And this time we were taking Little Miss Jail Bait Carolyn along for the ride. Saturday was Pokemon day. There were many complaints about cosplay gatherings. Some that were planned months in advance were canceled due to confusion and a lack of understanding the new location. That was not the case for the Pokemon gathering - everything was in full swing.

The Pokemon gathering was originally going to be in a grassy section. Yet, Kevin and Jerry Shaw suggested we take the shade closer to the West Hall entrance and parking lot. Trainers, villains, gijinkas, and gym leaders alike showed up. This was so far the most fun gathering we went to during the convention - even so, the gathering is the perfect definition of cosplay - "costume play."

With so many Pokemon characters represented, you could reenact a few scenes from the anime. Example, Tom was the token Brock at the gathering. He had a great time flirting with Officer Jenny and then being dragged away by Croagunk.

As Deb and I say, it's not Pokemon without the trainers! There were many incarnations of respective characters. Tom, Deb, and I represented Pokemon: Diamond and Pearl (Gen 4). Stan went as Volkner, the electric gym leader.

Going back to costume play, one of the highlights of the Pokemon gathering was trainers using Gijinka Pokemon in epic battles against each other. The gathering felt like it was more than a photo op, but it felt like really being the character and playing around with others!

Hilarity ensued when someone brought out the Caramel Dansen. All of the Gijinkas got on the pavement and started dancing in the street. It was one massive Caramel Dansen.

Of course, there were different interpretations of Pokemon ranging from Gijinka designs to original designs, and mascots.

One of the highlights was taking group pictures generation by generation. It seems that the first generation was very popular, but I believe Team Diamond and Pearl outshone all the other generations!

Of course, what's a Pokemon gathering without some trading? One guy was practically giving away Ninetails. So, turn on that DS and head into the Union Room - mix some records and make a trade or two. The Pokemon gathering lasted for almost an hour. It was great to chill with fellow Pokemon fans. Strangely enough, people were very approachable - not a hint of elitism on sight. Thank you to everyone who helped taking our photos!

After the gathering, we ran into Julia dressed up as Asuka. Julia and Carolyn went as kimono versions of Asuka and Rei from Neon Genesis Evangelion Of course, Tom had to fanboy over them, because every fanboy loves underage schoolgirls with issues. We decided on a place for lunch that trumped the convention center's food and food service - the Holiday Inn. Delicious and yummy pizza that serves 2-3 people for $10! You can't go wrong with that.

Tom, Deb, and I went around the Exhibit Hall for a bit. We were stopped so many times for Pokemon: Diamond and Pearl photo ops. The joys of being in group cosplay.

Tom and I had reservations for the Bang Zoom Voice Acting Workshop hosted by Rick Hunter himself, Tony Oliver. He went over breathing tips and tidbits how to break into the industry. Rule of thumb - practice, practice, and more practice. Want to be a voice actor? Take voice classes, break into community theater, network at conventions, get involved with the amateur voice acting community! The workshop was comprised of dubbing short scenes and receiving critiques from Tony Oliver. None of the panel workshop attendees left empty handed. Everyone got an Astro Boy t-shirt.

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