In a world where man-sized Tetris blocks and Pocky boxes frolic with numerous Witch Hunter Robins, and one big Gundam....where "Hentai-inside", "Glomp me", and "Yaoi" shirts reigned supreme....

And then there was me, 5ft 2", snapping pictures in a flurry: in shock and awe of the GLORY that was Anime Weekend Atlanta.

Friday: Upon my entrance into the Renaissance Waverly Hotel I was awed at the enormity of the golden garden themed lobby. I didn't see any sight of what the weekend was to bring, until it smacked me across the face. A group of older teens donning tails and cat ears hurries by carrying signs saying "FURRIES, MEET UP HERE!" while smiling and waving enthusiastically.

It was all I could do to hold on the escalator rail to keep from falling over.

Maybe I've been some what sheltered in my appreciation for imported Japanese pop culture. Most of my introductions and experiences with Anime, Manga, and J-pop, have been online experiences, at very quiet comic shops, or through a few people I'd met at school where we had stumbled upon our common interests. You see, it's still just a bit taboo to be interested in such things, as it can be all to easy of a step from "appreciation" to dreaded Otaku in many minds.... Once they learn what "Otaku" means, of course.

But admitting to being a Furry? BALLS OF STEEL these kids!

I most definitely wasn't expecting that, but it didn't disturb me so much. Alright, so AWA attracts an extremely extensive assortment of Anime, Manga, and J-Pop fans. Ok...I'm cool, I can deal.In fact, this is better than I thought.

Up the escalator where I saw two enormous lines for registration and may have been a simple oversight, but there was no sign alerting attendees to which line they belonged in. I spent about 15 minutes trying to figure out what line I belonged in, then after that, I didn't receive the "press" tag that was supposed to allow me special clearance (I didn't find this out until Sunday, unfortunately).

The feeling of the place was one of joyous excitement. People chattering, everyone was very friendly, nearly giddy in fact. Many would speak to me as if we had planned to meet there instead of being total strangers. The costumes were elaborate, bright, and varied. The hotel was beautiful and its skylights let the sun drench the upper lobby in bright warmth. The venue couldn't have been a more perfect place for such a mood.

I made my way to the trade room and I was positively in awe. My mouth hung open at the enormity of it all. It was extremely overwhelming. Not only was the Dealer's Room mammoth, but the displays where soaring and eye-catching. Nothing could have prepared me for all I saw in there. Walls of Manga, rare versions of Anime and music, snacks, traditional Japanese Kimonos, wall scrolls, posters, Katanas, Chinese Stars, miniature figurines, hard to find American comics, life-size models, trading cards, clocks, hats, book bags, and shirts.

If you could not find it here it was either not worth the risk it would take to find it or simply did not exist.

Many sellers took credit and debit cards, some charged a fee, but everyone took cash!

Saturday: Unfortunately I couldn't stay overnight in the Renaissance Waverly, but I returned Saturday afternoon in order to attend a round-table with ever growing in popularity, Adult Swim. They previewed shows to come and reviewed shows that had been, to the respective delight or grown of the audience. They entertained questions and the little local geek-core rapper mc chris (all lower case, no dots) busted a rhyme for his fans and the crowd roared for more.

The man who writes all the "bumps" for Adult Swim was revealed and explained the process of how it's all done and how he chooses whose posts he'll put on Thursday nights. The whole thing was pretty dry, but never boring. I tried to follow mc chris as he sped out of the room when the hour was up, but to my dismay, I couldn't find him.

A return to the Dealer's Room and the surrounding are revealed the most intricate and dazzling costumes that I saw all weekend, most notably, the Pika Belle Princess. She was dressed in Belle, from Disney's Beauty and the Beast with Pokemon balls hanging from strategic points, a Pikachu-like tail extending from the back of the dress, red spots on her checks and carrying around an arm filling Pikachu plushy.

Other memorable cosplayers where 3 boys dressed as Tetris blocks, complete with several formations, 4 friends dressed as the cast from Aqua Teen Hunger Force, and one lone man dressed as a gigantic box of strawberry Pocky!

The most dead-on, perfect cosplayers where dressed as Anthy Himemiya from Revolutionary Girl Utena and Haruhara Haruko from FLCL. If you hadn't known you were at a convention, you would've thought they'd come to life!

Of course, I attended the most anticipated event, the costume contest! For two hours the audience was delighted by participant's creativity and hard work. I got some incredible photos in the dim light and even better ones during the intermission where the Aqua Teen Hunger Force, the Tetris guys, and the man of Pocky got up and danced together! There were very impressive group efforts to cosplay as entire casts of animes and video games (Final Fantasy being a cosplayer's favorite). However, the most extraordinary cosplayer was one dressed as a Gundam from Mobile Suit Gundam Wing. His costume was so large it took a year to complete and he had helper who cosplayed as Duo from Gundam Wing who helped him get around, as he couldn't see out of his costume. Later that night I was persuaded by some new friends to, against my better judgment, I must say attend a Yaoi reading.
Le Sigh...

It was embarrassing to say the least; however, embarrassing to whom I guess was me. Attendees actually read aloud the yaoi they had written using their favorite manga or anime characters. The stories included tales of "sizzling asses" (which remains a decidedly un-sexy term among my friends), "candy skin", and many spanking fantasies. After that there was viewing of a French tracked Yaoi Anime about a young boy who was arrested for stealing bread, is gang "loved" and "loved" again by an exploitative chief of police who promises him freedom. I don't know whether he was released or not as I could not sit a minute longer watching. I am merely too sensitive for such an exotic display.

Sunday: Too tuckered out to attend the rave the night before, I spent the afternoon in the various gaming rooms. There was Dragon Ball Z, Naruto 2, various Street Fighters, Soul Calibur 2, Pump It Up!, Dance Dance Revolution, and several other music games available only in Japan that featured moving your arms, drumming in time, playing the keyboard and guitar. It was incredible to see so many games just one door away from each other, and although the musical game room did smell of unwashed overexerted fanboy, I still enjoyed myself.

I also attended a viewing of an Azumanga Daioh I have yet to review. It was the Japanese track and I was lucky enough to get a front row seat because by the end of the first episode, the room was filled to overflowing with people hoping to catch glimpses from the hallway.

This was THE BEST to day to go the Dealer's Room. As the convention will be winding down very quickly, many, if not all, the buyers where offering major deals for their products. Some gave as much as 50% of whatever they were selling!

Conclusion: The convention ended at 5:00pm that day, but don't loose heart! Right now is the PERFECT time to purchase your membership for next year. The pre-registration fee (just for the 3-day) is $25 (until May 1st, then it's $30) and room rates at the Renaissance Waverly Hotel are $109/night-single/double and $129/night-triple/quad until August 23, 2005 (does not include 13% sales tax). However, when you purchase your membership, a ticket the formal ball, and a t-shirt (usually $20, but half off for this deal) for that year, you only need to shell out $42. If you sign up with a group of friends and do a little saving the whole excursion is completely feasible if not inexpensive. Make sure to save up for spending money, as there will be tons of tempting products to buy in the Dealer's Room. AWA was an amazing experience. Even though some if it freaked me out a bit, it forced me to come out of my shell, meet new people, and try new things. It was an exhilarating and welcoming experience to be among so many people who shared some of my interests. Do not be afraid of the difference you may find there as everyone in attendance was warm, friendly, and willing to help or hang out. I am definitely going to attend next year and I may even purchase a shirt!