UlasanAnime.com – As a long-time fan, I’ve encountered numerous interviews with creators and similar content. I’ve also attended several conventions and their Q&A panels. This perspective is informed by my background as a legal professional, but more significantly, by a desire to express my inner geek in a way that’s not overly embarrassing. At the very least, I hope this guide helps you save time thinking about asking questions, or encourages you to consider it, so you can avoid the mistakes I and many others have made.
Background
To be specific, I’m referring to the common fan conventions like Anime Expo in Southern California and Otakon in Baltimore, Maryland. While most North American anime conventions are smaller and have different priorities, the larger ones (over 20,000 attendees) offer a unique experience. The size of the convention can influence the intimacy of the setting between you and the guest you wish to see.
What sets North American anime conventions apart is the opportunity for close interaction with star guests. Naturally, a guest’s popularity dictates how accessible they are; celebrity-level guests are often more exclusive and harder to reach. This differs from industry-focused conventions with anime programming, such as New York Comic Con (NYCC) or San Diego Comic-Con (SDCC), and from Japanese conventions that lean more towards industry expos. Interestingly, conventions in Japan don’t typically offer the same level of guest access as American ones. The intimate experiences some fans have with guests, like my memorable encounter with Maya Okamoto, are highly sought after.
While it’s possible to access similar experiences in Japan, it usually requires industry connections or fan club memberships. This path demands significant investment in terms of both money and dedication, similar to attending conventions. However, the interaction might be limited to a single person, such as a handshake event. In contrast, a roundtable meet-and-greet at a convention offers a taste of this and allows you to connect with other interesting individuals, both fellow fans and guests. Online resources also provide a wealth of information. While publications like Newtype USA and webzines offer glimpses into the creative process behind our favorite shows, they are often supplemented by official bonus materials and their own versions of interviews. Nowadays, most anime have official websites with content primarily in Japanese, unlike those of regional licensees.
What the hell am I talking about?
Imagine you’re starting an anime publication, perhaps a website featuring news, reviews, and editorials. You’re a big fan of Mamiko Noto, who happens to be attending Otakon. Since you’re already planning to be there, you decide to attend her panel. What questions would you ask?
Consider another scenario: you’re the type who spends entire days in industry panels, which are often scheduled back-to-back at conventions. Taking a break, you wander into a larger room for a “guest of honor” panel. The guest is a relatively unknown young Japanese voice actress attending an American con. The panel room is significantly larger than the audience it has drawn. You recognize her name from a show you enjoyed, but that’s all you recall. Oddly, you think of a question: the character she voiced had a “tender” scene with another character of the same sex, and you’re curious about her feelings regarding that performance. Your initial thought is that it might be inappropriate, but the audience is small and intimate, and they seem to be struggling to generate interesting questions. You’re tempted to ask it just to liven things up. How can you approach this?
My aim is to address a range of desires:
- To entertain the guest and keep the panel engaging and fun.
- To satisfy your inner geek by asking questions and learning more about what interests you.
- To avoid appearing foolish.
- To elicit laughter if you do make a misstep, essentially taking one for the team.
- To entertain yourself and leave with positive memories.
So what?
One of my teachers used to say that preparation is half the battle, and he was right. If everyone attending a panel has detailed knowledge about the guest, the event transforms from a convention panel into a fan club discussion. The discourse automatically elevates, and the inner geek is easily satisfied.
Do your homework. If you want to contribute to a fun and successful panel, this is crucial. To ask insightful questions and make your interaction interesting for both readers and guests, take time beforehand to formulate good questions. Research thoroughly and gather as much information as possible. Instead of just reading a random biography, look for other interviews with the guest and explore fan communities (mailing lists, forums, etc.) to solicit ideas from existing fans who are knowledgeable. In essence, embrace your inner geek and nurture it.
If you’re already a fan of the person’s work, your homework will be significantly easier. It’s even more beneficial if you’re a fan who studies how creators and actors approach their craft, enabling you to understand their perspectives. I use “framework” loosely here, but think of it as a profile. Is the guest a deep thinker like Satoshi Kon, or more of a fanboy than you, like Shinichi Watanabe? Are they a revered figure like Tomino? Or are they someone who is deeply passionate about their work and “feels” it rather than intellectually dissects it, like many character designers? Are they primarily doing it for the paycheck but still enjoy it, like some producers, directors, or many voice actors? Or are they simply like you?
However, more often than not, the opposite is true. If you’re serious about asking questions at a convention, you might be inclined to think professionally. Doing homework becomes optional if you don’t feel the need. The issue is that many average fans ask simplistic questions because they haven’t done their research; the concept of “homework” before a convention doesn’t even cross their minds, let alone the ability to formulate a good question. Questions often arise spontaneously and tend to be either generic “What’s your favorite XYZ?” or overly personal expressions best reserved for private settings or online discussions. The question “How do you find inspiration for your work?” is a prime example of a common, yet often uninspired, query.
On the other hand, there are ways to engage publicly that differ from press panels. For instance, proposing a lighthearted challenge to a panelist can be a way of “taking one for the team,” as mentioned earlier. It requires courage and a well-thought-out approach, especially if executed with flair. Of course, such actions should not be impulsive, as they can easily backfire. The more you consider it, the more apparent the risks become. Those who could execute such jokes effectively often hesitate because they’ve meticulously planned and analyzed them. Other public engagements include asking about adult games at a Kotoko panel or inquiring about Gabriella Robin at a Yoko Kanno panel – questions that don’t necessarily require definitive answers. The key is to do your homework. This strategy isn’t always successful; timing and understanding the panelist’s perspective are crucial for delivering a joke effectively. Some guests excel at transforming awkward or generic questions into entertaining and insightful answers, even playing the role of “tsukkomi” (straight man) to your “boke” (funny man) when you offer your firstborn child.
Fortunately, most of us lack such boldness. For the considerate and fair reader who has persevered this far, here are a few concise pointers:
Package your questions well (I). Remember that if you’re not asking in the native language, the essence of your question must not be lost in translation. Use simple, direct phrasing. Speak slowly and clearly. Elaborate if necessary. (Example: In Marimite, what kind of relationship, do you think, did Shimako have with Noriko? How did you reflect it in your acting?)
Help the panelist to answer your question. Phrase your question in a way that provides a starting point for their response. This helps them understand your query and what kind of answer you’re seeking. (Example: Who came up with the idea of Sekiman in Akahori Gedou Hour Rabuge? Was it an inside joke?)
Package your question well (II). Explaining things using easily understandable terms benefits both the guest and the audience. It’s easy to forget, but the panelist interacts with the audience, and the audience reacts to the questions as much as to the panelist. Both are important. (Example: Mention both “Maria-sama ga Miteru” and “Marimite.”) Secondly, provide some background for questions involving obscure references (How many of you saw Sekiman? LOL), partly for the audience’s benefit and partly to jog the panelist’s memory (Seki has played too many roles to recall them all). As a bonus, demonstrating your research by including relevant but obscure facts about the guest can impress fans and perhaps even surprise the panelists.
Dialog. It may seem intimidating at some conventions, but when it’s your turn to ask a question, you’re allotted a brief moment with the audience microphone. This is feasible if you can convey your point without interrupting anyone, especially the guest. It helps to liven up the atmosphere if you have something casual yet meaningful to say, especially if it’s humorous. Keep it brief and concise. (Example: Laugh, ask a very short follow-up, and say “thank you.”)
Be precise. Unless there’s a specific reason to establish your long-standing fandom to elicit a particular answer, there’s no need to preface your question by stating you’re a devoted fan. Sometimes, this extraneous information can make the conversation seem trivial, especially if you mention traveling from afar (eliciting a cheer). However, people generally dislike it when a guest can only answer a limited number of questions because three of them are excessively long and unengaging. Moreover, the less you say, the fewer opportunities there are for mistakes or for you to be caught off guard.
Be polite and professional. Turn off your cell phone or set it to silent. Be courteous to your fellow fans; don’t monopolize the microphone. DO NOT ASK OR TALK ABOUT FANSUBBING. If possible, coordinate with others in line to ask questions. If you’re skilled, ask follow-up questions to existing good questions or on a relevant topic. If you arrive late to a panel, avoid asking questions that others likely would have already posed (essentially, if you need to preface it by saying someone might have asked it, don’t bother). Also, avoid arriving late to a panel and then asking questions, especially if you’re ahead of those who arrived on time. (Alternatively, ask someone who was present earlier.)
Package your questions well (III). Avoid making unnecessary assumptions whenever possible. If you’ve done sufficient research and feel confident, you can frame your question based on a presumed context that helps the panelist respond. However, it’s common for an interviewer to pose a question, and the guest either rejects it by not providing a useful answer or elaborates extensively on their approach, consuming extra time. This often stems from a mismatch between the question’s premise and the guest’s perspective. If the panelist is patient or understanding, they might skillfully steer the conversation back, but this isn’t always the case. (Example: Instead of asking “What is your favorite character that you played?”, ask “Of all the characters you’ve played, which one is the most memorable? Can you tell us why?”)
Package your questions well (special). If you intend to speak in Japanese during a non-Japanese panel, you must translate yourself. More often than not, this is a futile effort that wastes time, as the translator must either re-translate for the guest because your Japanese is poor, or for the audience’s benefit. Since you’ll need to pause for translation regardless, it’s best to let the official translator handle it. If you doubt their ability, assist them, don’t replace them.
And finally (though this is not an exhaustive list), be prepared. Do your homework. Conduct your research. Consult with others. Prepare a list of questions well in advance of the panel’s start. Listen attentively to both the audience and the panelists. Be aware of the dynamics of the panel. Pay attention to the translator and their effectiveness. Offer assistance if you can. Arrive on time.
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With these tips, you’ll hopefully be on your way to creating enjoyable and memorable experiences.
