Convention convergence is nothing new: A book review and a giveaway
My first ever fandom convention was Otakon 2006. That was eight years ago, but it’s stunning how little has changed. Check out these Otakon 2006 cosplays—would any of these look…
Writing a book in seven weeks, part 2
This weekend marked the 150th anniversary of the book binding company where my father-in-law works. For over 30 years, he has operated a printing press as large as a two-story…
Otaku Links: The best
Two of the shows I was reviewing, Free! Eternal Summer and Nobunaga Concerto ended this week. Here’s what I thought of their finales. Why we don’t need “objective” anime criticism.…
An interview with visual artist OMOCAT
Her designs take tropes we know and love and turn them into something visually arresting. From her technicolor glitch art to creepy-cute original characters to the bold capital letters she…
Writing a book in seven weeks, part 1
Over the next seven weeks, I will be writing the book I mentioned earlier. Obviously that’s going to cut into my blog writing time, so I figured, why not write…
Otaku Links: Hint hint
Bakumatsu Rock, one of the shows I am reviewing for ANN, ended this week. I was more disappointed by the ending than by the show overall. I also wrote about…
Reporting on subculture with empathy and understanding
I like to think of the Small Press Expo as one enormous Artist’s Alley. For a weekend, the Marriott Bethesda’s largest ballroom is devoted independent artists and publishers from all over…
Otaku Links: Epic stuff
In this beautiful short film, two Anime Expo attendees share why they cosplay. The Amazing Life of Sean Smith, the Masterful Eve Gamer Slain in Libya. Mainstream media take note: often the most…
Lessons learned from professional anime reviewing
Today marks the third week of my professional anime reviewing career. As you might have noticed, I’ve been reviewing Free!, Bakumatsu Rock, and Nobunaga Concerto every Wednesday on Anime News Network. I…
Gunpla 101 Updates
There’s no good time to get sick, but Friday morning is probably one of the least opportune times to come down with something. Quarantined in my apartment, I made the…