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The Society for the Promotion of Japanese Animation adds a special
touch to Anime Expo. Each convention ends with a charity action of art
from sponsors, dealers and the guests of honor. The proceeds go to the
City of Hope, a childrens' hospital. |
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The final item to be auctioned on Sunday afternoon was a matted color
picture of Fushigi Yuugi characters, drawn during the convention by Yu
Watase. Jeff Okamoto of the Anime Expo staff strained to drive the bidding
higher and higher... |
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...while in the audience, Watase calmly videotaped the auction. The
bidding swept past $2,000, soared past $3,000 and edged upward... |
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...until $3,200 was bid, and no one wanted to take the bidding higher.
The woman who entered the winning bid got a special piece of art, and a
picture with Watase. The City of Hope will receive at least $16, 675, a
tentative figure that is slightly higher than the proceeds from the 1997
charity auction. |
