Spiraken Convention Report: Animazement 2024

by Xan Villanueva.
Animazement 2024 returned to the Raleigh Convention Center from May 23rd to 26th, marking another year of growth for this fan-driven event. What began in 1997 as a college film festival has evolved into a vibrant convention, and after my first positive experience in 2023, I dove in fully this year—panels, guests, and all. The result? A weekend that solidified Animazement as one of my favorite conventions on the circuit.
Guests & Highlights
This year’s lineup boasted an impressive mix of veteran voice actors and industry talent. Legendary seiyuu Toshio Furukawa (Kai Shiden in Gundam, Ataru in Urusei Yatsura) and Kikuko Inoue (Belldandy in Ah! My Goddess) drew crowds, while Noriko Hidaka (Akane in Ranma ½) and Shino Kakinuma (Naru in Sailor Moon) brought nostalgia to the forefront. On the English dub side, Erica Mendez (Ryuko in Kill la Kill, Gon in Hunter x Hunter) kept panels lively with her infectious energy.
Musical guests Angel-Taka, Kaizan Nitta, and Hakusui Ogiyama added a dynamic layer to the weekend, while industry veterans like Trish Ledoux (co-founder of Animerica), Hiroshi Nagahama (Uzumaki, Revolutionary Girl Utena), and Kohi Nagai (producer of My Hero Academia) offered deep dives into anime production.
Panels: Successes & Surprises
This year, I ran four panels—all well-received, but two stood out as highlights.
"The Live Action Equation: Anime in The Flesh" (Friday) sparked heated debates, especially over Netflix adaptations, while surprising attendees with the first live-action anime adaptation (hint: it wasn’t Death Note).
"I’m Not Old! Main Characters Over 30" (Saturday) packed the room, with fans passionately defending (or protesting) picks like Alucard (Hellsing) and Mr. Fujisawa (GTO).
"Horror in Anime & Manga" (Saturday night) remained a cult favorite, though I was shocked how few had seen Vampire Hunter D: Bloodlust.
"24 Manga Recommendations for Grown-Ups" (Sunday) was my personal triumph—engaging discussions, new readers hooked, and requests for sequels.
As an attendee, I caught Third Impact Anime’s "10 Years Later: Anime in 2014" (a brutal reminder of my age) and Fatal Fanatix’s "Cool Manga No Anime," which unearthed hidden gems I’ll definitely cover in future Wheel of Manga episodes. The "2025 Anime Music Challenge" game show had a clever gimmick (though I still think my Anime Tune Showdown format reigns supreme).
Dealer’s Room, Artist Alley & More
The Dealer’s Room was well-organized but lacked the rare manga finds of years past—CheapManga.com and Sci-Fi Continuum were sorely missed. Still, Discotek’s booth delivered, and I walked away with some stellar Blu-rays.
Artist Alley showcased incredible talent, though the creeping presence of AI art raised eyebrows. Meanwhile, the new Video Game Room—with arcade cabinets, consoles, and PCs—was a welcome addition, if not yet on par with Otakon’s legendary setup. The Manga Library, while smaller than Anime Next’s, impressed with its local-library collaboration system.
Cosplay & Vibe: Comfortably Crowded
Cosplay at Animazement is always a highlight, and this year’s eclectic mix included Maomao (Apothecary Diaries), Fallout wastelanders, Sakamoto (Sakamoto Days), and even Conker (Bad Fur Day). The atmosphere was relaxed yet energetic—crowded enough to feel lively, never suffocating. Attendees played board games, debated anime, and lingered in halls without the usual con stress.
Final Thoughts: A Keeper
Animazement retains the charm of a "homey" fan convention while expanding thoughtfully. The layout was intuitive, the panels diverse, and the attendees genuinely happy to be there. After two years, I’m convinced: this is a convention worth returning to. See you in 2025, AZ!
Overall Rating 
Drop Everything & Go – This Is Worth It!" (Highest – Must-attend, flawless execution)
#Animazement2024 #SpirakenConReport #AnimeConventions #spiraken

Otakon 2023 : 23 Train Manga RecommendationsFor Grown Ups List

Greetings from Otakon 2023,
Here are the 23 manga titles that were discussed in the panel at otakon
5 CM Per Second
500 Miles
Anya kudos
Baccano
Densha Otoko
Eikiben hitoritabi
Engineer
Galaxy Express 999
Ginsai no kawa
The girl who is obsessed with the oneesan she sees on the train every morning
Hajimari no Yakou
Kabaneri of the Iron Fortress
Let's take the Train Together
Mad Train Conductor
Maiden Railways
Mr Morning
Night on the Galactic Railroad
Sayonara Papa
Shuuden no chan
Termina
Tetsuko no Tabi
To the Place the Rails Go
Train + Train
 

Fifteen Years Ago Today We Started A Podcast

On May 15th, 2008, May-san and Xan sat down at Xan's Laptop (dubbed the deathtop for surviving so many falls and crashes) and decided to record a fun podcast about a subject that they both loved... Manga. Here we are, 15 yrs later, with over 1050 episodes recorded, over 3000 hours spent editing podcasts, over 2 million listeners collectively, over 20 co-hosts later and several other statistics that we did not count on having happened. And it has been totally worth it. 
It has been an amazing ride and without you dear listeners and readers, we would never have made it this far. Thank you so much  So here's To 15 years of podcasts about manga, movies, conventions, video games and just random chatter. 
Now Let's see if We Can Make It To Thirty

Anime Boston 2023 Panel Guide ”’I’m not old! Main Characters over 30

Here is a list of the characters that we discussed in this panel
Yuuko ichihara - xxxHolic - age 1000
Worick Arcangelo - Gangstas - age 35
Vlad Draculea III aka Alucard - Hellsing - Age 592
Tetsuo  Toso - My Home Hero - age 47
Ryo Saeba - City Hunter - age 30
Romper (moyoco anno) - Insufficient Direction - Age 30
Mariko Morioka - Recovery of an MMO Addict - 30
Arsene Lupin III- Lupin the III - age 31
Marco Pagot- Porco Rosso - age 37
Liliko - Helter Sketler  age 29-30
Daikichi Kawachi - Bunny Drop - age 30
Kuro Hazama - Blackjack- age 32
Kotetsu Kaburagi - Tiger & Bunny - age 36
Dr Kenzo Tenma - Monster - age 37
John " Sleepy" Estes - Madbull 34 - age 34
Ichiro Inuyashiki- Inuyashiki -age 58
Ginko- Mushishi - age 33
Duke Togo - Golgo 13
Chuyoko Fujiwara - Millennium Actress‐ age 95
If you have any questions or comments about the panel please email me at xan@spiraken.com
 
 

Merry Christmas 2021

From Us to You,
May you have an awesome christmas 
Xan, Gretta and The Spiraken Manga Review

Happy 40th Birthday Xan

Today is a very special day! Our amazing host Xan turns 40 years old today.
 
I know its a long time in geek years but he is still reading/reviewing manga and he will continue be a nerdy geek til the day he dies. Show your love by sending him some great messages at Xan@spiraken.com 
Happy birthday you Oldtaku

Happy Thanksgiving 2021

We give thanks for all of our listeners, the unique year we've had and the many years to come
From Us To You, may you have a wonderful and safe Thanksgiving 
Xan & Gretta

May The Fourth Be With You

Happy May Fourth Everyone
To all the Star Wars fans, watch a good Star Wars Movie, Play a Star Wars themed game, or finish off Clone Wars

Happy Valentine's Day 2020

We hope that you have an awesome, romantic and memorable Valentine's Day
 

Happy Chinese New Year

Happy Chinese New Year
新 年 快 乐
Xīn nián kuài lè!
 
It is another Lunar New Year and this one is especially exciting for the fans of Prince Yuki from Fruits Basket. Yes it is the year of the Rat!!!!
 
So eat some chinese food, light some fireworks and prepare to give money to a chinese Lion Today. Celebrate this awesome day in style.