Japanese culture and the fantastical world of cosplay are coming to Platform 2012, East Yorkshire’s huge gaming and entertainment expo. The event at the University of Hull on March 17 and 18, has secured some ‘star’ experts in the art of Japanese culture and will also host the biggest gathering of cosplayers ever seen in the region, led by the award winning, Natasha Lee Tyler (AKA Missy Tetra), who lives in the city. The Platform 2012 Japanese culture and cosplay programme will culminate in a masquerade on the cosplay stage, attracting participants on the convention circuit from all over the UK. Sonia Leong will lead two workshops. Leong is a professional comic artist and illustrator who specialises in manga. She has a worldwide fan base and is an avid gamer. She will be leading two manga workshops at Platform 2012. Co presenting the cosplay parade is, Lawrence ‘MasakoX’ Simpson, a member of TeamFourStar, the international group behind the anime, Dragonball Z Abridged. MasakoX, also a successful voice actor, will impart his secrets at workshops and a Q & A session, including the art of abridging, taking the initial steps to online voice acting, to microphone and other techniques. He will also host a debate covering the most hotly discussed topics in the world of anime. Akemi Solloway Tanaka, the daughter of an old samurai family will bring a slice of real Japanese life to the city. Tanaka will showcase the culture of traditional and modern day Japan, including the mysterious world of the samurai, the iconic Japanese kimono and how to wear it, the art of the tea ceremony and a short course on the Japanese language. She is attending Platform on behalf of www.aidforjapan.org.uk Akemi is responsible for organising the Japanese Art Festival and Bunkasai events in London, and is founder of AJAMCA, the Anglo-Japanese Anime and Manga Cultural Association. She has described her own use of western clothing in her free time as a form of reverse Cosplay, as she spends most of her life dressed in kimonos. Natasha Lee Tyler, said that she hoped Platform 2012 would attract both new and established manga and anime fans and cosplayers. “Whether you are simply curious about the subculture and want to witness the spectacle, or if you need advice and inspiration and want to take part in the masquerade, we will give a great warm welcome.” Missy Tetra will take seminars covering: Cosplay for beginners: covering the history and developments of the cosplay convention subculture Cosplay Construction Camp: to train new cosplay recruits, including fabrication of costumes, from cotton to plastic, foam to framework Cosplay Q & A: an open forum to discuss cosplay Masterclass: for all cosplay masquerade entrants Platform 2012 is aiming to attract up to 10,000 visitors with its unique combination of education, business and fun. Confirmed exhibitors and supporters include international games company, Ubisoft, high street retailers Game and Game Station, and Microsoft. For exhibitor, sponsor and ticket information: www.platformexpos.com FACEBOOK: www.facebook.com/platformexpos TWITTER: http://twitter.com/#!/ PlatformExpos Entertainment for visitors includes a retro gaming section, a LAN gaming event featuring Call of Duty Black Ops and more, and family entertainment in the form of Skylanders and ‘live’ Star Wars characters. Speakers at the event include Charles Cecil, MBE, of Revolution Games, who is regarded as an ‘industry legend’; Mark Estdale of OM, the UK’s most experienced dialogue production team working with video games; Steve Ince, an award-nominated writer and designer with 18 years of game development experience; Louis Harwood of leading independent app development company Avalore Studios and The Triune, and Arif Majothi of Arif Games. Game Republic, an industry-led games network that supports and promotes the Yorkshire and UK games industry will put on two workshops with panels of experts. Platform 2012 is being supported locally by World Trade Centre Hull & Humber, the One Point, the University of Hull, Hull School of Art & Design, Hull College, Science City York, Hull City Council and East Riding of Yorkshire Council.———————- —————————— ——————- PC Game Reviews and News You can also follow CaptainD on Google+ to stay up to date with the latest news and reviews.
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From Japan to Hull: manga, anime and cosplay to feature at Platform Expos
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