AnimeNYC '23: DAMN!!!
Joseph Watkins Da Watcha
NYC, the city that never sleeps. Within this famed city are places where gatherings of cultures are able to express themselves. Many places within the 5 boroughs can do this, but not on the level that the Jacob Javitz Center can provide. Here, these walls have hosted multiple conventions showcasing various cultures—from entrepreneurship to car shows, particular event gatherings, and my personal favorite: cosplay, comic books, and video games. For AnimeNYC, their contribution to the famed halls is the spirit of anime, bringing together enthusiasts from all walks of life to celebrate the diverse and imaginative world of Japanese culture.
November's much-celebrated AnimeNYC convention has arrived with full force, marking a significant milestone for Leftfield Media. They survived the pandemic, and their love of anime still holds strong. Reflecting on their journey since their humble beginnings in 2017, this small group of creators, formerly associated with New York Comic Con, has truly exemplified the spirit of perseverance and innovation within the pop culture space.
From its inception, Leftfield Media harbored a visionary goal: to create a unique space within the competitive world of conventions, focusing specifically on the vibrant realm of anime in NYC and the world of comics, movies, and pop culture with AwesomeCon, located in Washington, DC. Their dedication to this vision has been unwavering, and over the years, they have diligently worked toward achieving their goal of providing a distinctive and immersive experience for pop culture enthusiasts. As such, they also have Anime Frontier located in Fort Worth, Texas and Rose City Comic Con located in Portland, Oregon.
Leftfield Media's creator Peter Tatara and staff, fueled by their passion for pop culture, have curated an anime event that not only captures the essence of anime/manga pop culture but also stands out as a testament to their commitment, transforming Anime NYC into a renowned gathering that attracts anime lovers from far and wide to celebrate the anime culture…
...and honestly, I haven’t been here in about two years. Last time I attended was in ’21. Duties and obligations took hold of me and prevented me from attending, yet fortune favored me this year and I was able to attend this festival of Japanese-based pop culture.
Show Floor
The show floor has expanded. Literally. Initially covering only 1/3 of the main floor in 2018, the passion for anime has grown over the years with a grander artist alley, meet-and-greet sessions with voice actors, pop culture merchandise designers, and, of course, the industry heavyweights. Viz Media, Crunchyroll, Aniplex, and numerous other companies occupied their unique spaces—a home unto themselves—like universes among the planets....and I the Silver Surfer, searching for the unknown, the hidden gems within them.
I always like to find the undiscovered hidden charms amongst the players: The indie artists, the colorful and the bold, those that are willing to showcase the best and brightest. They’re the reason why cons like these are still functioning and thriving. In my opinion, they are the lifeblood of these ecosystems.
Fashion Finds.
In the vast sea of anime fashion, there are few brands that implement their 'domain expansions' over their booths. To me, it feels like a victory against the mainstream. Anime-inspired styles can take on many forms with their rebellious hues, unique patterns, and iconic characters. Some people can create a wardrobe that serves as a canvas for their favorite anime stories, blending colors and expressions with distinctive fashion statements. From streetwear to the unconventional, many designers get inspired by anime and create brands all their own, unique, and exclusive.
Madness and Company
Located in Georgia, the company, independently designed and developed by Kenneth and Indyasia Fowler, dropped some serious gear for patrons. From pins to varsity jackets, each article of clothing comes in a variety of colors, ranging from black and whites to neon tones. One of their standout characters, a robot known as the King of Punches, pays homage to the mecha anime genre. This slightly faded figure, decorated with an X-Ray pattern, adds a touch of retro futurism to the mix. With its nod to classic mecha aesthetics and a hint of vintage charm in the X-Ray motif, the shirt is a wearable piece of art that blends the best of anime nostalgia and modern street style.
Designers Kenneth and Indyasia Fowler
What also caught my eye was their signature varsity jacket. Rocking a modern vibe, this varsity jacket kicks it up a notch with deep brown sleeves that pop against a sleek, dark black base. The game-changer? Colorful lantern emblems bring in a cool Japanese vibe. For me, it's more than just a jacket; it's a seamless blend of classic and contemporary style, geared to catch eyes in the urban scene, all while embracing the influence of Japanese anime fashion.
Madness and Company offer an excellent array of clothing choices to choose from. They are definitely worth checking out.
BlerdTM
The global brand BLERDTM took stage at AnimeNYC as they showcased their colorful fashion, an infusing of anime aesthetics with customized Blerd characters. For this company, it's not just about a clothing line; they embody a vibrant pop culture movement—a bold statement marked by an explosive display of colors for all to wear.
With each stitch, BLERD becomes a canvas for shared cultural tales, seamlessly bridging the gap between their love of anime and Black representation. One character that resonated with me was their Blerd fighter tee that emphasized 'Battle Skills.' Portraying, both a warrior and nerd, this shirt signifies that you can embrace nerdiness, be stylish, and wield power simultaneously.
The fashion brand BLERD embodies the spirit of a movement that defies conventional fashion norms, emerging not just as a brand but as a cultural trailblazer. Their unique anime-inspired style has ignited a cultural movement that has connected with individuals, such as myself, who delight in the convergence of anime, pop culture, and Blerd fashion.
Patrons
Aside from the indie brands, patrons rocked some great, one-of-a-kind anime fashions, transforming the convention halls into a vibrant runway of creativity.
Cosplayers, Content Creators, Great Humans
At AnimeNYC, major content creators from diverse areas of the world showcased their exceptional talent and cosplay. Armed with dedicated followers, these impressive cosplayers illuminated the con floors with their hard work and tenacity demonstrating that the cornerstone to becoming both a successful creator and an impressive cosplayer lies in hard work and consistency. Shoutout to these creatives as they continue to do the great work of entertaining and representing their love of pop culture:
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NightLife – Plus Ultra Entertainment.
Comic Con afterparties continue to pop off for the creative community and Anime NYC led me to party with Plus Ultra Entertainment. Fans, cosplayers, and enthusiasts gathered to celebrate their shared passion for anime and Japanese pop culture in one of the liveliest establishments in NYC: HK Hall
Renowned artists, including DJ DetailZ, Shamkid, ShaoDow, and the ITSF-Collective, graced the stage, treating the audience to an unforgettable experience with their captivating performances and hits. From twerking to freestyling, each artist provided the audience a lasting impression and memorable moments that many will remember for days to come.
DJ Detailz (Above) & ShaoDow (Below)
As the crowd grew in size, many cosplayers were present supporting and rocking their iconic characters and having the time of their lives. I also would like to give a shoutout to Jandora_Box_Botique as her cosplay is always on 100.
AnimeNYC has cemented itself as the premier location for all things anime and manga, and as the convention continues to grow in size, it has now moved to August and gained total control of the entire Javits Center—and rightfully so. I'll never forget the convention's humble beginnings as it first started in a particular wing of the Javitz Center.
Now, 5-6 years later, it occupies the entire building.
Salute.
The convention's expansion to the entire Javitz Center signifies more than just a physical footprint; it symbolizes the widening embrace of Japanese-based culture. AnimeNYC is not merely an event—it's a celebration, a meeting ground for fans to share their passion and explore the ever-evolving landscape of anime. The move to August, strategically aligning with the peak of summer, brings a warmth that mirrors the community's boundless enthusiasm, and I can't wait to embrace AnimeNYC yet again.... this time with Summer Vibes.
Fin.
