Trip summary: Anime Expo in Los Angeles.

I was in Los Angeles (LA) and San Diego for a trip. In this entry, I will cover the LA portion, which was basically Anime Expo 2009. Next time, I will cover the San Diego portion.

Anime Expo (AX) was held at the LA Convention Center. This was my first time at AX since 2005, and my first time as a dealer. I was a dealer because my friend Richard had just started an anime store, and I offered to help at his booth. Here is the dealer's room before opening on Day 2 (of 4).

I spent a lot of time with another friend, whom I will call Mika, who also helped out at the booth. Notice the car being swallowed by the ivy? That belongs to Mika.



I got to see my friend Justin Simonson, from the Game Developers Conference. Here, Justin is channeling his rage into a hadouken from Street Fighter.



There were some great single costumes ...







... some great pairs in costume (these are from "Last Exile") ...










... and some great group gatherings! (These are from "Trigun." In the bottom row is Trigun's creator, Yasuhiro Nightow!)

From From Mike: AX day 3

We spent a lot of time working at the booth. This was my first retail experience, and I really enjoyed working with old and new friends. However, it was a little hard on everyone's feet. We needed those pads that they have behind fast-food counters. (I am on the left; Richard is on the right.)

From Anime Expo 2009

After the last day of AX, we had to pack up the entire booth and put everything back in storage. We celebrated the thoroughly-exhausting-but-fun convention with Korean BBQ at Manna restaurant. (From left to right: Lucan, Gary, me, Mika, Stephen, and Richard.)

Overall, AX was awesome, and I am really glad that I went!

Special thanks to Amy Wong, for letting me stay at her place while she was in Australia, and to Mika, for driving me back and forth every day (in the car *not covered* in ivy)!

Next time: A summary of the San Diego portion of my trip!