I recently attended a convention in Toronto, Ontario. (For those who don't know, that's in Canada.) There were three parts to the convention: comics, anime and role-playing.

There was not much to the role-playing part (I didn't even know there was one until I got to the convention center!) It was mostly Magic: the Gathering. I've been off that for two years now. I got into M:TG way back when in the Beta era. And, yes, I still have some Betas, Arabian Nights, Antiquities and Legends. But I don't play anymore. There were other appearances there as well like Dream Pod 9 promoting their new game: tribe 8. And Guardians of Order increasing the visibility of their excellent game Big Eyes, Small Mouth which is a "universal japanese anime role-playing game". They have obtained the rights to do the RPG version of Sailor Moon. August 1998 is the release date and it will also be a resource book on the anime and manga. Looks promising!

There was quite a lot of activities in the comics section with scores of dealer tables and many guests. With such people like John Romita Jr, Humberto Ramos, Dale Keown and Joe Quesada, you couldn't go wrong. There were scores of fans and young hopefuls assaulting the guests for impressions, autographs and sketches. I met some old favourites and some friends like Gabriel Morissette (he does Angloman and did Northguard) and Mark Shainblum (he also does Angloman and did Northguard, now he is trying to bring out a new incarnation of Captain Canuck). I bought some ashcans and first issues to encourage new companies and new creators.

The anime part had a few North-American companies like Manga Entertainment, AminEigo, A.D.V. Films, U.S. Manga Corps and Pioneer. They were promoting and selling their wares. But you could also pick up some anime from many dealers in the main room. And what deals! I know someone who picked up the second Ranma 1/2 digital dojo for $200.00 Canadian! It sells for $200.00 US! Wow! There were also many premieres and anime showing. They had devoted two screening rooms to show anime from opening to closing. The only time a room was not showing anime was during the Sailor Moon Q&A with some of the Sailor Moon voice-actresses (and one voice-actor). Guests included Koichi Ohata and a whole bunch of voice talents like Lisa Ortes, Roland Parliament, Stephanie Morgenstern, Kirsten Bishop, Tracy Hoyt and (my favourite) Susan Roman.

All in all I enjoyed myself there and spent a whole wad of cash. I completed two anime series, filled two others and picked up a few anime music CD's.

My acquisitions were El-Hazard (the OAV) vol.3 and 4; You're under arrest! vol.1; Tokyo Babylon vol.2 and The Slayers vol.2 and 3. I also picked up the Escaflowne soundtracks vol.1, 2 and 3; Gundam Wing soundtrack vol.1 and Patlabor Perfect Collection soundtrack. Not bad!