About

Welcome to Inochiblog!

Started in early 2011 (though early posts have been adjusted to reflect their initial posting dates/times), Inochiblog sets out to cover fandom conventions, particularly in the realm of anime. As time goes on, Inochiblog will cover video game conventions, comic book conventions, horror conventions, and the like. Due to current budget restraints by your faithful Inochiblogger, anime conventions covered will be limited to the northeastern and mid-Atlantic states (Boston, Hartford, New York, Philadelphia, Baltimore, Washington, DC).

So, what makes Inochiblog different from every other anime- and convention-themed blog out there?

1. I add a humorous spin to my posts where appropriate. When one counts Dave Barry, Laurie Notaro, Tucker Max, Chelsea Handler, and of course Wil Wheaton among his writing influences, writing tinged (or flat out full of) humor is going to come naturally.

2. I’m not out to bash/critique conventions or the activities therein. As someone who has seen what goes on behind the scenes of convention planning and execution, I cannot bring myself to bash the hard work put on by each and every person involved with a convention, almost all of whom are volunteers. Besides, there are plenty of other blogs, forum sites, etc. that take care of that aspect. I have always found the atmosphere at conventions to be one of welcome, of positivity. Why spin that negatively? The outside world is negative enough.

3. As a relative newcomer to anime fandom, my writing will appeal to both hardcore and casual fans, not to mention non-fans.

4. Inochiblog is strictly for convention coverage; deep discussion or opinions about anime, video games, comic books, etc. will NOT be found here. Again, PLENTY of websites exist out there for those topics. Furthermore, as a convention official, YOU are in charge of ME. How many events per day would you like covered? Who would you like interviewed? What would you like me to research? You’re the boss, and, if necessary, I will run the pieces by all parties involved prior to publication.

5. I am all for sharing YOUR experiences, YOUR information, etc. at each convention I attend. I will cross-post my columns to your convention’s website and/or blog. Guests, vendors, and others interviewed by me are free to share with me (if they choose to do so) their personal website, their own blogs, etc.

ABOUT MIKE, YOUR INOCHIBLOGGER

A lifelong resident of the greater Philadelphia area, I have been writing for well over 10 years. In addition to my own personal blogging websites, my writing has appeared on the official websites for Anime USA (2010), Inochicon (2010), on local television news programs, and within the pages of several university newspapers.

A regular attendee of Philadelphia’s annual Wizard World East convention and suburban Philadelphia’s Zenkaikon, I helped to co-found and operate 2010’s Inochicon in downtown Philadelphia. Additionally, I covered Anime USA 2010 in Arlington, Virginia.

Like other convention officials, I offer my blogging skills for no charge. However, any offers for hotel rooms (shared or independent) for the duration of conventions will be more than welcome and appreciated.

Look for me at your next convention donning a felt “Blinky” (the red ghost from “Pac-Man”) cap and an anime “Link” (from “The Legend of Zelda” video games) pin.

Enjoy reading!