Isle anime club marks birthday in Waikiki

Oahu Anime Explorer turns 1 year old this month, and it's party time! To celebrate, the local anime club is taking its show(s) on the road to a suite at the Sheraton Waikiki on Saturday, starting at 3 p.m.

Scheduled from 6 p.m. are screenings of episodes from "Twin Spica," "Honey and Clover," "Capeta," "The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya" and "Black Lagoon."

A winner also will be chosen for the club's monthly trivia challenge. This month's question: "In 'Kikaider, the Animation,' the three Kikaiders -- Kikaider, 01, and Double 'O' -- have distinct change sequences based on certain elements. What are the elements, and why are those elements chosen to represent each one?"

A dinner outing and karaoke time at GS Studios are also planned. For more information or to find out the room number on Saturday, call 386-3766 or visit oahuanimeexplorer.com...

Since it's Oahu Anime Explorer's birthday, this week's selection of winning Anniversary Giveaway entries features club members' responses to the contest question, "What do you love the most about anime and/or manga?"

President Kell Komatsubara wrote: "Anime is a magical place where anything goes. You never know what can happen in its world of make believe, and often leaves you a little smarter than you were before it started."

Secretary/treasurer Pam Verrey wrote: "I love anime and manga as a great window into Japanese culture, with fun, imaginative stories not limited by budget or technology."

And Lia Rodriguez -- who, in a fortunate coincidence, also won Oahu Anime Explorer's first trivia contest last month -- offered a list: "Pretty boys. Hyper girls. Mucho weapons. Heart-wrenching angst. Laugh-'til-you-pee comedy. Neck-snapping fights Creepy mystery. Shojo plots. Shonen action. And much, much more!"

Cel Shaded, a look at the world of Japanese anime and manga, appears every Monday. Reach Jason S. Yadao at jyadao@starbulletin.com