Japanamerica Night At Kinokuniya!

It's no secret that Kinokuniya (1073 Avenue of the Americas) is my favorite bookstore. It's no secret that my love for the store borders on lust. It's no secret that after I inevitably screw up at the New York Anime Festival, I hope I'll have a home stocking shelves there. As such, whenever Kinokuniya holds a special event, I like to talk about it and -- even more -- get personally involved.

I'm pleased to say Kinokuniya will be holding Japanamerica Night on Wednesday, February 27. Roland Kelts, author of Japanamerica: How Japanese Pop Culture Has Invaded The US, will headline the event, speaking at 6 PM, but he won't be alone. Nope, Mr. Kelts will be joined by TOKYOPOP creators Melissa DeJesus and James Barry, who'll also talk about their works and Japan's influence on everything that they do.

But what about me? The New York Anime Festival will be donating several boxes of swag, and anyone and everyone in cosplay who attends will get to take something home. Granted, it's February, but it hasn't been that cold in NYC, and if you think it's too chilly for the Faye Valentine outfit, I expect to see you there in at least an anime T-Shirt.

Oh, Kinokuniya will also be giving all cosplayers a 10% discount off all the manga in the store, so maybe it isn't too cold for Faye Valentine after all. Kinokuniya is the largest Japanese bookstore in North America, and their entire third floor is devoted to comic books, so you can do the math. I'm not sure of the exact percentage, but as my much hipper, trendier, and more happening girlfriend would say this "equals win".

Hip? Trendy? Happening? What am I doing pretending to be any of these things. I'm an anime fan. I'm now off to drown my dinner in kewpie mayonnaise and work on the World Cosplay Summit's Team USA website. I so equal win.