A-Kon 2001 Review by: Andrew

Warning - This is a very long editorial. I suggest printing it out or getting relaxed, becuase this will take a while.

Crazy hair? Outrageous costumes? We must be talking A-Kon 2001. This happened to be my first anime convention, and boy was it a trip. I am going to detail every little moment that happened to me, that I can remember.

Plan: Get up at 8:00 a.m. CST, drive from Houston to Waco, then to Ft. Worth, by 1:00 p.m. After that, travel to North Richland Hills to go see the FUNimation Studios. After about 1 hour to an hour and a half, travel to Dallas, and find the hotel. Stay there for the weekend, and come home around 8:00 p.m. on Sunday.

Well, I got a late start, by going to bed at 2:00 a.m. and having to get up at around 7:30 a.m. But, after drinking plenty of Dr. Pepper and a somewhat breakfast, we were off. Heading down the road was a long trip. 6,000 long miles really. But, after finding out we were in Waco, we had to stay alert for the next exit to get to Ft. Worth. It ain't half bad. We got to see some good sights, once we found out where we were and got on the right road.

After searching for a tall building, the "First National Bank of Texas" really, we knew we had struck gold. When we finally got inside the building, I had totally forgotten, we were supposed to be on the second floor. But, I did forget, and went into the wrong FUNimation Productions room. It was the FUNimation store. Man, it was messy as all could be, but I saw stuff that had never been released too. They told me the door was supposed to be locked, but somehow it wasn't. So, after trying to get a picture, they pratically twisted my head around, so I couldn't see where I was shooting, and almost shoved me in the elevator. I was sworn to secrecy that I couldn't tell what happened or what was in there. Sorry everyone.

Now, after getting on the right floor, I had found what I was searching for. The main lobby to FUNimation. Everyone was really nice to me, including my tour guide, because I got my own personal tour. When I got into the lobby, they had frames of some videos that either were nominated or received an award for such and such. I forgot, but I got the pictures. They even have huge foam-like FUNimation sign, which looks like real rock. It was kinda odd, because I was afraid it would fall down on me. But, after Amanda, my tour guide, came and told me how my day was, we were off.

We started off by going into a mixing room, like how music artists do with their concerts, only more technical and precise. They measure the frequency of the sounds, so it won't get any reverb or anything like that. I got to hear some sounds and see some video of episode 13 of Dragon Ball. It was on the part where Goku is on the rampage as a oozaru, and Yamcha is trying to help Bulma out from under a stone slab. You won't be disappointed. It was a fun experience, because the guy let me see how it works. So, when we were done there, we headed off to the editing room, where they look frame by frame of a picture, to see if anything needs editing. When I got there, two men were working on it, in a huge room, where there were three, yes, three full shelves, probably about ten to eleven feet high, about five to six feet wide, with nothing buy Dragon Ball and Dragon Ball Z subtitled videos. I was blown away at how much they have to look at and how much I wanted. I told them I was very excited that Dragon Ball was coming out, because I had been into Dragon Ball for eight years, and couldn't wait for the moment. So, he told Amanda after we were done with the tour, to go to the FUNimation store, and order me a copy of the new Dragon Ball video, for free. I cannot wait!

When we were down there, I got to go see the recording room. Mike Macfold (I'm sorry, I don't know how to say his last name), the voice of Master Roshi, was doing the voice of Jackie Chun, in the last round of the 21st Tenkaichi Budoukai. I wish I knew the exact scene, but it was hard to tell. All I know is, Jackie was beating up Goku bad. I got to take a couple pictures here and there around the room, plus watching Mike do his little job. After doing so there, we went to the other recording studio, but no one was there that day. So, we just got to see the inside of one, and man it is cold. But it was kinda neat to see the inside of a recording booth, because I had never been in one. We got to chat for a while with the recording studio artists, and the told me about how much fun it is doing Dragon Ball. Still more? You bet.

So, when we got done there, I had to go to the vilest room of them all. The room of the music mixing. Luckily, they were doing the Dragon Ball music, so I took the plugs out of my ears. They also mix and match the voices to the right spot, so if a sound effect comes in, they can make it where they don't over lap, and when the music starts up, they can move the voice to the exact spot to when the mouth flaps move. It was also fun to see him get done, and ship it off. So, when we got done there, we headed off to the graphic artists room, where I got to meet Rick Lebo, the very man who makes the posters and t-shirts you all like to wear. He was telling me how he gets all the episodes he wants, so he can put them on his computer, freeze them, and then think about if he wants to do anything or not. He was working on making some Cooler t-shirts, so when movies 5 and 6 come out, they are ready to be shipped and whatnot. A little bit down the room of that office space, I got to meet a toy maker. He was working on something that I cannot reveal, but it will prove to make some peoples money worth, as well as his own. (Told ya I wouldn't tell! :p) After seeing some of that, I got to get a few posters that were not released yet, so I took the liberty that weekend, to get the voice actors signatures on it.

And then, we headed back down to the store again, but I couldn't walk in this time, or else I would have had my camera ready. But, Amanda walked out and told me to be ready for the new video that's coming. She told me she ordered the one with the little default on it. And by default, I mean if you figure out what's wrong with this video, you can make a little bit of money, if it comes to be a big demand. There will about 49,999 of you that will get it, me being the other one. ^_^ So, anyways, me and Amanda got to talking about how much I got into Dragon Ball and how much I enjoy it. I thanked her once again for the tour, and was expecting to have a good time that weekend. Now, back in the car.

Crazy directions and drivers, thy name is Dallas. I have never been in a more congested area of people and drivers, on the free way and off. It takes about ten to fifteen minutes to get from North Richland Hills, to Dallas, and to the hotel. We had spent about an hour and a half, trying to get from one exit to another. It was not a fun experience. But, at the end of our time in that heap 'o cars, we found the hotel. Upon arrival, we were bombarded with fan boys and girls, about half in costumes or dyed hair. We got our bags off, went to the lobby, found our room, and jumped on the bed, ready to go to sleep. But there was still 45 minutes left of the convention that day. We still had time. So, we took off to get our 3-day passes. When I had gotten to the main hallway, where A-Kon was, there were millions upon millions of people there, in a tiny hallway. I had to hurry and get in line and get out, before the stink killed me. I got my pass and was ready to go when a huge man behind me got on a chair and yelled for everyone to be quiet. He told everyone there that the person that just bought the latest 3-day pass was the 1000th person to do so. I looked on the back of my card, and sure enough, I was 999. After a couple of applauses, everyone didn't care any more. I hurried into the room, trying to see what I could find. In that time, I got Dragon Ball tankouban's number 13, 14, and 15, plus lots of video tape of the room, and some pocky.

I had to get out of the room then, because it was time to close. I got to the room and wanted to go to sleep, but decided to see what was on TV. I couldn't find anything, so I looked to see what movies. One movie I wanted to see, "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon" was there, so I decided to watch it. It was very good, in my opinion. Now, at that time, it was about 10:30 p.m., so I played a game then. There were only Super Nintendo games, so I picked the best of the bunch, "Super Mario World." It had been ages since I played that game, and it sure was worth it. At 11:30 a.m., the game was over, and I was sleepy. So, off to bed.

On Saturday, I woke up to breakfast in bed, becuase the people I was with ordered for breakfast. Eggs, has browns, bacon, and Dr. Pepper. Mmm, doesn't it sound good? Anyways, I ate breakfast, watched a little TV, got a shower, and around 10:30 a.m., I headed to the dealer room, to get Sean Schemmel's and Cynthia's autograph, at 11:00 a.m. Sean plays Goku and Cynthia plays Chi Chi. I got in line just in time, because I was about the 10th person to get a signature, compared to the 50 or so people behind me. I had been waiting for Sean's e-mail for quiet some time, and finally had gotten it, which was also fun. Cynthia looked dead tired though, like, "Get me outta here!" It was all fun and games though. The FUNimation had to keep restocking their videos, because so many people wanted it signed by the voice actors (and actresses).

In all due time, I had gotten out of the line, at about 12:00 p.m. Time for lunch. The hotel food was great. The service needed some help, but once they knew what they were doing, they got to it. So, I blew off an hour there, and decided to head back to the dealer room. I walked around for about an hour or so, gathering all I could find. I got some new VIZ comics, and couple new Dragon Ball graphic novels, a Jump Monthly, and more videotape. It had been about 3:00 p.m. at that time, so I decided to wait in line for the 3:30 signing of Eric Johnson and Kyle Hebert. I have been talking with Kyle for about two to three months before I met him that day, so it was kind of exciting. If you were there, and got those pictures of Mystic Gohan and Future Trunks with Kyle and Eric's signature on it, Kyle drew those. I thought they were very good. So, stood in line, watched crazy people with knives run after each other, and more videotape.

Then, I finally met Kyle for the first time. I have got to tell you, he is one of the nicest people I have ever met. Always wants to have fun, just wants to hang out, trying to find fun stuff to do; just a great guy. Oh yeah, Eric was there too. ;P Nah, Eric was very nice too. Saying "Hi" to the girls mostly. But, got him on video tape, asked him how his trip with Meri was, and decided to go back to the room. But, I had forgotten to tell Kyle if he wanted to reschedule our little lunch together, since he couldn't come with me for dinner that night, because he is also a radio DJ. So, stood in line again, and waited for a much longer time. After reaching there, I finally asked, and he said he could meet me in the hotel's restaurant at noon. We exchanged good byes, and we're off, yet again. More searching, drooling at CDs, gasping at outrageous prices, and wanting to tell the guy in front of me to go faster. But, to my amazement, I looked down in a part of the room, and found Weekly Jump comics, and not just monthly. If you know me personally, you know I love Naruto. So, I got the Jump Weekly's with Naruto on them, for $3 a piece.

So, I had to go back to the elevator. Oh yeah, that was another thing. The elevators were very, very, very slow. It could take you about 10 minutes to wait for one. But, about 7 minutes after I pushed the up button, I saw on a poster, "Meet FUNimation! 6:00 p.m. tonight in the Tension room." So, I gave it a whirl. I went back up stairs around 5:00 p.m., and decided me and my new comics deserved quality time together. After about 50 minutes of nothing but reading Dragon Ball, it was time to go to the little meeting.

Upon arrival, I didn't see any voice actors, but only Gen Fukunaga. For about an hour, all on my camera (if you saw me there, I was the one holding the camera and looking around), we got to do a question and answer for him. I can't remember all of the questions, but he seemed pretty nervous, as if he was hiding something. Hmm... We will never know. He told us however, that the completion of Blue Gender and Yu Yu Hakushuo were almost done. So, all you fans out there that like those animes as well, get ready to spend two or three times the amount of money you spend on Dragon Ball. I got to meet him personally after the meeting, and kinda, almost, close to it, chewed him out. He got the idea, and started out the door. Eh, oh well.

Back in the dealer room! As if I didn't buy enough stuff, I bought some more. I bought me "Sand Land", one of Toriyama Akira's earlier manga, and got some free DVD's. Mostly catalogs. Okay, have we had enough fun there? Sure we have. Let's go to the room. Going back to the room, I saw the console gaming room, and stuck my head in there, to see what they were doing, but I was told to leave, because I didn't have a pass. So, I went back up to the room, to read a bit more. Then, I got a phone call. Who could it be? I picked it up and it was Kyle Hebert. He was at his radio station, wanting to confirm the lunch date. I got to hear him on the radio as well, plus he gave a tiny shout out that his friend "Andrew" was in town. I wonder who that is...hmm... :p Anyways, we got to talking again, and mostly just talked about how much the convention is going. But, it was getting late, 10:30 p.m. late actually, and he had to go. So, I went through the channels again, and watched SNL for an hour, and went to bed.

Morning didn't have breakfast this time. I woke up at around 9:00 to 9:45 a.m., trying to figure out where I was. But, I remembered that an 11:30 a.m. signing of Daemon Clarke (Cell/Ultimate Gohan) and Mike Macfold (Master Roshi/Yajirobe). So, I got a quick breakfast, a long shower, and some-what fast dressing of me. So, I was off. I went back to the FUNimation booth, but they told the early birds there that the wouldn't be signing in the dealer room, because it gets to congested. They threatened to kick them out at a point. So, we went into a part of the hallway where no one was. I got to meet Daemon and told me him how much his Cell voice was great. Mike kept wanting to talk to people in his Master Roshi voice, which was hilarious, coming out of middle aged man, wearing a Charlie Brown shirt. Although, I can see Master Roshi with a toupee and a shirt like that. XD

So, I was off to search for Kyle. Hurrah! I did. We went to go eat lunch in the restaurant, and mainly just talked about his two careers, how come he wanted to do those jobs, and how good the convention was going. Since I got to meet him personally, he still is one of the nicest men I have ever met. About that time, my mom came and sat down with us. Ugh... But, we made it through, and saw a fat Lara Croft girl. Almost threw up. Anyways, we got threw lunch, I let him sign my Teen Gohan fan art that I drew, got a picture, and said good bye. I made one last trip up to the dealer room. I saw the Planet Anime booth, and remembered there was one in Dallas. I asked for directions, got them, and then signed out of the hotel.

Wait! You think I'm just gonna leave the hotel now? Nah... I still gotta get Chris Sabat's (Vegeta, Piccolo, Yamcha, Kami, and Jeice) and Meredith Thompson's (Android 18) signature. So, back in line. But this was about an hour and fifteen minutes early. So, I took my time. Big mistake. I got in line, almost at the other end of the hallway. So, I had to wait. Daemon and Mike were still there, signing more autographs. Daemon kept yelling at the little kids! Big bully... But Mike stopped him! Master Roshi saves the day, once again! Nah, we knew he was just joking around, because some kid said he sounded like Cell. So, Daemon got in his Cell voice, and demanded at once that the little one must speak his own voice. The boy got scared, and Mike hit Daemon over the head. :P

Then, a fan asked Daemon why he put Ultimate Gohan on there. I was recording at the time, so Daemon tried to throw a couple posters and pens at me, so I could shut it off, and then he could tell us :P I knew he was kidding though, and for him to be sure, he told me he was kidding. He never answered the question though, so your guess is as good as mine.

But then, they had to leave. And then they told us we had to get into a crowded area for the next signing. Ugh, what a drag. But since I was in the back, I got to get up there first. Hurrah! But, still, standing up for thirty minutes wasn't fun. I saw Chris come into the hotel, prior to going to the signing, so I knew he wouldn't be far. Apparently, he was. We didn't start until about 10 minutes after schedule. And when Chris came, Meredith couldn't be found. But, we finally found her, and started the signing.

Chris was really fun too. He let us, of our choice, say a line of the show or something he wanted us to say, in one of his voices. The first one he did was in his Piccolo. This is how it went.

Chris: (In Piccolo voice) "Gohan! Come back! Now go away, but come back now! I said go away. For the last time, COME BACK!!!" (It was supposed to be how Piccolo orders Gohan around, and Gohan listens :P)

Every girl there screamed, whether they liked DBZ or not, again. After about two or three people came by, Chris did another line.

Chris: (In Vegeta voice) "I am the prince of all Saiyans once again!"

Girls, screaming, teen boppers, you get it... But then, I got to see Meredith and Chris, and was on my way back home. Got in the car, got on the road, and remembered about Planet Anime. So, we swinged by in there, hoping to find some Daizenshyu. No luck. But, I did find "The World Special" by Toriyama Akira. It's a good book. I liked it. So, we drove, and drove, and drove, until we got back to Houston. It was about 7:50 p.m., so I got home just in time to see Dragon Ball Z on the International Channel. Now, if that wasn't detailed enough, I don't know what is! Hope you had fun reading.

Now, if that wasn't detailed enough, I don't know what is! Hope you had fun reading.