Past Press on Anime Festival Wichita

FOX SPOTLIGHT ON WICHITA: ANIME FESTIVAL

Wichita's first ever Anime festival takes place Saturday at the Orpheum Theatre. The one-day event celebrated Japanese animation. Expect showings of both American and Japanese animated films, product dealers from across the country, elaborate costume contests, role playing and even card games. The organizers of the event say Anime is actually one of the largest underground interests in the United States. Satisfy your curiosity by stopping by the Orpheum anytime between 10:00 a.m. and 10:00 pm. Saturday. Tickets start at $10 and can be purchased at the door. This is a family-friendly event. . . Published on August 4, 2005, KSAS Fox News (KS)

ANIME FESTIVAL SHOWCASES

Source: Lori O'Toole
Attendance beats organizers' expectations
Ryan Alfaro's three-toed cardboard and white-duct-tape feet made it difficult for him to climb the stairs at the Orpheum Theatre, where more than 900 people gathered Saturday to celebrate Japanese animation.
Cradling his puffy, white, lizard-like tail, the 19-year-old -- dressed head to toe as a favorite anime villain -- clump-clump-clumped to the second floor to explore the first festival of its kind in Wichita.
For the day, Alfaro was Frieza, a white and purple creature from "Dragon Ball Z" that morphs into various forms.
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The Orpheum became a fashion show house of the outrageous, with models dressed to impress in styles inspired by Asian cartoon characters and pop culture icons.
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The historic downtown theater was crowded, chaotic and filled with music, laughter and energy. The crowd surprised and delighted organizers, who said they expected a fraction of those who turned out. Albert Berry, whose nonprofit Peter Pixie Productions founded the festival, said he wants to see it return next year.
Published on August 7, 2005, Wichita Eagle, The (KS)

THE EYES HAVE IT

Source: RON SYLVESTER, The Wichita Eagle
At age 15, Kagome can overpower the 17-year-old half-demon boy Inuyasha simply by saying "sit."Tohru Honda was an orphan until she began cooking and cleaning for the Sohma family, who transform into the animals of their Chinese zodiac signs when hugged by the opposite sex.The crew of the ship Bebop features the newest space cowboys - part Star Trek, part Jonny Quest, with a hint of Jack Kerouac. These characters turn up in some of the most popular books and videos that. . .
Albert Berry of Peter Pixie Productions, the company putting on the convention, said he's received calls from across middle America.
"There are some huge conventions happening in Houston, Dallas, Atlanta, San Diego, with anime," Berry said. "It dawned on me that we're the biggest city in Kansas and no one's ever done one here."
Published on July 31, 2005, Page 1A, Wichita Eagle, The (KS)