From: gavigan@gn.ecn.purdue.edu (Ryan P. Gavigan)
Subject: Roving correspondent Carl Horn writes:....
Organization: Purdue University Engineering Computer Network
Date: Tue, 15 Dec 92 09:20:14 GMT




Here is a message the Carl Horn wants me to post for him, now that he 
is (at least temporarily) netless.

Disclaimer:	Carl Horn's views on this subject are not necessarily those
of Gaver-sensei, in fact, I disagree on most of his counts and think the
rest are unreasonable, but here goes.



Roving correspondant Carl Horn writes:

	As many of you on the net are doubtless aware, there is a growing movment to unite the 1993 A.America convention with AX '93.
	An unfortunate and pointless split has occurred between the South Bay
and North Bay segments of the Bay Area anime community, which has been
able to achieve so much together in the past.  The most important 
achievement to date was the AnimeCon in 1991, the first all-anime convention
in the United States to have as guests noted figures from the Japanese
anime community.
	That all-anime convention, by anime fans and expressly for anime fans,
was a statement of affirmation that anime, which had in the past been a hanger-on at SF conventions, drawing big crowds but often getting little respect
from con organizers, had come into its own.  Despite teh difficulties that
occurred with AnimeCon '91 and the period of adjustment evident at AnimExpo
'92, we can and should be proud of them.
	There is no particular advantage for Bay Area anime, and subsequently,
the international anime convention, to be bogged down by connection to the 
troubles of BayCon, the longtime premier SF convention in Northern 
California.  On the other hand, the organizers of Anime America have
already managed to marshal an admirable list of resources for their plan;
most notably, the Comic Market coup.
	The problem arises in the decision to make Anime America a competing
convention to AnimExpo, holding it on a different date at a different
location.  Uniting Anime America with AnimExpo would be logical for a 
number of reasons.  One: Oakland is the geographical center of the Bay
Area, and accordingly, the hub of our mass-transit train system BART.  For Bay
Area fans, who can be expected to make up a majority of the attendees, there
are obvious advantages to the Oakland site.  Two: a large part of what made the
last two Bay Area anime conventions what they were was the presence of many
out-of-state and international fans.  Oakland has more flight connections
than San Jose, but more importantly, AnimExpo has a record.  It is what 
people remember, and hopefully, what they will come back for.  Asking them 
to stretch their budgets to cover a two-week stay and attend *both*
conventions is most unkind.  Three: combining the two would make for a mega-
convention, bringing the talents of both staffs together, making it the most
exciting anime convention yet.  The Oakland site can easily accomodate both.
	However, the Anime America staff has as yet refused to examine the
site of AnimExpo '93, a minimum requirement to get the log rolling.  I urge all anime fans reading this to support the unification movement.  Having East and
West Coast anime conventions in understandable.  Having two within 40 miles of
each other is just plain silly.

	-Carl Horn


Okay, my opinions (me, Gaver-sensei8-).  First, I believe the whole trouble
started because people didn't like the way other people did things, making 
a "middle-ground" somewhat improbable for most non-participants to see.

Two:  Why would AA have less experience, most of their staff worked on the 
two previoius cons.  Also, what about AnimeExpo when everybody was "expecting"
AnimeCon in 92.  Baseless argument.

Third:  Locale.  I personally just loved the SJ area and definitely would want
to keep it there, no matter what the Parc Oakland may have to offer.  Granted
Gaver-sensei is probably the least experienced to talk about California 
geography, but I thought it was just fine where it was.

Ryan Gavigan
gavigan@gn.ecn.purdue.edu

Heard a rumor that some companies might be planning to boycott both cons in
protest over the close scheduling.



Newsgroups: rec.arts.anime