It’s finally time to reveal more details about the Zenkaikon-sponsored anime track at Philcon this weekend! Thanks to some awesome panelists, and to our friends at Right Stuf and Funimation, the anime track is going to be packed with programming throughout the event. We’ve posted an outline of what you can expect below (although keep in mind schedules are always subject to change). Take a look at what’s in store!
Friday
Fri 4:00 PM in Plaza I (One)—Anime Music Videos
Fan-made Anime Music Videos (AMVs) have become a staple at anime conventions around the country. In this panel, we look at the history of AMVs, the process of composing a video, and share some of our favorites!
Fri 5:00 PM in Plaza I (One)—SCREENING: Evangelion 1.11: You Are (Not) Alone
(PG-13) Tokyo-3 still stands after most of civilization was decimated in the Second Impact. Now the city endures the ceaseless onslaught of the deadly Angels, bizarre creatures bent on eradicating the human race. To combat this strange and ruthless enemy, the government agency NERV constructs a fleet of towering humanoid machines – the Evas – and Shinji Ikari is called into action, reluctantly taking his place at the controls of Eva Unit 01. Living a life of loneliness and questioning his existence, Shinji struggles to accept responsibility for mankind’s battle for survival in this visually striking rebuild of one of the most important anime of all time. Shinji will fight the Angels alongside the only person who might understand his plight – Rei Ayanami, the elusive and frail pilot of Eva Unit 00. In this film experience not to be missed, Shinji and Rei will struggle to learn a simple truth: when carrying the burden of humanity’s survival on your shoulders, you are not alone.
Fri 7:00 PM in Plaza I (One)—Robert Kauffmann Screening
A local artist and animator, Robert Kauffman, screens his original animations.
Fri 8:00 PM in Plaza I (One)—Space Battleship Yamato: Past, Present, and Future
Space Battleship Yamato is a classic space-opera anime from 1975, which was brought to the US in 1980 as Starblazers. In this panel, the history and significance of the series is discussed. There will also be a discussion of the live action adaption, released in Japan in 2010.
Fri 9:00 PM in Plaza I (One)—Robert Kauffmann Q&A Session
A local artist and animator, Robert Kauffmann, answers your questions about animation, from animated ASCII art to production-quality anime.
Fri 10:00 PM in Plaza I (One)—Everything You Always Wanted To Know About Anime (…but were afraid to ask)
We (or at least, most people) know Osamu Tezuka is the Godfather of Anime. But who influenced him? And who did he influence? Who started the giant robot craze? How did all those studios get formed? In other words, what DOES make anime tick? A no-holds-barred group discussion of the inception and (sometimes hilarious) evolution of anime and other bits of apocrypha. No question or topic is taboo.
Fri 11:00 PM in Plaza I (One)—SCREENING: “S.T.E.A.M.: The Movie” (Fan Parody)
2005. The second parody fandub from NoN.D.E. Fanfilms. What happens when the Wandering Avengers of Totally Excessive Revenge join up with the Hardcore Espionage and Action Task Force to take down Mr. Big Fro and his members of E.V.I.L. Team? Who is in the latest edition of Bishoujo Gone Wild? Who is the Yaoi Ai For The Shonen Guy’s next subject? Check out the insanity of late night TV in an anime world, and see how it all impossibly ties together in the end.
Sat 12:00 AM in Plaza I (One)—SCREENING: Summer Wars
(PG) From the visionary directory of The Girl Who Leapt Through Time (2007 Japanese Academy Award winner Best Animated Feature) comes the story of an ordinary family going to extraordinary lengths to avert the impending cyber apocalypse! Kenji is your typical teenage misfit. He’s good at math, bad with girls and spends most of his time hanging out in the all-powerful online community known as OZ. His second life is the only life he has, until the girl of his dreams Natsuki hijacks him for a starring role as a fake fiance at her family reunion. Things only get stranger from there. A late-night email containing a cryptic riddle leads to the unleashing of a rogue AI intent on using the virtual word of OZ to destroy the real world. As Armageddon looms on the horizon, Kenji and his new family set aside their differences and band together to try to save the worlds they inhabit in this near-perfect blend of social satire and science fiction.
Saturday
Sat 9:00 AM in Plaza I (One)—SCREENING: Sound of the Sky (Episodes 1-4)
(16+) In a lonely corner of the world, on the edge of No Man’s Land, sits Clocktower Fortress. It’s home to the 1121st Platoon of the Helvetian Army, and their newest member is a 15-year-old volunteer named Kanata Sorami, who enlisted to learn how to play the bugle. When she was a child, Kanata was saved by a beautiful soldier and found inspiration in the clear, golden sound of her trumpet. From that day forward, Kanata decided music would be her life. As the other platoon members train her how to be a bugler and a soldier, Kanata’s enduring optimism will inspire them to look for happiness and beauty, even in a world haunted by war.
Sat 11:00 AM in Plaza I (One)—Anime Paranormal
Come join us as we delve into the abnormal world of Japanese ghosts and goblins through anime and manga. Learn about where they come from and what they mean to modern Japanese culture.
Sat 12:00 PM in Plaza I (One)—From Astro Boy to Naruto: the Animes that Captured our Culture
The anime that drew us in. Gateway anime that affected Americans on a grand scale from what we watch to what we create.
Sat 1:00 PM in Plaza I (One)—In Their Own Words – The Business of Voice Acting
Many anime-related panels focus on the content and characters of anime. But what about the people who bring them to life and give them their unique voice? A candid look at the voice acting business, from cattle call, to audition, all the way to the recording booth. All this and more from the mouths of the professionals themselves. This panel will be moderated by Amy Howard Wilson, voice of Nova in the StarBlazers anime series.
Sat 2:00 PM in Plaza I (One)—Yamato Tour 2010
A retrospective on a visit to Japan wherein a ragtag group of international fanboys check out the premiere of the live action Space Battleship Yamato movie, socialize with Japanese fans, visit the animation studio of Yamato’s original director, and the home of one of the gods of anime, Leiji Matsumoto himself!
Sat 3:00 PM in Plaza I (One)—The Visual Language of Anime
Anime and manga have a unique visual language that can sometimes confuse new-comers. What does that sweat drop over a character’s head mean? Why does everyone have large eyes? What’s with all the strange hair colors? This panel will discuss the meaning behind these staples of anime and the culture behind them.
Sat 4:00 PM in Plaza I (One)—Zenkaikon/Delaware Anime Society Meet & Greet
Come join the staff of the Philadelphia-area anime convention, Zenkaikon, and the members of the Delaware Anime Society as we meet, greet and chat live and in the flesh at Philcon 2011! Learn about the origins of the two groups, some insight into how anime cons and clubs are run, and throw us some questions! Zenkaikon is one of the fastest growing anime conventions in the Philadelphia-area. The D.A.S. has monthly meetings at two locations in Delaware (Dover & Wilmington) and one location in Philadelphia, PA. All club chapters are free to join and have many fun activities including parties, mini-cons, trips and more! Prizes and giveaways will be available at this panel!
Sat 5:00 PM in Plaza I (One)—SCREENING: TBA
Sat 7:00 PM in Plaza I (One)—Speak Scifi in Japanese
Language doesn’t have to be difficult or boring – especially if you want to learn how to pilot your own starship or travel through time! Come join us for bilingual sci-fi jokes, games and prizes.
Sat 8:00 PM in Plaza I (One)—Memorable Scenes in Science Fiction and Fantasy Anime
The Science Fiction and Fantasy scenes that stick with you years after you viewed the anime, for better and for worse. Some of the most memorable scenes from various anime, both obscure and popular.
Sat 9:00 PM in Plaza I (One)—Censorship in Anime
Over the years, many anime have been edited or censored for release in the US or other countries, causing controversy amongst avid fans. In this panel, we discuss the history of censorship in anime, the reasonings behind it, and the debates surrounding it.
Sat 10:00 PM in Plaza I (One)—SCREENING: Darker Than Black (Episodes 1-2)
(17+) A new and deadly breed of covert agent walks the streets. Known as Contractors, these assassins and spies wield bizarre supernatural powers to carry out the dirty work of others. They thrive in the underworld, between rumor and reality, their loyalties always in question. One among these operatives is more mysterious than the rest – The masked killer BK201, the Black Reaper. His true identity and intentions remain unknown, but as his path weaves through the shadows and alleys of Tokyo, blood is spilled on both sides of the law. It’s a new age of confusion, and the rules of engagement have changed.
Sat 11:00 PM in Plaza I (One)—Most Heinous Monsters and Villians in Anime
A look at some of the most reviled villains in anime. The bad guys we love to hate (and sometimes secretly just love).
Sunday
Sun 12:00 AM in Plaza I (One)—SCREENINGS: “Fanboy Soze vs. The Reanimators of the Otakulypse” and “This is Otakudom”
Fanboy Soze vs. The Reanimators of the Otakulypse – 2011. The creators of “This Is Otakudom” and “S.T.E.A.M.: The Movie” present their brand new third fan parody. In the not so distant future anime fandom is everywhere and everyone is an Otaku. But all is not well in this fanboy paradise! The corporate giant Megatainment controls all anime in the US and horribly butchers classic shows to make a buck. A small group of fans has had enough and tries to take down the evil monopoly. What can possibly go wrong?
This is Otakudom – 2001. The first parody fandub from NoN.D.E. Fanfilms, Otakudom is a fake documentary in the style of “This Is Spinal Tap” about a group of friends going to their first anime convention. It pokes loving fun at the world of giant conventions, cosplay, karaoke, video games, Hong Kong action movies, room stuffing, gophering, and Vampire LARPing. Don’t worry. It’s not about you. It’s about the guy sitting next to you.
Sun 9:00 AM in Plaza I (One)—SCREENING: Hetalia: Paint It White!
(15+) Courtesy of Funimation Entertainment, see this “awesomely epic feature film” before it arrives on U.S. DVD! The Pictorians have arrived from deep in space. They also have dangly glow-balls on their heads, which is kinda cool, but still. The freaky aliens are using their crazy rainbow-beam-thingy to paint everything on Earth the same color: white! See, now the title of the movie makes more sense, right? Anyway, if the Pictorians are to be stopped, the Allied guys and the Axis boys — plus some new characters, too — must set aside their differences, unite against their common foe, and hopefully get together for a sweaty work-out to make sure they’re super-ready to save the world!
Sun 11:00 AM in Plaza I (One)—Anime And The Revolving Door of Culture
A discussion and exploration of the phenomenon of anime, its influence on western science fiction/fantasy and its incorporation of our own cultural nuances.
Sun 12:00 PM in Plaza I (One)—SCREENING: Irresponsible Captain Tylor (Episodes 1-2)
(15+) Justy Ueki Tylor thought a career in the United Planets Space Force would give him an easy life: enlist, get a desk job, spend the rest of his life in quiet, boring comfort. No sooner does he take the qualifying exam than war breaks out with the Raalgon Empire, and circumstances quickly conspire to land this volunteer off the street in command of the cruiser “Soyokaze”. Now Tylor faces two uphill battles – against the Raalgon fleet that wants to kill him, and against his own crew, who expect him to conform to some standard of military discipline. But as the war rages, Tylor’s easy-going ways might have a better chance of converting his crew than vice-versa.
Sun 1:00 PM in Plaza I (One)—Mahou Shoujo Evolution!
Join us for a panel that takes a look at the evolution of magical girl anime. From “Mahou Tsukai Sally” to “Sailor Moon” to “Puella Magi Madoka Magica,” we will discuss how the genre got its start, its pop culture influence, and how it has changed over time.
Sun 2:00 PM in Plaza I (One)—SCREENING: Bubblegum Crisis Tokyo 2040 (Episodes 1-2)
(14+) After a mysterious earthquake levels Tokyo, Genom becomes a powerful influence providing their artificial organic lifeforms called Boomers to rebuild and act as a labor class to humanity. However, some of them occasionally run amok, and even the specially created AD Police are at a loss to stop them. Lina Yamazaki travels to Tokyo for employment but also hopes to join a vigilante force called the Knight Sabers, who pilot powered suits to destroy these rogue Boomers.
Haven’t registered for Philcon yet? Online pre-registration is still open at the at-door rate until Thursday. Adult weekend memberships are $60. There is a discounted $35 weekend membership for students with ID, a $25 military membership, and a $20 child membership.
At-door day rates for Philcon are: $25 Friday, $45 Saturday, $25 Sunday.
We look forward to seeing you this weekend!
