Updates

You may have noticed a few changes to the site recently.  We are currently trying to get this group more active and also looking into venues to host events.  Please check back for any further updates.

Some new things you may have noticed:

Consolidated Menues

In an attempt to keep this site clean and streamlined, new subject heading pages have been added.  Check out these pages for further information about each topic and even a calendar of events.

• Local Culture – this is where you will find information about local groups and events, including our new event calendar.
• Resources – if you are curious as to the next best read or anime to watch, this is the place for you!
• Members Only – information and for our active members, including all posts that are for members only.
• Staff Otaku – information and posts for our staff members.

Members Only

This is still a work in progress.  If you click in this area, you will see that the posts are password protected. Currently there are no posts, so you aren’t missing out on anything!  When we have all of this worked out, it will be an area for the active members of our Virginia Beach Anime group to get updates that are for members only.

Staff Otaku

The few, the proud, the Beach Otaku.  This is an area of the site that is for staff members of Virginia Beach Anime.

 

If you have any questions or comments, please let us know by either commenting on this post or sending an email to vabeachanime@gmail.com.

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Voice Actress Cassandra Hodges Passes Away

Voice Actress Cassandra Hodges

Earlier this evening, Chris Ayres posted on his Facebook wall that voice actress Cassandra Hodges had passed away.  According to Ayres, a coroner’s report has been made, but no further information is available at this time.  Hodges was 28 years old and scheduled to appear at Anime Festival Wichita next week and later on at AnimeIowa and Motaku.

Cassandra Hodges was an up-and-coming voice actress from FUNimation Studios.  She was the voice of Gotanda and Yuku in Hell Girl and Camembert in Glass Fleet.  Hodges also voiced various roles in Solty Rei (her first role), Hetalia-Axis Powers, xxxHOLiC, One Piece, Mushi-Shi, Fullmental Alchemist: Brotherhood, School Rumble, and other shows by FUNimation.

For further information about Cassandra Hodges, please check out the following links:

Anime News Network
http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/encyclopedia/people.php?id=63350

Anime Cons
http://www.animecons.com/guests/bio.shtml/2643 

Te o Tsunagō Sakusen (Project: Holding Hands)

In March, the website Te o Tsunagō Sakusen (Project: Holding Hands) launched with 18 characters with the goal of encouraging people, especially children affected by the disaster in Japan.  The project has been a success and now features up to 45 characters.  This project was created by Tsuneo Goda, the creator of the NHK mascot character Domo.

Goda’s message is this:

Our wish is to reach children who are fighting to survive this difficult situation, with the help of the characters that we created who have been and are great friends to the children.

I hope this image of the characters holding hands soothe their feelings and bring them to smile, which I believe will help them cope with what they are facing. There may be more friends to join this project and this image will be updated as they do. Please share and forward this image so that children can see via various devices.

To see what others involved in the project have to say, please follow the link below.  In the spirit of this post we are passing this image on and hope you will too!

 

Te o Tsunagō Sakusen (Project: Holding Hands)
http://www.teotsunago.com/

Messages from Supporters
http://www.dw-f.jp/message.html 

Kaboombash! for Japan

Kaboombash! for Japan
June 25, 2010 ~ 2:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.
Club Relevant
929 Level Green Blvd
Virginia Beach, VA

On Friday, March 11, 2011, a magnitude 9.0 earthquake hit off the coast of Japan near the city of Sendai, which unleashed a 23-foot tsunami leaving death and disaster in its wake. In the days since we have seen the news updates from the devastating effects of the earthquake and tsunami to the nuclear crisis. We have also seen how the Japanese people have come together to support each other. While the initial global response to Japan’s crisis was outstanding, it has slowed down considerably. Due to this, we decided to dedicate our convention to Japan in an attempt to assist relief efforts and raise awareness.

All proceeds of this event will be donated to Second Harvest Japan.

Details

Saturday, June 25, 2011
2:00 PM – 10:00 PM

Club Relevant
929 Level Green Blvd.
Virginia Beach, VA 23464
http://www.myspace.com/relevantconcerts

$5 at the door (If you come in cosplay you get in free).
Badge – $10 ($5 if in cosplay)

Further Information

Kaboombash for Japan! Forums
http://kaboombash.proboards.com/

Kaboombash! for Japan Facebook Event
http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=226350474045238 

Demand Trigun Badlands Rumble for Hampton Roads!

This summer, FUNimation is showing Trigun Badlands Rumble on the big screen in select areas. As you may have guessed, we are not one of those chosen few… but do not cry just yet. If we have enough of a demand for the movie in the area, we can get Trigun Badlands Rumble here! All you have to do is demand this event on eventful. I’ll make it easy for you – just click here and you will be taken to the Trigun Badlands Rumble Hampton Roads Demand page. To see the entire list of lucky cities that will be screening Trigun Badlands Rumble, check out the Trigun Badlands Rumble – Official Page on eventful.

Trigun Badlands Rumble Copyright 2010 Madhouse Studios and FUNimation

Trigun Badlands Rumble (2010)

20 years after meddling into the bank heist of a notorious robber named Gasback, Vash the Stampede is heading towards Macca City. Rumors say that the legendary thief might appear there causing an enormous influx of bounty hunters in the area who want to collect the $$300,000,000 prize for his head. (Synopsis from Anime News Network.)

 

One last time, here is the the link to demand Trigun Badlands Rumble for Hampton Roads.

Trigun Badlands Rumble – Official Page in Hampton Roads
http://eventful.com/demand/trigun-badlands-rumble-/D0-001-004824687-0 

Asian Fest 2011

Asian Fest 2011
May 14, 2011 ~ 10 AM – 4 PM
Meyera E. Oberndorf Central Library
4100 Virginia Beach Blvd.
Virginia Beach, VA 23456
Map

Celebrate 20 years of the Asian Pacific American Heritage Organization and Asian Pacific Islander Heritage Month by coming out and experiencing Asian culture!  There will be something for everyone as the event kicks off with a parade outside of the Virginia Beach Central Library that will make it’s way indoors.  Once inside, there will be cultural displays, food, arts and crafts displays, storytelling, and more!

Cosplay for a Cause

For those of you who enjoy cosplay, here is a way for you to get involved and help the relief effort in Japan. Cosplay for a Cause has created a 13 month calendar filled with fantastic cosplay and artwork by renowned comic artists.

Calendar Features:

• 11 x 22 full size, 2012 calendar, saddle stitched
• 12 months (plus January 2013) with more than 15 cosplayers from around the world
• Big, beautiful never before seen photos of iconic anime and video games characters
• Additional artwork by renowned comic book artists Mark Brooks, Eric Canete, Cully Hamner, and Brian Stelfreeze

100% of the proceeds will go to the Japanese Red Cross Society to help support the disaster relief.  Pre-order your copy now for $17.99!!

Japan All Night!

Japan All Night! A Punk Rock Benefit for JapanRelief
May 7, 2011 ~ 10:30 PM
Knitting Factory Brooklyn
361 Metropolitan Ave.
Brooklyn, NY 11211
Map

Tickets: $15 (All Ages)

All proceeds benefit Second Harvest Japan, which is supplying food to people in the disaster zone.

Bands:

Care Bears on Fire
http://www.myspace.com/carebearsonfire
New York’s youngest all-girl, punk-rock troublemakers. Think Joan Jett ca. 1975.

The Homewreckers
http://www.myspace.com/wewreckhomes
Down and dirty pop-punk, straight out of Brooklyn.

Hilly Eye
http://hillyeye.bandcamp.com/ 
Sleater-Kinney meets Lightning Bolt in a duo fronted by Amy Klein of Titus Andronicus.

PS XO
http://www.myspace.com/psxony
Experimental Brooklyn rockers fresh off a tour with Jad Fair.

The Susan
http://www.myspace.com/thesuzan 
Japan’s acclaimed all-lady dance explosion.

Uzuhi
http://www.myspace.com/uzuhi
Body-rockin’ Japanese spazz-core.

Can’t make it to the live show?  Not a problem.  The entire show will be available on the Kit Factory’s livestream channel.  Each band will have their own channel and you can RSVP if there are certain shows you don’t want to miss.  Just follow the link below to see the show!

Knitting Factory Brooklyn Live
http://www.livestream.com/theknitbrooklyn 

United For Japan

Bring your donation dollars! Our Sponsor, the Asian Association of Hampton Roads, is sending funds directly to Japan Relief through Red Cross and Operation Blessing International. Food, Music, Japanese Performances, T-Shirts, and more.

Minimum dress requirement is business casual.  For further details and to RSVP, check out the Hampton Roads Japanese Language and Culture Meetup Group event.