Review March Toronto Anime Con 2008

[Michaelangelo]

Hey all, getting this topic started.  So far this has been a very fun convention.  I'll type up a review later.  I have to get going right now.

[Kazari]

I can't wait to hear about this con!!

[Michaelangelo]

Another one of those crazy trips where sleep wasn't on the schedule to begin with.  Starting Friday around 10am to go see Horton Hears a Who, than going crazy with getting stuff together for the trip.  Be it grabbing things we needed, shopping, packing, getting last minute baths... instead of leaving at 11 or midnight like I was hoping for, we left closer to 2:30 or 3am.  Car fully packed and on our way.

The best part of the drive goes to the interview going into Canada...

First Question:

Does your License Plate stand for "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles"... which set the mood for the rest of the interview, which is your favorite TMNT series, what did you think of the new movie, who's your favorite Turtle, oh and yeah... why are you coming to Canada... Oh is that the voice for the old 80's series?...   I have to say this was one of the most amusing interviews we had going into Canada.  She was so nice and she was a TMNT fan.  Yay for the beginning of the trip!

The drive was ok for the most part but than the fog kicked in.  Usually on this drive there's a few semi's I can follow to help through the fog but for most of the fog there was no other cars on the road... a lot of dead animals... but no cars.  When a Semi finally passed me I kept up with it, for most of the 401 I was behind this Semi but I had to get off a few exits away and decided to pass the Semi showing I wasn't really following it, to my surprise when I pass the Semi was the exit they were getting off at.  Hehe... I do like Semi's on the road, they help through bad weather like no one would believe.  If they realize it or not.  I didn't like stay in the same lane or right on the tail of the semi, but kept it in sight for it's tail lights through the fog... by time we split ways, the fog was lifted so I could see.  To my surprise though, the sun never once blinded me on this drive.

We got to the convention center and sat down starting the line for badges.  Lady Phoenix joined me shortly after we got there, and many other people started to come.  For a small convention... it's a surprise to see all these people... a lot more than what was there two years ago.  And I do mean a small convention.... they only have three rooms.  The Schedule was handed to us when sat down, so I study it right than.   This is how simple the schedule was....

..... of course now I can't find it... so I'll fill this part in when I find it... even though parts of it will be filled in during the review......

There's only three rooms (the Dealer room, the Video room, and the panel room).

The convention opens at 11am, though there was two things I wanted to do go to started at 1pm... a panel with Chris S (Voice Acting 101) was going on, at the same time as the autographs for Trevor, Brian, and Chris P.... that wasn't working with my plans.... so I choose the panel as my first stop.  Where Chris had no clue really what was going on, I'm so use to Voice Acting 101 being actors talking about it and teaching, though this con really felt a bit more loose on where things were going.  When he said it was a Q&A panel I mentioned this is Voice Acting 101, the Q&A panel for him is next with Michael S. So he did pick on me, acting as if I said he can't take questions, but I was just trying to help since otherwise it was going to be two hours of Q&A with him.  Though Chris I think misunderstood and thought I meant no one should ask questions, he went a bit with no questions after that but than he went on how he needs questions... really it was a fun panel.  I really think they should of gave him a break between panels, he didn't realize he was in a panel with Michael right after that panel.

I noticed Mike in the back of the panel and waved to him.... that's when Chris took notice to him and introduced Mike, so Mike joined the panel 10 minutes early.  We had a lot of laughs as the two of them goofed around.  Mike did mention that they are recording the new season, he was on the West Coast for a bit so he was doing the 7am recordings with Sam out there.  He also mentioned that they're done voicing Venture Brothers Season 3 and will be starting to do the voicing for Season 4 soon.  So there's updates on a few shows Mike works on  I didn't have many questions at this con, I was just too tired to think of any... since at that point I was just without sleep.

The next panel came up and it was Chris Patton, Brain Dobson and Trevor Devall.  What surprised me here is that Chris Patton remembered who I was from Anime Next!   I barely got to talk to him, so I was surprised there.  This was my first time meeting Trevor, and my second time meeting Chris and Brain.  So I don't know these guys as well as I know Chris Sabat and Michael S.  So it was a lot of fun watching their panel and getting to know them.  Trevor is one of the Vancouver voice actors, and he does a podcast where he interviews other voice actors.  He kept telling us about that.   Brain is also from Vancouver, for TMNT fans he was the voice of Dragon Lord (uncredited).   With Chris Patton the voice I know best out of his work is Greed on "Fullmetal Alchemist".   This was another fun Q&A.

After the Q&A we went into the dealer room to find that the autograph line with Chris Sabat and Michael S was still going, so we jumped into that line and waited.  Once we got up there, I got to say hi to Michael, and let him know what's going on with the surgery stuff.  I got him to sign my Season 2 Set 1 of 2, DVD cover.  Now he's signed All of my 4Kids DVD covers  Going to have to find something else for him to sign *G*  After getting him to sign some stuff, Miki and I decided it's high time we eat... it's 15 minutes after 5pm and our next panel is at 6pm...

We go to Union Station, anyone who knows where that is or how far of a walk... knows that this was not an easy trek... as we made our way to the top floor of the convention center, took the sky walk over to Union... we get there and buy 2 hamburgers, 1 large fries, and two shakes... total... $19!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  That killed me inside... and personally I didn't care too much for the taste of the shakes so, yeah... I wasn't happy with the outcome of that meal...  we took the food to go, Miki went down to get us a spot at "Cosplay Idol" as I ran to the car to put some things away and pick up other things... than I go down stairs.

At this point, I hear my name and look up... it's Mily!!!!  Mily than tells me the story of how she was sent to look for my sister (whom she's never met before) and bumped into someone else with the same hat as my sister... which happened to know who I was... but hasn't seen me yet.  The person she bumped into is Spud, who I've met at many Toronto Cons and have made friends with.  Than I saw Spud and sure enough her hat looked like Miki's!  Hehehe  Though we get in for Cosplay Idol and to my surprise Miki didn't just get the right part of the room, but got us front roll seats!   YAY Miki!

There was SO MANY COSPLAY Skits that I was starting to wonder when it was going to be done... though I wasn't there for the coplayers... I was there for the judges... who were all given a different name for this contest.  

I'm going to wrap it here for now, next post (hopefully tomorrow) will be about Cosplay Idol... just who Michael played as one of the judges... and even some mentions of favorite skits... oh and I will be posting pictures as well!

[Kazari]

Sounds like you had fun! I'm so jealous that you met Brian and Chris Patton! I LOVE Greed from FMA!!! Did you get anything sign or talk to any of the voice actors about Death Note?

[Michaelangelo]

Chris P. was at Anime Next last year, you were there.    

I'm uploading pictures while here at breakfast so pictures should be here soon.  I'll write more of the review later, right now I'm getting a bite to eat

[Kazari]

I k now *laughs* I'm horrible with voice actors unless I know they are from TMNT *sweatdrop* I need to read more!

[Michaelangelo]

Heh I like to learn about who's there, since there's so many wonderful talents out there I want to be able to know who I'm seeing.    And usually after seeing what people do is how I end up in so many panels at conventions.  Even after my arm is at a point I can do things again, I'm not sure I'll be able to go to anime cons and skip any VA panels.  

I'll be writing up the review maybe tomorrow... I am getting the photos up into one of my many photo buckets.  Need to finish that too.

[Amicitia]

The best part of the drive goes to the interview going into Canada...

Are you talking about customs? Does Canada expect to be attacked by rabid TMNT fans?

[Michaelangelo]

Yup, customs interviewed me about Turtles, tis was fun

[Raphael]

Sounds like your border crossing was far less stressful than mine was going into Maine last year. Sheesh...

[Kazari]

OMG that's funny! I can't wait to hear about the interview!

[Michaelangelo]

The Cosplay Idol started Saturday at 6pm, I was in the second role for a good spot to record the judges and the cosplayers.  We were near where the judges were.

Ok so each of the judges were given someone they had to pretend to be.

Chris S: Simon
Brain : Ozzy Osbourne
Trevor : Sean Connery
Chris P: Randy
Michael S: Paula

The person playing Ryan was a convention staffer, I liked 2006 better with Scott McNeil playing Ryan.  Kind of wish they did something like that again.  Though still the VA's did a great show.  I personally wasn't a fan of most of the cosplay skits, there were a few good ones.  A Drunk Vash and Death Note book.   There was a lot of funny stuff that happened during this, trying to recall it.  Some skits were dull and long.... one where they did this dance and they did the dance all the way through.... I loved that Simon (Chris S) picked on them for it, as well as the rest of the judges it just got old fast...  (Really wish I could remember more about this, it was such a fun event).

Vash won by crowd voting, Death Note if they gave second place would of got second place.

After the panel we went with a group of our friends out for a bite to eat and hung out for a bit.  Than we went to a friend's place for the night.  Where we got some sleep.

[Kazari]

I still would LOVE to meet Scott McNeil! It's not fair! I'm gonn have to go to a con one day up in Canada and maybe skip NYCC next year!! XD!

Death Note should have won! *pouted* If I was not so shy, I would love to do a DN skit but yeah not happening!

[Michaelangelo]

Heh series wise yeah, DN should win... though skit wise...  I really loved the Drunk Vash.  DN was good too.

Drunk Vash was out there insulting himself and his life style and the anime all together, and than when he was done ranting about his life, than he said he's looking for some kid going around with blond hair in a red coat, name Edward for ripping off his look.  It was a great skit.

The Death Note came out and read the rules of the Death Note to everyone and how it worked, a girl came on state, I don't remember the name if it's suppose to be some certain person or not... didn't really hear during the skit.  She finds the Death Note and thinks it's a cool book, and decides to write her name in it so that it'll be her book and she dies.  

These were the two best acts of the night.

[Kazari]

HAHA it was probably Misa! She's the dumb blonde in that series!

[Michaelangelo]

Our seats for the day in the panel room, all set up to record.  I sat on the end seat and Miki was sitting next to me.


Mike and Chris S. During their first panel


They look very happy, and Mike is hitting Chris's shoulder?  Hehe


Chris P., Brain and Trevor during their Q&A Panel


They too was enjoying their panel.


Cosplay Idol... left to right:
Simon, Ozzy, Sean, Randy and Paula


Simon gives his review, as Ozzy is thinking over what he's going to say.


Randy is tell the cosplayers that they were a little pitching and need to walk it out.


Ozzy adding his say to what he thinks of the cosplayers.


Sean saying how much he likes the girls.


Not sure what Randy is doing towards Sean, though it looks like Paula is telling everyone how good they are.


Drunk Vash, being Drunk


Paula feeling lonely and wanting the guys to call her.


Paula once again speaking up to the cosplayers.


The Death Note and the girl that died (last act, not too many more pics from this event to go).


Simon saying how he hated, though he also loved it.


Paula taking a picture.

Pictures for Sunday to come after the Sunday Review!

[Kazari]

Awesome pics! Nice sweater, Mike! He looks like a prep!! LOL I remember that guy at the last pic with mike! I remember I saw him at the first Katsucon I went to! Thanks for sharing! Looks like it was lot of fun! I would have love to meet Brian! Oh well! Maybe next year!

[Michaelangelo]

Than you remember Chris Patton aka Greed  Cause that's him *G*  What year was he at Katuscon?

[Kazari]

OMG! *laughs* I don't think I was into FMA at that point. I think it was back in like 2003 I think. I know it was the very first con I went to. I met Mike there!

[Michaelangelo]

Sunday we woke up and raced right to the convention.   Lady Phoenix was first in line so we went and joined her in line, they stamped our hands and let us in.  This time we decided to go straight to the autograph line, deciding to be a few minutes late for the panel just to do this real fast.  We were first in line.  Trevor, Brain and Chris P. were suppose to be doing autographs.  Chris P. and Brain showed up, this is where I got him to sign a few scripts and talk a little bit about the Next Mutation, where he mentioned instead of being credited for that he got his credits in the Adams Family series as Cousin It.   Though we didn't get into that too much, though it does at least mention why we can't find him in the credits.  He did Dragon Lord's voice for a second there, but I wasn't video taping (sorry Kaz!).

I look up as the last of my stuff is signed and there's Mike walking by... "Hey you're suppose to be in a panel!" I called out to him, so I walked with Mike towards the panel room, though we split ways as he goes in from one door to the room and I go in the other door.  I was glad I didn't miss any of this panel, in fact Chris S. was also late.   We caught video of this panel, I was glad about that.   I was picked on during this panel a few times.  Anyone who knows me, knows I take a LOT of pictures during panels some I'm not looking up for, I just get in the habit to snap the camera.   Well at one point I heard Mike wine my name after I took the picture, I wasn't looking up till I heard my name... and he's like "I was eatting" I'll be nice and not post this picture *IG*   Next time Chris and him picked on me, I asked for him to say a line in the Dark Leo voice and he start going on about how those voices were hard than asked me to give him a line to say and I'm like "I don't have the scripts remembered either"  Mike dropped his mic in shock and Chris went back in his seat with his jaw dropped in shock... oh I didn't hear the end of that one for a bit.  Hehehe

Than after the panel was the next autograph line.... this line took a lot longer than I thought it would to get through.  I had two coloring books for Mike to sign and a handful of things for Chris S. to sign.  Once we got things signed we sat off to the side in the dealer room, charging batteries at an outlet.  Mike came by and watched some video clips from the A&G convention that I had set up to show him, than we went to the last panel.  

The last Panel of the con is with Brain, Chris P. and Trevor.  We sat back and watched this panel, they brought in a cake for Chris P since his birthday was Saturday and we all got to sing Happy Birthday to him.  It was another fun panel where we all got to laugh a lot.  I wish I could remember more right now, but what I do remember the most is a handful of people (those who got to the front first) did get some of the cake.  Miki and I both got a piece.  So we ate our pieces of cake and gave our friends tries of it as well so people who didn't get a piece got to at least know how it tasted... I felt like I just got a taste myself since I shared it with everyone else.   I said good bye to Brain.   Than went out into the hall where we hung out with our friends for a bit... till we finally moved to get food... the group didn't last long soon it was down to only 4 of us as we finally decided where to eat... which basically where we ate the two times on Saturday...

So we got there and had food.... than it came down to the bathroom search... Miki watched our stuff as me and two friends went on the great bath room search... it started with the closes bathroom as the door was locked and said closed for cleaning, now my two friends left on the search before I did, so when I went to head down onto the departure level (since we're at Union Train Station, and that's where the other bathrooms are), they were heading up and told me those bathrooms were bad.  We thought about going into the mens bathroom but there was too many other people around, so we searched other near by buildings... the subway station... nothing... the mall attached to the subway station... nothing... we come back I dare to use the bathrooms on the departure level than head back up stairs.  I believe we were gone on this search for at least 45 minutes, had Miki worried about us cause she didn't know that the bathrooms near by was closed.  Of course when we got back, they were opened up.

That's going to be one of those things we're going to laugh about for years to come.

After that we said our good byes and went our ways.  Miki and I drove straight home, stopping only at one rest area to grab a small bite to eat after midnight.... than got home and passed out.

Yay!  I did it, I finished the review... now just to get up the Sunday pics

[Michaelangelo]

Michael S. and Chris S. Panel


One of my friends in Toronto (hmm need a nick name for her, I just know her real name...) with Chris S. and Mike during the autograph session.


Trevor and I, taken inbetween the autograph session and panel, he'd walk by from time to time.


Chris P, Brian and Trevor's panel on Sunday.


A good picture of Trevor, if I didn't know better I'd think he's smiling at the camera but this was while he was talking during the panel.


Brian and I at the end of the con.


Toronto friends after the convention!

All in all a great trip!

[CriticalCrittles]

Like Kaz pointed out, Mike HAS been doing the sweater vest thing alot lately. But I won't complain one bit!   In fact last time I saw him, which was Katsucon this past Feb., he was wearing that wine colored one the last day and I told him about 12 times AT LEAST how much I loved it on him cuz it made him look like Dean Venture       As Dean says, "Who can't use another sweater vest?"         I swear next time I see him, I'm totally gonna make him say that like Dean....it will be even better if he's dressed like this again! *squee*

Oh by the way Kaz, Katsucon was the first con I met Mike at too, back in....2005 I believe it was. And ooooooh man do I remember that moment well!  

Thanks for the pics Ivey, they made me smiiiiiiile....and got me to run here real fast like I told ya lol Glad you had fun, and reeeeeeally wish I coulda came too but oh well  

[Kazari]

Ivey, He did Dragonlord? *squeals* Oh man! it's Ok! Thanks for sharing the pics! Eventually I'll be able to meet him!

Crittle, that's awesome! I can't remember what year I met you there! We were standing in the hallway together!

[Michaelangelo]

Every now and than I do upload a video, nothing like full panels or personal stuff on the actors but stuff that usually I or a friend does to cause a reaction.  Like Fae singing "We Love Wayne Grayson" and when I had Matt, Tony and Scott do the script reading.

Well this was one of those conventions where a video is being uploaded for others to see.  As I let Michael watch a video on my mp3 player.  No I did not tell him what the video was about.  So if you're interested in watching the video click on the spoiler and hit play. 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JZDevd8mh1s

[Raphael]

Ok, the look on his face around the 1:30 mark, when he turns to look at the camera, is abso-frickin-lutely HILARIOUS!

I'm sure many of us have reacted to those videos in a similar manner.

[Michaelangelo]

Yeah, loved his reaction to this.   

Been wanting to share this, just clearing the video out of my camera from the Toronto trip today, so was able to get that together to put up.

[Iruka]

 

Hahahah! Some of those are really funny! Nice pictures! I wish my camera was this good!

[CriticalCrittles]

Beautiful, like only Mike can do  I love how he reacted to that! 

[Kazari]

Thanks for showing me this last night on the phone!! Mike amused me! I just like his facial expressions!