Saboten-Con was amazing!!! This was my very first anime convention. As much as I watch anime, everytime I planned to go to a convention something has always happened. I either have no ride, or had a ride and they bailed out last minute, once I planned to go with a group of people and everyone decided to bail. There is always something that prevented me from going, BUT NOT THIS YEAR!
Saboten-Con is relatively new, I believe this it's second year. It was held at the Hilton Hotel in Mesa, AZ. It was so funny walking in there seeing all the beautiful cosplay costumes while people are checking into the hotel. Just imagine having no idea what anime or cosplay is and you decide to stay at the hotel on that particular weekend, and seeing all these cosplay costume everywhere you turn, lol. I guess the fact that it was Halloween probably helped them feel less uncomfortable.
So here is the run down on my experience.
Friday
This was the first day of the event. It began at noon but I go there at 1pm. I became so excited when I pulled in the parking lot and saw all these wonderful costumes, my heart was beating out of control. One of the first cosplayers I saw was Kakashi from Naruto, and he was a mighty fine Kakashi too.
Sorry the pic isn't super clear but from what you could see, he was totally into character. He even had Pakkun with him on the ground so cute. I was totally impressed with the Rasengan and the Sharigan Eye. Kudos to him!!!!
There were so much cool stuff going on along with some sick ass costumes I didn't know what to do first. I was literally walking around in circles, confused and excited all at once. Okay so let me start off by telling you the guests that they had.
Off the top of my head I remember:
Steve Blum - American voice actor for Spike Spiegel from Cowboy Bebop. He also played Kazuma from S-CRY-ED ( I loved the manga). He played Wolverine in the X-Men tv series, and the list goes on and on. From what I recall he talked a little about his career and he was signing autographs. I didn't get one because the line was tooo stinking long. There was no way I was standing there waiting for one autograph when there was so much to do and see!! :-D
Yaya Han - She is an amazingly talented costume designer and cosplay entertainer. I must add she is also stunningly beautiful. I literally stared at her for a good 10 mins like a freak. I got (well not got because it wasn't free), I bought a photo from her which she nicely autographed for me. I felt so special lol. Seriously, though she creates some amazing costumes. Please goggle her or
click here go to her website and see for yourself.
Here is a pic I took of her. Isn't she beautiful!
There were many more guests but I'm to lazy to go through every single one but you can go
HERE for a rundown of all the guests that attended the event!
Some cool events they had throughout the weekend were the Cosplay Prom, Gaming, J-Fashion Show, Karaoke, Cosplay Photography, Maid Cafe (this is were girls dress up as cute maids and serve you, lol, its really cute), Q&A w/ the guests, Cosplay RPG and the lists literally go on.
I really wanted to sit in on the "How to Spot a Fake Asian" lecture, lol, I know you're probably like what the hell?? That's what I said too, I wanted to know what the hell they were talking about. It started around 3pm on Friday and I honestly have no idea where I was or what I was doing at that time. I was probably running around like a weirdo begging for pics. Either way, that discussion had to be interesting. If you want to see the programming schedule its on their website, Sabotencon.com.
So, I'm gonna post some of the photos that I took on Friday, but before I do I must apologize for my crappy picture quality. I took it using my cell phone and its obvious to see that the camera isn't all that great so please bare with me. (You could always double click the image for a larger view). Needless to say, the costumes were great and I'm sorry you couldn't see it in person. Anyway here are some of my Friday pics, :-D Can you guess who some of them are??
Friday Pics
Sasori!!!!, when I took this pic, some girls in Japanese school girl uniforms came running and freaking out "Oh my gosh, Oh my gosh you're Sasori!, AAHHHH!!" They literally ran away screaming. You must admit he does make a good Sasori!!
She made this costume, I was impressed! Don't you just love when you're taking someone's pic they just get into character automatically halol, you'll notice that theme with all these pics. True anime lovers!!!!!
PIKA PIKA, PIKACHU!!!!!!
I loved this costume! Lolita is so hott!!
I got to hug him!!! :-P
Domo!!!
They were such a cute couple! I think they were speaking Japanese too, or it could have been in my head.
Lol, Pervy Sage!
Aren't they gorgeous? Met them a long time ago, what are the odds I see them here. So cute!
I believe all those people leaned up on the wall were in line for Steve Blum's autograph, not to sure
Kallen/Karen Code Geass!!!
Haha, Deadpool! I know a secret about him.......
HE WAS KAKASHI!! Lol, this was the same dude that played Kakashi in the pics I did earlier. He snuck out and changed. I won't have known but he came up to me and whispered in my ear...
"Kakashi has left the building"
Halol, he's cool!
FF!! So wished I had a better pic of them they all looked so good
He really made a pretty good Ichigo
There was one of costume that really stood out to me. It was actually one of my favorites but....I'll save it for last halol
There were numerous people with little booths selling their art. I thought that was a genius idea, wish I was talented enough to draw, I would so have a booth there.
This is Glady's booth. She is such an amazing artist. Everything you see on the table she created!! I had to buy a couple of drawings from her. I also stole a couple of her business cards.
If anyone wants to see more of her artwork go to:
OR
If you fall in love with her work like I did and I know you will, you can contact her at:
I thought this dude was so cool and adorable. Aint he cute? His name is T.J. Geisen. He did about half of the art on the table and the other half he worked with his partner. For the love of me, I cannot remember her name nor do I have a picture of her because she wasn't at the booth when I passed by. Either way from what I've seen they are both amazing artist, so I obviously had to buy a couple of their drawings. (Don't you just love the Naruto and Sasuke yaoi on the top left corner of his picture, lol, I DO!!!)
To see more of his work go to:
You can also contact T.J. at:
These three had one of the many costumes that I loved. In this picture there is Kris, Kym and Songja respectfully, though after going to their website I believe there is one more person that belongs in this group, and I think her name is Hazel. I really really wish I had a better photo of them because their costumes really are amazing. Kym, the one in the middle even had a burnt scar on her face, she was totally in character. At their table they were selling the cutest little accessories and gift items in the shape of cupcakes, teddy bears, flowers, strawberries basically anything that's adorable. Their store is called the Cake Shop! Honestly how cute is that? I bought a cute bronze flower ring from them
If you would like to see their designs and the accessories they sell at the Cake Shop go to:
If you would like to contact them or buy some of their stuff, just shoot them a myspace msg and
they will definitely get back to you!
This is Allyson Boeckman. From what I understand she's an amazing artist that has created a couple of her own manga series! Isn't that cool? She's very dedicated to her work and was even sketching a few things when I took this picture.
If you want to know more about Ms. Allyson or want to check out her manga go to:
OR
to see some more of her art
OR
Just shoot her an email at:
This is Jennifer Skarupa, another cool artist I met at Saboten-Con. Her shop is called Zombie Milkshake! I really love that name I think its soo cool and unique. I also bought some of her artwork.
If you want to check them out go to:
OR
Email her at:
Saturday
I came super late like around 3pm! I know I was so mad, because I probably missed out on some really great costumes. For most of the time I was there I actually sat in on some of the viewing they had.
My first one was J-pop vs. K-pop. They basically just played music videos of girl and boy bands in J-pop and K-pop. J-pop girl bands were so cutesy and K-pop girl bands were sexii and sassii!
After the viewing I walked around an harassed cosplayers for more pics. Then I spotted a AMV, Yaoi and Hentai viewing room and just couldn't resist. Everyone was carded so I thank God that I brought my i.d. with me. There were 3 AMV's we had to vote on which were the best. They were actuallly all pretty cool. My favorite one was "Gruno". Halol yes someone took audio clips from the movie "Bruno" and used scenes from the anime "Gravition". If you dont know, Gravitation is a yaoi manga. Its actually pretty good. I read it a long time ago, was my very first yaoi manga I ever read. Anyway, the AMV was really good and funny. I have no idea what the others were.
After the voting, they began showing the Yaoi anime. I only saw the beginning because it was already 9:30 and I had to leave. It didn't have that much people anymore because some people left to go trick or treating....well it was Halloween. So I didn't get to see the yaoi or the hentai that proceeded it. I did write down the anime titles so I could view them on my own time.
In case you want to check them out yourself:
Yaoi Title
- Ikoku Irokoi Romantan
- Kirepapa
Hentai title
- Angel Blade
- Crimson Climax
So here are some photos I took on Saturday. Some are still going to be crappy quality but some are going to look great. One of my friends had an amazing camera and he sent me some awesome photos he took. Trust you'll really be able to tell which pictures were taken by crappy cell camera and his, lol. Hope you like!
Saturday Pics
Doesn't he make a great Cloud!
Yes, the M.J. were there
I really wanted to steal their costumes!
Full Metal Alchemist
Brings back soo many childhood memories!
Is he Spike Spiegel from Cowboy Bebop?? Has to be huh lol
Look at Inyuyasha to the left, lol so funny
This was the maid cafe. Don't they look so cute!!
CAPTAINNN AMERICAA!!!!!!!!!!
Too freaking cool!!! She said she started making her costume last year.. Kudos to her!!
HOLLOW
HALOL NO COMMENT!!!
Well I didn't attend the Sunday events so I have no idea what happened. I did buy a shit load of stuff like a bleach backpack, walls scrolls, bleach pillow and the list goes on. Here is some of the stuff I bought.
My Bleach Backpack
My Code Geass Wall Scroll
My Naruto Wall Scroll
My Bleach Pillow halol
My autograph photo of Yaya Han
Anyway, before I wrap this up I did promise to show you what was my favorite costume.
And the Winner Is..
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
The Naruto Kyuubi!!!
I loved this costume. I was so amazed. I even hugged her. (Yes it is a girl)
What makes this costume even more amazing is that she made it herself! I didn't find this out until a couple days after Saboten-Con; to be honest I found her on accident. I was on youtube and actually stumbled upon her videos. She has videos dating back from last year, going through the process of making this kyuubi costume. Isn't that amazing! I have so much respect for her. I could never ever make something like this in a million years.
If you want to see the videos yourself here's her youtube channel.
I also found her on deviant art:
Well, I can honestly say from my experience I'm definitely going back to Saboten-Con next year and also hitting up other ones. I must say we "anime lovers" are the coolest people on earth halol.
So, untill next time Saboten-Con....Mata Ne!!
Cherimi <3
