Night Import: Special Coverage | Anime Expo 2011 (Pt. I)

Night-Import: Photography and Words by William Lee

Japan cars are one of the categories on our site that we love to feature and show to the automotive enthusiasts. Without any doubt, we can say cars were probably one of the most influential part of Japanese culture shared to the world, but there are much more 'traditions' still being shared and now, some being very popular, one of them being Animation, aka Anime.
I remember back in the days when I lived in Korea, spending numerous days at a local Manga Cafe. Reading Manga was probably one of my favorite hobbies after sports because of funny but sometimes depressing story lines and drawings. After coming back to the states, I got into more Anime, starting with Naruto and gradually reading/watching other shows as well.
What I did and still do is still popular, not only in Japan, but in many other countries, especially in North America, which is why since 1994, Los Angeles Convention Center started to run the biggest Anime show called Anime Expo. You'll be seeing tons of people doing cosplay, famous artists having conerts, and top Anime companies promoting their work.

For a change, I wanted to share something new and fresh to you guys instead of just cars. Don't get me wrong, our site is for automotives, but a true JDM fan will love almost everything that happens in Japan, such as Anime! Up to you if you want to check this coverage out, but it will be fun and awkward at the same time. Let's get it rolling~!

If you have never been to Anime Expo, you'll be surprised with the amount of people who came to cosplay or spectate the event.

I was lucky enough to pre-register because of a friend (thx Steve!) but there was still a long line.

I'm still a noob when it comes to Anime, but our editor Kain is an Anime fan and pretty much knows about any Anime and Games as well. There's him wearing our staff t-shirt! We were representing at Anime Expo 2011!

The line to get access to pre-registration.

One thing I learned at this event was that all these cosplay attendees WANT to get pictured. If you're a shy photographer, come to these kind of events and improve your braveness. Trust me, none of these people will say No.

Funny guy.

It's Cookie Monster!

Don't know who she was trying to be, but guessing an ordinary Japanese school girl.

Badge pick up!

Let the coverage begin!!!!!!~~~

Tons of people checking out the booths.

Our first visit was to this booth selling Disgea figures, games, etc. I've played up to one and two and still in the process of finishing the dam game.

Awesome mini figures.

Kain is a huge fan of Miyuki Sawashiro, so he purchased a game to get it signed later on. He also bought a DVD set of Persona, so I'll probably be borrowing that pretty soon.

Puppet size.

Life size.

Anime series in Blue Ray and DVD.

COOL!!

If you're a huge fan of Bleach like me, I'm sure you are up-to-date with the recent Manga series. Anyways, here's the third division captain costume. There really isn't a captain for that division right now, so this guy just took that spot.

I think this robot is from Full Metal Alchemist?

Impressive! I was saying 'wow' so many times, I'm sure Kain wanted to sock my face and tell me to shut up.

10th division caption from Bleach, dressed as Tōshirō Hitsugaya.

Want to go to a JDM show? Go to Anime Expo next year.

This guy is playing the new-to-release FREE online game, Rusty Hearts. Crazy graphics and gameplay.

So many things to see and get! Most of these products were really expensive, but it didn't matter to the Anime fans. I saw some people taking out hundred dollar bills, spending it like it was nothing.

Dragonball character Master Roshi!

Want a cup of coffee?

Coooolll~~~~~

1:1 fighting game, BlazeBlue

Who wants one!!

Like we say about wheel fitment, make it fit.

Amazing to see even small figures so detailed. About $5~$7 each, which is not too much. Probably I'll buy a ton when I visit Korea because these things cost about only 50 cents.