Anime Weekend Atlanta 12 Cosplay 2006

Lack of sleep caught up with me Friday afternoon. As I was waiting for the opening ceremonies to start, I dozed off and Ashley from Anime Belle mischievously took my photo. Ah well, it was a nice nap and I still woke in time to catch the festivities.

Dave Merrill (right) and Stan Dahlin (left) kick off the convention with the traditional tossing of candy to the audience. During the introduction, several of the guests of honor were playing an informal game of volleyball off-stage.

The first manga volume of Moon Phase had been released in North America last year in December. The Region 1 DVD release of Moon Phase by FUNimation was scheduled for October, about four weeks from now. To celebrate the pending release, two special guests of honor were in attendance at AWA. To the left is Keitarou Arima, creator and mangaka for Moon Phase. To the right, is Masahiro Aizawa, director and character designer for the animated version of Moon Phase.

For an off the wall insane fun time, we have Peelander-Z, the Japanese Action Comic Punk band hailing from the Z area of Planet Peelander.

After the insanity of Peelander-Z, we are introduced to the insanity of Tsu Shi Ma Mi Re, an all-girl Japanese rock band blasting the audience with a mixture of punk, surf, jazz, funk and rock since 1999.

Above, left to right is Mizue, Mari and Yayoi.

Next is Luci Christian, American voice actress for over 50 anime roles, including Air Gear, Azumanga Daioh, Fullmetal Alchemist, Kaleido Star, Magical Shopping Arcade Abenobashi, Negima, Princess Tutu, Samurai 7 and Super GALS!.

To the right are artists and writers, Emily and Robert DeJesus of Studio Capsule who, incidentally, were responsible for the cover art for the AWA 12 convention guide cover.

Upper-left, a regular fixture at AWA is Lauren Goodnight, voice actress and webcomic artist.

Upper-right, editor and writer, Carl Gustav Horn

Lower-left, Neil Nadelman, Japanese translator for many anime show

Lower-right, Fred Perry most noted for his comic, Gold Digger.

Upper-left, Vic Mignogna, a celebrity among English dub fans mostly from his voice work as Eric in Fullmetal Alchemist.

Upper-right, Monica Rial, prolific voice actress.

Lower-left, David Williams, DVD Producer, ADR Director, and co-founder of ADV Films.

Lower-right, Travis Willingham, who supplied the voice of Roy Mustang in Fullmetal Alchemist.