This past weekend I made the short trip up to Seattle to attend Sakura-Con which is one of the largest annual anime conventions in North America. I’ve never been into anime (with the exception of Trigun) but my significant other is, and this was a birthday present to him. So we happily packed our bags and headed North for a weekend of anime antics.
I wasn’t quite sure what to expect. Initially, I thought we’d just be watching anime all day, or attending discussion panels led by the creators of the various shows, but it included a lot more than just those things. They also had: cosplay chess, autograph signings, costume contests, a few dances and a rave, gaming, karaoke, exhibition hall, charity auction, fashion shows and Japanese culture workshops. There were literally things going on all day long, and it was unlike any convention I had gone to before.
The thing I loved the most were the costumes people came dressed in. I was amazed by the inventiveness and dedication to staying in character that some people had. There were obviously people who slapped together a quick Mario and Luigi costume, but there were others who spent hours putting together what they wore, or carefully applying their makeup. I overheard one girl say she spent three months and over $700 in fabric making her costume which was a large full-body wildebeest jumpsuit complete with mascot head. Seriously impressive, especially to someone like me who has a hard enough time hemming my pants.
A few of my favorites:
Le Sexy French Toast Clown
Credit: Me & Le Clown
Credit: Me
Credit: Me
Credit: Me
Credit: Me
I intend to do a write up on my overall impression of the anime crowd, but thought I’d put up a quick post to share a few pictures from the event. If you want to see all of the photos, hop on over to my Flickr page.
Watashi no hobākurafuto wa unagi de ippai desu!
Sips of Jen and Tonic 
Oh my gosh… I just found out I have a new dream… I want to dress up like a toast!
It looks like you had a fun time!
You would make the cutest piece of toast! I expect a doodle!!!
Had never heard of it! So enlightening!
Really, these types of conventions are so cool. Just people dressed up and ready to have fun.
Jen, you are one cool girlfriend. Love the costumes, too. I can’t wait to hear more about the anime crowd. They are an interesting breed worth study. 😉
That’s an understatement!
Jen,
You know I love you. But to not recognize me as “Le French Toast Clown” was a real blow.
I didn’t really cried for my father on Monday. I cried because of you.
Le Fuck You Clown
I realized the errors of my ways, and rushed to fix my HORRIFIC mistake.
Lovers again?
Jen,
Only if you butter up Le French Toast Clown real good.
Le Getting Better Clown
How about now?
Jen,
We’re best friends. You’re a honorary member of A Clown on Fire.
Le Sexy French Toast Clown
My life is now complete.
Very cool! I’m guessing the Deadmau5es were mostly just there for the rave… 🙂
Absolutely 😉
That’s great! Glad you had fun, and more pictures please!
You can find the rest of the photos here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/jandtonic/sets/72157629417818604/
loved this. and can’t wait to hear more about it… and did you say something in japanese at the end there? wtf? lol. i always knew you were cool. this post seals the deal. 😉 moms
I don’t speak Japanese, but when I do, I copy and paste crazy phrases from the internet.
Aaah SUGOI! I love anime and I’ve heard many stories about these types of events 😀 So cool to see some pictures! I also read that in Japan you have many sub cultures with their specific extravagant clothing style, from super girly and doll-like to more gothic/emo-ish. Names that pop in mind now are, Gyaru, Lolita, Ganguro…I believe Ganguro is a orangey make up look? *mind goes blank* I really want to fo to Japan one day, just to stare and observe them haha.
I didn’t know you were an anime fan! Although, not surprising 🙂
I really want to go to Japan one day too. I’ve heard that seeing the Harajuku and Lolita fashions roaming the streets is wild!