Tamashii Nations 10th Anniversary World Tour, New York City

© 2017 Linda Thai
Photography by Linda Thai
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Attack on Titan at Kinokuniya

Article by Chet Royer

A while back, I noticed something happening within the American anime community. From my visits at various conventions, I saw that there was a growing number of fans for the anime and manga titled Attack on Titan also known as Shingeki no Kyoujin in Japan. As time passed, the fan base grew exponentially. So much that I would see some one wearing the uniform from the series on random days in New York City. So when I heard that Kinokuniya Bookstores at Bryant Park was having an Attack on Titan event, I expected the place to collapse due to the amount of fans showing up. What I actually saw shocked me!

Media Report: YuGiOh 3D: Bonds Beyond Time Premiere

The first thing one sees when entering the building past the first set of doors.

Media Report: Valentine's Anime and Manga Day 2011

About half an hour before 2pm, this was the first thing I encountered relating to the event: a LONG line of waiting attendees. They seriously wanted their cell phone case.

Sneaker Art Battle - First Time Experience

Even though this is a story about my experience at the Hip Hop Sneaker Art Workshop, I am actually having a writer's block. I do not know where to begin! So...where should I start?

Media Report: Holiday Anime and Manga Party 2010

Even though it was raining, fans of anime and manga came out to celebrate the holidays.

Tony Yao the host for the event introducing the panelist for the Unofficial One Piece Podcast. The attendees learned things that one may not have noticed before in the series.

Media Report: Ciné Dramatíque and NYAF 2010 PreParty

During the opening reception, there was a pre-show buffet, which included sushi, mini sandwiches and cookies. Pictured here is Peter Tatara, on the right, introducing John Arzayus, on the left, who is the artistic photographer behind Ciné Dramatíque.

Kodansha Comics Launch Event 2010

Hello Readers!

Here is a “partial” transcription of the Kodansha Comics panel that happened at the Kinokunya Bookstore in New York City during the Holiday Anime and Manga Day event. I am not a professional transcriber, however, I have done transcriptions for an Oral History class. Even though the panel was about 30 minutes in length, it took me a while to do the transcription. Unfortunately, I can not hear everything in the audio, so “?” are placed in certain areas with brackets.

Media Report: International Lolita Day 2010

Panel 1 - Lolitas in the Wired. From left to right: bloggers Dalin Rowell of La Vida Frills, Victoria Tignor of Lolita Charm and Crystal Marlarsky of Pretty Wonderland.

My First International Lolita Day Event

Before I go into details, I must say that it was an interesting and unexpected experience. So, let me start from the beginning.

The night before, I was figuring out whether or not I should wear a Lolita outfit. I heard there was going to be a storm, and I did not want the dress to get ruined. It took me quite some time to figure out what I wanted to do. My other dilemma was my uncertainty of which outfit to bring that will be convenient for me to carry. I know I wanted to wear an outfit that I have not worn, but which one! In the end, someone gave me a simple solution: if there is a bathroom, bring the dress and change there, and I settled with my two piece Qi Lolita outfit.

Running Around During Free Comic Book Day

On May 1, 2010, it was around 88 degrees in New York City. Out of all days to come outside and run around Manhattan, right? My hunt for comics felt like a citywide convention. I had to strategically figure out which comic bookstores to check out, while making the runs convenient and efficient. My motivation was to get the enjoyable and ever adorable Owly comic. (^_^)

Media Report: Ponyo Day March 6, 2010

Lobby –

Jon Hills from Hills Learning teaching people Japanese through the Ponyo dialogue.

The Vicious Circle

Article by Chet Royer

Usually before the conventions, a conference known as ICv2, is held for professionals to discuss the industry of anime, manga and comics. I have always wanted to attend one of these conferences, because I was always concerned with the current health of the industry. I, also, had a new question just for this year: will publishers start making e-books for their publications? It just so happens that this conference is specifically about embracing the digital age.

Media Report: Lolita Fashion Day 2009

OOooo Yummy cake! The cake was very pretty and nicely decorated. It was one of the props for the photo shoot. I wonder who ate it in the end?

Media Report: Super Para Natural Manga Day 2009

The first event of the day was the Bleach the Movie: Memories of Nobody screening at 11am. I did not go, because I already saw it and here is my review of the movie.

Next was the Vampires in Manga Presentation by performance group Alone Together NYC. They did a good job with their small stage production. Old fashion style theatre works. Unfortunately, I do not know what the theatre style or type is called…Sorry!!! Here, they are setting up their props for their performance.

Media Report: Manga for Dummies

The informative "Manga for Dummies" in a staircase like display on the table where the author of the book, Kensuke Okabayashi, was lecturing.

Kensuke Okabayashi and John Fuller, the manager of Kinokuniya bookstore, posing behind the lecture table located in the event area.

Smile guys! Kensuke Okabayashi, with his books in his hands, and John Fuller enjoying a moment with the camera (^_^)

OOoo!!! Manga style drawing (^_^) ! Kensuke explains how drawing characters is all about shapes. I see them anime circular shaped eyes. NICE!

Story time! We all love stories, right? Kensuke tells a story of how an artist he knew gave up drawing the minute he realized that he wasn't able to draw simple shapes anymore. No kidding! Even when I draw the shapes are all over the place…

Reddness! Kensuke shows how simply shading in specific areas can really change the mood of the character from happiness to anger. So, what mood do you think the color me red character is displaying?

I want to see a chibi! Where can I get one? Oh it’s right on the window sill. Kensuke shows off an example of a chibi. He uses the figure to show dimensions of the character's head and body and how it's different from ordinary manga characters. Chibi chibi chibi! They so cute and small (^_^)

Hey, it looks like a line frame of a person. Kensuke began to explain how chibis are drawn using a measurement called "heads" and a basic full sized character as a model. He added a little comedy to the explanation by starting to count in Japanese then switched to German before finishing the counting in English. So can you repeat the numbers Kensuke said? In German please.

Aww it is a chibi! Look at that cute simle! But how did Ken do it? In his second part of explaining how chibis are drawn, Kensuke used the measurement marks of the full-sized character to show the difference in dimensions for chibis. Dimension guys! Don’t forget them!

Focus people focus! If you want to learn to draw, you got to pay attention to Kensuke. A captivated audience looks on as Kensuke explains how to add hair to characters. Look! Even John is drawn in by the power of Kensuke’s lecture.

Come let’s go talk to Kensuke! Jessica Ruiz and another former member of the NYC Technical College Anime Club chat with Kensuke about the "Manga for Dummies" book. Sign it please! We need an autographed copy!

Let’s get to know him more! A member of Japanese media is interviewing Kensuke. Who speaks Japanese??? Help please…

Thanks for the assistance on the descriptions, Jason Linetsky!
Photography by Jason Linetsky.
© 2008 Linda Thai

Media Report: Haruhi Day 2008

BREAK TIME! Chatty aren't we? Fans and Yen Publishing taking a deserved break in between the fun filled trivia contests and go about chatting.

Yen Press representatives are giving an explanation of the US debut of "The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya" books.

FAN POWER! Seriously, Haruhi has a REALLY devoted fan. When the audience was asked who knew what Yen Press was, this fan (in gray) was the fastest to raise his hand. He was recognized by the representatives as being a very big fan as he was the first to arrive for the event and was given the first free copy of Haruhi book #1 as a gift for his devotion. AWWWW!!!!! How cute!

We got patience! The group of fans around the store waited patiently for the next trivia question. I wonder who got it right? Too many fans... Represent! Haruhi Power!

A blown up version of the event flier on poster board sat against the window behind the Yen Press table.

Dance Fever Haruhi style! Dance your heart out! Fans of Haruhi, including purple-haired Catholic school girl, Raven Thomas-Anthij (left), were invited to participate in a dance contest to see who could follow the popular Hare Hare Yukai Dance the best. The winner was given a free copy of one of the books Yen Press publishes.

Why is Yugi here? There's no duel...Wait, he's a fan of Haruhi??? And he can dance??!! Yugi Mutou, Niki Bikofsky (red and yellow wig), gives the "tada" gesture as she awaits the judge's decision of who danced the best.

Video - Hare Hare Yukai Dance
Wish you were there huh? You want to join them? Sorry about the quality. Can't control what other sites do.

Thanks for the assistance on the descriptions, Jason Linetsky!
Photography by Jason Linetsky.
© 2008 Linda Thai