Katsucon

February 18-20,2011

Katsucon was spared from the snow and wild weather raging across the country this year.  2011’s weather theme was high winds that kept everyone indoors for at least Friday and Saturday.

Part of conpics.ws arrived at the con site around 3 p.m. Within 10 -15 minutes registration was complete, as they had multiple lanes and a lot of people working.  Pre-registration was even faster; they checked your ID and looked up your name and you were on your way.

Friday

On Friday parts of the Gaylord Resort, where the convention was held, were being used by other conventions.  Sections were roped off, confusing crowds.  Given these circumstances, we didn’t have much chance to do anything that afternoon.

At night we wanted to take a peek at the “Formal Ballroom Dance.” We were kind of shocked that it was just a dark corner behind the video game area.  We aren’t sure how it could have been too enjoyable or formal either. There was a ton of loud noise to compete with from the gaming area.

Which brings up that the video game area.  The gaming itself was great.  The area even included a place for people to sit.  Katsucon also offered a bag check service for coats and bags, a huge plus.  Their dealers room and artist alley were large and exited into a lounge.

Saturday

On Saturday the first morning event we attended was a panel/workshop  entitled “Japanese Green Tea.” The host went into great detail about the origin of tea and how different nations around the world became “tea nations.” He taught the audience the proper way to steep tea: one should use loose tea leaves in a tea ball (there were other cool tea leaf holders but the ball was the easiest) and steep them in warm (not boiling) water for no more than 30 seconds. Also, please do not use Lipton, Bigelow pr Twinnings teabags because they use “bottom of the barrel” tea leaves to fill their bags.

The host then focused on the Japanese method of  tea production and taught the audience the basic steps of the Tea Ceremony. It was interesting to learn that different Japanese  social situations call for different grades of tea.  For instance , if one goes over to a friend’s house in Japan, they will most likely serve you Bancha. Bancha is the lowest grade of “quality” tea, meaning it was picked last during the harvest.  Bancha is usually ordinary household tea.   The next level of tea is reserved for more important guests. In Western terms: you give your friend a beer when he’s at your house but break out the liquor or wine when your boss is over for dinner.

After explaining the different varieties of teas, the host started to brew the audience one of his new favorite teas. It was a mid-level quality tea ( he used the loose leaves with a teaball to steep them)  from Ito En.  This tea tasted a bit like flowers but didn’t have as strong a flavor as Jasmine tea.  The next sample compared to cold bottled teas. One was Oi Ocha, a ready made tea from Ito En. It’s also known by its English name: “Tea’s Tea.” The other was a carbon copy of Oi Ocha  from an American supermarket. Of course, I am a big fan of Oi Ocha and drink it almost everyday, but the knock-off version wasn’t too bad. It tasted like the White Tea flavor of “Tea’s Tea.”

Next up was the Funimation industry panel (the only real “anime” related panel we attended). Josh, Funimation’s event and convention manager, was there to tell the audience about some of “Funi’s”  recent titles.  He announced that the complete series of the sci-fi anime  “Gantz,” “Chrome -Shelled Regios,”  a live action movie “Alien Vs. Ninja,” and the blue-ray of ” FLCL” have all been recently released. “Hero Tales” parts 1 &2 and  “Ga Rei Zero” will be released soon.  Josh also had a special announcement: the long awaited third season of “SGT.FROG” will be released some time in the future.

At night, of course, was the masquerade. This year it was placed in a ballroom with a stage.  However, the quality of the skits picked went down a little from prior years.  The lighting and atmosphere from last year’s brought in stage just wasn’t there.  There were some good group skits, but I still don’t get the walk-ons where the skit lasts 30 seconds and is only used to show off  a costume.

Sunday

On Sunday everyone was just wrapping up. We went to part of the last feedback panels where the staff held Q&As.  Though this is their second year at the Gaylord, they explained that  they are still working with the hotel on space issues.  They also mentioned that they have been trying to bring in new staff members to train in how to run the convention.  Most important, the staff said they do still have a contract with the Gaylord until 2015, so there will be many more years in this wonderful location.  All of which points to a good Katsucon 18.