For your consideration

The American Anime Awards in a nutshell:

I. Hosted by a stable of ADV voice actresses whom ADV (in a boldly post-feminist move) has proudly styled the Babes of Anime. They're beautiful, they're sought-after, they're objectified (empowered) for your viewing pleasure.

II. Later to be broadcast on ADV Film's Anime Network. It's not PR, it's synergy.

III. Ballot "developed by both industry representatives and independent anime experts" in a nomination process that runs roughly like so: Viz, Tokyopop, Media Blasters, Geneon, Funimation, Del Rey, Bandai, and ADV each jerk off twice onto a cracker. At the Anime Network's suggestion, Anime Insider, Animeondvd.com (now with new American Anime Awards Member button action), and Anime News Network are invited to add their own special wank. Fans then dared to to swallow the entire thing whole without gagging.

IV. Hired oversight team helpless to prevent Johnny Yong Bosch's best voice actor in an anime comedy nomination--for Akira. Also helpless to prevent NA from appearing twice on ballot under best anime feature and best anime series of 13 episodes or less.

V. Hired oversight team (still helpless, or perhaps laughably inept) forgot to include "two very important and deserving" Del Rey nominees, Negima and Tsubasa, in the nominations for best manga.

Still, the American Anime Awards did one thing right. By making the awards about "the very best anime to make its way into North America" and not about excellence in the anime industry in America, it can keep its award categories focused on pimping the merchandise, not recognizing the work of behind the scenes talent.

Next time, sound mixers and script adapters of America. Next time.