Anime Expo 2002 is a tireless effort to celebrate all that is glorious in the land of anime and manga and the events were by no means stretched thin or held back. This year AX went all out to give the fans nearly everything they could possibly want and more. The menu included seiyuu concerts, dinner gatherings, huge presentation theaters, classy industry awards, and a whole bunch of fan-friendly Guests of Honor to party through the weekend.

Anime Expo 2002
 Main Events 1

It's Day One on Thursday July 4th, 2002, and Anime Expo 2002 opened up to a delightful Ramen and Rice on the violin and cello, Yoko Ishida and her dance troupe performing Para Para Max dance routines to the tune of many anime songs, videos from Japan Bee Studios and its hardworking staff, Puffy Ami Yumi, lovely Maria Kawamura joining in with Naga's theme song from Slayers, complete with Naga's classic laugh, and Nippon Engineering College's elite group of students along with Akira Kamiya doing a quick demonstration with clips from Galaxy Angels in preparation for the long weekend ahead!

 

 
J-Rock fans rejoice!  Friday was the ultimate J-Rock day as a packed room proved a wide and growing interest in the medium and AX2002 was host to an excellent lineup of J-Rock Masquerade, panels, contests, and a whole lot more!
Awards and more awards!  Presented here:  
AX2002 Anime Music Video Awards:
Best of Show: Silent Lucidity - Anthony Bennett
Best of Drama: Silent Lucidity - Anthony Bennett
Best of Action/Adventure: Chemicals - Daniel Araujo
Best of Comedy: A complete waste of 6min 35sec - Troy Williams
Best of Just for Fun: Shameless Rock Video - Ian Roberts

And even more are presented in their respective sections: Karaoke, Art Show and Modeling, and Masquerade!
 Charity Auction: This year's AX2002 was host to the Gallery of Fantastic Art: The GoFA 9/11 Charity Auction Exhibition and successfully auctioned off a large number of exquisite items for the anime connoisseur.  With such works donated by Takada Akemi, Kia Asamiya, Shou Tajima, Yutaka Izubuchi, Yuji Kaida, Range Murata, and Yoshitoshi Abe, tons of lithographs, serigraphs and CG prints went for some awesomely high bids and all proceeds went for a great cause.
AX2002 SPJA Industry Awards
Best Male Character, Japanese Release: Inu-Yasha (Inu-Yasha, Sunrise, Inc.)
Best Male Character, USA Release: Kenshin (Rurouni Kenshin, Media Blasters)
Best Female Character, Japanese Release: Chii (Chobits, Madhouse)
Best Female Character, USA Release: Belldandy (Ah! My Goddess: the Motion Picture, Pioneer Animation)
Best Non-Human Character, Japanese Release: Kirara (Inu-Yasha, Sunrise, Inc.)
Best Non-Human Character, USA Release: Kero (Cardcaptor Sakura, Pioneer Animation)
Best Music Album, Japanese Release: Cowboy BeBop Future Blues (Victor Entertainment)
Best Music Album, USA Release: Slayers Try VOX (AnimeTrax LLC)
Best Manga, Japanese Release: X (Kadokawa Shoten)
Best Manga, USA Release: Love Hina (TOKYOPOP)
Best Film, Japanese Release: Knockin' on Heaven's Door (Cowboy Bebop, Sunrise, Inc.)
Best Film, USA Release: Ah! My Goddess: the Motion Picture (Pioneer Animation)
Best Sub/Dub Company: ADV Films
Best OVA, Japanese Release: Read or Die (Sony/Studio Deen)
Best OVA, USA Release: Gundam Wing Endless Waltz (Bandai Entertainment)
Best TV Series, Japanese Release: Inu-Yasha (Sunrise, Inc.)
Best TV Series, USA Release: Rurouni Kenshin (Media Blasters)
Best Publication, Japanese-Language: Newtype
Best Publication, English-Language: Animerica (Viz Communications)
Best Film Debut, at Anime Expo: Knockin' on Heaven's Door (Cowboy BeBop, Columbia TriStar)

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