By GRETCHEN AMMERMAN/Oregon Coast TODAY
If you use the word “nerd” as a compliment, have a favorite anime character and roll your eyes at people who mix up Star Wars and Star Trek, the new event coming to the Newport Recreation Center this weekend might be for you.
Ashika-Con is a Comic-Con-style event for fans of comics, sci-fi, anime and fantasy. The full roster of activities includes cosplay costume contests for both adults and kids and an Anime Family Feud game.
“If I wasn’t going to be too busy, I would love to be in the feud,” said organizer Aaron Nobles. “We’re going to test people’s knowledge of some old-school stuff in addition to more current pop culture.”
Each player will receive a prize, with the winning four-person team scoring four tickets to Ripley’s Believe it or Not. Prizes will be a big part of the weekend, Nobles said.
“I’ve been buying or getting donated so much cool stuff that I wish I could keep,” he said. “I guess I have to give it away though, since I promised.”
One of the coolest prizes of the weekend are part of the Dragon Ball Z treasure hunt. The first three hunters to complete a special card received upon entry will receive sets of seven Dragon Balls.
“I ordered Dragon Balls from Japan,” Nobles said. “That’s another thing I would love to keep but I have to let them go.”
Current and future Dungeons & Dragons players will find plenty to do at the con.
“We’ll have two 3D printed sets,” Nobles said. “One is based on the Death Star and the other is based on teaching new people how to play the game.”
To add to the visual fun of the weekend, Star Wars Oregon members will be making an appearance.
“We will have six individuals coming out that will be dressed in all their gear,” Nobles said. “Four Mandalorians and two from Cloud City.”
Even the food available will be themed.
“The Fishing Rock Eatery will be making anime-related food,” Nobles said. “I’m not sure what that is actually going to be yet, but it sounds cool.”
The VIP Box includes a T-shirt, Ashika-Con bag, lanyard and sticker, exclusive access to the VIP lounge, an all-access weekend pass and lots of other cool content. VIP members also get an exclusive viewing of the film. “Delicious in the Dungeon.”
“Most of the questions I get are about what is a con, and how it is run,” Nobles said. “As a parent, I wanted to create something that people can do with their kids all day. We will have a section where people can play console games. There is also a coloring station. We also have an amazing voice actor coming out.”
Abby Pasion is a Filipina-American actor, educator and storyteller from Portland, with more than a decade of experience in voiceover, stage and screen performances. She is known for her creative passion and dedication to uplifting underrepresented voices.
“We will also have a tattoo artist who is going to give tattoos live during the event,” Nobles said. “And of course, we’ll have temporary tattoos for kids.”
Visitors will also have the chance to make custom water bottles, T-shirts and more. And fans of Pokemon Go will be able to capture extra pokes over the weekend.
“I contacted the Pokemon people and they are going to set up the lure all day both days,” Nobles said.
Ashika is the Japanese word for sea lion, reflecting the love that Nobles has for the coast.
“I wanted to come up with a logo I would want to wear on a shirt,” he said. “I have been working with some great people to pull this thing off and two of them drew a colorful sea lion and I was like, can we add a samurai outfit? I figured other anime nerds like me would love that.”
- Ashika-con runs from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 25, and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 26. Tickets are $5 to $8 for kids and $20 to $30 for adults. VIP boxes are $55. The Newport Recreation Center is at 225 S.E. Avery St. For more information, go to www.ashikacon.com
-
For more arts and entertainment news go to Oregon Coast TODAY
Comment Policy