The Otaku’s Guide to New York Comic-Con

It’s hard to believe, but we’re less than two weeks away from New York Comic-Con! Here’s a little information about tickets and events to help you plan your visit. Check back before the big weekend for additional listings and information—publishers are still announcing events and autograph signings. And if you spot errors or oversights, please let me know.

TICKETS
You can purchase tickets online, at area comic book stores, or at the convention (subject to availability). One-day passes are $30 in advance, $45 at the door. Frugal manga lovers may wish to purchase the weekend pass, which is good for admission on all three days and costs $45 if purchased in advance. Please note that online tickets are no longer available for Saturday (2/24). Several tri-state (NY, NJ, CT) comic stores still have Saturday passes for sale; click here for a list.

EXHIBITORS
A number of major distributors–including ADV Films, Bandai, FUNimation, and VIZ Media–will have booths at NYCC, as will publishers Central Park Media, Dark Horse, Del Rey, Go! Comi, Net Comics, Tokyopop, Vertical Inc., VIZ Media, and Yaoi Press. Click here for the complete exhibitor listing. Stop by and meet artists, buy books and DVDs, and find out what’s in the pipeline for 2007.

ANIME SCREENINGS
Below is the list of this year’s anime screenings:

Friday, 2/23
4 PM - 6 PM: Train Man: Densha Otoko
6 PM - 8 PM: Shinobi (35mm)
8 PM - 9 PM: Uncle Morty’s Dub Shack

Saturday, 2/24
10 AM - 11 AM: Bleach
11 AM - 12 PM: Paradise Kiss
12 PM - 1 PM: Afro Samurai: Director’s Cut
1 PM - 2 PM: Le Chevalier D’Eon
2 PM - 4 PM: Tsubasa (Premiere)
4 PM - 5 PM: Air Gear
5 PM - 6 PM: GaoGaiGar
6 PM - 8 PM: Robotech: The Shadow Chronicles
8 PM - 9 PM: Voltron: Defender of the Universe

Sunday, 2/25
10 AM - 12 PM: Karas
12 PM - 1 PM: My-HiME
1 PM - 2 PM: Noein
2 PM - 3 PM: ADV’s Super Secret Screening
3 PM - 5 PM: Ghost in the Shell: Solid State Society (Premiere)

PANEL DISCUSSIONS
Anime and manga panels will be held in Room 1E10/11. For further details, consult the NYCC master schedule or visit MangaCast for descriptions of the following events:

Friday, 2/23
4 PM - 5 PM: Heart and Seoul: The Unique World of Korea’s NETCOMICS
5 PM - 6 PM: VIZ Media Manga Extravaganza
6 PM - 7 PM: Charge! TOKYOPOP and the Manga Revolution
7 PM - 8 PM: I Want My Anime TV! Behind the Scenes of The Anime Network
8 PM - 9 PM: Shin Chan: Undiluted

Saturday, 2/24
10 AM - 11 AM: Hadouken! A Bout with Manga Video
11 AM - 12 PM: American Anime Awards Pre-Game Show
12 PM - 1 PM: ADV Presents The Matt Greenfield Show
1 PM - 2 PM: Major Anime Announcement
2 PM - 3 PM: Go! Comi Takes Over the World
3 PM - 4 PM: VIZ Media Anime Explosion
4 PM - 5 PM: Anime Innovation: Groundbreaking Works Direct From Japan
5 PM - 6 PM: Robotech: The Shadow Chronicles - Cast and Crew Q&A
6 PM - 7 PM: The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya: The First Look
7 PM - 8 PM: Central Park Media and Be Beautiful Manga Celebrate 16 Years
8 PM - 9 PM: The Creepy, Spooky World of Japanese Horror with Author David Kalat

Sunday, 2/25
10 AM - 11 AM: What’s New at Newtype USA?
11 AM - 12 PM: Media Blasters: Old-School, New-School, and Everything In-Between
12 PM - 1 PM: The Making of a Del Rey Manga
1 PM - 2 PM: TOKYOPOP Authors and Artists Roundtable
2 PM - 3 PM: Banzai Bandai
3 PM - 4 PM: Read Different: The New York Comic Con Debut of Vertical Inc.
4 PM - 5 PM: Anime News Network Post-Game Show