First off, I just want to say that I'm glad that you're reading this and I'm really excited because this blog is going to be a new journey for me, a new avenue of self expression and communication.
I've been meaning to blog for a really long time, and now that I'm presented with the opportunity to study abroad in Mexico for which I leave in just under 2 months, I thought that now would be be a good time to start blogging on a regular basis in order to get me into the swing of things. While I'm on my journey abroad I will prefer to interact with everyone on here instead of Facebook because I want this to be a bit more personal, plus I don't want to have the temptation to just post short snippets of meaningless text, which Facebook makes so easy.
Alas, here I am starting my blogging experience (exciting, right?), I'm going to begin by describing my experience in Los Angeles at the Anime Expo, but also sprinkle into it little pieces of philosophical banter; two components I hope to incorporate into my future postings.
Let me start of by declaring, Los Angeles is ridiculous.
The city is ginormous, a megalopolis of urban decay, art and breathtaking architecture. I was definitely left with the impression of Los Angeles being an international city; all of the pros and cons of American society, a snap shot of the American dream that people the world over either dream of, or loathe. Los Angeles is a bittersweet juxtaposition of opposites, a city in which multimillion dollar skyscrapers soar into the heavens, yet their grounds are flanked by homeless tent cities. Even though I have lived in Las Vegas my whole life, Los Angeles is far too busy for me, although it is a cultural mecca of sorts, a quality that Vegas is unfortunately lacking.
But enough about the city, lemme tell you about the reason why I was there: ANIME EXPO!
So if anyone knows me well, they know that I strongly dislike (I'm trying not to use the word 'hate') all things anime and manga (especially the latter). Although I have found some notable exceptions to this rule - such as Hayao Miyazaki's films Ponyo and Spirited Away - anime and manga are two genres of art and entertainment that I simply cannot appreciate or enjoy. I love Japanese culture, but I think that sushi and ninjas are far better exports. With that said, going to
Anime Expo was a big step for me in understanding the chaos that IS all things anime and manga. I also did something that I would have deemed insane a few years ago, I cos-played! Cos-playing refers to dressing up as anime and manga characters, something I always made fun of people for. Thankfully I went with a group a close friends who are flippin' awesome and we dressed up as characters from a show that I really enjoy (Avatar: The Las Airbender).
I was surprised by how awesome the whole dressing up experience was and I must say that I have a new found appreciation of the art of cos-playing. I now understand these people (FREAKS OF NATURE) on a deeper level. I admire their hard work and dedication to fully embodying a character that speaks to them. And that was perhaps the biggest breakthrough that I made on my adventure into madness.
I learned that anime and manga aren't just all stupid, mindless works of fiction, but rather many are stories and characters that speak to people. I notice that a LOT of people who are attracted to this genre are the outcasts of society; the geeks, nerds and failures that need an escape - a fantasy world of their own in which characters more brazen and confident than themselves can choose their own destinies.
I still don't particularly like anime and manga, but now I think I understand why people cling to it to such a degree.
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