Mizuumi-Con 5 is tomorrow (March 31, 2012) at scenic Our Lady of the Lake University and one of the special guests is the progressive trance DJ Sephi Hakubi. Sephi is also the Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and Multimedia Producer and Artist for [Read it all...]]]>

DJ Sephi Hakubi will be speaking and performing at Mizuumi-Con 5 Saturday, March 31, 2012.

Mizuumi-Con 5 is tomorrow (March 31, 2012) at scenic Our Lady of the Lake University and one of the special guests is the progressive trance DJ Sephi Hakubi. Sephi is also the Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and Multimedia Producer and Artist for Sushicrowd Entertainment. On the eve of the con, we put some questions to the multi-talented culture masher.

Tell us a little about the kind of music you perform.

While I’m DJing, my main genres are Progressive Trance and House with a mixture of Japanese Pop.  I’ve been a fan of Electronic Dance Music ever since my freshman year of high school (2000-2001), growing up in the South Florida area. Combining my growing passion for anime with Miami’s dance station Party 93.1, the two revolved around my entertainment world and I’ve been partying that way ever since. Currently my wife Rin Hakubi, my DJ peers Ryudo, Infam0us, and Sephiroth, and Club La Vela owner Totally Patrick, have been my biggest influences in the past five years and with the support of my peers, friends, and fans, I know I can continue to find a greater appreciation for Electronic Dance Music, and hopefully someday I will create something just as incredible for them to appreciate as well.

Is this your first time at Mizuumi-Con?

Mizuumi-Con 5 will indeed be my first Mizuumi-Con.  I heard about it for a while ever since I moved here to San Antonio back in May, 2011.  Just as I love the big cons like Kawaii Kon, Mechacon, and San Japan, I love the smaller cons just as much because I get to interact with the attendees in a more intimate setting.  I believe anime convention fans are the best fans in the world and I never forget that every con I go to that I am a part of that fandom, that universe.  Part of the reason why I film convention videos extensively is that I capture incredible memories, and I hope to experience and capture more memories at Mizuumi-Con as well as any future convention I appear at.

What events are you running at the con?

Besides filming the convention, I will be hosting a one-hour panel on Japanese Pop Music from 3PM – 4PM in the Orange Room.  I will be discussing the basics of traditional Japanese Music, J-Pop and J-Rock; as well as, show some of my favorite promotional videos from different Japanese music genres.  Then at 6PM I will be mixing the best in J-pop and Trance with Mizuumi-Con’s “mini-rave” for 2 hours, although there are rumors that I may be playing longer depending on how logistics go, but let’s hope we get lucky.

Tell us about the mini-rave? What makes it mini?

The “mini-rave” will take place at 6PM in the Orange Room. I’m not sure why it was called a mini-rave as I wasn’t the one who named it.  If I were to make an assumption, I’ve mentioned that Mizuumi-Con’s convention scale is appropriate for a close-knit gathering compared to a huge convention that may be too crowded to enjoy for folks looking for a more friendlier setting.  FAN:dom Con 2011, my last full-scale convention rave, had such an immense turnout that I was hearing the crowd with the music.  Mizuumi-Con may become a more modest dance party but we never know, we may surprise ourselves. I’m sure not going to try to make anything mini about it and just as with anything I do, I am going to give it my best shot because the fans deserve it; otherwise, I may be partying right along with the ravers.

People don’t typically think of J-Pop and Texas together. What’s the J-Pop scene like in San Antonio and beyond?

Not sure whether to say if it’s a good thing or bad thing, but just like most places, J-Pop has not become part of their American mainstream yet.  As I’ve mentioned, I recently moved to San Antonio back in May 2011, and it wasn’t until I attended San Japan and visiting message boards, Facebook pages, and anime shops like Ooples, that I started becoming a part of the local scene here.  Based on a lot of events that I have attended whether it was hosted by the convention, Ooples, or the anime fans themselves, I believe there is a strong J-pop fanbase here; however, it does take some community searching to find it.  I started working for the anime community when I was in Hawaii, and Japanese Pop culture was just everywhere.  When I moved to Fort Walton Beach, FL after Hawaii, it almost appeared non-existent, that is until I searched for nearby conventions and became a part of their message boards.  I would say my advice to Japanese Pop culture fans out there, if you think you’re lonely in the town you live in, check the internet for convention message boards or Facebook groups.  You never know that your next-door neighbor is into Gundam, Final Fantasy, and Malice Mizer.  As much as I like to see J-Pop part of mainstream culture, I hope that such a great thing doesn’t get spoiled as other things that may become way too popular.

If people like what they hear, where can we catch your next performance?

I occasionally play whenever Ooples has a major event but there isn’t one scheduled yet.  I’d say check Ooples’ Facebook page whenever an announcement is made.  For sure, I will be DJing at the AT&T Center for the Autism Walk taking place on April 14th where I will also join the San Antonio Cosplayers group.  Also for September 14th and 15th, I have been invited to perform at Edinburgh, TX for a new multi-fandom convention called RurouniKon.  It’s too soon for me to officially discuss details on it but from what I understand, this convention will be massive and I am really excited about it.  I hope to score some more gigs between then, especially for another awesome convention that takes place in San Antonio *winkwink*, but we’ll see what happens.

Best J-pop we need to hear?

Some traditional J-pop that I could recommend are Koda Kumi, Utada, Mika Nakashima, Nami Tamaki, Ayumi Hamasaki. Actually, if you can find and listen to the Above & Beyond Remix of “M” by Ayumi, I guarantee if you like J-pop and Trance, you’ll really love this tune as it’s a perfect combo of both.  I think I may be a bit biased towards the girls but I honestly do love their music. I feel that way with Korean Pop as well with artists like BoA, Bada, Lee Jung Hyun, and U;Nee (may she rest in peace).  Believe it or not, I love Japanese Rock music and I am a big fan of metal, progressive, and visual-style rock as well such as Psycho Le Cemu, Dir En Grey, Gackt, An Cafe, and Girugamesh.

What’s your favorite anime you watched this year?

Honestly, I’ve been so busy with school, work, and maintaining Sushicrowd that I’ve been a bit behind on anime; in addition, I miss the old school traditional style where it was about the action, artillery, giant robots, and buxom beauties.  If you can compare Outlaw Star to Lucky Star, you’ll see what I mean.  I want to say that my favorite that I’ve seen this past year was Soul Eater. I thought it had a great cast of characters and has a good level of campiness without getting to ridiculous or melodramatic.  On the other hand, despite what some folks might perceive as a rabid fanbase, I thought Hetalia: Axis Powers was the most hilarious thing I’ve seen recently. A lot of the jokes that are mentioned on that show have made my jaw drop in disbelief, especially since World History was one of my favorite subjects in high school.  A great title for those that are not too culturally sensitive.  As I knock out a lot of the stuff that’s keeping me busy, I’m trying to finish Yu Yu Hakusho until the end on Blu-Ray, then maybe pickup another classic title, but I’ll do what I can for this old fogie to keep up (I’m 25 by the way).

I love to stay in touch with other fans of Fandom culture.  Check out my websites sephihakubi.com and sushicrowd.com.  Also Like me on Facebook at www.facebook.com/SephiHakubi and follow me on Twitter: @SephiHakubi. Finally, watch all of my past experiences from over 20 conventions at youtube.com/Sushicrowd. See you all at Mizuumi-Con, and remember: “Don’t die crashing…LIVE SMASHING!!!”

Guests include voice actors Todd Haberkorn (Italy from [Read it all...]]]> The Mizuumi Animation Club at Our Lady of the Lake University will be hosting Saturday’s Mizuumi-Con 5 with lost of great family-friendly activities including cosplay, a video room, special guests, vendors, panels, gaming and some great music. The event is Saturday, March 31st, 2012 from 10:00 am to midnight.

Guests include voice actors Todd Haberkorn (Italy from Hetalia, Tsukune from Roasio+Vampire), Alexis Tipton (Moka from Roasio+Vampire, Mizuki from Baka and Test) and Brittney Karbowski (Yuri Nakamura in Angel Beats!, Black Star in Soul Eater). Musical guest will be Sephi Hakubi, progressive trance DJ and founder of Sushicrowd Entertainment. Sephi will be hosting a mini-rave starting at 6:00 pm. Marvel Comics artist Sam de la Rosa (Spider-Man and Venom!) will also be on hand.

Like Mizuumi-Con on Facebook and head down to the event Saturday for some great anime fun!

Get ready Anime fans, Mizuumi-Con 4 rolls in to Our Lady of the Lake University Saturday March 26, 2011. Yes, that’s tomorrow! This family-friendly event is packed with great activities and last year mre than 1,500 enthusiastic Otaku were on hand to enjoy the fun. Naturally OLLU’s Mizuumi Anime Club [Read it all...]]]>

Assembling Mizuumi-Con Welcome Packets

Get ready Anime fans, Mizuumi-Con 4 rolls in to Our Lady of the Lake University Saturday March 26, 2011. Yes, that’s tomorrow! This family-friendly event is packed with great activities and last year mre than 1,500 enthusiastic Otaku were on hand to enjoy the fun. Naturally OLLU’s Mizuumi Anime Club is preparing for even more this year. Head out to The Lake any time between 10:00 AM and Midnight to enjoy this celebration of anime, manga, cosplay and other aspects of Japanese culture.

Inspired by the recent natural disasters in Japan, the con organizers donated some of last year’s proceeds to the Red Cross and are collecting funds at the event for additional support for the Japanese people who have been displaced from their homes.

If you don’t already have tickets, you can get them at the University Wellness and Activites Center (UWAC) for just $15 for the full day of exciting and varied activities. Children under 7 are free.

There will be Ramen

Mizuumi-Con 4 features a wide variety of guests including voice and screen actors Cristina Vee (Magical Girl Lyrical Nanoha, Rozen Maiden, The Familiar of Zero and Aika R-16), Jessie Flower (Toph Bei Fong in the animated television series Avatar: The Last Airbender, Finding Nemo, Spider Man 2, Son of the Mask, Kronk’s New Groove and The Emperor’s New School), Jack De Sena (Sokka in the animated Avatar: The Last Airbender, All That, Dorm Life), Mark Allen, Jr. (Pendant Audio’s Genesis Avalon and Seminar, Mac Ha’s Endless Blue, and CJ Workshop’s Obscurity) and Samantha Inoue-Harte (Blade of the Phantom Master, Final Fantasy: Unlimited, Pumpkin Scissors, Samurai X, Grindhouse, Sin City, Idiocracy, A Scanner Darkly, Lilo & Stitch 2: Stitch Has A Glitch and lots more). The fire dancing troupe Nocturnal Sol will also be on hand.

Activities include Anime Dating Game, Artist Alley Annex & Vendor Room, Avatar Q & A, Calligraphy panel, Chigiri E, Contra Dancing, Cosplay competitions, Cosplay Chess, Cosplay and Costuming Panel, Glow Panel, Karaoke, The Online Otaku Panel, Radioplays & Audiodramas panel, Story Development Panel, SuperFunTime! with Jack and Jessie, Voice Acting Q & A and a Washi Egg Panel.

This looks to be a fun-filled event so don an anime-inspired costume (or not) and head down to Our Lady of the Lake University for a suge good time.

The Mizuumi-Con 4 convention takes place Saturday, March 26, at Our Lady of the Lake University, bringing San Antonio a dose of anime fandom, [Read it all...]]]>

Patrick Lloyd, second from right, shows off the Mizuumi-Con 4 logo. Also in the picture (left to right): club sponsor Darrell Hoberer and club members Chris Pagonis and Victoria Wixon.

The Mizuumi-Con 4 convention takes place Saturday, March 26, at Our Lady of the Lake University, bringing San Antonio a dose of anime fandom, cosplay and Japanese culture.

OLLU’s Mizuumi Anime Club sponsors the annual, family friendly event, which attracts hundreds of fans from as far away as El Paso and Dallas. With four well-attended cons under its belt, we figured it was time to catch up with club president Patrick Lloyd and get the inside scoop on San Antonio’s burgeoning anime scene.

If you’re interested in attending Mizuumi-Con 4, pre-registration ticket prices are only $12, and online pre-registration runs until March 23. Tickets also are available at the event.

What is the name of OLLU’s anime club, and how long has it been around? How long have you been doing Mizuumi-Con?

We are the Mizuumi Anime Club, a recognized student organization at Our Lady of the Lake University since 2003, and with this Convention, the club will have sponsored four Mizuumi-Cons. Personally, this is my second Mizuumi-Con as staff, but I’ve been a student for three years at the Lake.

How has the anime/cosplay scene in Texas and San Antonio evolved over the years? How does it stack up against clubs and cons in other parts of the country?

With A-Kon in North Texas, where I actually hail from, and San Japan, here in San Antonio, and other Anime Clubs throughout the state, the anime scene has improved immensely over the last decade. As for the rest of the nation, I believe the southwestern United States is catching up to the bigger conventions in size and quality. Soon, all of us will be on the same level.

What kind of attendance are you expecting at this year’s convention? From how far away do visitors travel?

Last year, we had 1,500 people on campus, and we’re always aiming for more. I personally want to see 2,000 attendees! As for travel, I know people travel from El Paso and the Rio Grande Valley to attend, and I’m guessing that others travel from at least Austin and Dallas. If any non-Texans pop up, come find me! I’d like to say, “Hi!”

What new features at this year’s Mizuumi-Con are worth noting?

We have a few new panels, alongside new guests. This year, our headliners are Jessie Flower and Jack De Sena, the voice actors for Toph and Sokka, respectively, from “Avatar: The Last Airbender.” We also have Cristina Vee and Mark Allen Jr. coming in to present panels on their various areas of expertise.

Why do you think anime and cosplay continue to gain fans in the U.S?

There is no one reason, but we keep going because it is fun and lets us all geek out with other geeks.

Obviously, the disaster in Japan is weighing heavily on most of us right now. Are members of the anime/cosplay community taking it especially hard?

I think everyone is taking the events that took place pretty hard, and like the rest of the nation the anime community is trying to find out how we can help, the Mizuumi Anime Club has already put a donation towards the Red Cross’ relief efforts, and we’re working to see if we can help beyond that.

Where do you see the anime/cosplay scene community going in the future?

Up. We’re still growing and still going. We’re on Mizuumi-Con 4, and with any luck there will be a Mizuumi-Con 40!

This past weekend I took the family out to Our Lady of the Lake University on the shore of Lake Elmendorf in San Antonio’s near west side to enjoy [Read it all...]]]>

Clockwise from top left: Japanese eggs, Andy Anderson's Fighting Generica Art, just one of many cosplayers, steampunk optical gear, origami demonstration (photographs by Soren Vaughn)

This past weekend I took the family out to Our Lady of the Lake University on the shore of Lake Elmendorf in San Antonio’s near west side to enjoy the sites, sounds and people of Mizuumi-Con 3. Put on by OLLU’s Mizuumi Anime Club, the con drew a large active crowd of anime, manga and video game fans. The turnout was great, with a registration line well out of the building and a steady stream of new attendees throughout the day. Many, many people were decked out in costume which lent a fun, frivolous air to the event.

The opening ceremonies, while sincere, were underwhelming. The best part was the the introduction of the guests, mainly the utterly charming artist Valerie Lynn Aguilar, winner of the badge art contest. Aguilar, a student at St. Phillip’s College, explained how this was the first time she had won something like this, that she loved seeing her art on all the badges and that she was floored that people could “buy my chibis on a thong!”

We enjoyed screenings of several anime features including new favorite S.O.S. Brigade. Carey Martell‘s documentary Cosplayers: The Movie was an interesting look at the cosplay subculture, capturing some of the energy of the people involved. I felt that the film lost some focus at the end, degenerating into more of an explanation of the woes of the anime industry, but overall it was a good, insightful piece. Otaku Hell with Spike and Maria was a rollicking fun time hosted by a candy-throwing naughty nurse and video-playing ninja. The show alternated between choice web and anime video clips and goofy contests. The dealers room was well stocked with artists, toys, manga and anime. Plenty of things to look at and buy. I even ran into my old friend Grego Hernandez, proprietor of Bean Pot Toiz.

Other festivities included a Japanese flute recital, Japanese egg making demonstrations, origami lessons, a Twitter-based scavenger hunt, karaoke and a steady stream of J-POP videos with only a mild Rickroll interruption. You can catch some video reports of the con from guests, including Kyle Hebert on the impressive Mizuumi Con line and Random on Contra Dancing.

Even through we did not stick around for the later events including cosplay skits and musical performances, this was a fun con and the Mizuumi Anime Club did a great job pulling it off. This was the third year of the con and organizer Darrell Hoberer noted that they combined the best of what worked in the previous two years for this event. I look forward to seeing what they distill from this one next year’s con.

The Mizuumi Anime Club presents Mizuumi-Con 3 Saturday, February 27th 2010 at Our Lady of the Lake University. Guests include anime voice actor Kyle Hebert (Street Fighter IV, Naruto, Bleach, Dragonball Z), anime actor/producer/director Samantha Inoue-Harte (Final Fantasy Unlimited, New Fist of the Northstar, The [Read it all...]]]>

Mizuumi-Con 3: Art by contest winner Valerie Lynn Aguilar

The Mizuumi Anime Club presents Mizuumi-Con 3 Saturday, February 27th 2010 at Our Lady of the Lake University. Guests include anime voice actor Kyle Hebert (Street Fighter IV, Naruto, Bleach, Dragonball Z), anime actor/producer/director Samantha Inoue-Harte (Final Fantasy Unlimited, New Fist of the Northstar, The Princess Blade) and teacher/rapper/hero Random (aka Mega Ran, Big Ran or Random Beats).

Ticket prices are only $12 at the door and registration opens at 10:00 AM Saturday. There will vendor and artist tables aplenty. Head on out to enjoy cosplay, anime, video games and much more. Festivities are all day, from 10:00 AM to Midnight.

Mizuumi Anime Club at Our Lady of the Lake University is a Recognized Student Organization now in its 6th year of existence. The club’s mission statement is “to promote a better understanding of the Japanese culture through various styles of media, art, and technology”. The club meets most Friday evenings at 5:30pm, and guests are welcome to attend.