June 30, 2001

I went to Megamall to go to the Cosplay Manila 2001. Yes, people, it's anime-related once again. I'm not going to describe it too much because I'll put that version in BecFiction or in the anime section later. Anyways, the main organizer was ArtFarm Asia. There were only a few booths, IMO, but those "few" booths were enough to keep you busy. Actually, I think I had more fun today than the past AnimeCon because, in the past AnimeCon in November, not all was anime-related, so the only time the people became really excited was when Yuu Watase-sensei and the other mangaka arrived...

Anyways, let's get back to the main topic. The main attraction now is the cosplay. For those who don't know, cosplay is short for costume play meaning an event where people go into costumes and act as their corresponding characters. the winner of the cosplay is the one who played Edea of Final Fantasy VIII (WAAAH!!! *samba samba*) And she was DESERVING. The costume was exactly what you see in FF8, plus she got the facial expression just perfect (not that the cosplayer was REALLY a snob/emotionless by nature. I saw her talking with the GMA people and she seemed normal^_^). I'll try to post a pic of her when I get one. Also, there were bishies! "Bishy", people, is most usually used as short for "bishounen" meaning GWAPO (actually higher than the average gwapo) but in this case, I mean it for bishounen and bishoujo (meaning "beautiful girl"). As in. GMA7 covered the whole event, so I think you can watch it there...I just don't know when.

Aside from that, was the reason why I acutally went. The CCCom (Culture Crash Comics) fighters (as in artists) graced the event, promoting Culture Crash as a whole, and their newest work, Issue 5.5. I was surprised when I found out that they were selling that, together with the back issues at 70 bucks per ish! For a minute there I wished I hadn't bought the other issues the minute they came out. Anyways, we (Ame-chan and I) got the artists to sign our copies, plus my posters, plus we got pictures with them (Ame-chan! penge kopya!!!) plus we got them to draw for us (Ame-chan! penge din kopya!!!) The ish itself is cool (and downright HILARIOUS. *sugod, mga kapatid!!!*), and I recommend you guys to buy it. REALLY. It's worth the 85 bucks. I mean, if it were 100 bucks, I'd still buy it (granted that I have money at the time). It's also actually thicker in my opinion. It's a really good and amusing read. Here's the scan of the cover, plus a scene from this issue's Pasig episode (or version, rather). One of my favorites, really. That's Mina and Dante, for those who don't know. Guys, let's patronize our own products (funny coming from me, ne?), and buy CCCom!!!

I had so much fun (I think I had TOO much fun) in the Con, considering I only spent 3 hours there. Right now, I'm hypoenergetic (if there's such a word) because of my overactivity at the con...anyway, as I said, I won't elaborate as much. For those who wish to buy this issue, I'm sorry but you can't...yet. CCCom Ish 5.5 will be vailable nationwide by next week. Of course, it's still worth 85 bucks (even thought it IS thicker, IMO...wait, I'll count the pages...)

*Click on the thumbnails to see the orgignal pic. The cover is 28 K, and the Mina-Dante one is 29 K. The Mina-Dante thumbnail is actually just a part of the page that I scanned. Click on the thumbnail to see half of the page (you can see there why they're that close). For a more thorough review on Ish 5.5 (or even back issues) and other CCCom goodies and info, visit Ame-chan's site: