Contributed by Patrick Campaign
Taikai Convention 2018
6/23/2018 – 10AM
Taikai Corporation
The Glenn Massay Theater
8295 E College Dr, Palmer
Tickets: $25 General, $20 Students
On June 23rd starting at 10am, the Mat-Su College campus will turn into a thriving festival filled with superheroes, cartoon characters and video game villainy with Taikai Con going into its third anniversary.
Taikai Con is a yearly event held at The Glenn Massay Theater at the university campus in Palmer. It was the brainchild of two classmates from Palmer High who wanted to continue their love of art, gaming, cosplay and general fandoms through celebration in the Valley. Since it began, they realized that there were people throughout the road system who attended Taikai Con and wanted to make it last. After hearing residents’ requests from Willow to Kenai, they incorporated into a non-profit charity, which runs multiple events throughout the year.
Cosplay is defined by Merriam-Webster as a conjoining of the words, “costume” and “play”, originating as a term in Japan in the mid-1980s and has since become a multi-cultural phenomenon in portraying a historical or fictional character through costume.
“We’re a family friendly [convention] and a cultural immersion fair to see what’s coming up in animation, such as from Funimation and Crunchyroll. There is the opportunity to meet a professional cosplayer from California. We’ll have a tabletop gaming station, as well as a showcase of potentially new games and outdoor vendors and activities for people to enjoy,” Christina Platt stated as she enjoyed a coffee with me. She is co-directing the event with Amber Mucha, who are both well-involved with the local art and costume communities since 2005. “It’s not always easy for people in the Mat-Su Valley to come to Anchorage; it’s nice to have something local and see cosplay near my home in the Wasilla/Palmer area.”
“It’s nice to get away from the hustle and bustle of Anchorage and get to go out and enjoy the intimacy of seeing old and new friends there,” Amber mentioned.
This year, their special guest is PiggyNukka, who is a costumer and wig stylist based in San Diego, California. She also creates tutorials of her methods to help spread knowledge within the community. She professionally works as a compositor and motion graphics animator with a BFA in media arts and animation. She has extensive experience working in the visual effects departments on TV shows, such as NBC's “Grimm” and FX's “The Librarians”, as well as independent movies and commercials.
“I’m actually really excited to talk about having a career in art!” Nukka mentioned, having just arrived back home from an animation convention in San Jose. “I feel that a lot of people starting in art via internet have an easier time to get information. I had firsthand experience getting into a field of impossible aspirations. Being a woman in visual effects is rare. A lot of people struggle with it.”
With local sponsorship by MTA Wireless, Ian’s Gaming Paradise and MJ’s Cards and Comics, Taikai Con will be one of the largest fandom events held in the Valley.
At-door general tickets are $25, and student rate is $20. Get a $5 discount when purchased through their website at www.taikaicon.com.
