Check out Mikomicon 2008 at Cal State University, Northridge. There will be a live programming, live performances, vendor hall, dance nights, eating contests and sumo wrestling.

They are looking for volunteers. Early registration has been extended till 9/7/08.

I was a bit skeptical about how the new and improved registration process would go this year but as it turns out it was rather smooth.  I did however waste a bit of time standing in line to get into the actual LA convention center and really didn’t need to. Once we got in it was a free for all until we walked up to the pre-reg lines. There were like twelve other entrances into the convention center..oh well, my husband is convinced that most AX attendess just like to get in line just for the sake of standing in line….weird.

There was quite a bit of walking around because certain areas were roped off and the AX volunteers made us walk the long way to most activities.   

This year was extra special becuase I took my daughter for the first time. She loved it and is looking forward to next year. 

Artist’s Alley was my favorite part of AX this year. There was plently of space, lots of different kinds of art, t-shirts, jewelry, cosplay items, cat hats and cat ears.  I also enjoyed that fact that there were about 12 Japanese art students that were there and they were selling their sketches.  I picked up two, one was Salior Moon for my daughter and I wanted a sketch that I saw of all three characters from Samauri Champloo (my fav)

Now that I know the layout I think I will enjoy AX better next year. It was announced at closing ceremonies that AX2009 will be held again at the L.A. convention center.

It’s one of my favorite events of the year. The Society for the Promotion of Japanese Animation (SPJA) is host to this annual event which is the largest trade show of it’s kind in the U.S. It is an opportunity for fans to get up close in personal with industry types, influential artists and mingle with other anime fans from all over the country who are just like them…diehard otaku! 

The AX Exhibition hall is jam packed with import and domestic anime and manga merchandise for sale.  There are also charity auctions, masquarade balls, dances, panels on culture and fandom, live concerts and of course almost 24 hour viewing of anime is scheduled. Whatever your taste in anime, you will find something you like. 

One of my favorite parts of Anime Expo is the Artist Alley where up and coming artist display their artwork for attendess to enjoy.  They sell their artwork on anything from buttons to stickers and badges to 8×10 prints. You can also commission an artist to do a custom made piece of artwork just for you. 

Another favorite of mine are the cultural classes AX has to offer.  I have attended an authentic tea ceremony and learned a fan dance. This year I plan on attending the origami class and parapara dancing.  Last year I was introduced to parapara dancing and I think I caught the bug.  

Get more info at www.anime-expo.org This years AX is being held July 3-6, 2008 at the Los Angeles Convention Center.

I met these folks at the AX07 in Long Beach over the summer. They are based in San Francisco and were so nice and had the best selection of Tokidoki vinyl and Gloomy Bear items.  I scored my Bastardino and Polpetinna from them as well a Gloomy Bear keychain and plushie.

They have great new items in this week in their online store.  They have tons of japanese designer toys, Gamo-go clothing and accessories, books and magazines, Revoltech action figures and lots of plushies to include this super cute limited edition Monchichi.  I LOVE HIM!  My sister and I had Monchichi’s when we were kids and I am happy to report I am still the proud owner of two of them!  

Visit www.Ningyoushi.com for all your cool toys for the savvy collector!

 The long awaited album from Maja is now available at:  http://tinyurl.com/3bdxay

Maja has described his music as fusion.  Keeping it real and never, ever taking your eye off the prize.  Good things come to those who wait and this album is no exception.  This talented artist’s music is as original as they come.

Buy this album and I promise it will not dissappoint you.  Listen to his lyrics, nod your head to the beat and take a glimpse into Maja’s world.  He is changing the face of hip-hop one rhyme at a time

To find out more about Maja, visit www.myspace.com/newschoolhiphop

I spoke to Jamie, owner of JapanLA this afternoon about the new Famiglia print.  They have a limited amount of styles but give them a call and she will gladly help you.  She has the Zucca, Ciao, Ciao Ciao, Luna, Babybag, Campeggio, Dolce,  Bocce, Bambino, Canguro, and Nuvola.

We also chatted about the Anime Expo that was this past weekend.  It was tons of fun but very crowded and I hate to report but very disorganized for being their 16 year doing this event. Overall, saw and met lots of cool people, watched new anime and picked up some items I have had my eye on.

I met a lot of cool people carrying tokidoki bags. This is Theresa with her campeggio Inferno bag. She was very nice-her and I were carrying the same bag.

 

I am also very, very sad to report all of the FAKE tokidoki bags I saw. I took candid photos of them, I cut off their heads to protect their identity because I did not want to put them on BLAST but I can’t believe they showed up with fake bags, when 99% of people were running around expo with the real deal! UUUGGGHHH! We love tokidoki and want to support the integrity of Simone Legno’s work.  Come on people!

Watched some Anime, did lots of people watching and walked through the Vendor hall where I met Denise from www.ningyoushi.com I bought my Bastardino and Polpettina from her.  She was so nice I had to take a pic and blog about her store. 

I also met some really nice folks at www.tofugirls.com They had a fantastic booth.  Their designs are so adorable and really reflect their definition of woman power.  I met Mindy and she was really nice.  You have to check out their site.