Pandarific!!

Remember the Sherlock Holmes movie in 2009 starring Robert Downey Jr? Well this series (3 episodes per season, 1 season so far) is something of that sort. I found it by accident as i was trolling the web for something cosplay related, odd, i have no idea how that connects. Anyway, i just love this series as much as i loved the movie. Of course they have no connection to each other, other than the fact that they're both about Sherlock Holmes. This version stars Benedict Cumberbatch as Holmes and Martin Freeman as Watson.

There are some notable differences at first, like the relationship between holmes and Watson, in the movie, Watson is in his own way independant of thought and can decipher things on his own. A change from the sidekick who knows nothing version always portrayed. Here, in the series watson can't figure out how holmes came to a certain conclusion. Why? Because in the series the first episode they just met each other. In the movie, they've been friends for years. On the series, watson is still trying to get used to Holmes, dashing off here and there, so he does get a bit irritated with Holmes. Holmes here is, from what i've seen so far, as ingenius as ever, with a touch of arrogance. He often insults the people around him for their lack of intelligence. Here's one, "Dear God, what is it like in your funny little brains? It must be boring" And another one where he insults the police detective.

S: Shut up
D: I didn’t say anything
S: No, you were thinking, it’s annoying.

Ok i'm just loving his character! The sarcasm is hillarious! Owh and i forgot to mention, it's set in modern London, so you have the updated version of everything. The ever famous address 221b Baker Street

I finally get to see the places that i "buy" in monopoly, 75 years after the game was created, many things have changed. Too bad they don't cover all the places on the board.

After an exhausting Day 1, I made my way to see what was installed for the next day. People were crowding outside the hall, waiting for the doors to open, before that everyone did a countdown full of enthusiasm. Since I had already gone through all the Doujin booths the day before, I made my way to the stage to book a nice spot. And it was a good thing I did because the screening of Danny Choo’s Culture: Japan episode 1 and 2 was shown. I really liked it as it was easy going yet informative. I learnt a lot about Japan just from the two episodes, for example, in Japan they have this “Itasha” where they put anime character stickers on their car. Not the small little ones you buy in the pasar malam but the big ones where you have to customize it. They even have a competition to see who has the best “Itasha”. He also covered a few things like Anime Figures, how they’re made, clone figurines from Good Smile, Maid cafes (wow the maids are really energetic and cute), doll customisation shop, Japanese culture festival in a school and the Edo wonderland. I liked the Edo wonderland one as the people there all dress up in traditional costumes and you can even learn how to be a ninja, just like Danny did. The voice stress Shiori Mikami also guest starred in both episodes, in the second episode, Danny tried to do voice acting with 4 other voice actresses. Not to forget the bicycle thing, in Japan they have this service where they store your bicycles for you underground!! That is so sci-fi- ish (For me), I wish they had something like this in Malaysia for motorbikes perhaps. Ok, I think i’ve gone too far about this, but I just really liked the episodes so much, Japan is so cool I need to go visit it one day. So if you want to find out more you can go to This Website. The show will be broadcasted on Animax every Friday 8pm. 

After that, the Malaysian Lolita Club had a fashion runway show. Here everyone got to see a variety of Lolita dresses and fashion, the girls were cute and very loli-like as they posed for the camera’s.

Then it was another stage performance, this time an exercise routine, although no one could understand a thing they were saying because it was in Japanese, it was funny to see their actions and facial expression. Very serious, very exercise routine. 

Finally it came the time for the solo cosplay competition, this year it was different as they had more rules that restricted the participants, for example, they couldn’t interact with the judges or the emcees (many had done that last year). The participants were very creative with the way they portrayed their character, others got nervous in front of the crowd and some had really, really good cosplays. Like this cosplayer who had a sword that was bigger than her, very cool. For those who made it to the finals, they were paired up and had to do a skit with each other.

Since it was the last day, the emcees were throwing free posters at the crowd (I got one yay!) and loads of prizes that people had to do something for. It’s amazing what people would do just for a Nips poster, they willingly put themselves up to whatever the emcees could think of. They also showed a video of what Alfred had been doing for the past year. A surprise for me because i’ve watched the video before but never knew it was him!

Gempak had an autograph session again, this time the artists were Keith, Kaoru, Joe and Nishiki. After the prizes were given out to the cosplayers, in the tradition of comic fiesta, the final dance was held. This is where everyone goes crazy even though their energy levels are near zero. And that people, marks the end of comic fiesta 2010.

Personal Comments:

I was very excited to do the side quests but unfortunately, the friends I came with on day 1 couldn’t make it for Day 2, so I decided not to try. But I did see the card you got when you unlocked the quest; it looked like the World of Warcraft Quest unlocked image, nice.

Didn’t get to go for the industry seminars because it was held simultaneously with the events in the hall, and opportunity cost you know (oh darn, economics). Due to the lack of space they had to have them in separate rooms, just wish I could have sat for at least one.

Wish they could have used the big screen at the stage area to project what was going on on stage. This would allow people at the back to see what’s going on and everyone wouldn’t need to crowd at the stage area.

Lastly, here's a video by Young News Network on Comic Fiesta and Cosplayers:

The 18^th of December, many events were going on around the klang valley but 9000 plus people choose to be in one place; Comic Fiesta 2010. This year comic fiesta has hit the 9000 attendees target without a sweat, when I got there, the lifts were full every time the doors opened, the line was so long (those who pre-booked their tickets sighed with relief) and the toilet full of cosplayers getting ready. Despite all this, which would normally scare me, I eagerly waited for the doors to open into the hall. While waiting I watched my friend get ready for her cosplay, the interesting part is watching everyone else get ready and helping their friends out, not to mention you get to see your favourite characters there and then. A good improvement this year was the toilets. In Sunway, the cosplayers and everyone else were fighting for space in the scarce basin area. But this year, there was more make up space and it didn’t feel as crowded as it was before.

 As everyone flooded into the hall, the people from horizon were asking people to fill out forms to enter the lucky draw contest, the prize was an I-pad and 2 I-pod nano’s each day. Unfortunately, I was not lucky enough to win the I-pad which I was personally eyeing on. On the left there was the Nips copic challenge, where normally it would be illegal to destroy public property by doing graffiti on the wall, here you could do as much as you liked and make a mark on the wall. Free Nips candy (peanut and raisins) were given out, this became my personal fuel as I went for hours without food because there was just so much going on. Every year during comic fiesta (I don’t know if it’s just me or others feel the same way) my body would magically be able to function without breakfast or lunch. Another thing would be my body functioning with low levels of energy, all thanks to the lack of sleep. This is what comic fiesta does alright.

 If you wanted to get the feeling of being a toy in a box (something like toy story) there was a live size figurine box that one could go into and take pictures. The Lim Kok Wing booth had a DOTA competition on going throughout the event, many guys and their teams went there to show off their skills as they tried to beat the other team.

On the main stage Shaun and Alfred were back as Emcee’s, while Alfred was on his way to comic fiesta, he had a substitute, Edo, the stoner emcee. The best part was when a person was asked to do the “dandut” and the guy had to follow Edo’s moves, the lack of expression and the dance moves combined made it hilarious. This is what the crowd would do for free stuff, among the things done were proposing and rejecting someone, jumping and the limbo, but that’s another story. Comic Fiesta was Officiated with this video:

 At the other end of the hall were the Doujin booths. This is where you can see artists love for art and anime combined. Loads of Hetalia, Vocaloid and Kuroshitsuji (Black Butler) artwork were on sale, along with the long time favourite’s naruto and final fantasy. There weren’t just drawings, but little clay artworks of tiny cakes and desserts that looked good enough to eat, t-shirts, cups, hats (just adorable) and doll clothes. Fans of certain artists also take this chance to finally meet their favourite artists in person, giving compliments and getting signatures. The place was full of activity as people tried to get the goods before it was all sold out. Certain booths were so popular that in a matter of hours all their goods were sold off. I personally could not get my hands on the naruto artwork and due to indecision; this beautiful postcard which I contemplated my purchase on was sold out. Lesson learnt; buy it when you see it. 

Because I was caught up in the Doujin area, I almost missed the time for the group cosplay competition. Others were fast and got a nice spot to sit at. Unfortunately for me I had to rough my way through the crowd to get a spot where I still had to stand. It would have been good if the stage area were bigger so that more people could watch the performances. The group cosplays were good as they were creative in the use of props, music and the characters themselves. I personally liked the chrono cross cosplay where they had the whole “How to deal with women” theme:
the Kuroshitsuji group was entertaining too as it revolved around mobile phones and music to convey the “words” they were saying.
Other cosplay groups involved characters like the Joker and Harley Quinn, Mario, Final Fantasy, resident evil and a mix of characters from different anime/games. (Not in order of appearance)
At 5.30, fans of Gempak comic artists got to get their signatures, there was Keith, Kaoru, Neko and little, there another long line formed as there were so many fans.

Outside the hall there were loads of things going on, firstly, the art competition which was held in a separate room, they also had some industry seminars. The speakers included Ivon Smith from Codemasters, Kelvin Hii also from Codemasters, Michael Chua a comic artist and Phil Yeh and Ohil Ortiz who are cartoonists and animators respectively. Other than that, since photographers weren’t allowed to take pictures inside the hall, cosplayers and photographers were outside busy posing and taking pictures. There was this cosplayer from Sabah who had such huge wings that she needed helpers to hold it up for her. She took the spotlight as everyone was in awe of the detail and massiveness of her cosplay. It is here that one gets to admire all the hard work and dedication put into making the costumes, these people take their passion seriously and it all pays off in Comic Fiesta.

You would have seen this:

What is this? From the combination of the words mobil and comic you would think it's just another mobil comic. But no, “CHILL is not just a comic, it is a new medium that will change the experience of comic book reading. From one of a kind illustrations designed by Malaysia’s finest, we will be featuring renowned cartoonist and illustrator, Aie G for the very first issue,” says Low Huoi Seong, CEO of Vision Interactive Broadband Services Sdn. Bhd. (VIBS) and Redberry Digital.

With Chill Mobil Comic, we won't have to run to the bookstore for the latest comic volumes and end up disappointed that they have not brought it in yet. CHILL is a weekly magazine where you get to experience full color comic strips, comic stories, and quizzes all on their mobile phones. Additionally, the mobile comic has features to browse the CHILL store and download mobile wallpapers. Readers can now carry all CHILL issues in their pocket and enjoy comic reading whenever and wherever.

Watch out for this date people! On 19 November 2010, readers can download and experience the 1st CHILL issue for FREE* at www.lepakchill.com. Plus, cartoonist Aie G will be making a special appearance with the CHILL Crew at the 2010 Comic Fiesta to be held in Berjaya Times Square from 18-19 December 2010.

There will be many activities going on like an Illustration contest, the best work will be published in CHILL. The team will also be giving away exclusive CHILL merchandise and exciting prizes during the 2-day event. More details on the contest rules and guidelines will be released closer to the date. Comic fans can also follow CHILL on Facebook, DeviantArt and Twitter for the latest news in the comic scene.

The official launch of CHILL will be on 3 December 2010. Chill Mobile Comic is only available for

JAVA enabled mobile phones at the start but VIBS has future plans of putting CHILL onto iPads,

iPhones and Android models. So get ready to chill! --CHILL powered by VIBS.

This event is a whole new thing for CF, for the first time, attendees get to do compete against each other. Here's a brief description about the event:

CF has been invaded by a mysterious force! (which we somehow know is evil)

We need able arms to fend off this mysterious force! (which we somehow know is evil) So we are calling
YOU! Gather your friends, or if you like to prove your sole might, go solo and complete the achievements through the two days of CF2010!

You and your friends only need to be an attendee of CF to play. Once you’ve got your tickets, register your team with the CF Quest Counter begin unlocking Achievements and gain Achievement Points!

I hyped up about it because it is something like a treasure hunt with the whole mysterious force thing put in. For more information go to http://forums.comicfiesta.org/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=6437

So anyone wanna team up with me?

There's also the Activities Master List, when i first looked at it, i'm thinking to myself, this years CF is going to be EXCITING! So many activities, so many competitions going on i may have to plan out my route to cover everything. oh yeah.

Here's a overview of the activities planned out:

1. CF Digital Art Competition
   
2. CF Cosplay Competition
3. National Manga competition submission
4. NIPS Copic Challenge- use your creativity to modify the NIPS logo using COPIC markers
5. Chill Mobil Illustration Competition
6. Gempak Autograph Session- Saturday: Kaoru, Keith, Neko, Little
                                                      Sunday: Kaoru, Keith, Nishiki, Joe
   
7. MEET PHIL YEH & PHIL ORTIZ ( won 5 emmy and he is one the guys who helped in the animation of The Simpsons.)
   
8. INDUSTRY SEMINARS: CODEMASTERS, MICHAEL CHUAH (a.k.a C2V) and JACK LIM (Ah Beng)
9. PORTFOLIO PAVILION

For more details, click the link. CF ACTIVITIES MASTER LIST:http://forums.comicfiesta.org/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=6566&start=0