Sorry if this is later than usual, but with my mind on other things (i.e. frustration over manga that I'm following, the recent episode of a certain show that I'll bring up later in this post), it took a while before I can start this. With my ass now in gear, lets talk about Anime USA 2011...
GOODS
Getting this off my back right from the get go: this year's Dealers' Room was no where as good as the last few years. Yes, I'm aware that Anime USA is lacking in Dealers' Room goods when compared to Otakon and Katsucon. However, this year's room was rather disappointing IMO. I think part of the problem could be due to not only a few of the better dealers from years past weren't there this year (i.e. Funimation, who was at another con that weekend), but also the fact that there weren't any dealers this go round that carried older figures that would interest me. Basically, this means that I have some more to spend on Black Friday.
However, that doesn't mean I didn't buy anything at the Dealers' Room. For starters, I did pick up some anime in the form of Mobile Suit Gundam (I enjoyed the show when it aired on Toonami in 2001), OreImo, and Fairy Tail. As for figures, I did pick up a couple of them. The first one that I picked up was of Kagami (from Lucky Star) in a bride's outfit.
The second one is Hanyuu from Higurashi in the sexy Angelmort waitress outfit.
AUTOGRAPHS
With Anime USA, that usually means one thing: the tradition of getting my Negima Pactio card holder autographed by one of the English voice actresses. This year, the voice actress in question is Monica Rial, who voices Konoka in the dub. Despite my frustration with the manga recently (basic summary: I'm concerned that the manga is reverting back to the early days of being a bland harem comedy title, with the current storyline being very close to having major Character Derailment written all over it) , I still brought the Pactio card holder for Rial to sign.
While looking at the schedule, I also noticed that Wendee Lee was having an autograph session alongside Rial. So, I thought that I should bring something with me for her to sign as well. The problem: most dubs I watch are more of the Texas variety. Luckily, I did have a title featuring Lee that I'd listen to the dub of when I do have the urge to check it out: Akira.
COSPLAY
Rounding things out are the cosplay pictures that I took at the con.
One of the biggest American cartoons at the moment is My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic, a cartoon based on the popular girls toy line that has attracted fans of all ages and genders (and given how funny it can be, I understand the that reason). Here's a personification cosplay of one of the main characters in the show, Pinkie Pie.
P.S. To give you an idea of the greatness that is MLP:FIM, here's a couple of videos both involving the episode that premiered the same weekend as the con:
Wakaba from Revolutionary Girl Utena in her Dark Rose duelist attire.
Mint Berry Crunch from the "Coon and Friends" South Park three-parter (part two is a much watch for any anime fan, as it features a pair of scenes that pay homage to My Neighbor Totoro)
More My Little Pony cosplay. This time, the character is Sweetie Belle, younger sister of Rarity, another "mane" character in the show, and part of the Cutie Mark Crusaders, a trio of young ponies who are trying to receive a mark that usually appears on a pony's rear side.
Mew Zakuro from Tokyo Mew Mew
England from Hetalia, complete with a homemade Flying Mint Bunny plushie.
Lilith from Darkstalkers. Given how this cosplayer does wear glasses, I wonder which look would be cuter: with or without them.
Jackie Chan (or Blue Five, to some Azumanga Daioh fans) a la the Saturday morning cartoon Jackie Chan Adventures.