Otakon - an annual convention that targets anime (Japanese animation) maniacs - is quite an eye-opener for anybody who might be under the impression that Japanese animation has only a minor cult following in America. The name Otakon is derived from "otaku" (Japanese for maniac or fanatic), and "kon" from the Japanese spelling of convention. The event is held by a non-profit organization annually in Baltimore. Modeled somewhat on comic book conventions, it started in 1994, when it drew a modest 350 attendees. Enthusiasm grew quickly however, and by 1999 there were 4,500 convention-goers. Just two years later it was 10,275, and this year Otakon drew a staggering 22,000 customers, each paying $40 to $55 to attend the three day event.

Otakon starts with a grand opening ceremony, and then members can pick and choose from various events taking place throughout, including panels on various aspects of anime, screenings, a trade show offering various anime related goods, and the very popular "cosplay" (costume play) competition.

The stars of animation are imaginatively drawn figures, but at Otakon the behind-the-scene people who help create them, such writers, animators, voice actors, character designers and theme song singers, get the celebrity treatment. This year the perky pop duo Puffy (known in the US as Puffy AmiYumi) made a guest appearance, although their hit cartoon is made in the States, and not really done in the Japanese anime style. They were nonetheless warmly received. In the past Yoko Kanno, L'Arc-en-Ciel and The Pillows (known for their songs in FLCL) have made appearances.

Very much related to anime are Japanese comic books, known as manga. Often characters that start out in manga are later adapted to anime, and sometimes the other way around. Manga and anime characters also fairly frequently appear in card and video games. One of the corporate sponsors this year was Go Comi, started by David Wise, who played a part in making famous the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (a comic by Kevin Eastman and Peter Laird in 1984, which became an animated series starting in 1987). Go Comi is a fairly new company that has plans to be involved in video and games, as well as comics.

While many companies are focused on developing up and coming anime characters, there is also an appreciation for the history of animation. This year The Right Stuff International announced that they had acquired the American rights to Ozamu Tezuka's classics, Astroboy (Tetsuwan Atom, 1963), and Kimba the White Lion (Jungle Taitei, 1965), in addition to a number of new titles. Kimba the White Lion has been the center of much international debate, as many feel Disney borrowed liberally from the story in creating The Lion King.

Japanese animation is also clearly playing a role in helping introduce Japanese music internationally. In the 80s and 90s, exposure of Japanese music often came from college and "alternative" radio or magazines. These days, young people often become aware of Japanese music from anime soundtracks. Tofu Records have released a number of Japanese artist CD's, often those associated with anime, such as TM Revolution and Nami Tamaki. The releases they have coming later this year including titles by Polysics, Asian Kung-Fu Generation, and L'Arc-en-Ciel.

The cosplay competition at Otakon is a fan favorite. Some people come to the convention dressed as their favorite anime character, and have fun clowning around with friends and like-minded strangers, sometimes acting out parts, and often taking lots of photos. The hardcore however are very serious about the cosplay competition, and some costumes are created with utmost effort, with even the finest details accurately reproduced. The cosplay competition has a number of categories, but beyond the winners and losers aspect, serves as a grand parade of anime characters. Many attendees come from other states, or even other countries, so Otakon also allows anime fans to make friends with fellow-anime fans from near and far.

Otakon is a hit in part because the organizers are fans themselves, and they now have years of experience from which they can glean ways to build and refine the convention's events. It is not from lack of competition that Otakon is successful. There are also the anime conventions Anime Fest (Dallas), Pacific Media Expo (Long Beach), Kumoricon (Portland), Anime Iowa (Des Monies), AniFest (Blumenau, Brazil), Nan Desu Kan (Greenwood Village, Colorado), Connichi (Kassel, Germany), Anime Weekend (Atlanta), Melbourne Anime Festival (Australia), Manga City (Rennes, France) and Ani-Magic (Lancaster). And that is just a list of events scheduled for September! Another indication of how popular Japanese animation is is the fact that for many or most college age kids in America, the words "anime", "manga" and "otaku" require no translation. Indeed all three seem they will find their way into English language dictionaries soon.

With the dust still just settling on this year's convention, next year's is already being planned. Anime freaks mark your calendar for August 4-6, 2006.

For those of you who want to find out more about anime otaku behavior without diving straight in, watch for the film Otaku Unite!, a documentary about anime conventions made by Eric Bressler. Otaku Unite! is currently making the rounds at film festivals, and anime conventions, and will be released as a DVD by Central Park Media early next year. At this year's Otakon, Central Park Media set up a booth, and took photos of over 1,000 costumed conventioneers. The best of the bunch will be featured as bonus material on the "Otaku Unite!" DVD.

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Otaku Unite!

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