UlasanAnime.com – AnimeNEXT 2013 faced a tropical storm on its opening day, Friday. Fortunately, the weather cleared up significantly by Saturday morning, preventing the grass from becoming overly muddy despite the lingering moisture. This was a notable factor at AnimeNEXT 2013.
Since its relocation to the Doubletree / Garden State Expo Center just before the anime bubble burst, the venue offers ample grassy areas and alcoves perfect for photography. Nearby, a location known as “The Palace” hosts large events like weddings and even professional exams, making it a prime spot for cosplay photography.
However, the venue’s layout presents challenges for typical hall cosplay photography due to the lack of a large, open, and centralized area. Unlike venues with prominent features like the water fountain area at BCC or the main lobby at LACC, it can be difficult to locate where attendees are congregating. Even Animazement boasts a front lobby with glass construction that offers clear views of both indoor and outdoor spaces, effectively expanding its perceived size. At Anext, a designated gathering spot for cosplayers exists near the “red docks” on one side of the Doubletree, but it’s quite out of the way and not easily discoverable without prior knowledge.
The focus on cosplay photography stems from the author’s purpose at the event: to capture cosplay images and to report on the appearances of Sayo Yamamoto and Hiroshi Shimizu.
Shimizu is a seasoned animator with numerous key animator credits. During the two sessions the author attended with him (accompanying Yamamoto at all their events, as neither had solo appearances), it was evident that Shimizu often filled in on larger productions. He truly embodies the term “animator” in an industry context, as he demonstrated by creating genga (animation key frames) during a Q&A panel. His average production rate is approximately one sheet every 250 seconds. This contrasts with animators like Hiroshi Nagahama, who can sketch for attendees during autograph sessions at AZ, similar to Shimizu’s activity at Anext.
The author managed to obtain a Lupin-themed shikishi, which was a satisfactory acquisition, though a Michiko-themed one would have been an alternative preference. Sayo Yamamoto is described as a somewhat stereotypical artistic Asian woman, likely close in age to the author. Despite her talent, she is perceived to still be learning the ropes of the industry. Shimizu is characterized as quiet but articulate when speaking, while Yamamoto is described as somewhat flighty. The interpreters were not particularly helpful, but this was a familiar situation given the potential for in-depth discussions.
The most significant takeaway from the event is that Yamamoto is working on a new project that is anticipated to be quite impressive. Her known admiration for Yakushimaru Etsuko came as no surprise to observers.
The remainder of the author’s time at Anext was spent socializing with @7thwraith and friends. Numerous conversations and jokes were shared, leading to a positive experience. The author gained insights into AnimeNEXT’s cosplay culture, an area previously of less interest but now viewed with newfound appreciation. The need for more “Producers” (referring to fans of idol anime like The Idolmaster) was noted. Given that these acquaintances are local, this could potentially lead to exciting developments.
This marked the author’s first experience relying solely on convention food throughout the event. Most meals were consumed at the Doubletree, as the hotel offered actual food options at reasonable prices. Parking at the venue was noted as a minor inconvenience. The author expressed a desire to visit Mamoun’s independently at some point, potentially to claim having visited all three of its locations.
During the convention, the author encountered a random Makoto-P who was volunteering, which was both amusing and somewhat unusual due to the different approaches to fan engagement. The author also met several familiar faces from other East Coast anime events. Ed’s industry panel was described as quite unhinged, with a single margarita apparently being sufficient to achieve this state. The author greeted EJ, a newcomer to the convention scene. The Aniplex panel offered no new announcements, which was an expected outcome. The author expressed sympathy for a “Cali guy” who had to travel to a New Jersey convention for work, feeling more empathy for him than for attendees from Texas.
Loot:
During Yamamoto and Shimizu’s autograph session, Fujiko Mine anime posters were distributed for signing. The four scribbles on the poster were identified as belonging to Moon Stream, a visual artist group.
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Additionally, Doujin Press was present at the event, described as “pretty snazzy.”
