Con Review Podcast Episodes

by Xan Villanueva.
Animazement 2024 returned to the Raleigh Convention Center from May 23rd to 26th, marking another year of growth for this fan-driven event. What began in 1997 as a college film festival has evolved into a vibrant convention, and after my first positive experience in 2023, I dove in fully this year—panels, guests, and all. The result? A weekend that solidified Animazement as one of my favorite conventions on the circuit.
Guests & Highlights
This year’s lineup boasted an impressive mix of veteran voice actors and industry talent. Legendary seiyuu Toshio Furukawa (Kai Shiden in Gundam, Ataru in Urusei Yatsura) and Kikuko Inoue (Belldandy in Ah! My Goddess) drew crowds, while Noriko Hidaka (Akane in Ranma ½) and Shino Kakinuma (Naru in Sailor Moon) brought nostalgia to the forefront. On the English dub side, Erica Mendez (Ryuko in Kill la Kill, Gon in Hunter x Hunter) kept panels lively with her infectious energy.
Musical guests Angel-Taka, Kaizan Nitta, and Hakusui Ogiyama added a dynamic layer to the weekend, while industry veterans like Trish Ledoux (co-founder of Animerica), Hiroshi Nagahama (Uzumaki, Revolutionary Girl Utena), and Kohi Nagai (producer of My Hero Academia) offered deep dives into anime production.
Panels: Successes & Surprises
This year, I ran four panels—all well-received, but two stood out as highlights.
"The Live Action Equation: Anime in The Flesh" (Friday) sparked heated debates, especially over Netflix adaptations, while surprising attendees with the first live-action anime adaptation (hint: it wasn’t Death Note).
"I’m Not Old! Main Characters Over 30" (Saturday) packed the room, with fans passionately defending (or protesting) picks like Alucard (Hellsing) and Mr. Fujisawa (GTO).
"Horror in Anime & Manga" (Saturday night) remained a cult favorite, though I was shocked how few had seen Vampire Hunter D: Bloodlust.
"24 Manga Recommendations for Grown-Ups" (Sunday) was my personal triumph—engaging discussions, new readers hooked, and requests for sequels.
As an attendee, I caught Third Impact Anime’s "10 Years Later: Anime in 2014" (a brutal reminder of my age) and Fatal Fanatix’s "Cool Manga No Anime," which unearthed hidden gems I’ll definitely cover in future Wheel of Manga episodes. The "2025 Anime Music Challenge" game show had a clever gimmick (though I still think my Anime Tune Showdown format reigns supreme).
Dealer’s Room, Artist Alley & More
The Dealer’s Room was well-organized but lacked the rare manga finds of years past—CheapManga.com and Sci-Fi Continuum were sorely missed. Still, Discotek’s booth delivered, and I walked away with some stellar Blu-rays.
Artist Alley showcased incredible talent, though the creeping presence of AI art raised eyebrows. Meanwhile, the new Video Game Room—with arcade cabinets, consoles, and PCs—was a welcome addition, if not yet on par with Otakon’s legendary setup. The Manga Library, while smaller than Anime Next’s, impressed with its local-library collaboration system.
Cosplay & Vibe: Comfortably Crowded
Cosplay at Animazement is always a highlight, and this year’s eclectic mix included Maomao (Apothecary Diaries), Fallout wastelanders, Sakamoto (Sakamoto Days), and even Conker (Bad Fur Day). The atmosphere was relaxed yet energetic—crowded enough to feel lively, never suffocating. Attendees played board games, debated anime, and lingered in halls without the usual con stress.
Final Thoughts: A Keeper
Animazement retains the charm of a "homey" fan convention while expanding thoughtfully. The layout was intuitive, the panels diverse, and the attendees genuinely happy to be there. After two years, I’m convinced: this is a convention worth returning to. See you in 2025, AZ!
Overall Rating 
Drop Everything & Go – This Is Worth It!" (Highest – Must-attend, flawless execution)
#Animazement2024 #SpirakenConReport #AnimeConventions #spiraken

In this episode of the Spiraken Con Review, Xan talks about his experience and adventures at Otakon 2023
Otakon took place July 28th-30th 2023 at the Walter E Washington Convention Center in Washington D.C.
So besides discussing how the convention went, he discusses the improvements made since last year, the many great cosplays that he saw, and his feelings about the panels that happened. 
 
 
 
Remember to Like, Share and Subscribe. Follow us @spiraken on Twitter and @spiraken on Instagram, subscribe to this podcast and our YouTube channel, Support our Patreon and if you would kindly, please go to www.tinyurl.com/helpxan and give us a great rating on Apple Podcasts. Also join our discord and  Thank you and hope you enjoy this episode.
 
#spiraken #mangareview #otakon2023 #inpersonconvention  #podcasthq #convention #manga #spirakenreviewpodcast 
Music Used in This Episode:  Closing Theme- Tropicana by Soundroll (Uppbeat)
Music from Uppbeat (free for Creators!):https://uppbeat.io/t/soundroll/tropicanaLicense code: RGSOALNIIEQQO8TX
WHERE TO FIND US
Our Instagram https://www.instagram.com/spiraken/
Our Email Spiraken@gmail.com
Xan's Email xan@spiraken.com
Our Patron https://www.patreon.podbean.com/spiraken or https://www.patreon.com/spiraken
Our Discord https://tinyurl.com/spiradiscord
Our Twitter https://twitter.com/spiraken
Our Youtube Channel https://www.youtube.com/user/spiraken
Our Twitch https://www.twitch.tv/spiraken 
Our Amazon Store http://www.amazon.com/shops/spiraken
Random Question of the Day: Did you go to Otakon 2023?

In this episode of the Spiraken Con Review, Xan talks about his experience and adventures attending Otakon 2022
Animazement took place May  25th-28st 2022 at the Raleigh Convention Center in Raleigh, North Carolina
 
As he goes over his first experience at Animazement, he also discusses the different activities that occurred at the con and goes over what else happened.
  
 
best cosplays at Animazement 2023
  
Thank you to Cosplayers Kay, Sam, Amanda, S1esroh.co, Starbeats, Blue Fey, B, Delta and Tabby
  
 Best Panel at Animazement
Trish Ledoux and Toshifumi Yoshida
 
 
Remember to Like, Share and Subscribe. Follow us @spiraken on Twitter and @spiraken on Instagram, subscribe to this podcast and our YouTube channel, Support our Patreon and if you would kindly, please go to www.tinyurl.com/helpxan and give us a great rating on Apple Podcasts. Also join our discord and  Thank you and hope you enjoy this episode.
 
 
#spiraken #mangareview #animzaement2023 #inpersonconvention  #podcasthq #convention #manga #spirakenreviewpodcast 
Music Used in This Episode:  Closing Theme- Tropicana by Soundroll (Uppbeat)
Music from Uppbeat (free for Creators!):https://uppbeat.io/t/soundroll/tropicanaLicense code: RGSOALNIIEQQO8TX
WHERE TO FIND US
Our Instagram https://www.instagram.com/spiraken/
Our Email Spiraken@gmail.com
Xan's Email xan@spiraken.com
Our Patron https://www.patreon.podbean.com/spiraken or https://www.patreon.com/spiraken
Our Discord https://tinyurl.com/spiradiscord
Our Twitter https://twitter.com/spiraken
Our Youtube Channel https://www.youtube.com/user/spiraken
Our Twitch https://www.twitch.tv/spiraken 
Our Amazon Store http://www.amazon.com/shops/spiraken
Random Question of the Day: Did you go to Animazement 2023?

In this episode of the Spiraken Con Review, Xan talks about his experience and adventures attending Anime Boston 2023
Anime Boston took place April 7th - 9th 2023 at the Prudential Convention Center in Boston Ma.
 
 
As he goes over the unique programming that occurred this year, he also talks about some of the crazy panels he attended, the unique cosplays he saw  and some of his concerns on where the con can go
  
 
Remember to Like, Share and Subscribe. Follow us @spiraken on Twitter and @spiraken on Instagram, subscribe to this podcast and our YouTube channel, Support our Patreon and if you would kindly, please go to www.tinyurl.com/helpxan and give us a great rating on Apple Podcasts. Also join our discord and  Thank you and hope you enjoy this episode.
 
 
#spiraken #mangareview #animeboston2023 #inpersonconvention  #podcasthq #convention #manga #spirakenreviewpodcast 
Music Used in This Episode:  Closing Theme- Tropicana by Soundroll (Uppbeat)
Music from Uppbeat (free for Creators!):https://uppbeat.io/t/soundroll/tropicanaLicense code: RGSOALNIIEQQO8TX
WHERE TO FIND US
Our Instagram https://www.instagram.com/spiraken/
Our Email Spiraken@gmail.com
Xan's Email xan@spiraken.com
Our Patron https://www.patreon.podbean.com/spiraken or https://www.patreon.com/spiraken
Our Discord https://tinyurl.com/spiradiscord
Our Twitter https://twitter.com/spiraken
Our Youtube Channel https://www.youtube.com/user/spiraken
Our Twitch https://www.twitch.tv/spiraken 
Our Amazon Store http://www.amazon.com/shops/spiraken
Random Question of the Day: Did you go to AB 2023?

Here is a list of the manga series  that we discussed in this panel
After Hours
Beck
Blue Giant
Carole & Tuesday
Days on Fes
Detroit Metal City
Given
Gravitation
Kids on the Slope
Let's Go Karaoke
Ludwig B
Mashikaku Rock
Me & The Devil Blues
Nana
Nodame Cantabile
Sensual Phrase
The Shiori Experience Jimi na watashi to hen na ojisan
Solanin
Those Snow White Notes
Tonkatsu D.J, Agetaru
Violinist of Hameln
Ya Boy Kongming
If you have any questions or comments about the panel please email me at xan@spiraken.com

Here is a list of the characters that we discussed in this panel
Yuuko ichihara - xxxHolic - age 1000
Worick Arcangelo - Gangstas - age 35
Vlad Draculea III aka Alucard - Hellsing - Age 592
Tetsuo  Toso - My Home Hero - age 47
Ryo Saeba - City Hunter - age 30
Romper (moyoco anno) - Insufficient Direction - Age 30
Mariko Morioka - Recovery of an MMO Addict - 30
Arsene Lupin III- Lupin the III - age 31
Marco Pagot- Porco Rosso - age 37
Liliko - Helter Sketler  age 29-30
Daikichi Kawachi - Bunny Drop - age 30
Kuro Hazama - Blackjack- age 32
Kotetsu Kaburagi - Tiger & Bunny - age 36
Dr Kenzo Tenma - Monster - age 37
John " Sleepy" Estes - Madbull 34 - age 34
Ichiro Inuyashiki- Inuyashiki -age 58
Ginko- Mushishi - age 33
Duke Togo - Golgo 13
Chuyoko Fujiwara - Millennium Actress‐ age 95
If you have any questions or comments about the panel please email me at xan@spiraken.com
 
 

In this episode of the Spiraken Con Review, Xan talks about his experience and adventures attending Otakon 2022
Otakon took place July  29th-31st 2022 at the Walter E Washington Convention Center in Washington D.C.
 
As he goes over the unique programming that occurred this year, he also talks about this being the largest event in years and some of his concerns on where the con can go
  
 
best cosplays at Otakon
 
  
 
 
Remember to Like, Share and Subscribe. Follow us @spiraken on Twitter and @spiraken on Instagram, subscribe to this podcast and our YouTube channel, Support our Patreon and if you would kindly, please go to www.tinyurl.com/helpxan and give us a great rating on Apple Podcasts. Also join our discord and  Thank you and hope you enjoy this episode.
 
 
#spiraken #mangareview #otakon2022 #inpersonconvention  #podcasthq #convention #manga #spirakenreviewpodcast 
Music Used in This Episode:  Closing Theme- Tropicana by Soundroll (Uppbeat)
Music from Uppbeat (free for Creators!):https://uppbeat.io/t/soundroll/tropicanaLicense code: RGSOALNIIEQQO8TX
WHERE TO FIND US
Our Instagram https://www.instagram.com/spiraken/
Our Email Spiraken@gmail.com
Xan's Email xan@spiraken.com
Our Patron https://www.patreon.podbean.com/spiraken or https://www.patreon.com/spiraken
Our Discord https://tinyurl.com/spiradiscord
Our Twitter https://twitter.com/spiraken
Our Youtube Channel https://www.youtube.com/user/spiraken
Our Twitch https://www.twitch.tv/spiraken 
Our Amazon Store http://www.amazon.com/shops/spiraken
Random Question of the Day: Did you go to Otakon 2022?

In this episode of the Spiraken Con Review, Xan is joined by Doug Wilder of www.animecons.tv to talk about their experience and adventures attending their first in person convention in a year, Otakon 2021
Otakon took place August 6th-8th 2021 at the Walter E Washington Convention Center in Washington D.C.
So besides discussing how the convention went, they also discuss the precautions taken to combat Covid-19, their thoughts on the attendee reactions and what they hope will happen next year.
  
 
best cosplays at Otakon
 
Remember to Like, Share and Subscribe. Follow us @spiraken on Twitter and @spiraken on Instagram, subscribe to this podcast and our YouTube channel, Support our Patreon and if you would kindly, please go to www.tinyurl.com/helpxan and give us a great rating on Apple Podcasts. Also join our discord and  Thank you and hope you enjoy this episode.
 
#spiraken #mangareview #otakon2021 #inpersonconvention  #podcasthq #convention #manga #spirakenreviewpodcast 
Music Used in This Episode:  Closing Theme- Tropicana by Soundroll (Uppbeat)
Music from Uppbeat (free for Creators!):https://uppbeat.io/t/soundroll/tropicanaLicense code: RGSOALNIIEQQO8TX
WHERE TO FIND US
Our Instagram https://www.instagram.com/spiraken/
Our Email Spiraken@gmail.com
Xan's Email xan@spiraken.com
Doug's Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/nigoki
Our Patron https://www.patreon.podbean.com/spiraken or https://www.patreon.com/spiraken
Our Discord https://tinyurl.com/spiradiscord
Our Twitter https://twitter.com/spiraken
Our Youtube Channel https://www.youtube.com/user/spiraken
Our Twitch https://www.twitch.tv/spiraken 
Our Amazon Store http://www.amazon.com/shops/spiraken
Random Question of the Day: Did you go to Otakon 2021?

Thank you for checking out our panel at Anime Lockdown 2021.
here is a list of the anime and manga we discussed at the panel. We will be releasing the full panel on Twitch for our Patreon members.   if you have any questions, email us at xan@spiraken.com or comment below
 
Horror anime and manga we discussed
Bio Booster Armor Guyver
Bio Mega
Castlevania
Demon Slayers: Kimetsu no Yaiba
Domu: A Child's Dream
Dororo
Doubt
Drifting Classroom
Gegege no Kitaro
Hellgirl/Jigoku Shoujo
High-Rise Invasion
The Kurosagi Corpse Delivery Service
Mermaid Saga/Ningyo Shirizu
Parasyte/Kiseiju
To The Abandoned Sacred Beasts
Uzumaki
3x3 Eyes
 
Horror Anime & Manga Cut for Time
Ashura
Blood on the Tracks
Goblin Slayer
Golosseum
Hellsing
Japan Sinks
Junji Ito's Cat Diaries
M.P.D. Psycho
Mail
Midori
The Promised Neverland
Vampire Hunter D: Bloodlust
 
If you have any recommendations or comments let me know. 
See you next Year

Welcome to another episode of Spiraken's Convention Review!
In this episode, Xan is joined by Anime Boston Staffer, Friend of the Podcast and Animecons.tv member, Doug Wilder (@nigokiwatches) as they discuss the recent development of Convention Cancellations as well as the outlook for the first five months of 2021.