AniFusion

(Promise preforming at AniFusion)

It’s a few hours before the AniFusion event, and I’m using the free time to visit the Image Anime store at 242 West 30th Street. From the exterior, the store would have been easy enough to pass right by without a second thought. A simple pane of glass with the name of the store painted on are all that mark it’s location. However, to those who know what they are looking for, this is all they need.

Inside, the store is immediately recognizable as the set of the webshow Doujinopolis. The counter in back where the first episode was hosted, the cellphone charms from when Lelouch was first introduced to the series, and MostFlogged, who plays Haruhi Suzumiya in the series. However, I quickly become acquainted with the sections of the store not highlighted in the series, especially the CD rack full of old Cobra and Lupin III soundtracks. I have an interview with Mario Bueno, set up in a few hours, and the first question I plan to ask him is why he agreed to create this series for Image Anime for free. However, after coming to this place, I think I’m beginning to understand.

Now I’m at the Forbidden City restaurant, standing in the midst of the throng of cosplayers and fans, all staring up as Uncle Yo and Mario Bueno read off letters to Santa from anime characters. Scott of Anime Almanac is here, and I believe at least one of the Reverse Thieves is as well. Aside from a few groan worthy sections, the pair are getting a good reaction from the crowd. From Promise’s performance to the “Surviving a Giant Robot Attack” presentation, the event moves along briskly. Before long, the winners of the Cosplay Contest are announced and the event is over. I decide that now is the time to conduct my interview, but I’m not the only one. A swarm of amateur reporters all swarm to the back of the restaurant, firing off questions to those who were involved with the event. I decide to use this time to learn more about the fans in attendance. I garner compliments on my Keiichi outift, I share my copy of The Otaku Encyclopedia, I have my wiffle bat stolen from me by a man who repeatedly yells his affinity for cookies (there’s always one of em), and learn that Umineko Ep. 5 is nearly translated. The whole spectrum of anime fans are in attendance, from Narutards to grumpy old Voltron fans. I never did finish my interview that night, as I was sidetracked when we all went our for Karaoke (Duet 35 on 53 West 35th street, 2nd floor), but I still learned a great deal about New York City Fandom, and also about what binds the Otaku community here in NYC together.

P.S. I did do the interviews a week later over Skype, they will be coming shortly.