Mikomicon 08
written by Sai
Mikomicon is a remarkable, ever growing, convention located in Northridge, CA at the California State University during Septermber 19-21. It is an event put on by Nick Kurachi, the Convention Chairman, who is also the CSUN Anime Club President. It is put on in event to bring awareness to Japanese Animation and Pop Culture. It comes with a very close-knit feeling, where everyone is friends with everyone. The staff are all friendly and courteous to their attendees. It is a three day event, costing $35.00 at door for Adults and $30.00 at door for children to attend all day. However, it is encouraged to preregister at a discounted price.
This convention has multiple events, panels, guests, and screenings to keep attendees entertained through out the weekend. Some of their events are even unique to this convention! The special guests that attended this convention were announced at the Opening Ceremonies. Mikomicon’s “guest list” contained Rob Paulsen, Robert Axelrod, Johnny Yong Bosch, Roger Gibbs, Kyle Hebert, Leslie Klinger, Tone Rodriguez and Erika Weinstein. Consplayers was also welcomed as the Official Photographer and set up booth for free private photo shoots in the Granada Room. A lot of cosplayers showed up to get their photos taken.
Friday sparked the beginning of the con. The Dealer’s Room was open, providing many goods and novelty items for the fans. The Artist Alley was also opening, showcasing art and design made by fans, for the fans. It was a good time to pick up an original poster, buttons, book marks, and other goods to add to your collections. I myself nabbed some Bulbasaur Pokemon items and a Gundam Model Kit. Main Events included the AGMV contest held inside the USU Theatre, followed by the MikomiCon Dance. Friday also marked the SUMO wrestling, Karaoke, Guitar Hero III contests, and multiple concerts held by bands such as L2D, Makenai and CSUN Jishin Taiko Ensemble.
There were many interesting panels and workshops that were ongoing during Friday. One I found particularly interesting was the Gundam Model Kit Creation. This was where you could learn to build Gundam models yourself. They even had a Taiko demonstration for those who were interested in drumming sticks upon Japan’s classic drum, the taiko.
Saturday started off with entertaining events. They had the Tag Team Watermelon Eating Contest, Ninja Wall Climb, a Naruto Chunin Exam, Para Para workshop, and Super Smash Bros. Tournament. Many of the Special Guests used this day to hold their own panels such as Robert Axelrod’s panel about the Power Rangers, and Leslie Klinger holding one on Dracula, Sherlock Holmes, and other mysteries. As the day escalated, the peak of it came when it was time for the Masquerade.
Many cosplayers and casual attendees alike gathered together for this remarkable event. It was run very smoothly, and orderly. The skits were entertaining, and the costumes wonderfully constructed. A Trinity Blood group won best costume construction and a Death Note group won best performance.
After the Judge’s gave out their awards, something very interesting happened. Mikomicon actually has a small contest called the “Kamehameha Contest”. This entails getting up on stage and trying to give your best, you guessed it, kamehameha performance! You stand up there and scream as loud and long as you can. Some contestants even tried to make it their own by added a bit of humor into it. When the Masquerade and Kamehameha contests were finished, people headed out to be apart of the Pirate Rum Party or to watch even more concerts, anime, or panels.
On Sunday the Dealer Hall was pushing to get the last bit of their sales out. Meanwhile people were still trying their attempts at SUMO wrestling or climbing the Ninja Wall. Some of the panels running was an AMV Creation panel, instructing ways to put your own AMVs together. Kyle Herbert was even putting on some Anime Auditions. While the con was dwindling down, the entertaining event of Whose Line Is It Anime began. It was a very fun, and humorous. After that came the Closing Ceremonies. Many thanks were had, and many were given with a few notes of promises to the following year.
Over all this convention was more than great, and more than I expected. Everyone was polite, nice, and friendly. The Staff was extremely helpful and courteous. Mikomicon was sure to give you a variety of activities so you were never sitting around bored. Even the layout of the facility was pleasant! I also enjoyed the food carts that were easily accessible and well budgeted. All in all, I would come here again, and truly hope to for 2009!
