Panel Summaries

Topic: An adult class discussing the Flower and Willow World: Geisha, Courtesans, Yakuza, and more Panel Summary This class will discuss the rich history and unique culture that took place within the Pleasures Quarters of Japan: Geisha, Sumo, Kabuki, Yakuza, and more. Panelists Time Duration 120 mins Target Audience Adult/Mature Audience

Topic: A breakdown of Japanese modern music Panel Summary: An example of the last decade of popular Japanese music, and its impact on the American anime conventions and crowds. Time Duration: 60 mins Target Audience: High school + College Age

Topic: The parallel evolution of the Japanese Super Sentai and the American Power Rangers. Panel Summary: I will discuss the origins of Super Sentai and Kamen Rider and then explain how Saban started taking these shows and how they were turned into Power Rangers. I will discuss the major changes that were made for the American audience. I will end the panel by discussing how each show affects the popular culture of Japan and America. Time Duration: 60 mins Target Audience Everyone but mainly people who want to know more about where Power Rangers comes from.

Topic: Transformers and how it is important to both American and Japanese cultures. Panel Summary: We will discuss the history of the Transformers brand over the past 27 years. and how it started as many different Japanese toy lines that were all combine to make one, the Transformers. We will also dive into the cartoon shows and explain how the shows and toy lines have changed to appeal to changing tastes. We will also discuss the dark times AKA the early 90s when Transformers almost died. Time Duration: 60 mins Target Audience: Anyone but mainly transformers fans.

Topic: Comics books Panel Summary: It will be a brief introduction and explanation of several superheroes, villains, teams, locations and story arcs from Marvel and DC comics. It will include Superman, the Justice League, X-Men, Gotham City, The Marvel Civil War, The DC Comics reboot and a few other things. (I did this panel last year. So it is pretty much already done)Time Duration: 60 mins Target Audience: All ages

Topic:Batman Panel Summary: I am going to talk about Batman along with other Batman related paraphernalia. Time Duration: 60 mins Target Audience: All ages

Topic: Tales of RPG series Panel Summary: Review and talk about the Tales of RPG series. Go over the different games (both release Stateside and games that haven't been release stateside), the varies animes, and other related materials. Time Duration: 60 mins Target Audience: JRPG fans

Topic: All the fun and laughable aspects of Hetalia: Axis Powers! Panel Summary: Are you ready to dive into one of the funniest Hetalia panels around? We cover the weirdest and wilest aspects of the show with some of the most childish hosts. Be ready for some crazy fun! Time Duration: 60 mins Target Audience: 12+

Topic: An assortment of mixed Pokemon trivia. Panel Summary: How does Bulbasaur get the bulb on its back? What is the pairing of MayxDrew? Are you ready to test your Poke knowledge in this all-out trivial panel? You better study up, before you trip up! Time Duration: 60 mins Target Audience: 12+

Topic: Bad Anime Panel Summary: The quest to find the worst anime continues! This is a no-holds-barred heckle smack down of some of the worst films to ever be drawn. No joke is too lame, no comment too offensive. Those with tender sensibilities BEWARE!! NOTE, There may or may not be candy... Time Duration: 90 mins Target Audience: 18+

Topic: MS Paint Adventures and Homestuck Panel Summary: Are you searching for a new webcomic? A voracious reader with time to kill? Do you want to know what the heck is up with all the gray make-up and candy corn horns? If that's the case, head on over to our panel. What Pumpkin? is an overview of and introduction to all things MSPA and Homestuck, but the panel is intended for newbies and veterans alike. This panel will cover all the basics necessary to understand the site and series. We will steer clear of spoilers with respect for all newcomers, but have enough humor and analysis to keep even the most devoted fan interested. If we have enough time, we will jump into the depths of fandom, and try to figure out just what made this series take off like it did... Time Duration 90 mins Target Audience: Male and Female, Ages 14-20

Topic: Anime Subculture Panel Summary: This is a panel describing what a subculture is and how the anime community would be considered as such. I'll describe attitudes, behaviors, food, clothing choice, dialect and other such topics. Time Duration: 60 mins Target Audience: Any age

Topic: General overview of Steampunk and how it is merging with mainstream culture. Panel Summary: A Brief history of origins of Steampunk. A general overview of "what is Steampunk" and examples of Steampunk in anime. Finally we will finish with a Q/A session. Time Duration: 60 mins Target Audience: All

Topic: How to not build a shitty website Panel Summary: Over the course of 2 hours I will demonstrate how to build a decent looking website, i.e. one that isn't this site. We will go over the correct use of tags and the concept of keeping content up to date. As a bonus, I will also explain the importance of Facebook administration and why you shouldn't delete legitimate posts and questions sent from your users. YOU CANNOT SILENCE ME. Time Duration: 120 mins Target Audience: You

Topic: Bad Anime Panel Summary The quest to find the worst anime continues! This is a no-holds-barred heckle smack down of some of the worst films to ever be drawn. No joke is too lame, no comment too offensive. Those with tender sensibilities BEWARE!! NOTE: There may or may not be candy... Time Duration: 90 mins Target Audience: 18+

Topic Magic: The Gathering Novels Panel Summary: Discussing the legends and planes of the Multiverse. Travel from the diverse plane of Dominaria, to the flesh vats of Phyrexia, to the metal world of Mirrodin. Learn the legends behind Phage Teferi, Tezzeret, Nicol Bolas, Urza Planeswalker, and more! Time Duration: 60 mins Target Audience: 13+

Topic: The orginal Doctor Who series Panel Summary: This panel will discuss the original Doctor Who series that ran from 1963 until 1989. We will try to cover the major plot lines and the personalities of each of the Doctors. We will also talk about how the original series affects the current one. Time Duration: 120 mins Target Audience: New Doctor Who Fans who want to know more about the orginal show.

Topic: Cosplay Photography Panel Summary: Want to move up from just taking snapshots of cosplsy and start taking photographs that you can be proud to display? A photographer of many years experience and a seasoned cosplay photographer of many conventions (including several GenCons and WorldCons, as well as other anime conventions) explains some simple techniques and tips to improve your cosplay photography. Time Duration: 60 mins Target Audience: Photographers & anyone who takes cosplay pictures

Topic: Fanfiction and how you can improve it. Panel Summary: I plan to discuss how to improve your fanficiton the easy way. To talk about the trends (both good and bad), the way to properly write Original Character fiction (How not to make a Mary Sue), and how to avoid a bad overall fanficiton with a quick tips guide. I Will also talk about the essentials points to making a great fanfiction for readers young an old. Time Duration: 60 mins Target Audience: Teen to adult

Topic: Peace memorials and museums in Okinawa and Hiroshima Panel Summary: In traditional American education, WW2 is only shown from an American perspective which, while important, doesn't consider the impact the war had on Japan or the other countries involved. We want to take a look at and discuss how WW2 has affected contemporary Japanese culture, in its media, monuments, and world perspective. We see World War Two's impact in the media in things such as Godzilla, Grave of the Fireflies, Ultraman, and the giant robot and monster motifs present in anime, video games, and live action productions. We also see its affects in the Peace parks and memorials that have been constructed in memory of WW2 and all of its victims. We will be showing pictures of the various memorials, video segments of anime, and other video to show how Japanese society and culture have been affected by WW2. Time Duration: 60 mins Target Audience: 13+ or TV-14

Topic: The best anime seasons in the last 35 years Panel Summary: In recent anime history, which seasons have been the best, or most notable, and why? This panel will answer those by covering some of the anime airing simultaneously on Japanese television during the biggest seasons of the last 35 years. Time Duration: 60 mins Target Audience: College age/adults

Topic: The anime that stand out as being pieces of art in and of themselves Panel Summary: "What is art?" What anime could be considered pieces of "art" and why? Some examples we will cover will be Utena, Gurren Lagann, Madoka Magica, FLCL, Evangelion. This will be a discussion based panel. Time Duration: 60 mins Target Audience: Late teens/adults

Topic: The basics of being a convention DJ. Panel Summary: Ever wanted to DJ at a convention...or at a club...or heck, even a house party? This panel is for you! Animarathon's DJs DJ4x and DJBLR talk about starting your DJ dreams on the right path. We'll cover equipment basics, networking, and most importantly...holding the momentum of your party. Time Duration: 60 mins Target Audience: 16+

Topic: Inaccuracy of the female body in visual media. Panel Summary: This will be an open discussion of the strange and wonderful ways that manga artists get breasts wrong and why they need girlfriends/anatomy lessons. There will be visual aids in order to stimulate the conversation. And there will also be special appearances of male hands, feet, and abs to celebrate their own inaccuracies. Time Duration: 90 mins Target Audience: 18+++

Topic: Race, Gender, and Sexuality in American Comic Books. Panel Summary: I want to create an open discussion on the inequalities in American comic books. I will talk about stuff such as women's outfits in comics, tokenism, the influx of homosexual characers in recent years, etc. Time Duration: 30 mins Target Audience: People interested in comic-related controversy

Topic: Yuri. Panel Summary: A look at what Yuri is and some looks at why it isn't as popular and why it should be. Time Duration: 60 mins Target Audience: Adult- R

Topic: metal plate armor, leather armor, chain-mail Panel Summary: Three or more artisans from the Society for Creative Anacrhonism will be available to talk about different types of historical plate and leather armor as well as chainmail. Examples and information will be available as well as some demonstrations. We will show how some of things can be integrated into cosplay or other garb/costumes. Time Duration: 90 mins Target Audience: People interested in historical armor or making armor for cosplay.

Topic: Kumihimo, Fingerloop braiding, Tablet Weaving, Lucet cord making Panel Summary: Three or more artisans from the Society for Creative Anacrhonism will be available to talk about different types of braiding, cord making, and belt making. Examples and information will be available as well as some demonstrations. We will show how some of things can be integrated into cosplay or other garb/costumes. Time Duration: 90 mins Target Audience: Anyone interested in Japanese and other types of cord/rope/belt making

Topic: Geisha and maiko Panel Summary: In this panel, I will be discussing the culture, costume, history, and misconceptions of one of Japan's most iconic symbols: the geisha. I will be giving you a glimpse into this closed off and mysterious society, and give you an idea of how these women live while in and out of their elaborate costumes. Time Duration: 60 mins Target Audience: Age 13 and up

Topic:History and evolution of the genres of shoujo, shounen-ai, and yaoi Panel Summary: This panel will cover the evolution of the shoujo genre from its origins in the 1950s to its current place in anime and manga. It will also cover how shoujo branched out into shounen-ai and yaoi. We will cover influential series, manga-kas, and groups and how these genres evolved as a form of media by women for women. Time Duration: 60 mins Target Audience: 13+

Topic: The Sailor Moon universe Panel Summary: The panel will discuss the Sailor Moon universe, such as the manga (including Sailor V), the anime, the stage musicals, and the live action television show. Differences across the series, especially in regards to characters and plot will be discussed. Also included will be information on the author, Naoko Takeuchi. A discussion of Japanese culture reflected in the series, parodies, the fanbase, and the recent re-release of the manga in the United States and the re-release of the anime internationally, as well as the recent merchandise explosion. There will be video clips, pretty pictures, and tons of facts you may have never known about the Sailor Moon series! Time Duration 120 mins Target Audience High school +

Topic: How racism is slowly seeping into cosplay and how we can stop it. Panel Summary: I would like to discuss how race is becoming more and more of a discriminatory problem in cosplay. Today, cosplayers don't only judge craftsmanship but race, size, and gender as well. I want to help people realize that none of those things matter that only the love for the fandom and passion for cosplay is what counts. Time Duration: 60 mins Target Audience: 13+

Topic: Popular Webcomics Panel Summary: I will be talking about some popular webcomics on the net today. If you are interested in reading more webcomics but just haven't seen anything you like, then hopefully one of my favorites can become one of yours. I will be talking about several individual webcomics and what kind of interests they target, so we can match you to you perfect online series. Time Duration: 60 mins Target Audience: College students and internet users (16+)

Topic: An in depth breakdown of the design and animation style of animator/designer/director Takeshi Koike.
Panel Summary:
Let's discuss the career, influences, and artistic style of animator/designer/director Takeshi Koike. With anime's tendency towards stock visual design, animator's like Koike truly stand out. His visual sensibility conveys a genuine enthusiasm for 2D animation with exaggerated (but impeccably drawn) characters, dynamic movement and extreme perspective. Given the popularity of his directorial debut, REDLINE, Takeshi Koike is now a name to watch out for.
Time Duration: 90 mins
Target Audience: All Ages

Topic of Panel: Shibari...Kinbaku...Hojojutsu
Panel Summary: You may have heard these terms or seen it in hentai or even a samurai movie. Learn more about Japanese Rope Bondage during this short discussion about types of bondage, different rope used in bondage, what books to read, and where to find online communities, local groups, and rope events. There will also be a demonstration of some popular ties followed by a hands-on workshop where participants will learn several single- and double-column ties, simple hogtie, quick chest/arm tie, and speedy body harness. No partners or rope required, but if you have it, bring it!
Target Audience: 18+ Time Duration: 120 minutes

Topic: Beginner and Intermediate Cosplay
Panel Summary: A fun panel for beginning cosplayers who want to know where to begin to intermediate cosplayers who want to learn more. Learn the do’s and don’ts,what fabric to use to styling the perfect wig, and taking your cosplay to the next level!
Time Duration: 1 hour Target Audience: all ages

Topic of Panel: Lolita Fashion & Life Style
Panel Summary: Presentation and discussion about Lolita fashion and lifestyle Topics include, but are not limited to: Lolita silhouette; elements of Lolita Fashion; getting the most out of your wardrobe; styles of Lolita fashion; embracing your culture within Lolita fashion; where to find brand, off-brand, and indie clothing and accessories; where to find patterns to make your own clothing and accessories; International Lolita Day; ideas for Lolita events such as tea parties and sewing circles; online communities and local clubs or groups; helpful books, magazines, and other resources.
Target Audience: All ages Time Duration: 120 min.

Topic: ball jointed dolls Panel Summary: I will introduce people to different parts of the hobby, show them in person different sizes of dolls and tell them about the different ways to get them and the pros and cons of each way. There will also be audience participation and a sharing of knowledge. Time Duration: 90 mins Target Audience: 15 +

Topic: Social Problems explained through My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic
Panel Summary:
A panel explaining the basic outline of the social hierachy in My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic and alluding it to real world social issues. Think political science. Now think it 20% cooler. **This panel is non-Broney safe**
Time Duration: 60 mins
Target Audience: 13+

Topic of Panel: All the best anime’s that you’ve never seen.
Panel Summary: Have you caught up on the latest episodes of Bleach, Naruto, Deathnote, and Fullmetal Alchemist? Then why not pull back the curtain and look a little deeper into the world of anime at shows that didn't quite make it into the spotlight? I’ll be talking about several different anime’s that aren’t well known, but are amazing none the less.
Target Audience: All ages
Time: 160 min.

Topic: Tips and discussion on how to make and/or maintain essential cosplay materials.
Panel Summary: We all know that cosplaying is hard, and a highly judged pastime, but is cardboard and elmers glue really all you want to work with? I’ll be talking about how to make great additions to your cosplay, and how to modify, fix, or make your cosplays great. With a little bit of good at advice your cosplay can go from the forum of shame to the forum of fame.
Time Duration (limit 4 half hour increments): Half hour
Target Audience (e.g. all ages, college, adults) All ages

Topic: Talking about online comics, the good and the bad.
Panel Summary: Tired of surfing through smackjeeves all day and not finding a single good read? Come join me where I’ll be talking about various online comics, and have discussions on why people may or may not like them. Which to check in with weekly and which to avoid like a bad male sailor moon cosplayer.
Time Duration: 60 min.
Target Audience: 18+

Topic: Everything that you could ever want to know about Kingdom Hearts.
Panel Summary: If you've played through each game about 20 times and mastered the crafting of gummi ships then you might want to make your way to this panel. I’ll be talking about the Kingdom Hearts video games and other various KH topics. From the games to the fanart, I'll cover it all.
Time: 90 min.
Target Audience: All Ages

Topic of Panel: Talking about how one can survive the zombie apocalypse.
Panel summary: If you think that running to the nearest Wal-mart store with everyone and their grandmothers with a sub-machine gun and a flame thrower is a good defense against the oncoming zombie apocalypse, you are sadly mistaken. I’ll be telling everyone how to really survive the zombie apocalypse. And what not to do if it ever happens. I mean when.
Time Duration: 90 minutes
Target Audience: 16+