2008 Woodie Awards
Convention animates Olscamp Hall
The 6th annual Animarathon
By: Kristen Zenz
Issue date: 3/28/08 Section: Campus
Olscamp Hall will look a little different this Saturday. The building will be filled with people roaming the halls dressed up as anime characters instead of students rushing to class.
Anime in Northwest Ohio, the University's official anime club, is hosting its 6th annual Animarathon, a small-scale convention celebrating anime and Japanese related media.
The convention aims to attract fans near and far. Last year, Elizabeth Zaffino drove two and a half hours to attend the convention. This year, as a freshman, she is helping organize the event and leading panel discussions.
It's a nice atmosphere and the vendors are really nice, Zaffino said. They even let you talk them down on prices, she continued.
Vendors will be selling East Asian and Anime merchandise like DVDs, candy, stuffed animals, full costumes, capes, figurines and Japanese imports. Only five vendors were in attendance last year. This year there will be 15.
Despite the lack of vendors, the convention attracted 7,000 visitors last year, said Stephanie Edwards, ANO president.
This year, the convention will have 20 rooms in Olscamp dedicated to panel discussions, anime screenings, video game competitions, dealers, artists and much more.
"We're overwhelming people with opportunities," Edwards said.
Volunteers will lead over 20 panel discussions on topics like, "Social Side of Sci-fi", "Super Smash Brothers Fan Panel", "Gender Roles and Sexism in Anime", "So You're Teaching Yourself Japanese?" and "Asian Communities United-Sexy or Nerdy".
"Even if you don't like anime at all, you'll find something to enjoy," Edwards said. "There's a lot of culture, not just pop culture."
There will also be a cosplay competition where attendees can dress as their favorite character, perform skits and compete against others for best dressed.
Although similar to typical anime conventions held across the nation, Animarathon is only held on one day rather than two or three.
Anime in Northwest Ohio, the University's official anime club, is hosting its 6th annual Animarathon, a small-scale convention celebrating anime and Japanese related media.
The convention aims to attract fans near and far. Last year, Elizabeth Zaffino drove two and a half hours to attend the convention. This year, as a freshman, she is helping organize the event and leading panel discussions.
It's a nice atmosphere and the vendors are really nice, Zaffino said. They even let you talk them down on prices, she continued.
Vendors will be selling East Asian and Anime merchandise like DVDs, candy, stuffed animals, full costumes, capes, figurines and Japanese imports. Only five vendors were in attendance last year. This year there will be 15.
Despite the lack of vendors, the convention attracted 7,000 visitors last year, said Stephanie Edwards, ANO president.
This year, the convention will have 20 rooms in Olscamp dedicated to panel discussions, anime screenings, video game competitions, dealers, artists and much more.
"We're overwhelming people with opportunities," Edwards said.
Volunteers will lead over 20 panel discussions on topics like, "Social Side of Sci-fi", "Super Smash Brothers Fan Panel", "Gender Roles and Sexism in Anime", "So You're Teaching Yourself Japanese?" and "Asian Communities United-Sexy or Nerdy".
"Even if you don't like anime at all, you'll find something to enjoy," Edwards said. "There's a lot of culture, not just pop culture."
There will also be a cosplay competition where attendees can dress as their favorite character, perform skits and compete against others for best dressed.
Although similar to typical anime conventions held across the nation, Animarathon is only held on one day rather than two or three.
Viewing Comments 1 - 1 of 1
Tyler Theis
posted 3/28/08 @ 10:07 AM EST
Animarathon!
I remember the first few Animarathons. I haven't been by in a few years, but if it's still as fun as the original, this thing'll be a blast. (Continued…)
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