KrisZ on Anime, Manga, Cosplay and Video Games

Anime Expo is one of the largest conventions in the United States, and part of the convention is that they announce a slate of great guests that attract attention. For this year’s Anime Expo, I was very pleased to find out that one of the best anime composers and music producers would be making it in 2012. There are two incredible composers that are recognized as the “best” in their field in the anime world, one of them is Yoko Kanno, and the other is Anime Expo 2012 Guest of Honor Yuki Kajiura. Her work in .hack/sign, My Hime, Tsubasa, Xenosaga, and Puella Magi Magica Madoka is considered some of the best soundtracks in the world of anime and video games. I will explore what makes her stand tall above her contemporaries in the anime world. Yuki Kajiura has a unique style that is easily identifiable compared to many composers. Her music has a similar “new age” style that can be found in Cirque du Soleil soundtracks. Many of the songs use a unique style that combines synthesized pi...

Masquerade at Anime Expo 2011 A common question I get asked is what is are the main events and panels that I will be attending for Anime Expo. As a con with a wide variety of panels and events, it also means that I will be in many events for Anime Expo. If you see me taking pictures and enjoying myself, feel free to wave or talk to me before or afterward. Without further ado, here is my convention schedule for Anime Expo 2012. Day 0 - Thursday, June 28 Red Carpet Event Front of Hall G 6:00pm - 6:40pm Opening Ceremonies Main Events - Hall G 7:00pm - 8:00pm Day 1 - Friday, June 29 Anime Expo Forum Meet and Greet Live Programming 2 - LACC 502AB 7:00pm - 8:00pm Stephanie Yanez Concert Lounge 21 - LACC 301AB 8:00pm - 8:30 Day 2 - Saturday, June 30 The Future of Anime Expo and SPJA Live Programming 3 - LACC 515A 2:00pm - 3:00pm Yuki Kajiura and FictionJunction Concert Main Events - Hall G 6:00pm - 8:00pm Day 3 - Sunday, July 1 LiSA Concert Main Events...

Canon 85mm f1.2 L MSRP: $2199 Weight: 1025g (2.26 lbs) Used on: Canon XSi (450D) Status for review: Rented (can’t afford) There are a few lenses out there that elicit such a strong reaction from photographers, the Canon 85mm f1.2 L is one of those lenses. This lens has a legendary reputation for gorgeous bokeh with its thin depth of field. It is a lens that is heavily used by wedding photographers and portrait photographers. The latter has quite a bit in common with skills needed for cosplay photography. The 85 L is a huge chunk of glass that has a similar weight to the large Canon 24-70mm f2.8 L . I had the pleasure of using this lens during Anime Expo 2011 and during some outdoor cosplay photo shoots. I will go over the strengths and weaknesses of this lens when used in cosplay photography. This lens is without a doubt a very special lens that can really add to cosplay photography. One of the first things I noticed when I held the lens in my hand is that it is very...

Since the introduction of the original PlayStation, Sony has fundamentally changed the gaming market. They dominated the home console world with the PlayStation and the PlayStation 2, and the PlayStation Portable is the most successful non-Nintendo portable console in the gaming world. As a successor to the high-selling PlayStation Portable, the PlayStation Vita was bound for success: it had a gorgeous screen, powerful graphics, control improvements, and a portable medium that did not consume battery life. With a tepid presentation at the Electronic Entertainment Expo and faltering sales that is putting the console behind Dreamcast in certain markets, the console is currently on the wrong track. It is still early in the game, and the PS Vita can still succeed if Sony is willing to make a proper course correction to improve the image of the console. I do not currently work for any gaming company, nor do I have any experience working in the gaming industry, but I observe a couple of...

This is a quick announcement, but I will be in two panels for Anime Expo 2012. Unfortunately, due to my busy schedule working on my Master's Thesis in Spring Quarter, I did not have enough time to plan and prepare for panels. I apologize in advance to many people who attend the interesting panels I run. Look forward to my panels in Pacific Media Expo 2012 and Anime Conji 2013 . The Future of Anime Expo & SPJA Saturday, Day 2, June 30, 2012 LP3 LACC 515A 2:00pm - 3:00pm This is a panel where the Society for the Promotion of Japanese Animation's Research and Development Committee will talk with attendees and listen to attendee suggestions on future departments, events, and ideas for the SPJA. This panel will be run by me, the R&D Chairman and R&D Board Directors Paul Wilson and Takayuki Karahashi . SPJA Board Meeting Monday, Day 4, July 2, 2012 LP4 LACC 411 10:00am - 11:00am The SPJA Board Meeting is our public board meeting for SPJA. We discuss op...