The SPJA Charity Art Auction

Sunday is when the convention starts winding down, but there is one last moment of madness before the Closing Ceremonies: the Charity Auction. In addition to offering one-of-a-kind items and providing much amusement for the crowd, the auction donates its proceeds to the City of Hope "Heroes for Hope" program, which helps treat children with cancer. Any thoughts about how a person had to be nuts to spend $2,000 on a sketch was tempered by the fact that the money was going towards a good cause. If the person making the donation could walk off with a rare autographed sketch, so much the better, right?
Numerous cels beckoned the attendees to part with the cash in their wallets, and the winning bids averaged around $200. Then came the sketches and drawings from the Guests of Honor, which went for much higher; a framed picture of Ed and Ein from COWBOY BEBOP went for $1200, while a drawing of Sailor Moon donated by Ms. Tadano went for a respectable $2,000. A gorgeous color illustration of Deedlit from LODOSS created by Mr. Izubuchi fetched another $2,000 as well.

"We're not worthy..." As another sketch is sold for 4 digits.

The auction winner shows off his prizes.

The most amusing point in the auction came when Akitaka Mika's sketch of a GP-04 Gundam went up on the auction block. The ensuing bidding war between two Gundam fans was fast and furious, reaching $1,000 in five seconds flat. Both bidders then took things slow, frowning and groaning and stomping their feet when one outbid the other. In the end, the winner made the final bid of $2,500, at which the other bidder and several other attendees bowed down chanting "We're not worthy!"
The winner's comment? "Remind me to buy a crate of cup ramen."

Closing Ceremonies

After the Charity Auction, it was time for Anime Expo to come to a close. There's always something sad about the end of a big event, but one can always hope for a bigger, better convention the next year, and it was announced that AX2K would be held at the Mouse's House next door: Disneyland Hotel.

	top left: the one-eyed Daruma, waiting to be filled. top right: Mr. Ishiguro fills in the second eye. bottom: The Guests of Honor and the City of Hope check.

It was also then that AX announced that it would be held over four days next year (drawing an audible groan from any AX staffers present). The numerous Guests of Honor and other Guests were brought out for a few closing comments to the attendees, each drawing a round of applause (one guest admitted to eating too many Twinkees, drawing laughter from the audience as well). After the second eye of the Daruma was filled, Mr. Ishiguro, now an honorary chairman of Anime Expo, whacked the gavel and announced "Anime Expo is now closed!"
Overall, Anime Expo 1999 seemed a resounding success. The final attendance was over 6,100 persons, a marked growth over 1998's 4,500+ attendees. Moving to a four-day format at the Disneyland Hotel in Anaheim for next year's event will provide a new set of challenges. A four-day con seems a difficult task, but if this year was any indication, the fans, guests, and staff certainly seem ready to give it a try.

Contributed by Kenneth Jin-ho Cho, Mark Johnson, Charles McCarter, Tom Larsen, Keith Rhee, David Ho and Eric "Scanner" Luce.