Anime Boston 2004 3

Table of Contents

INBOUNDANIME BOSTON

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From the Con Chair

Convention Maps

Food and Shops

Our Wonderful Staff

Convention Rules

Live Programming

Anime Programming

Panels

Events

Guests of Honor

Anime Boston 20044

From The Conchair

One of the most enjoyable aspects of my job is that I get to write the opening letter to attendees every year in the guidebook, and this year is no exception. Once again I am thrilled to be able to be here with all of you this weekend as anime fans from all over the country return to the best city in America to celebrate our beloved hobby.

Last years convention was a tremendous success and we have been actively trying to outdo ourselves this year. Just look at some of the changes in store for you: weve increased the size of the dealers room to over 75 tables and more than 25 vendors, weve doubled the size of the art show, weve ex-panded the video gaming room to include more consoles and a Dance Dance Revolution machine, weve increased the number of panel and video rooms, weve computerized registration, and we expanded our workshop and gam-ing tracks.

Weve also invited a whole new slate of guests to our convention. I am pleased to welcome Michael Coleman, Crispin Freeman, Lauren Goodnight, Hilary Haag, Carl Horn, Lex Lang, Monica Rial, and Dave Wittenberg.

Returning guests include Robert and Emily DeJesus of Studio Capsule and David Williams, ADR director and DVD producer.

Im also excited to be welcoming our Japanese Guest of Honor Nobuteru Yuuki.

Additionally, Id like to thank the hardworking sta of Anime Boston. Without your tireless eorts, none of this would be possible. Id also like to thank all of you, the attendees, for your support.

Last, but not least I would like to thank the Boston Park Plaza Hotel & Towers for providing us a wonderful venue for the past two years that has allowed us to grow and prosper. Sadly, this year will be our nal year at the hotel as we have quickly exceeded their capacity and will be moving to a larger facility.

So it is with sadness, yet also joy, that I announce to all of you that due to your wonderful support, Anime Boston will making that next leap and mov-ing to the Hynes Convention Center in 2005.

So sit back, have fun, and enjoy the weekend! Its going to be one exciting and memorable event!Sincerely,

Adam FerraroConvention ChairmanAnime Boston 2004

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Anime Boston 2004 5

Guests of honor

Character designer and animation director Nobuteru Yuuki is one of the hottest names in the anime industry today. The self-taught art-ist started out as an employee of Artland, Studio Min, and DAST. He worked as an animator on various titles such as Megazone 23.

Mr. Yuuki is perhaps best known for his design work on the Record of Lo-doss War OAV and Escaflowne tele-vision series and movie. However, he has many other fan favorites to his credit, such as the X movie and ac-companying X2 music video, Gunnm (Battle Angel), and Five Star Stories. He has also used his magic touch on the designs for Battle Royal High School, Angel Cop, and Weathering Continent.

Mr. Yuukis latest anime designs can be seen in Heat Guy J and Captain Harlock: The Endless Odys-sey, both in the process of being released in North America. In addi-tion, he recently contributed to an animated opening video for Ragn-arok Online.

Mr. Yuukis contributions to char-acter design do not stop at anime. Mr. Yuuki has designed characters for numerous games including Drag-on Force II, Legend of Mana, Seiken Densetsu 3, and Chrono Cross. He has also produced several volumes of an original manga called Vaelber Saga. Anime Boston is proud to welcome a guest of such consider-able talent as Nobuteru Yuuki.

YUUKINobutero

Anime Boston 20046

G U E S T SHilary Haag is from Houston, TX and has been working for ADV Films

since the late 1990s. She has voiced characters in more than 30 titles

including Nene in Bubblegum Crisis 2040, Ryo in Princess Nine, Karinka

in Steel Angel Kurumi, Chloe in Noir, Tessa in Full Metal Panic, Menchi

in Excel Saga, and Megumi in RahXephon. In addition to anime, she has

appeared in several local and national television commercials

HIL

ARY H

AA

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CA

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OR

NCarl Gustav

Horn has

written

professionally

on anime for

ten years and

has been a

manga editor

for the past

seven. A former

associate

editor at Animerica and manga editor for Pulp

magazine, he is co-author of the book Japan

Edge, which in 1999 became the first book on

otaku culture to make Newsweek. Together

with Tokyoscope author Patrick Macias, he has

presented on anime at the International Film

Festival and has provided commentary on the

field to Wired, The Hollywood Reporter, and

the Nihon Keizai Shimbun. Recent editorial

projects have included the English editions of

the Spirited Away and Castle in the Sky anime

comic novels, as well as the mangas Excel Saga,

Flowers & Bees, and Neon Genesis Evangelion.

Monica Rial is very excited to be attending her first Anime

Boston! Especially after hearing about all the fun her

pal David Williams had last year. Monica has been with

ADV Films for 4 years where she has worked on many

shows including: Princess Nine, Steel Angel Kurumi, Excel

Saga, Chance Pop Session, Full Metal Panic, Pretear, Angelic

Layer, Saiyuki, Azumanga Daioh, and Magical Shopping

Arcade Abenobashi. She has also worked for FUNimation

Productions on their release of Kiddy Grade. Please check out

her panels and make sure to say hello!

MONICA RIAL

Anime Boston 2004 7

Crispin Freeman

has been portraying

characters in anime

for over 6 years. He

got his start playing

Zelgadis Graywords in

The Slayers. Since then

hes played Alucard in

Hellsing, Balmung in

.hack//SIGN, Amon in

Witch Hunter Robin and

many others! Current

and Upcoming shows

include Last Exile where

he plays Alex Rowe,

Wolf s Rain where hell

be playing Tsume and

Ghost in the Shell: Stand

Alone Complex where

hell be playing Togusa.

CR

ISP

IN F

REEM

AN

GUESTS OF HONOR

Lex Lang has been voicing

anime characters for just

over 9 years. He can be

heard as Sanosuke Sagara in

Rurouni Kenshin, Goemon in

Lupin the Third, Crim in

.Hack, Kimishima in Scryed,

Cain Tokioka in Ex-Driver,

Jovanni and Shun in Heat Guy

J, Suzuki in Ai Yori Aoshi, War Greymon in Digimon, Captain

Herlock in Captain Herlock, Ry and Announcer in Initial D, as

well as multiple voices in The Transformers, Akira, Black Jack,

and even more than that! This award-winning actor has also

appeared on stage as an actor, comic, and musician.

Originally hailing from Hollywood, California, Mr. Langs voice

can also be heard in video games and on television.

He will also be selling signed merchandise at the Anime Boston

table in the dealers room throughout the weekend.

LEX

LA

NG

Anime Boston 20048

G U E S T S

Robert DeJesus is an Indiana born, self-taught artist. He has worked

on comics such as Ninja High School, Mangazine, Not Ninja High

School, Again and SB Ninja High School.

Roberts biggest claim to fame has to be designing Banzai

Chibi Chan, the mascot for PlayStation Magazine: 100%

Independent. He recently worked on two childrens books

based on Spiderman, released on the weekend of the movie

debut.

Robert and his wife, Emily, have started their own company,

Studio Capsule. Find out everthing thats new with Studio

Capsule or Robert at www.robertdejesus.com STUDIO CAPSULEROBERT & EMILY DEJESUS

Dave Wittenberg is a relative newcomer to the world of anime voice acting, but has already given a voice to a number of major characters in various anime titles. His credits include Michael in Witch Hunter Robin, Jiro/Kikaider in Kikaider, Sora in .hack//SIGN, Kei Kusanagi in Please Teacher, the tamer Henry Wong and countless digimon in Digimon, as well as roles in RaveMaster, Last Exile, Captain Harlock, King Gainer, and 12 Kingdoms. He has also been a writer/director for Digimon and Figure 17.

Dave has also done a lot of work in video games. In addition to continuing his role as Sora in the .hack games, he can be heard in Tony Hawks Pro Skater 2, 3, and 4, Xenosaga Episode I, and many others.

Dave has been a writer for Bill Mahers Politically Incorrect, Dennis Miller, and Craig Kilborn.

Anime Boston 2004 will be Dave Wittenbergs first anime convention appearance.

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ITTEN

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Anime Boston 2004 9

DA

VID

WIL

LIA

MS David Williams is currently an

ADR Director for ADV Films as well as the DVD Producer, voice on the Internet and keeper of the Suck Bunny. Shows he has directed include Angelic Layer, Pretear, the original Nuku Nuku OVAs, Dirty Pair and many others. Being the evil company rep that he is, hes often invited

to anime conventions where he can be seen wandering the con with his What would you do for a DVD badge giving out DVDs to clever and amusing otaku. And those evil roots go deep, having been an anime fan since before there was an anime industry in the US and with ADV from the beginning when his living room was used as a production facility for their first show, Devil Hunter Yohko.

GUESTS OF HONOR

Michael has established

himself as a popular voice

talent with appearances

on several top anime

and animation series (X-

Men, Infinite Ryvius,

Quintuplets, Dragon Ball

Z, Hamtaro, Ranma 1/2,

Mary-Kate and Ashley

Olsen, Cardcaptors), and

the animated feature Ark

starring James Woods and

Michaels good friend, Kirby Morrow.

This is his first appearance at Anime Boston, so please

show him what a good time can be had with Anime

Bostons enthusiastic fans!

Lauren Goodnight, a voice

actress for ADV Films, has

appeared in Pretear (Natsue

Awayuki), Angelic Layer

(Narrator), SuperGALS!

(Sanae), and many others.

Anime has always been

a part of her life, from

watching Voltron and Speed

Racer as a child through her Bachelors Degree

thesis on fandom (especially anime fandom)

...showing how the love of something central can

bind people together.

Anime Boston 2004 will be her first anime

convention appearance.

LAU

REN

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NIG

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MIC

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Anime Boston 200410

Anime Music Video Contest:

The Anime Music Video Contest is an exhibition and competition of

fan-created music videos with an anime theme. Videos were submitted

from across the globe. Watch our screening of the finalists and cast

your vote for your favorite video. Winners will be presented during the

Masquerade intermission.

Dance

Friday Night:

Dance Music Night

Join our djs as they take you on a journey of a different sorts.

Dipping deep into their collections, they will bring you the latest

and greatest in dance music or some classics that are sure to bring

you to the dancefloor.

Saturday Night:

Anime Dance Night

Some new and old faces will gracing the decks with a dazzling array

of Anime, Jpop, Video Game and Eurobeat music that will keep you

moving all night long.

Charity Auction

On Sunday, April 11, 2004 at 3PM in Main Events, Anime Boston 2004

will be holding its first annual charity auction to benefit the Central

New England chapter of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society. Bid

on a variety of anime and manga related merchandise and help support a

worthy organization! Credit cards will be accepted.

Game Shows

Whose Line is it Anime?:

The hit improv comedy event from Anime Boston 2003 and Mikkakan,

is back. See special guests take on the challenging games provided by

our host, PatrickD of The Chibi Project. Of course, theres audience

participation too, so some lucky people get to be a part of the show!

Anime Name that Tune

This Zephyr classic takes 8 audience

members who will prove their quick

knowledge of anime music to win

big prizes! Audience members will

also win prizes when the contestants

get stumped! Anime Bostons victor

will compete in the Best of 2004

championship, like ABs Ernie Kim

did for 2003!

Live Action: Otaku Trivial Pursuit

This Zephyr Game Show takes 6

otaku and turns them into human

pieces on our come-to-life trivial

pursuit board! Contestants will walk

around the board and earn pie velcro

wedges based on their knowledge

of anime - and wear them like gym

badges!

Hentai Havoc

This Zephyr Game Show tests the

dirty minds of otaku and rewards their

piety! Given seemingly-raunchy clues

about an anime character or an anime,

teammates will have to endure what

first comes to mind with the clues and

give the clean answer (18+ because of

its potential content).

E V E N T S

EVENTS

Karaoke

Open Mic karaoke:

So you want to sing the theme to Excel Saga or Evangelion?

Now is your time to relax and sing to your hearts content

with no strings attached. There is a large library of anime and

j-music tunes to pick from. We may have the song to that

obscure anime you love to sing so much.

Karaoke Competition:

The heat is on!! A panel of judges will be present on Friday

night to decide who the best karaoke singer at Anime Boston

is. Four place prizes for the four best survivors. Consult the

rules for entry in Friday nights competition. Dont miss out.

Masquerade

Its just not an anime convention without a Masquerade! The

Masquerade is our official cosplay competition showcasing

costumes inspired by Japanese anime, manga, and anime-style

video games. One of Anime Bostons most popular events, this

cosplay extravaganza will be held on Saturday, April 10, 2004.

Once again, ours will take place on the Boston Park Plazas

impressive stage. Come see it in person or watch it on TV

from your hotel room. The Masquerade will begin at 7:00pm.

Those who wish to be contestants should report to the

Masquerade Registration Desk on Friday, April 9, 2004 for

additional registration information.

J-Rock Anarchy:

Join other J-Music cosplayers and fans as we dominate the

karaoke room for two hours for a mini-masquerade. Sing your

favororite J tune, do that fanservice skit you love, get pictures

of the cosplayers, and win some cool prizes. Also join us for

some of your favorite j-rock videos!

Gaming

Not Video Gaming but back to basics gaming. Were talking D&D,

BESM, Dragon Ball Z, Yu-Gi-OH! and so much more! LARPs, CCGs,

RPGs and Minis enough to make your head spin! And the best of all, its

free! Except certain tournaments, almost all of our Role-Playing events

happen for free, whenever you have a spare minute in the excitement of

Anime Boston! Come on over to the 4th floor and look for the RPG

Gaming HQ for more details.

Video Games

The video game dungeon is bigger and better this year. We now have

more of the latest video games and you can now compete head to head

in networked Xbox and Gamecube games or dance to the beat with our

wide selection of music games. Try the tournaments for awesome prizes

like a Gameboy SP, an actual PS2 and Anime Boston 2005 registrations.

Did we mention that we have a DDR arcade machine? Well, we do!

And its FREE! Come check us out, its just not Anime Boston without

awesome video games!

Anime Boston 200412

.hack//PANELPatrickD and Mariela Ortiz

Log in to The World of .hack, from anime to video games to manga.

The Adult Swim Revolution:How Anime Made American Animation Grow UpDillon Font

From Toonami to Midnight Run to Adult Swim- anime burned the

path to mature American animation. We will discuss how anime

changed American animation forever.

ADR Directing What really goes on in the dubbing studios? Find out from those who

transform voice talent into the audio that you hear.

ADV FilmsIndustry panel

All About MacrossGeorge Caswell

What began as a low-budget spoof has become one of animes best-

loved franchises. Celebrate the 20th anniversary of the Macross movie

in this discussion of all things Macross.

AMVs 101:Dos, Donts, and DemonstrationsDan Orlowitz, Robert Babcock, David McKeen, and Stephen Voccola

The Dos, Donts, and Demonstrations panel returns with 90 minutes to

teach you how to get started on the road to AMV-making.

AMVs 201:Lets Get Rendering Dan Orlowitz, Robert Babcock, Jason Schneider, and Matt Pyson

Ready to raise the bar on your editing? Come see the top editors discuss

everything from effects editing to multi-editor projects, and more!

AN EntertainmentIndustry Panel

Anime 101Ed Sutherland

An overview of the basics of Japanese animation (anime) and comics

P A N E L S(manga), including terminology,

history, cultural references, and

artistic conventions

Anime and Manga in Academia:Developments and TrendsMikhail Koulikov, Dillon Font, Elena

Shenton

This panel will answer your

questions, update you on

developments in the academic

study of anime and manga, and let

you interact with professionals and

academics already in working the

field.

Anime PlushiesRobert Wright

Discover the signifigance of plushies

as well as other types of anime

merchandise. Discussed are things

like plushie care, cleaning and what

makes them fun collectables.

Bad Anime!Neil Nadelman

A humorous look at the anime we

know exists but we wish didnt.

With classics like Magnos the

Robot, we look and laugh at the

shows which brilliantly stink.

Bandai Entertainment Come join Bandai Entertainment as

news will be announced, questions

will be answered, and plenty of

prizes and surprizes will be in store!

Behind the AMVsPatrickD

Youve seen the AMV contest...now learn what went into creating

the best videos in that contest from the award-winning creators.

Cel Collectors Panel & GatheringWebmistress Lizzard, WeeSheep, and Drac of the Sharp Smiles

Join your fellow cel and production sketch collectors for show-and-

tell, trades, and some fun and games.

The Chibi Project - LIVE!PatrickD and Webmistress Lizzard

Insane scientists have conducted experiments on a Chibi Moon

figure and other anime toys. Meet the minds behind The Chibi

Project and see a live experiment!

CosplayPrairie Rose Clayton and Tristen Citrine

Join Prairie Rose Clayton and Tristen Citrine as they explain the

finer points of character costume construction. Cosplayers of all

skill levels and interests are welcome to join the discussion.

Con SurvivalBrian Auxier, Angela Costello, and DOKool

A panel that explains how to make it through the con experience

by giving useful advice and con stories instead of having to learn

through personal hardship.

Construction and Sculpture forCosplayGeorge Caswell

Creating cosplay armor and similar items requires skills distinct

from the usual sewing and scavenging. One must construct.

Cosplay 101Anna Fischer, Alicia Acampora, Sarah Tremblay, Andrew Acampora, and

Michael Eng

Learn the basics of cosplay: how to choose a character, making a

basic costume with little to no sewing skills, and the importance of

choosing the right makeup.

Crash Cinema Learn about our t-ink interactive printing technology in the manga

and anime industry and ask about our Anime Crash video label.

Anime Boston 200414

Cyborgs & Androids & Robots! Oh My!!number18

What is a cyborg? An android? Come and discuss your favorite artificial

humans in anime and manga and why were so fascinated with them!

Dubs That Time ForgotMike Toole

Join Mike for a fascinating glimpse of dubbed animes secret history. Several

DVD prizes will be given to audience members ready to answer trivia

questions as well!

Dominic Deegan: Oracle for HireMichael Terracciano

Meet the writer and artist of Dominic Deegan: Oracle for Hire, the daily

fantasy webcomic with unique American manga!

Escaflowne: Beyond the Mystic MoonWebmistress Lizzard

Escaflowne fans unite for an evening of discussion, Q&A, trivia games, and

behind-the-scenes information you wont find anywhere else!

The Evolution of Anime Dolls (Sheila Maithel and Mara Karapetian) For

those who love or who are just intrigued by anime dolls: a panel showcasing

the evolution of these miniature mannequins from a historical, aesthetic, and

cultural perspective.

FanfictionErica Friedman

A chance to get advice, anecdotes and good ideas from folks who have made

their mark in the world of anime fanfiction.

Final Fantasy X-2Luze, Aersi, and Olwyn

Disscusion of FFX-2 from the top of Mt. Gagazet to the bottom of Bevelle.

Tricks, tips, language and everything in between.

FUNimation Industry Panel.

The Gaijin Menace:The Foreigner in Anime/MangaDillon Font

How are Americans, or Chinese, or Europeans seen in Japanese media? A

P A N E L Slecture on how different ethnicities

are portrayed in anime and manga.

GeneonIndustry panel

Got Yaoi?Cyn and Nikita

The Boys Next Door Babes

welcome you to a celebration of

Boys Love. Leave your predijuces at

the door and expect the unexpected.

(18+)

Gundam: 1979 - 2004:The Past, The Present, The FutureAng, Studmaster

25 Years, Millions of Fans, and a

whole bunch to talk about. Universal

Century to Cosmic Era. Nothing

will be left unsaid in this hour.

HanafudaJon Niehof

Experience the game that has

entertained Japan for three

centuries.

Hard-Boiled Women:Film Noir and Other Western Styles in AnimeDillon Font and Mikhail Koulikov

The string of late-night anime

in Japan has been exponentially

influenced by Western media

styles. From Bebop to Gunslinger

Girl, well talk about why this is

happening.

Anime Boston 2004 15

How Anime Shows Come to AmericaLance Heiskell

From title research and acquisitions, licensing, production,

marketing and all the other things in the background that fans

are not aware of when they purchase their anime.

How to Draw Anime and MangaEd Sutherland

Exploration of the difference between American and Japanese

comic and animation styles, different anime/manga styles, and

hands-on instruction drawing a simple anime character.

Industry Shift: The Rise of ShoujoDillon Font, Angela Washington

Ever since shoujo manga started to trickle out five years, the

US manga scene has never been the same. Why are girl-aimed

comics and anime so big now?

Introducing ImaginAsian TVStarting in August, a new network called ImaginAsian TV

will be coming to a TV near you! 24-hours, dub and sub, J-

pop, anime, movies, dramas -- come and discuss!

J-PopAwaresa and Siosan

J-pop, a lighter side of Japanese Music. Come to find out

about popular artists and music and see what the sister to J-

rock has to offer.

J-Rock: A History and IntroductionAwaresa and Chi

This panel will cover the origins of Japanese rock music, its

western and traditional influences, and the realm of rock

outside the visual sphere.

J-Rock CosplayAwaresa and Chi

From tips on where to find things, to advice on how to make

things, trust our experienced cosplayers to point you in the

right direction!

J-Rock: Visual KeiAwaresa and Chi

Inspired by American 80s Rock and Japans traditional

performing arts, Visual Kei strives for a greater

theatrical effect on its audiences by impressing upon

all of the senses. Come learn more about those

weird bands!

Learn to Play Go!Adam Marquis, David Dawidowicz, and Sean Green

Targeted at the beginner, an overview of the history

and rules of the game of Go.

Learning Japanese through Anime MusicThe Anime Fanboy

Use your anime soundtracks to learn to speak and

read Japanese. Great for karaoke enthusiasts and

easy As in Japanese courses.

Life in JapanGeoff Tebbetts

Ever wanted to actually go to Japan and see what life

is like? Come to this panel and well give you advice

on going there for work or travel.

Making an Anime or Jrock PlushieMichelle Pinard, Denie, and Brian Smith

Join us to make a plushie of your favorite anime

character or J-rock artist. Well be sharing basic

plushie construction as well as tips and tricks. ($5

materials fee)

Manga EntertainmentIndustry panel

Mecha ModellingGeorge Caswell and Doug DeRienze

Do you like building anime robot (Gundam,

Macross, etc.) models? Experienced modelers

will help you improve your work in this hands-on

workshop. ($15 materials fee)

Media BlastersIndustry panel

PANELS

Anime Boston 200416

P A N E L SRinguLauren Goodnight

Ringu swept the worlds attention to itself with Hitchcockian terror and

understated Japanese folklore. Join Lauren Goodnight for a discussion

about Ringu and the Sadako Yamamura mythos that has captivated the

world.

RobotechKevin McKeever

This will be THE place to find out all the latest news on past, current

and future Robotech projects.

Sailor MoonMary Divis and Donna Riley-Lein

From the manga to the anime to the new live action series, come to

discuss the most successful magical girl anime, Sailor Moon!

Shounen-Ai WebcomicsEilonnwy, Wifey, Yuki

Enjoy shounen-ai and webcomics? Come here to find out about the

newest webcomics on the net. Featuring: Avalon, Sublunary, Angel

Reaper and more!

So Whats This Anime Stuff: A Guide for Parents and OtakuDonna Lein Riley, Meara, NOS

Confused by those cartoons your kids watch? Ask questions and get

straight answers from two anime fans who are also moms!

So You Want to Start an Anime Club?Lyndsey Luther, Kyle Gorman, and Dan Orlowitz

Have you ever wished that your high school or college offered a club for

otaku like yourself? Then why not start one!

So, You Want to Run a Web Comic...creator of Eidolic Fringe

Looking for a way to channel all your creative juices and otaku

enthusiasm? Considering a future in web comics? Do we have a panel

for you!

Soundtrack Hunting w/ The Impossible ManMichael Brown

Do you have a soundtrack collection?

Or are you a rookie collector? Join

I-Man and share your collecting

experiences and your soundtrack

collection.

Spot the Bootleg: Strategies to Avoid Being Ripped OffChristian Daly and Jerry Chu

OMG CDS FOR FIVE BUCKS!!

Learn how to identify bootleg

merchandise and to avoid being

ripped off by pirates (video or

otherwise).

State of the IndustryListen and learn as our industry guests

discuss the anime industry as a whole:

where we are, where weve been, and

whats over the horizon.

Synch-Point/Broccoli BooksCome and ask questions about current

and future projects of Synch-Point

and Broccoli Books! Free giveaways

from FLCL, Galaxy Angel, Di Gi

Charat and more!

Tenchi Muyo:Have They Gone Too Far?Misty Pendragon and James Henderson

Tenchi Muyo has had quite a few

series, and now there are two new

series out there. Are they just as good,

or has it gone too far?

Through a Distorted Lens: Japanese Culture As Perceived Through Anime and Mangamoderated by Erica Friedman

Four academic presentations on the experience of anime and

manga fandom on the perception of Japanese culture and

history:

Long School Days: The Teen Life in Anime (Dillon Font)

Planes, Tanks, and Cherry Blossoms: The Japanese Military in Anime and Manga (Mikhail Koulikov)

Our Life as a Boy: Male Gender Roles, the Assumed Female Viewer, and Identity in Shoujo Anime (Kerey Luis)

Translation Q&ANeil Nadelman

Ask experienced translator Neil Nadelman anything you want

to know about the art of turning anime into something you

can understand.

What?! You Expect Me to Read This Backwards?Mariela Ortiz, Carpboy

Learn all about Japanese comics and how they differ from

armored cavalry...with your ninja hosts.

Writing Unique Heroes & Memorable VillainsMichael Terracciano

Need help breaking anime stereotypes? Learn to create

unique manga heroes and villains! Weak heroes, sympathetic

villains and ugly love interests are just the beginning.

Voice ActingDiscover the ups, downs, and tricks of the trade with Anime

Bostons voice acting guests.

Yaoi and Shounen-Ai in Manga, Anime, and Other Inter-national MediaSeishuku Skuld and Veronica Eckl

A discussion of yaoi and shounen-ai trends, how the

integration of same-sex themes has affected Japanese

society, and how shounen-ai compares with similar

themes in Western media.

Yu-Gi-Oh 101Yami Kaiba and Slade Shields

Learn the in and outs of the Yu-Gi-Oh Card Game

in this informative and FUN seminar.

YuriErica Friedman

Stories of girls in love with each other are all the rage

in manga, anime and live action movies right now.

Get the scoop on new and old series of note.

PANELS

Anime Boston 2004 17

Anime Boston 200418

A N I M E P R O G R A M M I N G3x3 Eyes II: Legend of the Divine DemonThe mysterious Pai had turned Yakumo into her immortal servant by fusing

their souls. His only hope to return to normal was to help her become human,

but she disappeared, sacrificing herself to save him. Now hes found her again,

but she doesnt remember anything and seems like a normal girl

Adventures of Mini GoddessA short, silly and cute version of the classic Oh! My Goddess, these are the

wacky stories of the adventures that the goddesses (mainly Skuld and Urd)

have with their rat-friend Gan-chan when they turn themselves into a more

convenient size only a few inches tall.

Alien NineChildhood apprehensions about puberty and adulthood have never been so

creepy as in this 4-episode OVA series where Yuri is forced to join the Alien

Council and capture the frightening alien creatures that regularly invade

the school grounds. Can she handle the changes in herself as well as her

classmates?

Angel SanctuaryWith relationships so complicated they couldnt survive in heaven or hell,

this is the ultimate tale of star-crossed lovers trying to find happiness. Angsty

pretty boys, ornate angels and blurring of gender and familial bounds are

rampant.

Angelic LayerCLAMPs take on the traditionally shonen genre of fighting anime, the

ultra-cute Misaki gets caught up in the Angelic Layer tournament where

players control miniaturized fighters that they have customized themselves

and respond to their thoughts toys that we all wish we had when we were

younger.

Animation Runner KuromiA hyperactive look at the inside of the animation industry and Kuromi gets her

first job in the production of Time Journeys. She had to quickly adjust to the

menagerie of staff members and keep everyone at heel to make the release date

with her sanity intact.

Arcade Gamer FubukiFubuki is just a normal girl whos pretty good at video games until she flashes

her panties and becomes a god at any electronic game ever invented. What

began as a simple tournament quickly spirals into a fight to save the world

as the show gets more and more

ridiculous and wrought with video-

game in-jokes.

ArjunaA lushly imagined and uniquely

styled story from Shoji Kawamori,

Arjuna is a high school girl given a

second chance at life. Reborn as the

Avatar of Time, she must try to save

the world from the pollutions and

mistakes of mankind, but can she

handle being so strongly connected

to everything around her?

Armored Trooper VotomsOne of the old old-school anime,

this is the gritty story of one mans

epic journey across the galaxy and

through one bloody conflict after

another, all in search of his past and

a sense of peace. Double-crossed by

his military comrades, he survives by

fighting as a mercenary or gladiator,

piloting militaristic mecha for

whoever will pay.

Aura Battler DunbineA motorcycle racer named Shou

Zama is spirited away into a

mysterious fantasy world and

conscripted into military service,

piloting large biological robot-like

machines that resemble nothing so

much as humanoid insects. Unable

to determine who is truly friend

or foe, he must choose a side if he

hopes to get back home.

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A N I M E P R O G R A M M I N GAzumanga DaiohOne of the most anticipated releases of the year, these are

the stories of a group of high school girls and the absurd and

surreal adventures they have throughout their school terms.

Not as hyperactive as most anime comedies, it more than

makes up for that in overpowering cuteness and hilarity.

Bandit King JingIf James Bond were a cool anime hero and the best thief in

the world, he still wouldnt have half the style of Jing, the

unflappably confident thief who can break into anywhere to

steal the most valuable of all treasures a womans heart.

BerserkA surprisingly subtle and touching study of characters and

love wrapped in a violently bloody tale of ambition and pride

without restraint, the taciturn Guts as he joins up with a

mercenary band and tries to find his place in the world but is

destined to find only tragedy.

Black JackFrom the legendary Osamu Tezuka comes this dark tale of

a brilliantly talented (but unlicensed) doctor who travels the

world, helping those patients who can afford his fees and

inevitably becomes caught up in the mysteries surrounding

their circumstances and condition.

Blood: The Last VampireAn unquestionably stylish if rather light vampire story, this

OVA from Production IG boasts stunning visuals with

fluid animation and inescapable atmosphere as the stoic and

immortal Saya bloodily cuts down vampires like vermin.

Blue Submarine No. 6The energetic young Kino and cynical Hayami team up to

try to confront the mad scientist Zorndyke before he destroys

humanity. Arguably the anime that put the popular studio

GONZO on the map, this is a stylish show about the cost of

war, bearing a number of similarities to the recent Last Exile.

Boogiepop PhantomThe angel of death Boogiepop haunts the city, bringing

a callous type of justice to the monsters and beasts that

threaten the bring change to the world. Nothing is as it seems

when viewed through the blurry lens of this surreal

horror anime.

Boys Over FlowersOne of the classics of shojo melodrama, Tsukushi

manages to get herself into a prestigious high school

only to find that many of her classmates dont think

she lives up to their elite standards. Emotions not

only run high but span the gamut as she finds love

blossoming in the most unlikely of places.

Cardcaptor SakuraAfter accidentally releasing the Clow Cards, young

Sakura begins to awaken her supernatural powers as

she tracks them down before they can cause too much

mischief. A cute and adorable series from the popular

studio CLAMP.

Cardcaptor Sakura:The MovieClow Reeds legacy continues to haunt Sakura on

a vacation trip to Hong Kong that she was lucky

enough to win. Traveling with her friends, she gets to

meet Lis family but finds a much darker and more

dangerous secret as well.

Cardcaptor Sakura:The Sealed CardThe final chapter in Sakuras story and the final test.

She had thought that she had passed all the trials and

had caught the final card, but Clow Reed has left her

one last surprise a threat more powerful than all of

her cards and allies, and perhaps even more powerful

than herself.

Castle in the SkyA classic Hayao Miyazaki movie fully of aerial

adventure and ancient civilizations, this is the story of

a young girl with the key to a powerful secret. On the

run from pirates and scoundrels intent on seizing that

power for themselves, a young boy helps her escape

an evade pursuit.

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Cat SoupNonsensical and almost beyond surreal, a young cat tries to bring his sister

back from the dead on a journey through time, space and imagination.

Difficult to describe, it is more of a visual experience than a straightforward

story.

ChobitsA shy loser trying to get into college stumbles across an apparently abandoned

persocom a computer in the shape of a beautiful girl. But he gets more than

he bargained for when she turns out to have no memory or understanding of

even the most basic facts of life.

Comic PartySpurred on by a friend given to ranting about taking over the world through

doujinshi (fan comics), Kazuki quickly finds himself navigating the world of

fan-published comics in Japan and meeting all the very colorful personalities

there.

Cowboy Bebop Best SessionsSix of the best episodes of the modern classic Cowboy Bebop, as picked by the

fans, remixed in 5.1 surround sound audio.

Cowboy Bebop: Knockin On Heavens DoorThe crew of the Bebop hunts down a biological terrorist in this lushly

imagined movie. Carrying the same unique sense of style that made the

television series stand head and shoulders above most other anime, this takes

place just prior to the conclusive events of the finale series itself.

Crest of the StarsSharp dialogue and engaging character interactions marks this surprising hard

science-fiction series that slipped under the radar for many people. As violence

breaks out on the borders of the Abh empire, two unlikely officers must find

their way back to complete their mission and bring news of the impending war.

Cyber Formula GPXAfter recovering it from thieves and accidentally imprinting on the advanced

computer in a futuristic race car, Kazami Hayato is tossed into the world of

racing in the near future, where technology has changed nearly everything. But

human skill is still needed, and Kazami will find out if he has what it takes.

Descendants of DarknessDrafted into Hells Ministry of

Hades , these pretty boys indulge in

a little shonen-ai while battling the

forces of darkness. Hunting down

escaped demons and dangerous

monsters, they cant help but looking

good doing it.

Dragon HalfAn undeniable and spastic classic,

the half-dragon, half-human Mink

shifts from super-deformed to

more super-deformed to relatively

normal as she tries to win the heart

of the most famous dragon-slayer-

slash-famous-singer Dick Saucer.

El HazardOne of the original classic tales of

school kids being swept off to a

fantasy world. Several classmates

find themselves in an Arabian-styled

world and discover that they have

gained mysterious powers. Their

quest to find each other and return

home becomes an epic story of love

and war.

Vision of EscaflowneHitomi, a track runner with an

interest in the Tarot, is taken to

another world by a dragon-slayer

who suddenly appeared before her at

school one day. Plagued by horrible

visions of the future, she tries to

survive and save those around her

as her heart grows more and more

conflicted over who she truly loves.

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Escaflowne the movieA re-telling of sorts of the TV series, the movie transports a

depressed and slightly suicidal Hitomi to the fantasy world of

Gaea. An evil empire has been awakening the terrible powers

in an attempt to destroy the world, and only a ragtag group of

rebels has any hope of opposing it.

Excel SagaTechnically its about a secret society trying to take over the

city, and sometimes its even kinda about the city officials that

might stop them but that would make it seem like it actually

makes any sense. One of the most well known and spastically

hyperactive anime comedies.

Fancy LalaAfter finding (or being found by) two cute little dragons,

Miho finds she is able to transform into a 15-year old version

of herself. Taking advantage of her new-found freedom and

appearance, she embarks on a career in glamorous showbiz.

FLCLWhat would have been a run-of-the-mill coming of age

story turns into a hilarious and brilliantly executed comedy.

Naota thinks hes a boy with some girl problems, but then an

older woman claiming to be an alien starts clobbering him

in the head, and now robots keep bursting out at the most

inopportune times.

Fruits BasketTohru is an earnest young girl just trying to work her way

through school and live up to the memory of her mother, but

she finds herself living with a family that has a strange secret

when hugged by members of the opposite sex, they turn into

zodiac animals.

Fushigi YuugiSucked into another world through a strange book, Miaka

and her friend Yui find themselves tossed around by cruel fate

and harsher reality. Wanting nothing more than to eat good

food and go home, instead Miaka finds love and pain as the

prophesized priestess of Suzaku.

Galaxy AngelTheyre supposed to be searching for Lost

Technology and generally helping the universe out,

but this squad of anime beauties are all a few DVDs

short of a box set and things never seem to go as

planned when theyre out on a missing or when

they stay in, for that matter.

GasarakiCombining robotic power-armor, occult intrigue and

traditional Japanese Noh theater into a slow moving

post-Evangelion mecha thriller, Gasaraki adds a taste

of Cthulhoid horror as a powerful Japanese family

uses their influence to get their prototype mecha

assault vehicles deployed in a mid-east war.

GeistersIn a post-apocalyptic world threatened by an alien

invasion and an asteroid impact, an elite special

forces unit must fight not only these invaders, but

also the other manipulative shadow governments and

conspiracies scheming for power.

Ghost in the ShellLove it or hate it, its influence on American

anime fandom (and beyond) is undeniable. With

the imminent release of the television series (that

reinvents the concept) and the movie (that should be

something of a sequel) out in theaters in Japan, its

time to revisit Mamoru Oshiis cyberpunk classic.

Gunparade MarchJapan fights a losing war against alien invaders and

children are drafted to fight. What at first seems

like a pretty standard school-kid mecha show with

slick character designs reveals itself as much more

interested in the interpersonal relationships and

blossoming love amid some of the realities of war.

Haibane RenmeiYoshitoshi ABes most personal and touching work,

the abandoned Old Home serves as a refuge for girls

born with wings and bearing halos. Drawing their

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names from their dreams just before birth, the haibane live in a suitably

dream-like world as they struggle to understand who they are.

HellsingIn the eternal fight against the creatures of the night (and sometimes the

Vatican), England will employ whatever tool it takes to get the job done even

the powerful vampire Arucard and his new fledgling, the former police woman

Seras.

His and Her CircumstancesOne moment deadly serious and dramatic, the next insanely and hyperactively

hilarious, GAINAXs tale of teenage romance manages to remain remarkably

realistic and honest the entire time. Miyazawa tried to so hard to maintain her

image as the perfect student, until Arima showed her that there was more to

life.

Im Gonna be an AngelCute as a puppy and jiggly like J-ELLO, this is a show so sweet and silly that

itll make your teeth rot. Completely in love with Yuusuke, the young Noel

decides that she will become his angel and shower her love upon him, but some

mysterious villain keeps sending insane monsters to cause trouble

Infinite RyviusNominally a remake of Lord of the Flies, hundreds of students find themselves

abandoned and alone when their space station school is destroyed. Having

escaped on a mysterious space ship buried inside, they have to form their own

rules and society to find a way to survive.

Initial DWorking as a tofu delivery boy has honed Tak Fujiwaras natural skills for

racing, but it is when a professional racer challenges him that he collides with

his destiny head-on. A wildly popular of street racing cars for the men who

love them.

Interstella 5555The legendary animator Leiji Matsumoto and the popular techno band Daft

Punk team up to create this audio-visual extravaganza. With Daft Punk

providing the enchanting music, Matsumoto takes us through a suitably

dramatic space-opera story to match.

IriaAn action-packed anime classic

set in an exotic and richly detailed

future, this is a companion story to

the Zeiram live-action stories. The

bounty hunter Iria is forced to face

off against an all but unstoppable

alien creature with only herself and a

few close allies to count on for help.

IrresponsibleCaptain TylorThe quintessential slacker, Justy

Ueki Tylor may be far more than he

seems as he coasts his way through

military service and into command of

the Soyokaze, a ship the navy keeps

around specifically as a dumping

ground for its strangest and most

unmanageable recruits.

Jin-RohIn an alternate present where

Japan is a fascist state, an officer in

the paramilitary Kereberos Corps

witnesses a young terrorist blow

herself up before his eyes and cannot

help but be drawn to her grieving

sister, but both of them keep secrets

and neither are as harmless as they

may seem.

Jojos Bizarre AdventureIn the grandest traditions of fighting

anime, ridiculously muscular men

striking poses too cool for the real

world engage in spectacular fights to

the death using exotic and whimsical

Stands, psychic projections with

unique powers.

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Jubei-chanChosen because of her bouncy bon bons, Jiyu (nicknamed

Jyubei) is the unwilling bearer of the legendary swordman

Yagyu Jubeis lovely eyepatch that gives the wearer great

powers and thus she becomes the target of one obsessed

assassin after another.

KaidohmaruUnique and haunting visuals mark another story from the

team that brought us Blood the Last Vampire. A historical

drama colored in pastels and featuring stunning swordplay,

this is a tale of obsessed love and tragic destiny, although not

being familiar with the original tale may leave you a bit lost.

Kaze no YojimboA silent stranger wanders into town and finds that things

are not quite as they seem when he starts looking for an old

friend. Loosely based on Akira Kurosawas classic samurai

story, Yojimbo.

Key the Metal IdolIs Key really an android? Or is she just a deeply troubled girl

raised by an eccentric scientist? Her grandfathers dying words

were for her to make thousands of friends so that she could

become a real girl, and so she sets off to Tokyo, but not

everyone welcomes or even believes her.

Kiddy GradeThe super-strong clair and the refined young Lumiere are

black-ops agents for GOTT, the Galactic Organization for

Trade and Tariffs, protecting the galaxy from corruption and

abuse. Not all of their comrades are as noble, however, nor are

their clients.

Kinos TravelsKino is a reserved traveler observing the world in all its

splendor and ugliness. Traveling with the talking motorcycle

named Hermes, Kino passes through kingdoms that operate

on an almost surreal dream-logic. Each episode is a fairy-tale

like story of the tragic hopes, dreams and illusions men hold

so dear.

Knight HuntersBy day theyre florists, at night deadly assassins!

The pretty boys of Knight Hunters include all the

required types of dream guys and have long been

popular with the bishounen crowd.

Last ExileLavi and Claus are young vanship pilots in a fantasy

world of airships and fantastic technology, seemingly

at the brink of both an industrial revolution and a

bloody war. Two great nations square off against each

other on the field of battle, what can two civilians

trying to live a dream do against that?

Magical Shopping Arcade AbenobashiIn another insane comedy from GAINAX, Sasshi

and Arumi run from one alternate universe version of

their own familiar shopping block to another, chased

the whole way by bucket-loads of anime in-jokes and

parodies, all of which add up to something a bit more

serious, as weve come to expect from the studio.

MahoromaticGAINAX does the familiar maid genre with Mahoro,

the cutest and most earnest little combat android

you ever did meet. Bringing fanservice to new, cuter

heights and adding dashes of drama and action, the

show is top-notch eye candy.

Mahoromatic:Summer SpecialMahoro is quite vocal in her adamant belief that ecchi

things are no good. Suguru, like any growing young

man, is forced to go to greater and great lengths

to protect his great treasures. More of the light-

hearted perversion and less of the plot than in the

television series itself.

Mao-chanWho better to defend the famous treasures of the

world against the irresistibly cute alien invaders

than the even cuter granddaughters of the leaders of

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Japans armed forces? Mao and her two friends take up the baton of justice and

put on the uniforms of adorable duty to save the world from cute aliens.

Marmalade BoyThe famous long-running shojo series is finally coming to America. Mikis

parents decide to swap partners with friends of theirs who used to be school

sweethearts and she finds out that she now has a handsome step brother

named Yuu who might not be as mean as he first seems

MemoriesA classic omnibus of three short films from some of animes finest creators, this

includes the haunting science fiction ghost story Magnetic Rose, the playful

and darkly comic Stink Bomb and the heavily political and directly symbolic

Cannon Fodder.

Mezzo ForteEnergetic, inventive action and sexy style permeate this fluidly animated guns-

n-girls OVA from Umetsu, creator of the infamous Kite. Mikura is a gun-

wielding hot-shot backed up by her two partners as they take on the jobs no

one else can, as the Danger Service Agency troubleshooters for hire.

Millennium ActressAnother masterpiece from Satoshi Kon, this time a touching drama in the

form of a fictional biography that again blurs the line between reality and

fantasy. Footage from Chiyoko Fujiwaras body of work amplifies the drama

of her personal life and underscores the passion that motivated her the whole

time.

Mini-PatoEveryones favorite squad of mechanized police return as cardboard cut-outs

on popsicle sticks for further silly adventures. Released with the third theatrical

film, these three short episodes are a light-hearted comedy with a rather

unique visual style.

Mobile Fighter G GundamThe Gundam franchise is re-imagined as a martial arts extravaganza as the

nations of the world gather to turn the entire Earth into a battle ground for the

giant robots to duke it out and decide whos top dog on the planet.

Neon GenesisEvangelion Directors CutAnimes most controversial series

answers some questions and creates

many more with the release of the

directors cuts of its ending. Does the

added footage provide an explanation

for our generations most influential

mecha anime?

NeorangaThree sisters inherit a giant monster

who walks out of Tokyo Bay to their

doorstep, destroying much of the city

in the process. Some people love it,

most hate it and a few worship this

Ranga as a god, but there are darker

conspiracies behind the politicians as

the sisters try to live their lives with

their own pet Godzillla.

NieA_7A comedy from the creators of Serial

Experiments lain, this show swings

from the extremes of wacky anime

slapstick to melancholy introspection.

NieA is a vagrant under alien

living as a freeloader with Mayuko, a

hardworking student. Both need the

other more than they care to admit,

and are lonelier than they seem.

Night on the Galactic RailroadA story from the vibrant mind of

Japans great poet Kenji Miyazawa,

the anthropomorphic cat Giovanni

rides a mysterious midnight train

through space and time to witness

the most stunning and surreal scenes

throughout the universe.

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Ninja Scroll TVOne of the most iconic pieces of anime released in the United

States returns as a television series. Jubei seems like a shiftless

lay-about ninja, but he steps up when needed to protect

the innocent. Usually from bizarre looking and monstrous

enemies.

NinkuSomething of a reversed Scooby-Doo tale of mistaken

identity, just starring the most powerful ninjas in the land

(and their pet penguin). Stranded in the desert, the band takes

up jobs as bodyguards for the people who are impersonating

them to gain fame. Cue comedic chase scenes and surprisingly

well-animated fight scenes.

Now and Then, Here and ThereContrary to its sunny appearance, this is a dark and tragic tale

of obsession and strength of conviction. An almost annoyingly

optimistic and energetic young boy is whisked away to

another world where nothing seems to go his way and guts

and courage never seems to be enough.

Otaku no VideoWhat convention would be complete without the classically

self-aware (and frighteningly accurate) commentary on anime

fandom from those who know it best? Watch one otherwise

normal mans descent into madness and see the depths to

which some fans sink without knowing it.

Patlabor WXIIIShifting away from what is traditionally the main cast of

the Patlabor anime to some of its supporting cast members,

the third Patlabor movie also shifts to something of a giant

monster movie with a rather dark tone. Something is loose in

the bay, destroying equipment and murdering those nearby.

The only clue leads to a genetics lab

Patlabor TVAs labors, or mecha construction vehicles, has entered

widespread use, crimes involving them have also become more

common, requiring the creation of a special unit to deal with

them. Of course, only freaks, weirdoes and machine-nuts

would want to work in such a unit to begin with.

PhotonPowered by idiocy, Photon is the most powerful little

dim-witted boy on the planet, which is important

as he has to face off against the slick and narcissistic

Papacha, the pimpinest villain to ever set his sights on

galactic domination or at least he thinks se. Insanity

and humor, both high and low, abound.

Please Teacher!Kei accidentally discovered that his teacher is an

alien, but that was nothing compared to marrying her

to help her cover it up. He has a secret of his own as

well, suffering from a rare disorder that causes his to

ender suspended animation when under great stress.

What kind of relationship can survive under these

conditions?

PretearCinderella mixes with magical girls when Himenos

father remarries into a fantastically rich (and

extremely unwelcoming) family. Refusing to let it

get her down, she discovers that she is the Pretear,

the only one who can save not only the Kingdom of

Leafe, but the entire world.

Puni Puni PoemyGoing farther than even Excel Saga dared, Puni

Puni Poemy pushes everything further with crazier

jokes and riskier scenes. Shes not quite your average

magical girl heroine, but shell try to save the world,

even if its against the kind of aliens you dont talk

about in mixed company.

RahXephonClearly bearing the mark of Evangelion, this

conspiracies-with-giant-robots is suffused with

musical symbolism absolutely gorgeous designs and

animation (courtesy of the studio BONES). Ayatos

average life is shattered not only by sudden war, but

also the revelation that his entire world is a lie.

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Read or Die!Someone has been cloning the great dead geniuses in history and recruiting

them to steal precious and rare books for some plot to destroy the world.

Who else can stop them than the British Librarys most trusted super-agent,

The Paper?

Revolutionary Girl UtenaUtenas search for the Prince from her youth has not only led her to try to

become a Prince herself, but to Ohtori Academy, where student council

members duel over the Rose Bride to gain the power to revolutionize the

world and realize their most closely held dreams.

Revolutionary Girl Utena The MovieThe television series is re-imagined in this lush visual extravaganza with even

more overt lesbian themes and even less coherence. Dream-logic and desire

rule this world in which everyone literally fights for their wishes to become

reality.

Risky SafetyRisky is an apprentice death spirit and Safety is an apprentice angel, and both

are trapped in the same adorably cute little body. The young Moes anguish

over her boyfriend attracts their attention and each tries to hinder or help her,

respectively.

Rurouni Kenshin OVAA deadly serious and bloody dramatic prequel to the lighter television series,

this explores Kenshins past and motivations. Gorgeously animated and

expertly directed, this tale of doomed love plays out amid Japans historical

Meiji Restoration.

SaikanoOne of the most touchingly tragic love stories in a while, Chise and Shuuji

are awkward high school students stumbling their way through a blossoming

love when they are interrupted by war and the revelation of Chises dark secret

she is the militarys secret weapon against the faceless invaders.

s-CRY-edThose born on the abandoned Lost Ground often have special powers and

are known as Alters. The organization known as Holy was formed to control,

contain or destroy them before they could pose a problem for the rest of the

world. One Alter, Kazuma, has no intention of meeting that fate.

serial experiments lainThe archetypal WTF? anime,

nothing can be taken for granted

in this show. Reality is not as it

seems and something seems to be

pushing the young school girl Lain

to an awakening she never knew she

longed for. There is little room for an

explanation and reality bends, blurs

and melts around her.

Sol Bianca:The LegacyAn all-female crew of pilots plies the

ocean of stars pursuing their dreams

and desires, pursued by their pasts

and the forces of Earth, who would

have the old, great treasures returned

to their original homes. Can women

survive on dreams alone, or must they

eventually be given abandoned in

favor of harsh reality?

Somedays DreamersYume is a backwater girl who

just arrived in Tokyo for her

apprenticeship as a magician. Her

dream being to help people realize

theirs, she wants to receive a license

to use her magic for the benefit of her

clients, but has a lot to learn about

herself and those around her first.

Spirit of WonderThis collection of heart-warming

stories follows mans passion for

science and discovery, found in

everyone from an eccentric scientist

renting a room from a Chinese

innkeeper to a group of young-boys-

come-old-men bent on visiting Mars.

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Spirited AwayThe Oscar-winning modern fairy tale of a girl swept into a

spirit world beyond her understanding. Chihiro finds herself

slavishly working for the witch who turned her parents into

pigs for eating the spirits food. Both delightfully whimsical

and slightly creepy at the same time, this is a masterful tale of

friendship and courage.

Spring and ChaosThe life story of the famed Japanese poet Kenji Miyazawa is

retold with a cast of cat-people as the poets visions take on

a stunning and surreal life of their own as we are witness to

the difficult struggles in the life of this under-appreciated, but

brilliant, artist.

Strange DawnTwo more schoolgirls find themselves in a fantasy world and

care called upon to fulfill their destiny and save everyone,

except this time the inhabitants of this world are not pretty

bishounen or cute girls. This world is full of foot-tall

Teletubbies, though they react more realistically than most

normal anime characters.

Sugar Summer SpecialAnimes cutest little season fairies and their endearing friend

Saga return in this pair of episodes. An old dress that her

grandmother finds in the attack reminds Saga of a school play

she was once in and memories bring the past to life.

Super GALS!Kotobuki isnt the best student out there, but she is the most

stylish gal in all of Shibuya. Ruling her downtown territory

with a sharp tongue and a fast fist, she and her friends try to

enjoy life to the fullest while obeying the list of ironclad gals

rules.

Tenchi Muyo! GXPThe old reliable Tenchi formula for the one-boy-tons-of-

girls show returns as Seinan Yamada is coaxed into joining

the Galaxy Police. He cant escape his outrageously disastrous

luck just by leaving Earth, however, but that doesnt stop

the beautiful women from falling over themselves for his

attention.

TexhnolyzeA slowly paced and restrained but expertly

constructed post-apocalyptic Yakuza story with little

interest in explaining whats really going on. Ichise

is taught a lesson with the loss of his arm and leg,

only to bear unwanted cybernetic replacements after

attracting the attention of the local crime syndicate.

They Were 11Ten people were supposed to be on the abandoned

ship taking the final entrance exam for an elite

galactic academy, but eleven were there once the

airlock was sealed. That is only the first of many

surprises and crises in this old mystery where every

one has secrets theyre desperate to hide.

Tokyo BabylonSomething of a prequel to the popular movie and

series X, this is the more light-hearted story of

Subaru and his sister as they try to help those in need

from the occult forces haunting the shadows of the

world. Trying to uncover the truth behind mysterious

deaths, the young mystic finds dark magics at their

root.

Twelve KingdomsA perfect little girl is swept into a fantasy world based

on Chinese mythology, where she discovers not only a

destiny she doesnt think she is worthy to accept, but

also her own frustration and insecurities about not

only herself, but also of her life and those around her.

Urusei Yatsura: Beautiful DreamerWhat is a dream and what is reality can no longer be

easily determined as our familiar cast of characters

find themselves trying to navigate a surreal

dreamscape reflection of our real world as they repeat

the same day again and again.

Voices of a Distant StarAn independently produced short anime, love

is tested across time and space as high school

ANIME PROGRAMMING

Anime Boston 200428

sweethearts Mikako and Noboru find themselves further and further apart.

He stayed on Earth, but she left on the great spaceships to fight off the alien

invaders. Can their love survive the distance?

Witch Hunter RobinThe pyrotechnic Robin arrives in Japan to help the organization STNJ tack

down dangerous witches and neutralize them so that they can be properly

contained and imprisoned. This stylish gothic story hints at a deeper

conspiracy, however, and not everything is as clear-cut as the witch-hunters

might hope.

Wolfs RainIn a ravaged world where only the city enclaves ruled over by cruel nobles still

survive the harsh environment, four wolves gather together to search for the

flower maiden who can open a door into paradise and take them from this

dying planet.

World of NarueSure, Kazuto was a bit surprised when his new girlfriend turned out to be

an alien living on Earth in secret, but she always seemed a little different

to begin with, so it doesnt really matter much, right? Not everyone shares

his acceptance, however, and some of his classmates have taken it upon

themselves to reveal her secret.

X TVBased on the epic-length manga by CLAMP, this an overly tragic tale of

destiny and freedom as the world grinds to a conflict that might very well

destroy it. The people chosen as Dragons of Heaven and Earth are driven to

destinies they may or may not accept, but cannot deny.

YukikazeThe somber and taciturn Lt. Fukai pilots the advanced jet fighter Yukikaze in

the fight against the alien JAM. He listens to almost no one other than the AI

of the plan, but doesnt realize how much he relies upon it until it is lost.

A N I M E P R O G R A M M I N G

When two bumbling slackers who sell bootleg videos in a Chinese mall inadvertently let loose a plague of the undead when they end up coming across some cleverly disguised zombie juice. Cue blood splatters, zombie shoppers and cute, screaming girls in this hilarious Chinese horror/comedy flick.

BIO-ZOMBIE

L I V E P R O G R A M M I N G

If the meaning of life can be found in feces, breast milk and necrophilia, Takashi Miike has shown it to us in this uniquely disturbing film about the most dys-functional of all families finding happiness in adversity and unity. But only after getting their heads bashed in with a rock several times, of course.

VISITOR Q

VERSUS(Directors Cut)

Non-stop gun-fu, kung-fu, zombie-killin action. A jail-break turns out to be far more than it originally seemed as it quickly breaks down into violence. But it wasnt held in a hidden forest that contains one of the gates to hell for no reason

Anime Boston 200430

Anime Boston 2004 31

From Takashi Miike comes a tale for the age of the war between generations. A young man so driven to avenge his brother by murdering his father recruits his fellow classmates and forges a surreal mirror of the local Yakuza and rushes headlong into a confrontation with the true power in the city.

FU

DO

HICHI THE KILLER(Directors Cut)

To call it an orgy of violence and destruction would not quite be apt, but its about as close as you can get with Takashi Miikes shocking story of the sadists and masochists within us all. The ultimate masochist finds his boss, and master, dead and seeks out the killer in a desperate need to feel true torture again.

BOUNCE KO GALS

Subsidized dating, or paying schoolgirls to go on a date with an older man, man international headlines and garnered a brief flurry of attention a few years ago. This in-famous and controver-sial film follows a trio of young schoolgirls who, short on time and money, turn to this near-prostitution for a quick buck.

SAMURAI FICTIONIntent on defending his familys honor, a young (and overly eager) samuri sets out with his two (equally eager and unskilled) friends. Their chase after the world-weary man who tarnished their name is shadowed by elderly ninja and interrupted by a wise hermit and his stubborn daughter.

Anime Boston 200432

Convention Rules

1.) Please treat the hotel with respect. The Boston Park Plaza Hotel &

Towers is a wonderful convention facility and we would like to keep it that

way. Do not damage or deface the hotel or hotel property in any way.

2.) Please keep the hallways and aisles clear. While its wonderful to stand

and talk with friends, please do so in a manner that does not obstruct the flow

of traffic.

3.) The New England Anime Society, Inc., Anime Boston, and The Boston

Park Plaza Hotel & Towers are not liable for any missing belongings. Please

keep a close eye on your items. If you should lose something please contact

convention security.

4.) Do not leave your bags unattended! Any bag left unattended will be

turned over to the appropriate authorities. This may include the Boston

Park Plaza Hotel, the Boston Police, the Boston Fire Department and/or the

Massachusetts State Police.

5.) Due to the relatively close quarters of the Dealers Room, Anime Boston

has adopted a No Bag policy. This applies to any bookbags, briefcases,

suitcases or any other style of bag deemed unwieldy by the security staff.

Please leave your bags in your room or check them.

6.) Anime Boston does not offer a coat or bag check. However, the Boston

Park Plaza Hotel does. The cost is $2 per item. The coat/bag check is

located at the valet parking entrance. Dont forget to tip the attendant!

7.) The Boston Park Plaza & Towers is a hotel. As such it is customary to

tip the employees if they perform a service for you. (Especially the bellhops

and the room service staff.) Customary tipping procedure is 20% of the total

amount. However, please remember that tipping is based upon good service.

If at any point a hotel employee is rude or antagonistic towards you, please

inform convention operations.

8.) Attendees are at their own risk with respect to the dangers incidental

to Anime Boston. Acceptance of your membership constitutes consent to

the use of the wearers image or likeness in any recording, transmission, or

reproduction of Anime Boston and consent to ejection without refund for

innapropriate behavior or failure to comply with the Anime Boston Rules of

Conduct.

R U L E S9.) Anime Boston staff reserve the

right to revoke your convention

membership and eject anyone

at anytime from the convention

without a refund.

Convention Drug and Alcohol Policy

STATE AND FEDERAL LAWS

MANDATE THAT DRUGS

SUCH AS MARIJUANA,

ECSTACY, COCAINE,

HEROINE, AND OTHER,

SIMILAR ITEMS ARE

ILLEGAL SUBSTANCES.

Anime Boston and the New

England Anime Society (NEAS)

do not authorize or endorse the

use of drugs while engaging in any

convention activities or in areas in

use by the convention. We reserve

the right to revoke convention

membership without refund for any

reason, including the discovery of

an attendee under the influence of

illegal substances. Anime Boston

staff will support all applicable local,

state, and federal laws regarding

illegal substances. The convention

will contact local law enforcement

for issues of suspected drug use.

STATE AND FEDERAL

LAWS ALSO MANDATE

THAT IT IS PROHIBITED

FOR INDIVIDUALS UNDER

THE AGE OF 21 TO DRINK

ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES.

Anime Boston 200434

R U L E SThe legal age for drinking alcohol is 21. Our over 21 attendees are to

consume any alcohol in a responsible, civilized manner. We require that our

under 21 attendees refrain from drinking at our convention.

Anime Boston and the NEAS prohibit the consumption of alcohol in public

areas in use by the convention. We will follow all hotel guidelines regarding

consumption of alcohol in shared public areas.

If convention staff finds an attendee over the age of 21 drinking in a

convention area, the convention staff will ask them to take their beverage to

their room. If they are not a registered guest of the hotel, the convention or

hotel staff will ask they discard their beverage. If it the convention suspects

an attendee over the age of 21 is intoxicated, the First Aid staff will evaluate

them to determine the seriousness of their condition, and that staff member

will take the appropriate action.

If convention staff suspects an attendee under the age of 21 is intoxicated,

a member of the First Aid staff will evaluate them and contact the proper

authorities by sending them to the local emergency department by ambulance.

Anime Boston and the New England Anime Society DO NOT authorize,

endorse, or condone underage drinking under any circumstances. We will

follow all local, state, and federal guidelines regarding underage drinking.

Although the convention does not prohibit Room Parties_, we encourage

all hosts to be responsible for their party and their guests. Convention

security staff will be active in ensuring that your party does not infringe on

the other guests of the convention and the guests of the hotel. We remind

you that the legal drinking age is 21 in Massachusetts, and if the convention

finds underage guests intoxicated, they will be leaving the convention by

ambulance to the hospital. Hospital staff will evaluate them and contact the

proper authorities to discuss the well-being of this individual. We encourage

you to enjoy your parties thoroughly, but also responsibly.

Convention Weapons Policy

While Anime Boston neither condones nor prohibits weapons sales (except

firearms, which are not allowed), attendees are prohibited from carrying

any actual weapons at the convention. After purchasing a weapon from the

dealers room, the purchaser should immediately bring the item upstairs to

their hotel room or appropriately store the item off hotel property.

Dealers selling weapons must take care in the design and positioning of their

displays to ensure that there is no

mishandling of the merchandise.

The dealers room coordinator or the

head of security may require items

be removed from sale if there is an

apparent danger to attendees, dealers

or merchandise.

If security asks an attendee to

remove an item deemed a weapon,

we ask they take it immediately

to their hotel room, or off hotel

property. Security must approve all

potential weapons and such items

must remain sheathed or holstered

at all times. Anime Boston policy

is that attendees may not carry

anything that resembles a real

weapon during the convention

unless it is in a holster or sheath

and peace bonded. All attendees

must take any item that may be

possibly construed as a weapon

that they intend to carry on their

person during the convention to

the security offices for approval and

proper peace bonding by security

staff.

Anime Boston will ask any attendee

found wearing a potential weapon

that has not been peace bonded by

security to take the potential weapon

to security for approval. Security

will deal with repeated offenses

accordingly, up to and including

ejection from the convention

without refund. A good rule of

thumb to follow is that if its a real

blade, can draw blood, or can leave a

bruise, you shouldnt bring it to the

convention. Refer to Massachusetts

Anime Boston 200436

R U L E SGeneral Laws, Chapter 269, Section 10, Paragraph B (this passage is available

on the Anime Boston website).

To clarify, Anime Boston 2004s Operations Director offers the following:

Practice swords and the like are not being permitted unless they can be

peacebound (more on that below) into a scabbard of some sort. While not

lethal, they do pose danger in that they are crafted with hurting people in

mind.

Peacebinding a weapon means that you allow us to put a bright plastic tie on

your weapon indicating that it has been judged relatively harmless and/or is

being bound into a holder of some sort that renders it so. These ties cannot

be taken off save by cutting so it will be obvious to anyone if tampering

should occur after the weapon leaves security. Anyone who has a weapon

that could possibly viewed as dangerous (even a little bit) needs to come to

security to have it approved and, if necessary, peacebound. Any weapons that

arent approved and/or cant be peacebound are welcome to stay in security

where they will be babysat until they are brought home or locked away in

the safety of your room. If youre found walking about the convention with a

questionable weapon youll be asked to bring it to security to have it checked

over. Each weapon will be judged individually so that the safety of all is

addressed firstly.

I hope this is helpful, but if you have another question, please dont hesitate

to ask. However, please keep in mind that no one will be able to pre-approve

your weapon. We will try our best to give you an appropriate response; but

nothing said here will promise your being able to carry the weapon in

question as only actual handling of the object in question can decide this.

We thank you for your support and understanding.

Convention Badges

1.) Anyone picking up a badge which was paid for in advance must have

a photo ID with the name that matches the name to whom the badge is

assigned. This is done for your own protection; to prevent other people from

claiming to be you and taking your badge.

2.) Once a badge is picked up at the Registration desk, the badge cannot be

transferred to another person nor can it be given to or used by another person

at any time. Each person attending the convention must have his or her own

badge for the duration of the convention.

3.) Badges must be visible at all

times. You should wear your badge

in a place that is easily seen. Around

the neck on the provided lanyard

is best.

4.) All convention events will

require a badge for entry. No

exceptions. This is for your safety

as well as ours. If you are caught

in a convention area without a

badge you will be removed from the

convention.

5.) Hold on to your badge! Do not

lose it! If you do lose your badge,

check with convention security.

Someone may have found it and

turned it in.

6.) In the event that you lose your

badge and it cannot be found, you

will be required to purchase a new

one. If the convention is sold out,

youre out of luck.

Volunteering

Anime Boston is always looking for

qualified volunteers to help run the

convention. If youve ever considered

volunteering for a convention, there

are some pretty good reasons to do

so:

1.) You can make a lot of new

friends. Its a unique bonding

experience that very few ever get to

participate in.

Anime Boston 2004 37

convention rules

2.) You can give something back to the anime community.

For many of us, anime has quite literally made us who we are.

This is a chance to return the favor.

3.) You can get a free T-shirt, crash space, or admission. For

those who sign up for 8 hours of work during the convention,

you can get a free T-shirt. For those volunteers who

really love us and sign up for 12 hours of work during the

convention, you can get a free T-shirt and free admission to

Anime Boston 2005. For those volunteers who really show us

the love and sign up for 16 hours or more worth of work, you

get a free T-shirt, free admission to Anime Boston 2005, and

free crash space (pending availability). Youll also get a hug

from our member services director.

So, are you ready to volunteer? Heres how it works:

1.) You may sign up to volunteer at-con or ahead of time,

but you must already be registered for Anime Boston.

Volunteering does not include convention admission or

registration!

2.) On the signup form, tell the Volunteer Wrangler when you

would prefer to work and what type of work you would be

interested in volunteering for.

3.) When you arrive at the convention, you will need to sign-

in at Volunteer HQ.

4.) When it is time for your shift, go to the Volunteer HQ on

the Mezzanine Level to swap your convention badge with a

volunteer badge before heading to your assignment.

5.) When your shift is done, return to Volunteer HQ to swap

your badge back and complete your time card.

6.) You must have your time card signed by the Volunteer HQ

staff before and after the shift in order to receive your hours.

Volunteer Rules

1.) All volunteers must sign-in at Volunteer HQ before they

begin their shifts.

2.) You must be at least 18 years old to volunteer.

3.) Volunteer work times and positions are available

based on first come first serve at sign-up.

4.) All volunteers must exchange their attendees

badges with volunteers badges before they begin each

shift and vice versa after they are done working their

shifts.

5.) Volunteer crash space is available based on first-

come, first-serve starting on Thursday night of the

convention and available through Saturday night.

6.) Non-volunteers and volunteers not earning crash

space are not allowed to stay in the volunteers crash

space.

7.) Volunteer crash space is not co-ed.

8.) Alcohol and illegal substances are not allowed in

volunteer crash spaces.

9.) Volunteers are not allowed to have parties in

volunteer crash spaces.

10.) Volunteer room doors cannot be left opened at

any time.

11.) Anime Boston and The Boston Park Plaza Hotel

& Towers are not responsible for any misplaced, lost

or stolen personal items.

12.) The keys to volunteer crash space are held by the

Volunteer Wrangler and Convention Operations.

13.) Volunteers committing to crash space but not

earning sixteen hours of volunteer time may be

subject to discipline (possibly ninjas) and may not be

allowed to volunteer again in 2005.

Convention Dealers Room

IMPORTANT! The Dealers Room has a limited

Anime Boston 200438

R U L E Samount of space. Due to this fact it may become necessary to wait in

line prior to gaining entry into the Dealers Room. Please be patient and

understanding with us. We will do our best to move people into the Dealers

Room as quickly as possible.

Note: Dealers, staff, convention guests, press and disabled persons do not have

to stand in line for entry into the dealers room. If you have any questions,

please contact convention security.

1.) Be careful when crossing the street from the Park Plaza Hotel to the

Castle.

2.) If you are a disabled person, or a person needing assistance, please contact

convention security.

3.) Anime Boston has adopted a No Bag rule for the Dealers Room. This

applies to any bookbags, briefcases, suitcases or any other style of bag deemed

unwieldy by the security staff. Please leave your bags in your room or at home.

4.) Smoking is prohibited in the Dealers Room and the Dealers Room line.

5.) Do not block aisles with photography.

6.) Disruptive behavior that disturbs other attendees or dealers is not allowed.

This includes running, screaming, yelling, horseplay, or any other such

behavior as deemed disruptive by convention staff.

7.) Please be kind and courteous to your other fellow attendees, dealers and

staff at all times.

8.) Shoplifting is a crime. Under no circumstances will it be tolerated and

violators will prosecuted to the full extent of the law.

9.) Please follow the directions of the convention st