| Why would Project: A-Kon bring in Bruce Campbell, a horror and genre
movie actor who has little or nothing to do with anime? Because he attracts
a crowd, that's why. Campbell's Saturday panel drew one of the largest
crowds of the the weekend, and his autograph line stretched the entire
length of the main concourse and wrapped back on itself. People at A-Kon
loved having a chance to see the guy who created so many outrageous characters
on film. |
 |
| So what does Campbell think of anime? This exchange with an audience
cosplayer, dressed as Sailor Saturn, might give a hint. "Is she an anime
character?" Campbell said. "Like, she hangs out with Speed Racer? No, she
owns Kimba, the White Lion." Campbell then asked the audience for suggestions
on what anime to watch to get him up to speed, and the delighted fans were
quick to shout out their favorites. |
 |
| Campbell isn't from the younger generation that produces most anime
fans. When he mentioned The Fantasticks, a classic stage musical of three
generations ago, most of the people in the audience weren't sure what he
was talking about. That audience sure did know about every one of Campbell's
films, and they peppered him with enthusiastic questions about those movies.
"There will be an Evil Dead 4," Campbell said to cheers from the audience,
followed by "When monkeys fly out of my butt," to a chorus of laughter. |
 |
| Campbell's appearance was more performance than panel, of course, but
that's just what the A-Kon audience wanted. "Who is that poor woman?" Campbell
asked to a person who emitted high-pitched laughs in response to his jokes.
"I'm not a woman," the person responded to roars from the crowd. Campbell
had a snappy comeback: "That's all right, because I'm not a man." |
 |
