Konnichi wa minna!  August of 1998, my family had planned a vacation to California.  This was to be our first trip to California as a family, as well as our first to visit Disneyland, Universal Studios, and my aunt and cousins who live there.  I'd known about the Comic-Con for a little while by then, and known that Naoko-sensei was supposed to be there. But my hopes were never raised to go, that is until I heard the dates of our vacation.  They managed to overlap by just one day.  But one day was enough.  I was going to San Diego to meet Naoko Takeuchi-sensei, the creator of Bishoujo Senshi Sailor Moon.

    I'd been planning on making a sailor fuku for some time and hadn't quite gotten to it, but now I had a very good reason to.  It took a lot of hard work not only on my part, but on the parts of many adult friends of mine, including my cousins' adopted grandmother, who helped me finish at the last minute.

    I knew the con would be the highlight of my trip, and I was beyond right.  My mother came with me, and we had a very good experience with the disabled services.  They were much better than Disneyland or even Universal Studios.  (BTW, my mother is not disabled, but she sprained her ankle before the trip, and walking around so much was -not- an option for her. ^.^)  We're very grateful to them for all their help.

    This was -my- day.  My mom and I arrived at about 10:30 on Thursday, the first day of the Con and my only one.  She got our stuff together whileI changed into my fuku.  Even while I was having Mom finish up the touches on my costume, people were making comments, and good ones to boot! I knew I'd be a minority that day, suspecting that most of the other peoplewere saving their costumes for the Masquerade, to be held on Saturday.  I didn't have that option, so I was going to go all out the day I was there.

    Then, we hit the convention floor.  I was amazed at the amount of -stuff- there, especially the anime and manga merchandise!  There was just so much, and this being my first con ever, I was doubly amazed.

       But apparently people were also amazed with me.  My costume was a hit, and I was very proud.  People were asking for pictures left and right, and I was more than happy to let them take some.  I took several of them with younger kids, which thrilled me just as much as it must have thrilled them. I was even asked to do a sort of intro on video.  I stood and said,"Hi, I'm Sailor Moon, and welcome to the 1998 San Diego Comic-Con!" and then did a pose.  That was fun.

    Many people would just call out "Sailor Moon!" when they saw me.  The younger kids were the best part of that.  They would come up and look so shy, but to them I -was- Sailor Moon.  The best one was a bold little blonde boy that came right up and chatted with me.  I'll never forget when we parted ways and he called out, "Bye Sailor Moon!"

    Meeting Naoko Takeuchi-sensei was an exciting experience, however brief it was. Mom said that before I came up, she saw me and smiled, clearly pleased. I was dressed to nearly a T as Super Sailor Moon, of course, and I'd hoped to impress her.  I like to think I did, with the proof from my mother.

I think the media was impressed with that too, taking pictures as I watched Naoko sign a poster for me.  How funny to have Super Sailor Moon wanting Naoko Takeuchi's autograph.  ^.^;  One reporter from Tokyo came and talked to me and took pictures.  Later, as I was making final purchases, a San Diego NBC reporter came and talked to me about being in a broadcast at four. I couldn't decline that of course, and so there I was, on live television with Marvel characters Spiderman, Wolverine, and Storm.

    And there it is.  My great adventure.  ^.^;  It may not be quite as exciting as other things, but for my first experience as such, I thought it was.  I'm hoping to be able to attend other conventions close to home, taking other anime-addicted friends with me (Ami-chan, this means you! >=D), and -maybe- dressing them up.  ^.^  Until next time!