Gaining a new fandom in five easy steps
Though I didn’t realize it at the time, I first became an anime fan probably around the age of six, when I saw a single episode of “Speed Racer”. I didn’t know what was going on in the story, but that car was awesome. Later on, I unwittingly fed the growing otaku inside me when I became addicted to “Battle of the Planets”. The show seemed oddly edited, and the plots a bit repetitive, but that plane/spaceship* was awesome. My final step came with my introduction by rattrap to “Robotech: Macross”. True, I cringed every time Minmei appeared on screen**, but those transforming fighter planes were awesome.
(What pattern? Yes, I’m a SF hardware nerd, so what?)
But my first “hey, this is in Japanese” anime told the story of a comedy alien invasion led by a green-haired, tiger-stripe-bikini-clad princess named Lum. I saw a single episode before leaving for a con, and began learning the fan technique of “supplying one’s own storyline to go with the untranslated video”. Still confusing, but the princess was adorable, and the love interest was clearly a complete dork: a character I could relate to!
Oh, I still might have escaped anime fandom. Pretty unlikely: I still had the “Dirty Pair”, “Captain Harlock”, and “BubbleGum Crisis” ahead of me, and all those wonderful, wonderful, animated spaceships and giant robots. But no, I was doomed: at the next con I attended, a local fan delectably costumed herself as Lum.*** That was pretty much it for me. I’ve been con-going, costuming, and performing ever since. And now that Starr’s picked out a couple of characters to try, and I’ve hooked up with Luna-C, I don’t see this changing anytime soon.**** As was said at Farpoint, I’ll stop by reality long enough to get the bills paid, but I’ve got the next con marked on my calendar…
*The Phoenix was only supposed to be a plane, but American translator/editors turned it into a spaceship. I have no grounds to criticize, as I did that often enough with my toys when little.
**In the Japanese original, Minmay does sing better… but she’s not really much less annoying.
***Longtime members of southwest Virginia fandom may well remember the lady in question. Especially if they’re straight males or gay females.
****Fear not; I have enough respect for your collective eyeballs to never wear a Lum costume. Besides, it’s drafty.
Are you coming to Technicon (in whatever form it’s taking this year)? It’d be nice to catch up!
Are you coming to Technicon (in whatever form it’s taking this year)? It’d be nice to catch up!
Are you coming to Technicon (in whatever form it’s taking this year)? It’d be nice to catch up!
Are you coming to Technicon (in whatever form it’s taking this year)? It’d be nice to catch up!
Are you coming to Technicon (in whatever form it’s taking this year)? It’d be nice to catch up!
Are you coming to Technicon (in whatever form it’s taking this year)? It’d be nice to catch up!
Are you coming to Technicon (in whatever form it’s taking this year)? It’d be nice to catch up!
Are you coming to Technicon (in whatever form it’s taking this year)? It’d be nice to catch up!
omigosh. The memories you drag up — I wrote my very first fanfiction for BotP, before I even quite understood the concept of fanfiction (I thought I was merely explaining the parts of the storyline that made no sense whatsoever). I was kinda disappointed when I finally saw Gatchaman, and realized what was actually going on.
And then there was VOLTRON, and JAYCE AND THE WHEELED WARRIORS (well, that was a Canadian production, iirc, but the artistic sensibility was the same), and then my dad brought me home Actual Japanese Manga from a business trip, and for the first and only time in my life, I actually was on the cutting edge of “cool” among my peers.
omigosh. The memories you drag up — I wrote my very first fanfiction for BotP, before I even quite understood the concept of fanfiction (I thought I was merely explaining the parts of the storyline that made no sense whatsoever). I was kinda disappointed when I finally saw Gatchaman, and realized what was actually going on.
And then there was VOLTRON, and JAYCE AND THE WHEELED WARRIORS (well, that was a Canadian production, iirc, but the artistic sensibility was the same), and then my dad brought me home Actual Japanese Manga from a business trip, and for the first and only time in my life, I actually was on the cutting edge of “cool” among my peers.
omigosh. The memories you drag up — I wrote my very first fanfiction for BotP, before I even quite understood the concept of fanfiction (I thought I was merely explaining the parts of the storyline that made no sense whatsoever). I was kinda disappointed when I finally saw Gatchaman, and realized what was actually going on.
And then there was VOLTRON, and JAYCE AND THE WHEELED WARRIORS (well, that was a Canadian production, iirc, but the artistic sensibility was the same), and then my dad brought me home Actual Japanese Manga from a business trip, and for the first and only time in my life, I actually was on the cutting edge of “cool” among my peers.
omigosh. The memories you drag up — I wrote my very first fanfiction for BotP, before I even quite understood the concept of fanfiction (I thought I was merely explaining the parts of the storyline that made no sense whatsoever). I was kinda disappointed when I finally saw Gatchaman, and realized what was actually going on.
And then there was VOLTRON, and JAYCE AND THE WHEELED WARRIORS (well, that was a Canadian production, iirc, but the artistic sensibility was the same), and then my dad brought me home Actual Japanese Manga from a business trip, and for the first and only time in my life, I actually was on the cutting edge of “cool” among my peers.
omigosh. The memories you drag up — I wrote my very first fanfiction for BotP, before I even quite understood the concept of fanfiction (I thought I was merely explaining the parts of the storyline that made no sense whatsoever). I was kinda disappointed when I finally saw Gatchaman, and realized what was actually going on.
And then there was VOLTRON, and JAYCE AND THE WHEELED WARRIORS (well, that was a Canadian production, iirc, but the artistic sensibility was the same), and then my dad brought me home Actual Japanese Manga from a business trip, and for the first and only time in my life, I actually was on the cutting edge of “cool” among my peers.
omigosh. The memories you drag up — I wrote my very first fanfiction for BotP, before I even quite understood the concept of fanfiction (I thought I was merely explaining the parts of the storyline that made no sense whatsoever). I was kinda disappointed when I finally saw Gatchaman, and realized what was actually going on.
And then there was VOLTRON, and JAYCE AND THE WHEELED WARRIORS (well, that was a Canadian production, iirc, but the artistic sensibility was the same), and then my dad brought me home Actual Japanese Manga from a business trip, and for the first and only time in my life, I actually was on the cutting edge of “cool” among my peers.
omigosh. The memories you drag up — I wrote my very first fanfiction for BotP, before I even quite understood the concept of fanfiction (I thought I was merely explaining the parts of the storyline that made no sense whatsoever). I was kinda disappointed when I finally saw Gatchaman, and realized what was actually going on.
And then there was VOLTRON, and JAYCE AND THE WHEELED WARRIORS (well, that was a Canadian production, iirc, but the artistic sensibility was the same), and then my dad brought me home Actual Japanese Manga from a business trip, and for the first and only time in my life, I actually was on the cutting edge of “cool” among my peers.
omigosh. The memories you drag up — I wrote my very first fanfiction for BotP, before I even quite understood the concept of fanfiction (I thought I was merely explaining the parts of the storyline that made no sense whatsoever). I was kinda disappointed when I finally saw Gatchaman, and realized what was actually going on.
And then there was VOLTRON, and JAYCE AND THE WHEELED WARRIORS (well, that was a Canadian production, iirc, but the artistic sensibility was the same), and then my dad brought me home Actual Japanese Manga from a business trip, and for the first and only time in my life, I actually was on the cutting edge of “cool” among my peers.
In my case it was Battle of the Planets (and yes, how I loved the Phoenix…I’m still sad that the only models / die cast versions of it I can find are out of my price range)…but then there wasn’t altogether much more until Barb introduced me to VTAS in ’91. And I didn’t even speak Japanese. 🙂
In my case it was Battle of the Planets (and yes, how I loved the Phoenix…I’m still sad that the only models / die cast versions of it I can find are out of my price range)…but then there wasn’t altogether much more until Barb introduced me to VTAS in ’91. And I didn’t even speak Japanese. 🙂
In my case it was Battle of the Planets (and yes, how I loved the Phoenix…I’m still sad that the only models / die cast versions of it I can find are out of my price range)…but then there wasn’t altogether much more until Barb introduced me to VTAS in ’91. And I didn’t even speak Japanese. 🙂
In my case it was Battle of the Planets (and yes, how I loved the Phoenix…I’m still sad that the only models / die cast versions of it I can find are out of my price range)…but then there wasn’t altogether much more until Barb introduced me to VTAS in ’91. And I didn’t even speak Japanese. 🙂
In my case it was Battle of the Planets (and yes, how I loved the Phoenix…I’m still sad that the only models / die cast versions of it I can find are out of my price range)…but then there wasn’t altogether much more until Barb introduced me to VTAS in ’91. And I didn’t even speak Japanese. 🙂
In my case it was Battle of the Planets (and yes, how I loved the Phoenix…I’m still sad that the only models / die cast versions of it I can find are out of my price range)…but then there wasn’t altogether much more until Barb introduced me to VTAS in ’91. And I didn’t even speak Japanese. 🙂
In my case it was Battle of the Planets (and yes, how I loved the Phoenix…I’m still sad that the only models / die cast versions of it I can find are out of my price range)…but then there wasn’t altogether much more until Barb introduced me to VTAS in ’91. And I didn’t even speak Japanese. 🙂
In my case it was Battle of the Planets (and yes, how I loved the Phoenix…I’m still sad that the only models / die cast versions of it I can find are out of my price range)…but then there wasn’t altogether much more until Barb introduced me to VTAS in ’91. And I didn’t even speak Japanese. 🙂
** She sang better, but she was a lot creepier in the Japanese version. The American Minmay was just a ditz. The Japanese Minmei’s Valk didn’t go through all three modes, if you know what I mean.
*** sigh I remember her well. Of course, she and her roomy both did nice things for that outfit.
**** I’m afraid there might actually be some public decency laws involved if you tried that one.
Ah, seventh/eigth generation bad fansubs or mimeo plot synopses. Those were the days.
** She sang better, but she was a lot creepier in the Japanese version. The American Minmay was just a ditz. The Japanese Minmei’s Valk didn’t go through all three modes, if you know what I mean.
*** sigh I remember her well. Of course, she and her roomy both did nice things for that outfit.
**** I’m afraid there might actually be some public decency laws involved if you tried that one.
Ah, seventh/eigth generation bad fansubs or mimeo plot synopses. Those were the days.
** She sang better, but she was a lot creepier in the Japanese version. The American Minmay was just a ditz. The Japanese Minmei’s Valk didn’t go through all three modes, if you know what I mean.
*** sigh I remember her well. Of course, she and her roomy both did nice things for that outfit.
**** I’m afraid there might actually be some public decency laws involved if you tried that one.
Ah, seventh/eigth generation bad fansubs or mimeo plot synopses. Those were the days.
** She sang better, but she was a lot creepier in the Japanese version. The American Minmay was just a ditz. The Japanese Minmei’s Valk didn’t go through all three modes, if you know what I mean.
*** sigh I remember her well. Of course, she and her roomy both did nice things for that outfit.
**** I’m afraid there might actually be some public decency laws involved if you tried that one.
Ah, seventh/eigth generation bad fansubs or mimeo plot synopses. Those were the days.
** She sang better, but she was a lot creepier in the Japanese version. The American Minmay was just a ditz. The Japanese Minmei’s Valk didn’t go through all three modes, if you know what I mean.
*** sigh I remember her well. Of course, she and her roomy both did nice things for that outfit.
**** I’m afraid there might actually be some public decency laws involved if you tried that one.
Ah, seventh/eigth generation bad fansubs or mimeo plot synopses. Those were the days.
** She sang better, but she was a lot creepier in the Japanese version. The American Minmay was just a ditz. The Japanese Minmei’s Valk didn’t go through all three modes, if you know what I mean.
*** sigh I remember her well. Of course, she and her roomy both did nice things for that outfit.
**** I’m afraid there might actually be some public decency laws involved if you tried that one.
Ah, seventh/eigth generation bad fansubs or mimeo plot synopses. Those were the days.
** She sang better, but she was a lot creepier in the Japanese version. The American Minmay was just a ditz. The Japanese Minmei’s Valk didn’t go through all three modes, if you know what I mean.
*** sigh I remember her well. Of course, she and her roomy both did nice things for that outfit.
**** I’m afraid there might actually be some public decency laws involved if you tried that one.
Ah, seventh/eigth generation bad fansubs or mimeo plot synopses. Those were the days.
** She sang better, but she was a lot creepier in the Japanese version. The American Minmay was just a ditz. The Japanese Minmei’s Valk didn’t go through all three modes, if you know what I mean.
*** sigh I remember her well. Of course, she and her roomy both did nice things for that outfit.
**** I’m afraid there might actually be some public decency laws involved if you tried that one.
Ah, seventh/eigth generation bad fansubs or mimeo plot synopses. Those were the days.
I sure wish I was, but Starr and I have looked at the budget from about eight different angles, and we can’t manage the travel that weekend (mainly the hotel room).
Were it just two paychecks later, we’d be fine. I’m kinda bummed; this will be the first TCon I’ve missed since Technicon 4.
I sure wish I was, but Starr and I have looked at the budget from about eight different angles, and we can’t manage the travel that weekend (mainly the hotel room).
Were it just two paychecks later, we’d be fine. I’m kinda bummed; this will be the first TCon I’ve missed since Technicon 4.
I sure wish I was, but Starr and I have looked at the budget from about eight different angles, and we can’t manage the travel that weekend (mainly the hotel room).
Were it just two paychecks later, we’d be fine. I’m kinda bummed; this will be the first TCon I’ve missed since Technicon 4.
I sure wish I was, but Starr and I have looked at the budget from about eight different angles, and we can’t manage the travel that weekend (mainly the hotel room).
Were it just two paychecks later, we’d be fine. I’m kinda bummed; this will be the first TCon I’ve missed since Technicon 4.
I sure wish I was, but Starr and I have looked at the budget from about eight different angles, and we can’t manage the travel that weekend (mainly the hotel room).
Were it just two paychecks later, we’d be fine. I’m kinda bummed; this will be the first TCon I’ve missed since Technicon 4.
I sure wish I was, but Starr and I have looked at the budget from about eight different angles, and we can’t manage the travel that weekend (mainly the hotel room).
Were it just two paychecks later, we’d be fine. I’m kinda bummed; this will be the first TCon I’ve missed since Technicon 4.
I sure wish I was, but Starr and I have looked at the budget from about eight different angles, and we can’t manage the travel that weekend (mainly the hotel room).
Were it just two paychecks later, we’d be fine. I’m kinda bummed; this will be the first TCon I’ve missed since Technicon 4.
I sure wish I was, but Starr and I have looked at the budget from about eight different angles, and we can’t manage the travel that weekend (mainly the hotel room).
Were it just two paychecks later, we’d be fine. I’m kinda bummed; this will be the first TCon I’ve missed since Technicon 4.
I may have spoken too soon. Thanks to recent developments, I’d say it’s very likely I’ll be at Technicon 😀
I may have spoken too soon. Thanks to recent developments, I’d say it’s very likely I’ll be at Technicon 😀
I may have spoken too soon. Thanks to recent developments, I’d say it’s very likely I’ll be at Technicon 😀
I may have spoken too soon. Thanks to recent developments, I’d say it’s very likely I’ll be at Technicon 😀
I may have spoken too soon. Thanks to recent developments, I’d say it’s very likely I’ll be at Technicon 😀
I may have spoken too soon. Thanks to recent developments, I’d say it’s very likely I’ll be at Technicon 😀
I may have spoken too soon. Thanks to recent developments, I’d say it’s very likely I’ll be at Technicon 😀
I may have spoken too soon. Thanks to recent developments, I’d say it’s very likely I’ll be at Technicon 😀