The first midwest anime convention was held in Chicago, Illinois the weekend of April 3-5, 1998. It was a lot of fun, and I'm already planning (and saving money!) for next year's convention. Check out the Anime Central Homepage for more details.
One of my favorite anime shows is Fushigi Yuugi, created by Watase Yuu. The manga is 18 volumes long, and the 52-episode tv series covered the first 13 volumes. Miaka and Yui are junior high girls who are pulled into a world existing within a book entitled Universe of the Four Gods. Each of them becomes the miko for a country, which results in the two of them opposing each other. With the help of seven shichiseishi, Miaka and Yui desperately work to succeed in calling their mythical animal god. One of the so-called villians is one that I adore. Please take a look at my webshrine to Nakago.
My other current favorite anime is the Vision of Escaflowne. Hitomi Kanzaki is a girl from Earth, known as the Phantom Moon to the residents of the world Gaea. Vaughn Fanel is the young king of Fanellia who becomes her friend and whom she accompanies in his quest to reclaim his kingdom. Someone has put together a beautiful image gallery consisting of only Vaughn.
I am currently in the process of watching Kimagure Orange Road. It's a very funny show. I wonder how Kyousuke Kasuga can be such a dork at times, but I like him. One of my new year's resolutions is to be like in Madoka Ayukawa in strength, music, and knowledge. She's a kick-ass character, literally.
Tokyo Pop used to be a Japanese anime import store, but now concentrates on English-translated manga and amerimanga. Viz Communications is also a source for English translations and other items.
If you like Japanese anime, join the Japanese Anime Club at the University of Illinois every week in watching some totally cool shows.
If you have a favorite anime that you would like to suggest as something I should watch, please let me know by email.