Linus Lam's Coverage of AnimeExpo2000


Lights! Camera! Action! Let the AX2000 Masquerade begin! Emcee Darryl Hwang made sure the performances flowed along smoothly with class and a time limit. From a "Showdown at the Poke-Corral" Pokemon battle satire to a life-size Bonaparte "Tank Police" show, each of the skits averaged a couple of minutes in length and never let up on the comedic and musical talents the cosplayer contestants worked so hard on all year.

More highlights of the very stylish AX2000 Masquerade: Boy, "They've got some NERV!" juiced up the audience with their hilarious Evangelion spoof showing the mysterious black SEELE monoliths dancing to the tune of "Fly Me to the Moon." Two young girls as "Super Sailor Chibi Moon and Neo Princess Serenity" sparkled with cute dance and comedy. Japanese cosplayers came in full force with "Neo Princess Serenity vs. Queen Galaxia" followed by similar on-stage battles like Anything Goes School of Masquerade Arts' "Mononoke Mountain", "X, Drugs, and Rock n' Roll", "No Need for Tenchi", and Infornographic Cosplay's "Tales of Fantasia". "Return to Laputa" featured a family of cosplayers poking fun at Disney's purchase of the rights to the Laputa film. Sexy and voluptuous figures of the night greeted the crowd with Morrigan and Co. in "Vampires' Masquerade" and Sailor Uranus and Sailor Neptune kissing in "Star-crossed Lovers."

More highlights of the Masquerade evening: Female beauty and talent exhibitions rocked the audience with "Himiko-den Heavenly Talent Battle 2K," "Cosplay Review," and "Masquerade Institute of Alternate Reflections." "The Mirage Knights" from the Five Star Stories covered the technical spectrum with high-style uniforms and glossy battle armor. Absolutely a must-see spectacular event, so many fabulous entries made it hard for each Judge to choose the best of the best!	"We're looking for a few good Squalls, Zephyrs, Lunas, and Zells." The Dating Game made a hilarious comeback with Final Fantasy 8 female characters vying for the love of one eligible bachelor, and for those camera-happy people, the group offered a complimentary 5-second photo-op.
AX2000 Masquerade Award Winners Craftsmanship Awards: presented by David Ramsay Group Craftsmanship Honorable Mention: "Return to Laputa" Individual Craftsmanship Honorable Mention: "Card Captor Sakura" Best Construction Novice Division: "Dragon Slayers" Best Construction Master Division: "Mirage Knights" Judges' Choice Awards: presented by Walter Amos, Steven Lin, and Jerry Chu Honorable Mention: "Infornographic Cosplay" Honorable Mention: "Kanzaki Akari" Walter Amos' Award: "Macross Consortium" Steven Lin's Award: "Anything Goes School of Masquerade Arts" Jerry Chu's Award: "No Need For Tenchi" Official AX2000 Masquerade Awards: presented by emcee Darryl Hwang Best Child Award: "Super Sailor Chibi Moon and Neo Princess Serenity" Third Place Presentation: "They've Got Some NERV!" Second Place Presentation: "Vampires' Masquerade" Best Presentation: "Sailor Jamboree" Best of Show: "Return to Laputa"

	"Magical Knight Rayearth" featured a dance battle with Umi raving to "Blue", Hikaru grooving to pop classic "Burning," and Fuu clapping to a rather disturbing version of a young children's tune.

	Happy schoolgirls swung cheeky hips and derrières in "Two Heart Musume".

"Time to get your groove on and Bust a Move!" Dueling Kitties performed dancing battles to the well-known "Knife in the Blue" song!	The 8-member "Sailor Jamboree" group lighted up the stage with dazzling energy, glittery fashions, and super dance choreography as 5 Sailor Senshi battled 3 evil villains in true Sera Myu style.