Cel Shaded Jason Yadao

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Kawaii Kon gets roomier for 2007

Ever since Kawaii Kon wrapped up three somewhat cramped days at the Ala Moana Hotel in April, next year's location of Hawaii's only anime convention has been a mystery.

Several locations were tossed around in discussions at the closing ceremony and on the Kawaii Kon online message boards. The Hilton Hawaiian Village. The Hawaii Convention Center. The Ala Moana Hotel in tandem with the convention center. The Atkinson YMCA (in jest only, of course).

Well, the news is out ... and sorry to disappoint those of you who wanted to park a giant robot in the YMCA pool, but the official home of Kawaii Kon 2007, to be held April 27-29, is the convention center.

People like me who loved the freshly remodeled Ala Moana Hotel rooms this year (hooray for flat panel TVs and in-room refrigerators and microwaves!) will be pleased to know that the hotel remains the official convention hotel. Sure, it's now a further walk to events, but think of it as an opportunity to get some exercise and show off those pretty costumes to people driving along Atkinson Drive.

A three-day pass is available online for $30 ($20 for ages 6-13); for more information or to preregister, visit www.kawaii-kon.org ...

More anime love

This week's winning Anniversary Giveaway entries come from the Yanagihara sisters of Honolulu, who took different approaches in answering the question, "Why do you love anime and / or manga?"

Younger sister Jenni, 15, wrote: "Anime and manga brings many people together. Sitting in a room with friends that share the same interest, there is never a dull moment."

Robyn, 19, waxed poetic:

With stories of modern life to mystic lore,
Entertainment isn't hard to find anymore;
There's anime and manga on every subject,
But alas! College budget!