Kawaii Kon 2015

The Hawaii Convention Center was packed this weekend as more than 10,000 anime, sci-fi and video game enthusiasts, most dressed up and acting out their favorite animated characters, for the 11^th annual Kawaii Kon.

The three day event kicked-off Friday, March 27 and had fans lining up the night before for early registration. Long’s Drugs sales clerk Noel Ulep is always one of the first patrons to be in line for the early registration. This year the 23-year-old Waipahu native was dressed in full costume dawned a custom-made all-black wig enacting as his favorite character Noah from the animated show Soul Eater.

Ulep is a diehard fan of Japanese animation and comics, and has been a loyal convention goer for the past 11 years. “I usually end work early and spend the night in town to make it to the early registration,” Ulep said. “I start getting excited for the event in January. I get to see friends that I haven’t seen for two or three years at the event.”

The event, which celebrates both animation and Japanese pop culture, brought in many big name artist and musicians from around the world. Rising Japanese pop singer Eir Aoi made a special appearance at this year’s convention, hosting an evening concert for fans Saturday.

Hundreds of fans gathered and packed the convention center’s stage Saturday night for Aoi’s performance. Ewa Beach resident Elijah Pantil is a devout fan of Aoi, and started following the singer since 2011. The 22-year-old Hawaii Pacific University sophomore was up since 6 a.m. Saturday morning buzzing in anticipation for Aoi’s concert and meet-and-greet with fans.

Although Pantil didn’t make it into the front rows of the concert, he still enjoyed the opportunity to be in the same room watching his idol perform. “I was in the back screaming as loud as I could,” he said. “My voice is going to be shot tomorrow, but it’s totally worth it.”

Alongside from the big name performers who attended the event were local amateur artist. The variety of artist, ranging from painters and illustrators to sculptors, all filled the convention’s Artist Alley room sharing their passion and selling their arts to fans.

Childhood friends Francis Pascua and Teo Duldulao of Shinuu & Co. hosted their first artist booth at the convention this year. The two Waipahu natives didn’t know what to expect coming into the convention. The two 22-year-old freelance illustrators had simply wanted to come together and take the opportunity to showcase their drawings and paintings to the public for the first time.

“A lot of the artist here are leagues away from us,” said Duldulao. “We think ourselves as okay, and a lot of people think our stuff is great, but here in comparison to all these other artists we’re definitely on a learning curve.”’

Duldulao and Pascua spent several weeks planning and drawing different pieces for the event. “We put a lot of time into the pieces we do, we select scenes that are impactful to us,” said Duldulao. “We try to evoke through the art the same emotions we felt when we experience these scenes.”

Many of the artist in the alley not only showcased art from their favorite animated series, they also promoted the series by dressing up and working their booths in costume. Freelance illustrator Arielle Underwood of Kailua came dressed up in an orange and red custom stylized wig, and hand sewn jumpsuit to represent her favorite character Muncho from the animated series Muncho.

The 24-year-old follows several different animated series, and dresses up each year as a different character to the convention. “I like cosplaying because you’re able to promote a series and see if there are other people who also enjoy the series,” she said. “It’s like a visual ad or indicator that says ‘Hey we like the same series, let’s talk!’ It’s a great and free way to break the ice with many.”

Underwood, who’s been attending the event for the past five years, starts planning and preparing in early June of the prior year. Spending the majority of her free time over the desk in her room, she’ll spend at least three hours each day developing and designing her character outfit. “It’s a lot of trial-and-error work that can cost a lot of money,” she said. “You try to do all you can to get it just right and represent your character correctly.”

Coming dressed up and embodying your favorite character is an experience in itself for many of the convention’s goes. University of Hawaii freshman Leslie Pascua of Makiki, who came dressed in three layers of clothing and a one-eyed mask enacting the animated Naruto character Toby, has come dressed up to Kawaii Kon for the past seven years.

The 18-year-old, who first came when he was only 11-years-old with his older brother, says the process takes a lot of time and dedication, but that in the end it’s well worth it for all the praises you get from fans. “I love doing it for the fans and pictures,” he said. “It’s a lot of work, but the appreciation and admiration you get from fans is all worth it.”