Forget those bug-eyed critters on Pokemon cartoons and the stiff, bulgy-eyed hero of "Speed Racer." Animé is far more than that - and it's coming to Animé Blast Chattanooga this weekend, Nov. 7-9.
If you go> What: Animé Blast Chattanooga> When: 2 p.m. Friday, Nov. 7-4:30 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 9> Where: Chattanooga Convention Center, 1 Carter Plaza> Admission: $40 three-day pass, $30 two-day pass, $20 Saturday, $15 Friday or Sunday> Website: animeblastchattanooga.com
The event's Facebook page already has more than 2,715 Likes, proof that this colorful, stylized Japanese animation now has fans worldwide. As with Atlanta's DragonCon - focused on comic-book, sci-fi superheroes and nerdist icons like the "Mythbusters" TV hosts - fans dress up like their favorite characters, often spending months to create elaborate, detailed costumes.
Some may be a bit too detailed; Animé Blast devotes a webpage to its weapons policy, with "live steel" such as swords, knives, shurikens and bayonets, as well as any type of guns, strictly prohibited.
Mark Cooper, who manages the Hello Animé store on Hamilton Place Boulevard, plans to attend the Blast. Cooper, 26, notes that animé has a tradition of strong, brave and brainy heroines despite the subgenre of animé porn. Animé Blast's guest list includes Trina Nishimura, whose bold, bright heroines include stars of the "Witchblade" series and "Attack on Titan."
"Animé voice actors develop devoted followings; fans will look for their names in different genres like animé horror and animé soap opera," Cooper explains. "They give life to characters whether they are in animé horror or animé soap opera. They act with their voices, and fans want to see how their voices adapt to each challenge."
Another guest will be Darrel Guilbeau, who voiced Hakuryu in "Magi - The Labyrinth of Magic" and Tandor in "Moribito - Guardian of the Spirit." He won new animé fans when he supplied the voice for popular video-game characters including Yue Jin in "Dynasty Warriors 8" and Layle in the "Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles."
Contact Lynda Edwards at ledwards@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6391.