Aurora Con 2006

As some have already posted, Aurora Con was on Friday. It was Alaska's first anime con. I thought I'd never see the day that Alaska would have an anime con! It was a decent size too, although I felt a bit like an old lady as most of the attendees were teenagers. The con was rather unorganized and the judges were difficult to round up for the contests, but overall it was fun. I think next year will be a lot better for the con as they figure out their organization.

My friends and I blew over the competition at Aurora Con. Umiko won first place in the karaoke contest. ^^ She has a great singing voice. And then the rest of us won for the cosplay competitions. It was organized a little strange as they sort of had separate construction and skit competitions as best I understood it. Noin won first place in construction and the rest of the won the group construction award/third. For the actual masquerade, our skit won best in show. The skit idea was my creation. It wasn't amazingly funny, but kinda cute and poked a little bit of fun at the similarities between Samurai Champloo and Cowboy Bebop. Our skit was called "Samurai Bebop." With some hand sewing help to save time I made the following: Fuu for myself, Jin for Timeron, Mugen's jacket & earrings for Ry, a gigantic rice ball for Erin M, & a Punch vest for Orion. My Mom and I constructed and spray painted a Pocky Box for Aki and Erin M. did the detail painting. Everyone else made their own costumes. It really stressed me out, but I think it was worth it. I won't take on that much in the future, though. ^^;; Only costumes for myself and maybe one other person at the same time. I like the way Fuu and Jin turned out. Everything else was rather rushed, but worked okay.

You can see our skit here. Sadly the start of the audio got cut off it seems. And us receiving our award here.

Pictures I took at the con.

Stone: *serious, turns to face audience* Amigo. How are all you bounty hunters in the solar system doing? This is Stone Phillips filling in for Punch.

Judy: *perky* Hi, y'all! I'm Judy and it's time for Big Shot!

S: Ahem, first up today is this guy, *holds up a picture of Mugen from his stack of papers* Mugen. He is wanted for killing Mito Komon.

J: Wow! He must be strong! *looks at picture* Geez, what a face! Where'd he get that hair? Mm, although the stubble is rather sexy.

S: *looks at Judy with a warning expression on face, shakes finger* Judy.

J: Oh, you're no fun! Anyway, he's worth a whopping 42 million!

S: The conditions are as always; bring in him alive to collect your reward.

J: *shrugs shoulders, little sad face* If you kill him, kiss your reward goodbye.

S: Until next time, this is Stone Phillips for Big Shot signing off. Good night.

J: Good luck! *makes motion like cutely shooting a gun in the air with hand or toy gun*

*Stone and Judy exit the opposite way they enter the stage*

*Spike enters*

Spike: 42 million! *stomach grumbles, holds stomach for a moment, looks exhausted* I haven't eaten for three days. *determined* I have to get this guy! *ponders as Stage Ninja hands Spike a red shirt with 'I AM MUGEN' taped on the back* Aha! The perfect plan! They'll never suspect a thing!

*Fuu enters looking pooped*

Fuu: *whines* Uuuuugh... I'm soooo hungry! Heeey, Jin, do you have anything to eat?

*Jin enters, looking much more composed*

Jin: Hm, nothing.

Fuu: *sighs and looks at Spike* Mugen, do you have anything?

*Stage Ninja hands Spike a can of dog food*

Spike: Here, we can split this can of dog food. *walks over and hands Fuu the can*

*Fuu stares at the can in a confused manner and proceeds to attempt to open it by whacking it against the ground and shaking it, as she has supposedly never seen a can before*

Jin: *looks at Mugen, slightly curious* Mugen, is there something different about you?

Spike: *offhandedly* I don't know what you're talking about!

*impressive entrance music begins as the real Mugen struts on stage*

Mugen: *using the same voice actor as Spike, like in the English dub versions - looks angry and points at Spike* Hey, who's this clown?! What's with the goofy red shirt? Nice haircut, though.

Jin: *looks only moderately surprised* Hm.

Fuu: *looks back and forth from Mugen to Spike, confused* There are two Mugens..?

Jin: Hm.

Spike: *pulls out a gun and points it at Mugen* Don't move, Mugen! Surrender, so I can claim the bounty on your head!

Mugen: *clenches fists* The hell I will! *looks like he's ready to punch someone*

Jin: *puts his hand in his sword hilt, like he's going to draw, takes a step toward Spike* Hm, well, you can't take him. I'm going to be the one to kill him.

Fuu: *puts her hand across Jin's chest to stop him* But not until we find the Sunflower Samurai!

Spike: *drops gun down a bit* You have some weird friends. *holds gun up again, still pointing it at Mugen* But a man's gotta eat!

Fuu: *steps out a bit and shakes finger at the boys* Stop! Stop! Stop! No fighting at the con!

*everyone's stomachs grumble and all grab tummies and look embarrassed/pained Jin, less so*

*Foxy Lady music begins and food items saunter onto stage in this order: Mushroom, Rice Ball & Pocky Box. Mugen backs toward Jin some so food items have room.*

Mushroom: *energetically waves to other characters & audience* Hey guys!

Rice Ball: *blows a kiss* (in Japanese) Are you hungry? Do you want to eat this?

Pocky Box: *sensually caresses her box* Do you want a snack?

Jin: Hm. Is that..?

*everyone has now completely forgotten about fighting at the prospect of food*

Fuu: FOOD! Mushroom!

Mugen: Rice ball!

Spike: Pocky!

Jin: Hm, can we really eat that? *shrugs/other confused gesture, walks off stage following the others*

Noin as Judy. A bit old West-esq. ^^