The devil is in the details

So Tandokucon has come and gone, to decidedly mixed reviews. The backstory, which deserves to be enshrined for all posterity, is that it was created by a Philadelphia-area mother as an alternative to the cost and hassle of having her daughter travel alone to faraway conventions. (Like, I dunno, New Jersey or Maryland or, um, Pennsylvania.) You do the math. And also--wait, what's that you say, Tandokucon website?

To us, TandokuCon is something more than just a good time.

Well, sure, I can understand that--

It is our way of fighting against a terrible epidemic: the loss of life amongst our young people.

--oh-kay, that's a new one, but--

The tragedy at Virginia Tech is an awful reminder of the callousness some feel towards this matter.

Wow. Alright, let's leave aside how that last sentence has no actual logical connection to anything that precedes or follows it, and move on...

Interesting Fun Facts: Tandokucon's host company, T-Con Expressions, was founded in October 2006. E'lea is now 20 years old. Is now really the time to express your concern with rented convention center space? Honestly? Are you going to wait until she's 24 to set up a polling booth on your street to save her the danger and expense of traveling to the nearest school or senior center to cast a ballot?

Anyway, more about T-Con Expressions:
Staffed by one person, TCON Expressions has recruited several volunteers to administer TandokuCon. The volunteers who comprise the convention staff are passionate about art, anime and the young people of Philadelphia. We are Project Managers, students, PR Professionals, Retail Professionals and Customer Service Professionals.

Inspiring. And possibly suggestive of multiple personality disorder. Customer service professionals, you say? (Best Guest Relations Liaison... ever!) Speaking of professional, how about this helpful Tandokucon website blurb from convention artist Daylen Wright?

"I've been using the alias 'Kizziesama' in honor of one of my personal best characters named Akurin Kizuo (nicknamed "Kizzie" for her last name). She gets the '-sama' suffix because her rank is the Queen of Hell after marrying Lucifer.”

You know, if you're trying to cut the poor girl a break by featuring her on your website, do her a kindness and edit her text for idiocy. It's the least you could do. Y'know, for the children.

In related con core competency news, ran across a Mahou Con flyer this weekend. And they still couldn't spell August. Do you want to give these people your money? I know you do!

A Critic's View

A Fan's View webmaster Kevin Lillard: con personality, racing fan, and master of jaw-dropping, reality-defying hyperbole:

The name of this site was chosen in haste, but has held up over the years. It is a fan's view of anime conventions, not a critic's view. A critical look at conventions would question why they exist. A fan accepts the conventions and thinks they're worthwhile events.

The author isn't shy to say that anime conventions are the best events that American youth culture has to offer. They show youthful enthusiasm for the exotic and unfamiliar, and show that the generation of fans has overcome the horrors of World War II. Other cultures carry hatreds from centuries ago (tragically demonstrated on Sept. 11, 2001), but not anime fans.

Translation: Arabs hate, otaku are great.

But if you're an American anime fan who personally experienced the horrors of World War II, let us know! We too remember the struggle to overcome the miseries of the internment camp, the war r--oh wait, no, actually we don't 'cause we were born decades later into an era of booming prosperity, just like 99.9% of the convention staffers we've ever worked with.

Also, who's Lillard's Kool-Aid supplier? We could totally use some at the next con staff meeting.