Linus Lam's Coverage of AnimeExpo2000

Panels! Panels! Panels! More panels than you can shake a stick at and then some! AX2000 offered a huge four-day weekend variety of panels galore featuring many esteemed Guests of Honor, noted fans, and industry representatives from as far as Japan all heading healthy discussions on various exciting anime and manga-related topics ranging from new shows, fan activities, industry follow-ups, historical perspectives, and other forms of fan entertainment lasting well into the night. Packed full of attendees, every single panel or activity offered something to learn from, whether you were into the discussion subject or not, as shown below with a brief description of each session.

AnimeExpo2000
Saturday Panels Gallery 4


The crowded focus panel for Ms. Yu Watase (center) speaking on issues involving Watase's latest work Ayashi No Ceres as well as touching base on the very popular Fushigi Yuugi that many female fan groups have come to adore.

Pioneer Entertainment panel announced upcoming titles, answered technical concerns, and took audience feedback on preferred anime shows.	Hana Yori Dango panel, moderated by Marisa Price, showed top favorite clips of the show and later discussed the relationships of the main characters and the most interesting episodes.

ADV Films panel announced future products, plans, and took audience feedback on its aggressive push towards giving the mainstream audience more quality anime.	The Blue Submarine focus panel featured Guests of Gonzo Studios, (left to right) Mr. Takuhito Kusanagi (monster character designer), Mr. Range Murata (character designer), and Mr. Mahiro Maeda (director and illustrator). Discussion involved show production utilizing integration of computer graphics and traditional cel works, story, and show secrets.

Legend of Galactic Heroes panel featured the legendary saints of anime, Mr. Yukio Kikukawa (center) and Mr. Noboru Ishiguro (right), who spoke about the latest episodes of the long running show, upcoming movies, and other future plans.