Brief Look: Anime Expo 2010 and Anime-related Films

The annual Anime Expo 2010 has been going on this weekend (from Thursday, July 1st until Sunday, July 4th) at Los Angeles Convention Center. Every year this expo showcases anime (Japanese animation), manga (Japanese comics), and other forms of Japanese pop culture. Similar to Comicons all over the States, there is an exhibit hall (at the South Hall) with vendors selling toys, dvds, books, games, and other things, but mostly related to Japanese animation. There are also various panels with voice actors, artists, and other professionals, as well as movie screenings. One of the big differences between Anime Expo and Comicon, however, is the exorbitant amount of cosplayers (fan-people in costumes) that can be seen in AX. As expected, there were many sailor suits, video game characters with huge homemade swords, and various furry people all over the halls.

One of the surprise screenings AX had was Trigun: Badlands Rumble the animated theatrical movie, which, according to the producers, was being shown for the first time subtitled in the U.S. at AX. Before the film started, a very long line full of otakus (fanboys/fangirls) formed outside the Concourse Hall. As expected, there were loud cheers from audiences all over during the screening, especially when a favorite character showed up. Those who are unfamiliar with Trigun anime or the books will probably find themselves somewhat lost. These filmmakers usually know who their main audiences are and know what they expect.

One of the panels AX had was Manga and Anime Come to Hollywood, where the panelists discussed mainly about anime that are being converted into live action Hollywood films. One of the films currently being written for Hollywood is Cowboy Bebop, which is in talks with Keanu Reeves. One of the speakers at the panel was an executive producer of Astro Boy, the CG animation that was released by Imagi Animation last year in the U.S. Due to poor marketing, the film had gotten little exposure and did poorly at the box office. Even many Astro Boy fans hadn’t heard about it. The poor box office affected Imagi’s financing for the upcoming Gatchaman (based on G-Force aka. Battle of the Planets in the U.S.), which, as a result, had to halt production. He went on to discuss the challenge of pleasing the fans of a franchise while also trying to please those who aren’t as familiar. In the case for Astro Boy, the film was a mix of American and Japanese styles, which may have alienated both sides instead of drawing them together. Other failed anime-to-Hollywood franchises have been Dragonball:Evolution, which starred a Caucasian lead playing Goku, and Speed Racer, directed by Warchowski brothers (who are anime-fans, which influenced the look and style of The Matrix). The panelists also touched upon the current film playing in theaters, M. Night Shyamalan’s The Last Airbender, based on an anime-style Nickelodeon cartoon, which has been panned by critics. Apart from Imagi’s 2007's TMNT, panelists admitted the transition from anime to Hollywood has been a difficult one.

The Anime Expo ends this Sunday. While the panels and screenings will go on, the Exhibit Hall (the vendor sections) will close at 3pm. Close around that time, the vendors will usually start slashing prices (so they won’t have to take all the stuff home). 

For a while, AX had usually been held at Anaheim Convention Center here in Orange County, and briefly at Long Beach Convention Center. More recently, it has been held at the LA Convention Center. For those concerned with traffic and the expensive parking, a good use of the Metrorail system (use the Blue Line, get off at Pico) is an easy alternative.

A one day adult pricing is $45 at the door ($35 online). For more ticket pricing information, go to http://www.anime-expo.org/registration/pricing-and-format/
For convention hours, go to http://www.anime-expo.org/guides/convention-hours/
For schedules, go to http://www.anime-expo.org/programming/schedules/