Genvid contributor Yoshimoon attended the Animazement 2008 Mitsuishi Kotono panel and came back with this video of a "live dubbing" of Sailor Moon.

Guest Writer: Cordelia LeFay 

One of my students (Codename: Neko), invited me to a local "con." I say con, but it really more of an artist fair plus cosplayers.

The con was near Heian Shrine and as we walked up, Neko told me that all the Japanese people with rolling suitcases were "eventeers." (I taught her the word "con goer." )
It was only until later that I realize how convenient that really is---you see, summer in Kyoto is pretty unbearable. The unbearable combination of heat and humidity makes a vacation in Hell seem preferable! Anyway, if you are not carrying a backpack, you have no burden for your shoulders and no sweaty back!

When we arrived at the convention center, we got to skip to the front of the line because we were "circle members"---all of her friends there are artists, so for my very first time, I manning an artist table! Awesome!

There were several differences between this con and the Canadian and American conventions I’ve been to. For example, when I grabbed the con program, I was surprised to discover that I was supposed to pay for it! Then the cosplay. It cost me 500 Yen ($4.00) to wear my costume. We didn't do anything more than walk around in our costumes! Perhaps it helps pay for renting the room?  You also couldn’t leave the room wearing your costume. Finally, at 2:45pm, all the cosplayers had to take off their costumes. Talk about doing things as a group!

I decided to cosplay as School Girl Miaka from Fushigi Yugi. I headed off to change and I was a little surprised at the changing area. It was just a blocked off area of the room where everyone changed out in the open. Normally I wouldn't be so shy, but I had no idea if there were guys in the room too. Regardless, there were definitely several girls cross-playing as boys! When I got back to the table, Neko’s artist friend, (Codename: Shin) totally swooned when I appeared. She said that it made her want to cosplay Tamahome!

I also met two other artist friends (Codenames: Kanan and Aruku). Kanan's real name is Yoko Ono; I kid you not! She said that it's a common name. Aruku was also very cute--she had short black hair, wore glasses, a blue frilly shirt with a pretty, but clashing pink necklace. She had a big white hat too; she reminded me of Ami from Sailormoon (Kanan seemed very Makoto-esque, while Shin reminded me of Haruka). A common thing to do is to ask the artists for free pictures—it helps them “practice” apparently. You have to say, “Sukebu onegaishimasu!” to receive a picture. Aruku drew me an anime version of Harry Potter, Kanan drew Soi Fong from Bleach and Shin drew me a picture of School Girl Miaka!

At this con, you could only take pictures of cosplayers in the cosplay picture taking area; apparently this was to ward of creepy men. Besides Neko and Shin, only one other person to ask for my picture. Although I didn't mind, I knew people would be too shy to ask me. However, I can assure you *everyone* in that room noticed me! I could hear their "Miaka desu....kawaii" whispers!

Anyway, the “other person” who took my picture was an older gentleman. He came up to the art table, all tickled pink to see me. He was all, "Pretty....more beautiful than the picture." I said, "Thank you." He handed us a slip of paper, and I asked Neko what it was. She started to explain, "It's a name card...he's a little...." but before she finished, I interrupted her with, "Kimoi??" (Creepy). She laughed at that.  He came back again later, asking for my picture which I agreed to. He was nice and polite, so I wasn't worried that he would kidnap me later.

Surprisingly, some of the Japanese people at the con didn't know who I was cosplaying—well, they had to think about it. I guess it shouldn’t be surprising, Fushigi Yugi *is* over 10 years old. However, it did make me think about how certain anime is much more popular in the states and how fleeting the anime industry is. For example, most people were cosplaying from Gundam Seed. However, I *did* see a Sailor Uranus cosplayer, but sadly, she disappeared before I could take a picture of her!

After the con, we all went to a nearby cafe to have some food; Neko and I had green tea soft serve ice cream. During which, Shin asked me what anime I recommend---I asked, "American or Japanese." She said Japanese! I suppose this is a fair question, there is a lot of anime out there! Neko is always surprised at the anime I know---although I'm not sure if this is "OMG You can use chopsticks!!!!" amazement or genuine amazement. After we finished, I bid them farewell along the Kamogawa (the Kamo River) where I sat writing some letters on my new beautiful stationary!

Con Damage:

5 AWESOME packets of stationary
1 double piercing with chain earring with crosses
1 Kotsubu Panda bookmark
3 postcards
1 card holder made with traditional patterned cloth

Guest Column by Cordelia LeFay

Hello everyone! Cordelia LeFay here with your Sailor Moon Spot! It’s been a dry few months, so you can imagine my delight when I found this “textbook” example! I work in Japan as an English teacher and was copying the materials for a lesson for my teenagers when I found ‘Sailor Moon’ on one of the dittos.

In class, my teenagers had no idea who Sailor Moon was, so I was all prepared to whip up a drawing of our favorite lunar warrior when I used the Japanese pronunciation ‘sera muun.’ With that, they all gave me an “oh” of recognition! I was a little surprised they knew of Sailor Moon, but I suppose they would have been at the right target audience.

But that’s not all folks! When that Sailor Moon craving hits you, why not just make a spot of your own? That’s what I did—thankfully I had an educational excuse too!

In my adventures in studying Japanese, I’ve found that the Sailor Senshi has helped me remember the days of the week. For example, the word for the planet Venus is kinsei, with kin meaning gold. Friday in Japanese is kinyoubi. So guess who is my featured senshi for Friday? Sailor Venus! Moreover, it’s a great way to remember the English equivalent—Friday comes from the Norse Goddess of Love and Beauty, Freyja. Of course, that goes over the heads of my kids, but they still seem fascinated by the brightly colored senshi regardless.

Til next time! Ja ne!

The Japanese Cultural Affairs Agency (which belongs to the larger Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports and Technology) recently released the results of two polls it held last year. Here's a summary of what the survey is about (translation my own):

Guest article by Cordelia LeFay 

My co-worker and I ventured to the Toys R Us in Minami-Hikone for some kids’ games for our students. Out of the corner of my eye, I noticed some Card Captor dresses and I figured I would investigate. Among the Card Captor and Pretty Cure dresses, I found Sailor Luna! It was on sale for 3000 Yen (about $28). I was tempted to buy one for a friend’s daughter, but I didn’t.

I visited the Tokyo International Anime Fair today. It was big, bright, and noisy, and I have photos for you from it.

Guest column by Cordelia LeFay 

Recently, I went to the Kyoto International Manga Museum. Unfortunately, I have this nasty habit of walking in the exact opposite direction of where I want to go, but luckily, I found a map and corrected myself. ^_^

From Jay: We have a pair of guest updates today by two readers living in Japan. Before we get to those, though, I wanted to mention two other things readers sent in on a similar theme of Sailor Moon references. First, reader Yatenkaiouh links us to this product which has a morph that looks curiously similar to Sailor Venus on the cover. Second, Yoshimoon sent this image from Shin Megami Tensei Devil Summoner. He notes, "After investigating a haunted hill called Kurisu-zaka in Ginza learn that the ghost appears during a full moon. When you arrive there during a full moon a ghost car attacks you, angered that you are messing with it. Before engaging it it says "In the name of the Full Moon I will punish you!""

I'd like to wish our readers a happy and healthy new years. As we move into 2007 we'll continue to update here at Genvid with the latest Sailor Moon-related news and happenings around the world.

Earlier today I attended the 71st Comic Market, the bi-annual doujinshi sales event that has become the major event of the Japanese otaku's year, and the largest comic book marketplace in the world. Occurring once in August and once in December, hundreds of thousands(!!) of Japanese fans of video games, anime, manga, sci-fi, and more descend upon the Tokyo Big Sight in Odaiba, a convention center on the man-made island in the center of Tokyo Bay that the Rainbow Bridge connects to. (And if you don't know what I'm talking about when I mention those places, you should pick up a copy of Warriors of Legend already.)

On Saturday December 23rd I went with Onur, Brad from MoonKitty, and Cordelia LeFay from the Genvid forums to the Milky Theatre Group's Sailor Moon Musical Christmas Dance Review show in  Yokohama, a production by Sailor Moon Musical fans.

A photo of the playbill. (I don't have a scanner so this was the best I could do.)