THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Wednesday, February 15, 1995 TAG: 9502140146
SECTION: VIRGINIA BEACH BEACON PAGE: 13 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY KAY REYNOLDS, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Medium: 85 lines
The area's largest Blockbuster Video Store has devoted three full sections to it - in a prime spot right beside the new releases.
The Sci-Fi channel periodically devotes an entire screening day for it.
And now, Virginia Beach will host Katsucon, the first convention of its kind on the East Coast at the Holiday Inn Executive Center this weekend.
``It'' is Japanese animation.
Japanimation or anime, as it is called by its legion of spirited fans who are captivated by the adult ``cartoons,'' is constantly growing in popularity.
``We have people coming in from all over the States, Japan and England,'' convention coordinator Mike Griffith said. Hampton Roads supports a large number of anime fans. ``It was an underground phenomenon that took off,'' he explained. ``In the '70s and '80s, people would get together at science fiction conventions, packing themselves into rooms to watch video tapes of animated movies and television series produced in Japan. As the number of fans increased, conventions began to run 24-hour Japanimation rooms.''
Japanimation conventions were the next step. Baycon, held annually in San Francisco, attracts hundreds of fans from all over the world.
Virginia Beach was another logical site. ``Virginia Beach is a well known area with a reputation for running conventions,'' Griffith said. ``Sci-Con (a local science fiction convention) has been held there for 16 years. Everybody knows Virginia Beach. They've had good experiences there. Everybody's been very helpful.''
According to animation fan Tom Edsall, the East Coast was long overdue for its own Japanimation convention. ``It's wonderful stuff,'' he says. ``Magical. The Japanese consider animation as another media to tell a story. Anime is not just restricted to kids. There's something for everyone of every age and interest - science fiction, fantasy, historicals, spy stories, adventure, horror, romance . . . outrageous comedy.''
According to Elizabeth Rice, owner/manager of Lucky Liz's Comics operating out of Campaign Headquarters in Norfolk, ``There's quite a demand for it. Our customers come in and ask for the videos and the translated comics. We've had to increase our titles.''
Japanese comics or manga (picture stories) are as popular as the animated videos. Frequently, an animated movie or series began life as a manga series. Mike Griffith promised that Katsucon will have plenty of both.
Japanimation's strengths lie in complex characterization and story-telling, sweeping panoramas and lyrical scenes accompanied by symphonic scores and excellent voice-acting. The mass production of Japanese animation can result in less-fluid movement and very early Japanimation featured ``Bambi-eyed'' characters. But the sophisticated stories and characters make these flaws bearable. ``And once you're caught up in the story, you don't notice it at all,'' Edsall said. ``It's just part of the style.''
The acknowledgment of animation as an accepted art form attracts talented and respected writers and artists to the medium. Izumi Matsumoto, creator of ``Kimagure Orange Road,'' and Johi Manabe, creator of ``Outlanders,'' ``Caravan Kidd'' and ``Capricorn,'' have traveled from Japan to be guest speakers at Katsucon. American artists, writers and animators including Ben Dunn, ``Ninja High School,'' and local artists John and Jason Waltrip, ``Robotech II: The Sentinals,'' will speak, too. Yoshiro Yonezawa, president of Tokyo's bi-annual convention, which attracts 250,000 fans, will also attend.
Planned events include panels and workshops, art shows, costume shows and lots of animation including two American world premiers. English dubbed versions of ``The Record of Lodoss Wars,'' a heroic fantasy series, and a full-length animated film, ``The Golden Legend of Babylon,'' from the popular Lupin III series, will make their American debuts in Virginia Beach.
``There are lots of connected special events,'' Griffith said. ``We will have an auction to raise money to help out the American Red Cross in its relief effort for the Kobe earthquake victims. We expect to offer original art from our guests for that. And the Naro will show `The Wings of Honneamise' for its Saturday night late show right there on the big screen with the big sound.''
Katsucon will be at the Holiday Inn Executive Center, 5655 Greenwich Road. Weekend admission is $30 with daily admissions $15 for Saturday, $10 for Friday or Sunday. The hours are 3 to 8 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday. Call 596-6151. ILLUSTRATION: The cover of this Japanese film book shows the characters from
``The Golden Legend of Babylon,'' a feature-length animated film
from the popular Lupin III series by Monkey Punch.
by CNB