While we have been going to Anime Boston previously as locals, this was our first time attending Anime Boston from out of state. Scarlet Rhapsody still considered Boston "home." Anime Boston has earned the title of home con for our website. Jared flew in on Day Zero to check into the bed and breakfast on Newbury Street. To avoid paying astronomical hotel fees, we ended up staying at Commonwealth Court Guest House. This was reccomended by our friend, CRP Saiyan. Because were planning on staying in Boston for a week, this gave us the best deal. Eri Kagami took a red eye flight in and arrived on early morning day one and ready for some sportsball.

Haikyuu: How to Volleyball by Eri Kagami
I was expecting Anime Boston to be pumped up with sportsball themed programming. I was glad there was a Haikyuu themed panel. The panel covered basic volleyball moves. This also helps with cosplay poses. Additionally, the panel also taught audience members how to play volleyball and even did a few games in the panel room. I thought this panel would have been much more appropriate for a workshop type room. It's kinda hard to toss a ball around in a large panel room set up. However, I did like the fact that the organizers also wanted to establish a local volleyball meet up group at the Commons for Haikyuu fans to play volley for reals.

Ride of the Valkyries: A guide to the Mecha of Macross by Jared the Greek
This was an exploration of both the history of the Macross designs and a look at the various toys that have been released to represent the franchise.  The origins of the series were very much connected to the designs and toys, which were designed to transform exactly the same way in the show as they did in the toy form.  The panel went from the first series all the way into exploring some of the bits of information that have been released for the newest series: Marcoss Delta.

Localization vs Translation: The Debate on the Americanization of Anime by Jared the Greek
This panel took a look at the controversy of dubbing anime while making ‘changes’ in order to make it more palatable for the American audience.  The panelists did not take sides, but instead broke down the genres and demographics while asking the audience for their opinions on different choices that have been made over the years.  Despite the heated topic, the audience was well behaved and let everyone share their opinions.  It was good food for thought and hopefully it will make a return for more interesting discussion on what fans want in their dubbing.

Senpai Noticed Me: Mentoring's Importance in the Cosplay Community by Eri Kagami
Despite some technical difficulties getting this panel set and ready to go, this was a very interesting panel hosted by a current psychology student at the University of MA, Boston. The panel went over basics on finding where you fit in within the cosplay community. Using survey data and academic research, the student panelist also talked about veterans building connections in the community to reach out to new cosplayers. I liked this panel because it encouraged creating community and what it means to truly support one another. I hope this student continues on to do this panel at other events - it's very important to have these discussions!

Kimono for Guys by Jared the Greek
While many panels look at the fashion and history of the kimono, this panel looked at the differences between male and female designs as well as the meaning of different cuts and colors.  There were demonstrations showing how to put on the male kimono, which can be complicated depending on how formal you need to be.  It was a very interesting panel and it closed out with questions about the traditional clothing designs of various anime characters.  It was a great watch and one of the rare times I really enjoyed a fashion type panel.

Frenemy Mine: Carl Macek by Jared the Greek
This was my second time running the Carl Macek panel and the first time I have done so at Anime Boston.  My panel covered the life of Carl Macek and the rise and fall of Streamline Pictures.  This time the panel was run much smoother than the previous one because the audience was polite and waited for the Q&A part for questions.  The only problem we ran into was the audio cables not working right, but using the mic I was able to get some of the audio to come over the speakers.  Everyone liked the panel and I hope I can bring it back again next year with even more stories.

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