Well everyone, I am about to do something crazy. And by crazy I mean really totally out of this world, in your face, to the max crazy. Instead of getting a Master's degree in the United States, I am am going to enroll in the JET program and teach English in Japan as a ALT (assistant language teacher). After staying for a year, I plan to renew my contract and get my Master's degree at a Japanese university. You can go ahead and say that I am crazy. I already know that. I have a meeting about all of this on Friday. Wish me luck!

I e-mailed the head guy of AZHP (Arizona Hobbyist Paradise: [link]) and told him about our current lack of anime conventions in Northern Arizona. This was my e-mail:

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Dear Administrators of AZHP,

I live in the city of Flagstaff, Arizona where there are currently no anime conventions being hosted. Dedicated Japanimation fans that live in the Flagstaff area have to travel to other places in Arizona or across the United States to attend AZHP or SPJA hosted events. This ends up costing a lot of time and money. The closest convention that Flagstaff residents can attend is four hours away in Phoenix Arizona and is called Anizona ([link]). There is an anime convention called Saboten-Con ([link]) which takes place in Mesa, but it always occurs during the school year when myself and many other college students can’t find time to attend it. There is one event that occurs during the summer called Animeland Tucon ([link]) but it is five hours away from Flagstaff if traveling by bus or car which adds to the convention cost and makes it difficult for residents (including myself) to attend.

I would really like to bring a convention like Saboten-Con or Animeland Tucon to my home town of Flagstaff, Arizona, which is a key tourist area in my state and I believe the perfect place to host an event such as this. We have a newly built convention center as well as a hotel that is located right next to it. Northern Arizona University (which is located in town and is the university that I am currently attending) has an anime club that is full of enthusiastic members that would be more than willing to donate their time to the cause. It is also full of many talented artists that could contribute their work to an artist alley and help design promotional flyers for the event.

From reading your webpage, I see that you are an organization that is dedicated to promoting the Japanese arts to, not only the fan base in Mesa, Tucson, and Phoenix, but to fans throughout Arizona. I honestly have no idea how much work or contacts it takes to set up a convention because there isn’t exactly a manual on the subject (that I have found) but I was hoping that maybe one voice in Flagstaff would be enough to humbly request that the AZHP consider hosting an event in my home town and if they could not, could possible suggest a way to set up an event.

I know that there are many fans of anime as well as Japanese culture that would like to attend an event in Flagstaff that just does not exist at this point in time. Flagstaff is a tourist town that thrives on commerce from outside sources. We are a gateway city to many national parks, such as the Grand Canyon, as well as many historic sites. I think that adding something like an anime convention would give our town just one more reason to shine, and be promoting the Japanese arts at the same time. It’s a win/ win situation for everyone!

I know that this is just one letter from just one fan of Japanese animation living in Arizona, but I know that I represent thousands of fans in my city that would give anything to have an annual convention that is not under constant threat of shutting its doors as well as occurs during the summer when people have time and resources to attend it. It is my hope that the staff of the AZHP will read this letter and consider bringing the magic of an anime convention to our community here in Flagstaff, Arizona.

I think that this is something that will provide entertainment for teens and young adults in my community as well as give Flagstaff more fuel for its tourist industry. I thank you got taking the time to read my letter, and even if this is something that the AZHP cannot remedy, I want to thank your organization for giving me my love of anime and Japanese culture all of those years ago. May you have the same success in your future work with anime conventions throughout the state. I admire everything your organization stands for.

Best Regards,

Emma Lee Downs

NAU Student (English Major)/

Anime Club Member

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I didn't think the guy was going to respond, but he did! This is what he e-mailed me back:

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Dear Emma,

Sorry for such a late response. I've been incredibly busy with many
things including the most recent convention Animeland TuCon you
referred to.

Our website is used as a social networking community for all people
into Anime/Comics/Cosplay/Games for the state of Arizona but we don't
run any of the conventions ourselves, we do run the video gaming rooms
at Anime/Comic/Game conventions around the state to help out the
conventions and help promote AZHP.

I'm aware that Flagstaff has an untapped market for Anime fans and you
don't have to worry about being without a convention for long.
Anime Kaigi was officially announced earlier this year in Flagastaff,
and will start June 4th at the Northern Arizona University's Du Bois
Center in 2010.

AZHP has already signed on to do the gaming room for this convention
and help support it.

Go to the Anime Kaigi website and forum via the following URL:
[link]

Also, I saw the topic you made on Animeland TuCon's website thanking
AZHP and the other groups for helping out and making Animeland TuCon
enjoyable.
Thanks for the great comments, I'm glad you had fun.

You should sign up on the AZHP Forum and take a good look thru our
Website, Forum, Photo/File Gallery and Calendar of Events and become
an active member so that you can become known and knowledgeable about
previous, current and upcoming Arizona hobby events.

If there's anything else I can do for you feel free to email me.

-FrankCastleAZ
Arizona Hobbyists Paradise (AZHP) Founder
[link]
[link]

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I was really excited because I've always wanted to have an anime convention in Flagstaff and now we have one! I think that everyone should donate their time to it and invite as many people as possible so it can be a reoccurring thing. I am willing to dedicate my time to helping make it successful. I want to promote it and possibly become a staff member. If anyone else wants to donate their time, check out the volunteer section of the website!

You can definitely count me in. I am going in my Link cosplay! Sign up while you can. Let's make this the best convention ever!

In other news, I went to Animeland Tucon as Cyber Punk Raver Link (the picture is in my gallery) and it was awesome! There was cosplay chess, artists alley, AMV viewing, and all sorts of things that kept me entertained the three days I was there. And yes; I did it ALL.

After I got back from Animeland Tucon I went to Anthem with my family and also to Cliff Castle Casino on the way back. Then, I went to Phoenix with my friends Sarah and Anthony and saw Judas Priest! We also stopped by the Alice Cooper restaurant and got something to eat. It was so awesome!

Earlier this summer, I went to Crystal Creek two times with my friends Jackie and Sean, and on the second trip Sarah and Anthony joined us. I've had Star Gate marathons, anime marathons, and have barely had a chance to sleep all summer long. When I got back from my trip, I found out that I got a $1,000 scholarship from NAU!! I am so excited. I can't wait to apply for the Master's program and keep trying out for awards!!

In short, this is the best summer I've had in a while. I'm a little sad that school is going to start in a few weeks, but I am planning on keeping myself busy during the school year. I might even go to an anime convention down in Phoenix called Saboten Con.

Life is short so I am enjoying it while I can. If anything else exciting happens I will let you all know. TTYL and I love you all. Peace out.