What is there to say about Anime Central? I have so many positive things to say about this convention that I do not know where to start. Well, first I can start by saying, like last year, it's been a breath of fresh air. I found most of my fun in people watching, just watching these kids have harmless fun. I remember being 16 and going to my first Anime Central like it was yesterday. It was refreshing seeing new faces, new cosplayers, and being in a totally different space. It was great just randomly talking to people because it felt like starting new. I thought I could brighten up an Ouran High School Host Club fan by making Tom wear my glasses and be a Kyouya. There weren't a lot of Kyouya cosplayers to this fan's dismay, so we thought we could cheer her up by having Tom pose as the Host Club mommy.

It was also great talking one on one with Kevin Lilliard (Fansview) and The Real Link. Of course, it was nice seeing old faces like Patrick, Card Captor Will, and Jen. To my surprise, I ran into a friend of mine from high school who was on Anime Central staff, Leon Wilborn. It's finally great to see each other in the flesh!

It was great seeing cosplayers from classic oldies but goodies anime - Nadia, Otaku no Video, Haunted Junction, Macross, Slayers, Jojo's Bizarre Adventures, X/1999, Tokyo Babylon, etc. It's great to know that these series are not long forgotten. It was also nice seeing other fandoms represented at Anime Central - Les Miserables and Baccano! to name a few.

I want to thank Anime Central staff for providing an excellent selection of programming. I really felt there was always something going on in the daytime and in the evening. That's the way it should be. I want to thank IRT (Immediate Response Team) for their hard work and professionalism. You guys really know how to keep things under control! I have tons of respect for Anime Central staff for putting this event together. I would highly encourage anyone to help out Anime Central in what way they can!

I really loved going to the doll meet ups. At first, I was a bit nervous, but in the end, I met some really awesome people. I really loved the fur wig panel by Black Rose! It was fun and educational. One of my favorite parts of Anime Central is the artist alley. So much goes on. I ended up spending more at the artist alley than at the dealer's room. My favorite finds were the anime stump chibis. I picked the the NANA set that's now decorating my Nintendo DS.

I'd like to thank Patrick and Will for their hospitality. I'm very impressed by your kindness. I was not expecting you guys to go above and beyond, but you guys did, and Tom and I are very much grateful for that.

Would I go again next year? It depends on when I have finals for grad school. I highly encourage my West Coast buddies to try out Anime Central, because we could use more people in our hotel room, y'know?

Every single Anime Central I've been to, there's always been at least one guest I'd love to meet. And these were guests Tom actually wanted to meet. This year, we had two - Yuji Moriyama and Kenichi Sonoda. ACen always has anime industry guests of high merit - guests that have made significant contribution to the evolution and history of anime. That's one of the reasons why we keep going back.

Anime Central 2008 reminded me of cons of yesteryear, where I can just talk to random people - anime fans alike - just about anything fandom related without looking like a fool. Tom and I noticed Mid-Westerners tend to be very laid back and hospitable. I think everyone has a con they can call their very own home. For me, it's Anime Central.

Finally, I want to thank the Tomcat for putting up with me. I love you! Hope you liked your birthday present, seeing those fabulous Jersey Boys. We're crazy and we're going to do this merry-go-round ride all over again at Fanime. Talk about going back to back. Anime Central is our vacation con - a place where we can truly be relaxed, no worry about drama or big time committments other than press coverage, what drama clouds others, etc. There's nothing like cuddling next to my significant other to the sounds of the Spoony Bards.

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