photo credit: Animefreak101

Although it may surprise American anime fans, the distinct style of animation originated in Japan almost a century ago. Just like our style of animation, anime is an alternative format of storytelling that allows for much more of the imagination to be expressed than could be in a live-action depiction. Anime has become popular all throughout the world because of its distinctive characteristics and its natural connection to manga, which is the Japanese word for comics. Manga’s popularity throughout the world has led to several mangas being adapted into anime, which then leads to more awareness for anime. Fans of anime who can make it to New York City from September 26 to September 28 should definitely check out the Anime Festival at the Jacob K. Javits Center in Manhattan.

The history of anime dates back to the early 1900s when Japanese filmmakers began to experiment with animation techniques that were being discovered and explored in Europe and the United States. 1917 marks the year when the first recorded bit of anime was screened, consisting of a two-minute clip of a samurai trying to test his sword on a target, meeting only defeat. Still, though, anime would not see widespread usage until the 1930s. In contrast to Hollywood, the United States’ entertainment center that was flourishing throughout this time period, Japanese live-action movies were suffering from a lack of actors, low budgets, casting difficulties, and location restrictions. Because of this, many filmmakers turned to anime to depict what they could not feasibly depict in live-action: namely, movies with the right-looking actors set in the right place and with suitable special effects. Japanese filmmaking also often involved Western locations and Western actors which were rather difficult to come by in Japan.

Many filmmakers were not convinced by anime, saying that animation would never catch on in the mainstream and that an animated feature film would be nothing short of silly. The massive success of Disney’s 1937 classic Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs was very influential to Japanese filmmakers, most notably to Osamu Tezuka, who adapted Disney animation techniques to reduce the costs of production, but the style caught on and became integral to anime. In the 1970s, the popularity of Japanese comics, called manga, surged. Many of the most popular comics were adapted as anime, and since the manga were so popular, anime started to become acceptable in the mainstream entertainment community. Throughout the 1980s, anime started to catch up to manga in popularity, but manga was always more acceptable in the mainstream community. It was not until anime’s great surge in popularity overseas that the Japanese entertainment industry realized how profitable anime could be. Today, anime can be found all across the Internet, on many television stations, and even in the news, as themes that are common in anime come to be questioned by those who are not familiar with the genre experience it.

There is no denying anime’s massive popularity in the United States. For many anime lovers, there is nothing more exciting than the prospect of getting together with hundreds and thousands of like-minded people to share the love. That is why the New York Anime Festival exists. Produced by Reed Exhibitors, which is responsible for such big name events like the New York Comic Con and whose publishing branch is responsible for the popular Vanity Fair, the event is going into its second year. The inaugural event was held at Javits Center from December 7 to December 9 in 2007, so the second annual New York Anime Festival will actually be occurring nine months after the first. Featuring an impressive guest list that included some of the most famous names in American anime, the first annual New York Anime Festival was a large success. This year’s festival is hoping to achieve the same, and by the looks of it, it most certainly will.

The New York Anime Festival features exclusive and extensive screenings, some of the most notable names in anime visiting from all across America and also Japan, manga, cosplay, video games, live-action Japanese cinema, fashion, food, and homage to Japanese pop culture. The festival will be held from September 26 to September 28, from noon to 10:00 PM on Friday, 10:00 AM to 10:00 PM on Saturday, and 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM on Sunday. The exhibition hall closes at 6:00 PM, but screens will continue until the day is over. The Javits Center is located in Midtown Manhattan so it is just a matter of finding transportation, of which there is plenty in New York City. Everyone older than seven years old needs a ticket to get in, and anyone younger than eighteen years old is encouraged to have a parent or adult with him or her. Although photography and video recording is off-limits during concerts and exclusive screenings, you are welcome to take pictures throughout the event. Guests may or may not consent to having their pictures taken.

There are plenty of things to do during the three days of the New York Anime Festival. One of the most fascinating is to sit in on a panel of industry experts as they discuss what direction they are going to take the business in the coming year. If you happen to be an active participant in the NYAF forums, you will also have a chance to meet up with your friends at the festival. Another exciting thing to do is to get an autograph from one of your favorite anime personalities at one of the autographing sessions. Concerts and performances about at the New York Anime Festival, ranging from exaggerated sword fights to impressive musical acts. Other events, like charity drives and voice acting workshops, make the festival a whole lot of fun. But what anime festival would be complete without anime screenings? Throughout the three days, you will get to see plenty of anime, ranging from classic cutting edge, so do not miss out!

If you want to get tickets to the New York Anime Festival, you can get them online. Tickets for the whole weekend are $55, Friday tickets are $35, Saturday tickets are $40, and Sunday tickets are $35. Obviously, if you are going to participate in at least two days’ worth of events, go for the weekend ticket. There are also several other ticketed events within the anime festival that need tickets, which you can also get online or at the event itself. There are group discounts available for those who purchase ten tickets or more. Be aware, though, that all purchases are final, so you should make sure that you are going to be able to go.

All in all, the New York Anime Festival is a great place for fans of the charming genre to get together and express their love for all things anime. Whether you go to meet one of your favorite voice actors, to see an exclusive screening before anyone else does, or to meet your friends from the forums online, the New York Anime Festival at Javits Center promises a whole lot of fun. So brush up on your knowledge of all things Japanese and head out to Manhattan in late September!