Green Mustard Entertainment started as a group of friends looking to make fan conventions a better experience back in 2001 – and along the way we’ve had the chance to go to some amazing places and meet equally amazing people. As “Wasabi Anime” we’ve had (and continue to have) a lot of fun. Here, then, are the top ten Florida related fan culture things we are truly thankful for…
10. MegaCon (www.megaconvention.com) Sure it’s got its flaws – but MegaCon is still Florida’s largest “geek” convention and it has one of the most diverse dealer’s rooms for your shopping pleasure.
9. Anime Weekend Atlanta (www.awa-con.com) A lot of people don’t know this – but AWA was the inspiration for some of Florida’s best anime conventions. It is still the largest anime-centric event in the Southeast, and many Floridians (including ourselves) make the drive each year!
8. DragonCon (www.dragoncon.org) Yeah… we know it’s not a Florida convention, but COME ON! It’s DragonCon! If you haven’t made the trip to Atlanta for this event, make plans to do so in 2010.
7. Anime World Order (animeworldorder.blogspot.com) Easily one of the most popular (if not THE most popular) anime podcast on the Interwebz. It is a hometown favorite for Florida anime fans.
6. XBox Live (www.xboxlive.com) Since we meet new friends from all over the U.S. (and in some cases, the world) it’s great to have a way to all hang out together and play games. Nothing says “I love you” like a head shot from a sniper rifle in Halo 3. Thanks XBox Live!
5. Florida SuperCon (www.floridasupercon.com) South Florida has been aching for a strong fan convention to keep them entertained, and Florida SuperCon has done a great job of picking up the mantle. We’ve been proud to part of this event for the past couple of years.
4. FX International (www.fxshow.com) Rumors are buzzing on the Internet as to whether or not this show is returning in 2010. Either way, we will never forget the fun we had doing events with them for the past four years including meeting Leonard Nimoy last year!
3. Anime Festival Orlando (www.animefestivalorlando.com) Much of our staff has been going to AFO since year one – and Wasabi Anime has been a part of the event since their third year (and “unofficially” the second year.) Now Orlando’s ONLY anime convention, we are greatful for their support of us over the years.
2. JACON (www.jacon.org) The little con that could – JACON was a fan convention in the truest sense. It was started as a college anime club’s project on campus and grew into the largest anime convention in Orlando with thousands of attendees each year. The con has officially ended after ten years – but we will be eternally thankful for all the good times and opportunities we have had working with JACON for eight years.
1. The Fans! Absolutely none of what we do would be successful or worth the time without the fans… this means YOU! We will always be thankful for the friends we’ve made and fans we’ve met at the dozens of conventions we go to each year. From the bottom of our hearts, THANK YOU for helping make the fan community a better place.
Happy Thanksgiving!
