Ani-Magic 2001

by Pan-chan

Friday 10-5-01

We (Me, my husband, and our friends John and Craig) arrived at the Antelope Valley Best Western Inn around 10am. We stood in the really short registration line for about 10 mins before we got our passes. We checked into our room and left to go get some food. We returned just about noon right in time for the dealers room to open. We bought a cel of Sakura (From Street Fighter Alpha) for $10.00. Then we walked around there for about 2 hours before we headed back towards our room.

On the way to the room, the weather was so nice that my friend Craig and I pulled up lawn chairs and laid out since nothing was happening until 5:30. That was actually a concert and after that was opening ceremonies which were both done poolside anyway so I was fine where I was seated. Anyway... Scott McNeil (VA of the original Piccolo and Duo Maxwell from Gundam Wing) was sunning himself about 8ft from where we were sitting which was cool because he looked so laid back and comfortable. We just chilled and waited for the excitement to start. Lots of VAs and other guests came out to poolside to talk to Scott so we were like 2 ft from everyone. Jonathan Osborn (another VA) was wearing an awesome Rally Vincent shirt from Gunsmith Cats so I spoke to him about his shirt for a few mins and now I lovingly call him "Rally Shirt Guy." After a while, all the cosplayers came out so the VAs took off and Scott put on this really cool robe and a cowboy hat so he looked amazingly like Hawkeye Pierce from the TV show "Mash." (We called him Hawkeye the rest of the weekend)

We saw Kenichi Koshino perform and then opening ceremonies started and they introduced all of the guests. We were sitting way in the back heckling with Scott. After that we saw Koshin Taiko (Taiko drum performance) and a woman came to sit with us, We got talking and she told us that she was the official ani-magic witch. After that, she also told us that she was a dominatrix (which we really didn't need to know) and asked me if I though Scott McNeil had a nice butt. I had to agree because anyone who sees him can agree, he is very very nice looking. Anyway, she went on to tell us that she had a paddle in her room that she'd love to use on Scott. From that point on, we were on a mission to find Scott and warn him. Unfortunately, she found him before we did but thank God he avoided her pretty well.

While hanging out, I got to meet one of my very favorite manga artists in the whole wide world, Tomoko Tamiguchi (author of Call Me Princess and Spellbound) and she seemed just as excited as I was to meet her because we had spoken through email a long time ago.

We then mingled over to the karaoke contest where we were once again kicking it near Scott and a bunch of fan girls. We were all telling jokes and being loud (Especially when my friend John was trying to throw me into the pool) We finally got a chance to warn Scott about the freaky magic chick and I swear to God I will never forget the look of horror on his face. It was priceless. Also the conversations about the cold showers and the suction cup shower curtains. It was great and he even did the Piccolo voice a few times. He is cool! I told him that I would like him to check out our site and he said that he would which thrilled me to no end. The whole day was really relaxed and kicked back and we better than I could have ever imagined.

On to Day Two