Tag: Tsukino Con

Tsukino-Con Announces Voice Actress Sarah Anne Williams!

By James Robert Shaw (The Wind up Geek)

Sarah_WilliamsWith all that has happened in 2015, it is good to see fandom on Vancouver Island can still rely on Victoria’s annual anime convention Tsukino-Con. When it comes to experiencing a weekend escape, I believe Tsukino-Con knows all too well what kind of distractions their con goers want. That could be why they have announced the addition of special guest, voice artist Sarah Anne Williams. She has worked as a voice artist for English dubs of Japanese animation and video games since 2009.

Williams’ first role was as Ayumi Tokita from Shinryaku! Ika Musume. Her other anime credits include Sayaka Miki in Puella Magi Madoka Magica, Kozuki ‘Niko’ Yuniko in Accel World, Lisbeth in Sword Art Online, Nonon Jakuzure of Kill La Kill, and Sayu Hisanuma in Nagi no Asukara. Williams’ video game works include Jinx in the League of Legends, Angel Death in Wasteland 2, and she’ll be voicing Aaa in the upcoming Freedom Planet 2.

Tsukino-Con will be held on the grounds of the University of Victoria from February 12 – 14, 2016. To purchase tickets, please visit Tsukino-Con’s official website here.

Tsukino-Con Announces First Guest of 2016!

By James Robert Shaw (The Wind up Geek)

JoshGrelleYou can tell Victoria’s little-con-that-could has not just expanded over the years but has grown gracefully. And no more is that evident in the selection of Tsukino-Con’s guests whose names get bigger and bigger with every passing con. Last year saw Japanese seiyuu actress Satsuki Yukino (Free!, Bubblegum Crisis: Tokyo 2040) join Tracey Moore (Care Bears, Sailor Moon) and Kyle Hebert (Dragonball Z, Fullmetal Alchemist) as the con’s special guests. With today’s announcement of Tsukin-Con’s first guest of 2016, fans should expect more of the same.

The first guest of 2016 will be none other than voice actor Josh Grelle. Grelle is an anime fan and a native of Clifton, Texas. He got his foot in the door of voice work when he was hired by the popular ADVision Films in January 2004. Since that time Grelle has become a seasoned veteran with such credits under his belt as Clannad, Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood, Dragon Ball Z Kai, Itsuki in Initial D, and recently Armin in Attack on Titan.

Grielle’s work has also included some notable video games. He can be heard as Sima Shi in Dynasty Warriors 7: Xtreme Legends, Dave in Borderlands 2, and Xbalanque in Smite.

Tsukino-Con: Inside Peek at an Artist’s Table

By James Robert Shaw (The Wind up Geek)

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We are in the last stretch to Tsukino-Con 2015 (February 13 – 15) and one of my favourite things about the con is the arts and crafts from the dealers. Usually I stick to art prints but if a dealer can really wow me with something they created (like lasy year’s anime bead magnets) then I can’t help but open up my Sword Art Online wallet (also bought at Tsukino) and part with some hard earned money.

This year I’ll be visiting Table #15 to purchase some wonderfully expressive stickers by Nova K. Spade. Nova has created characters from such animated licences as Attack on Titan and DreamWork’s How To Train Your Dragon 2 but I love how she is current by creating Koro-Sensei from Assassination Classroom.

I think I’ll be buying one of her stickers. Nah, I’ll be buying several.

Countdown to Tsukino-Con!

By James Robert Shaw (The Wind up Geek)

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It’s only a mere two weeks away to this year’s kick off to Vancouver Island’s fan conventions for 2015. Tsukino-Con runs February 13-15 at the University of Victoria and with head-organizer Adam Park passing the torch. He’s leaving the duties to the capable hands of Matt Van Herwaarden.

Matt promises that this year is going to be big. This includes guests who are more internationally known when compared to names like Kelly Clark. This year will also mark Tsukino-Con’s first ever Japanese guest, a voice artist.

On the list this year (but not limited to) are:

Continue reading “Countdown to Tsukino-Con!”

Tsukino Con 2015 Update!

By James Robert Shaw

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While attending Fan Expo Vancouver 2014, I had the pleasure of spending time at the table of one of my favourite anime conventions, Tsukino Con. During the three days of Fan Expo only, they were selling passes to the 2015 event at half the price. I parted with the bare amount of $25 for a VIP pass. Mother raised no fool.

But while more than the purchase of a pass was on my mind, I was eager to probe for any information they were willing to part with too. And with what they parted with excited me.

There is a theme to the Tsukino Con (i.e. 2013 was magical girls) every year. In 2015, big boys with mechanized toys will best be served. Boys and girls, it is time to dig out your Veritechs, your Gundams and yes, even your combiner robots. The theme for 2015 will be “Mechs!”

And my second piece of news is unconfirmed, for now, but I heard that voice artist Tracey Moore (Care Bears, Sailor Moon, and George Shrinks) may be a guest at their upcoming con.

I believe there will be as many good guests this year as there was last year and on them alone it is worth the price of admission. ButI have to keep in mind that what will help make 2015 great is what helped make 2014 such a success, and that is the fans themselves.

Tsukino-Con Day 3: Parting is Such Sweet Sorrow

By James Robert Shaw (The Wind up Geek)

TsukinoDay35When at a weekend convention, such as Tsukino-Con, if there is one thing I learned this year it is to take a freakin’ vacation in 2015. Working eight hours days across town and then hopping two long bus rides to make it in time for the last two hours of convention is a bit of a whirlwind. There is no time to relax and unwind from the trip, no time to chat to the con goers, no time to browse the tables of our dealers and talented artists and no time to truly appreciate the final day of a great con such as this.

On reflection, 2014 was a record-breaking one in terms of attendance for Tsukino. And I can understand why. It is a very active con and there is always something for the fans to enjoy. The University of Victoria (UVic) is the perfect setting for such a con, everything from food to transportation is within reach. With the growth in attendees over the last year, someone suggested the con should move off campus. To them I say “nay!”

From the facilities available in Victoria, UVic is the perfect place for such a con. No other place can house such an event that looks busy but still feels open and free. And besides, UVic benefits from the money spent on their campus and enrolled students get in for free. Why ruin such a good thing?

Continue reading “Tsukino-Con Day 3: Parting is Such Sweet Sorrow”