sept. 18 at Kakaako Waterfront Park. There’s a potluck, too, so bring a lovely dish and your appetite.
(Considering that it’s Sept. 18, I’m also morally obligated to remind all people of proper age that it’s the same day as the primary election. Don’t forget to vote before or after the meeting. We now return you to your regularly scheduled column, already in progress.)
Applicants must be at least 16 by next April, attend two staff meetings and a pre-convention staff meeting, and work at least 15 hours during the course of the convention. Registration on the Kawaii Kon online forums also is required. Applications are available at bit.ly/bHo8Y2.
Kawaii Kon is April 29 to May 1 at the Hawaii Convention Center. Current prices for three-day passes are $36 for ages 13 and up and $26 for ages 6 to 12. Visit www.kawaii-kon.org.
Anime around town
» MangaBento: This group of anime- and manga-inspired artists meets from 1 to 4 p.m. Sunday at the Academy Art Center, 1111 Victoria St., Room 200. For more information, visit www.manga-bento.com.
» Aiea Library Anime Club: 3 p.m. Sept. 18 at the library, 99-143 Moanalua Road. This month, librarian Diane Masaki will be screening the movie "Case Closed: The Phantom of Baker Street." E-mail Masaki at dianem@librarieshawaii.org.
» HEXXP: Meet staffers and apply to be a volunteer for the pop-culture convention in November at an orientation meeting, 3 p.m. Sept. 18 at Hawaii Kotohira Jinsha-Hawaii Dazaifu Tenmangu, 1239 Olomea St. in Kalihi. Visit www.hexxp.com.
Jason S. Yadao on Twitter at www.twitter.com/jsyadao or e-mail him at jyadao@staradvertiser.com.
