Japanese cartoons attract diverse fan base

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Wide-eyed dilation of Anime-esque pupils are the latest craze with North American teenagers, who are sporting massive contact lenses for the Japanese animated look popularized by pop wacko Lady Gaga.

That's proof Anime has gone mainstream, according to the organizers of a massive annual festival devoted to the cartoon medium; they're anticipating Moncton will be full of wide-eyed ?cosplayers' and gawkers alike this weekend.

"You're probably thinking of the stereotypical nerd who lives in their basement and only talks to people on the Internet," Animinitime chair Lissa Pattillo told us. "In modern anime culture, it's one of those things that's misunderstood. People just assume it's only geeks who come out once a year ... people who like anime are everywhere, and it's a lot more common than people think."

The annual event (normally dubbed Animaritime, stretched over three days) has been compressed this year. Events were split in two: one in Halifax on April 25, and the upcoming event in Moncton on June 17. Folks dressed in Sailor Moon, Pokemon and Dragonball Z garb tickled the turnstiles to the tune of 1,200 in 2009. This year, registration was capped at 500 so organizers can take time to better prepare for future cons, which have been mutating in size since they began at Sackville's Mount Allison University in 2005.

So, though the Delta Beausejour will see a few less bodies this year, organizers are jam-packing the mini event with all things anime.

"Dressing up in costume is a huge part of it ... they're absolutely phenomenal. Most of these costumes people have made by themselves. The craftsmanship is incredible. They build an amazing atmosphere around you - it's a lot of colour and a lot of life."

Vendors and artists from New Brunswick and neighbouring provinces will be hawking the latest books, trinkets and figurines in a merchandising area. On offer: many handmade bobbles and hard-to-find items.

And what would a nerd fest be without gaming? A video game room and tabletop gaming area are a massive component to the convention, Pattillo said; video games like Super Smash Brothers, Dance Dance Revolution and Guitar Hero will be played, along with table games like Magic the Gathering, Pokemon and Yu-Gi-Oh!

Just what is it about anime that has hooked so many people in its cartoon claws? Pattillo says the medium is so diverse that it offers a little something fantastic for everyone.

She admits that while many anime-based gatherings can run the risk of being sausage parties, the women do come out in force.

"When geeks are getting together you assume it's all boys. It's equally a boys and girls club ... they're very happy, social, excitable people."

A Friday afternoon picnic in Victoria Park (hilariously dubbed Picnicon) will kick-start the event for diehards.

Pre-registration is closed, but tickets to the convention will sell in limited quantities at the door.

@For more information, visit www.animinitime.org.