From Newtype Magazine's September 2007 issue page 158:
METROCON
Martial arts battles can be found all over the Tampa Convention Center when Metrocon (
sic)
comes to town. Pirates and secret agents fought Motoko Kusanagi on the
waterfront, a cosplay chess match turned into a battle royale where
Cervantes mopped the floor with Sailor Moon, and Spider Man joined
Daredevil in a battle against black-clad ninjas.
The
martial-arts demonstrations were special features of the fifth-year
Florida event. Joined by a group of swordsmen, Metrocon (
sic)
arguably had more costumed athletic action than you're likely to find
down the street at the St, Pete Times Forum during the Lightning hockey
season. Other conventions have cosplay chess matches where costumed
characters play chess pieces who have brief confrontations when one
piece "takes" another, but the martial artists at Metrocon (
sic)
turned those confrontations into all-out battles that had the audience
cheering for their favorite characters-especially when a costumed Ryoga
from
Ranma 1/2 battled with his umbrella.
The
Florida hear and humidity had fans thankful for the convention center's
air conditioning. Equally appreciated was the appearance of guests such
as Scott McNeil; the irrepressible Canadian was in perfect form during
the summer weekend, always ready to greet fans and never coming close
to running out of jokes. One of the other visitors, actor Johnny Yong
Bosch, is a trained martial artist who could have fir right in with the
fighting displays-but he expended his energy on his guitar, performing
a Saturday night set that had fans standing up to rock with his
Eyeshine band. Bosch's opening act was part of a musical double-header
of familiar and popular dub voice actors that also included Vic
Mignogna, who was a pianist and composer before he was an actor.
Mignogna joked about liking Barry Manilow tunes, performed his own
original works and brought fans onstage (
sic) to help him sing his tongue-in-cheek "Soldier A" song, about characters in anime dubs with one-line parts.
But
if you gauge an event's appeal by the number of people who want to
attend, the most popular show of the weekend was staged by fans in
gowns and masks. Metrocon (
sic) is one of the anime conventions
that's started having masked balls, and so many people wanted to go to
the Tampa dance that the line nearly extended outside the building. It
was more than a coincidence that many of the dancer's outfits looked
more anime character costumes than evening wear, of course.
text and photos** by Kevin Lillard
transcribed for AnimeMetro.com by Lolita Minako**if you wish to see the photos, buy the magazine! XD
This year at METROCON (July 6-8, 2007 at the Tampa Convention Center
in Tampa, Florida), I will be hosting a doll panel on Saturday night
from 7-9pm in Panel Room 1, and it will feature a BJD meetup and two events! The first event is Project Dollfie: The Calibur of Design and the second is A Moment in Time, a doll photography contest.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Ever play Soul Calibur and want to add a costume to the vastly growing wardrobe of the characters, or want to make a new form for a character in Sailor Moon? How about another Katamari Damacy cousin? Well, here is your chance!
In honor of METROCON 2007's theme of Anime vs. Video Games, this next edition of Project Dollfie
is going to give contestants the task of redesigning an existing
character's outfit, or designing a brand new costume for a character.
This is your challenge:
-Choose a character (for example, Sailor Moon)
-Draw out your design (color is preferred)
-Construct your design for your doll
-Bring your design and dressed doll to the ABJDs 101: Introduction to Dollfies panel on Saturday night at METROCON for judging.
ANY Asian Ball-Jointed doll of ANY
size, make, and manufacturer (including Blythe and Pulip). If it is a
customizable ball-jointed doll, then it is acceptable for entry. The
doll does not have to belong to you to enter (Please, do not borrow a friend's doll without permission!).
The contest will be judged by Jamie Rich and special guest, Lauren Goodnight.
The winner of the contest will receive a prize pack full of goodies for you AND your doll!
Be creative! The sky is the limit!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
A Moment in Time Photography ContestDo you love to take pictures of your doll? Do you create photostories? A Moment in Time
is a new event for METROCON to appeal to this other creative part of
BJD collecting-photography. Unlike other photography contests, the doll
is the star here!
The rules are simple:
-Take a picture of your doll
-Print the completed piece of art
-Bring the piece to the ABJDs 101: Introduction to Dollfies panel on Saturday night for judging.
You can use any photoshop techniques on your photo if you desire. You may also create a short photostory (no more than 4 frames, please, 2 frames per submitted page) to submit. Up to five entries are allowed per contestant.
Awards:
-Most Artistic
-Most "Candid"
-Best Photoshop
-Best Photostory
-Cutest Picture
-Funniest Picture
-Best Portrait
-Best All Around
Note:
METROCON is a family-oriented convention. Please, keep all photos at a
PG-13 level. If your photo surpasses a PG-13 rating, it will be
disqualified.
Spread the word to all your doll loving friends!!!
