Sorry for the delay folks! The Shukai team went to Anime Expo 2017 and had a blast. Listen in to Mary, Antonio, newcomer Anthony, and your host Kevin as they tell you all the stuff they got themselves into.

How won the most spent game? Find out!

 

 

We will have a video out soon to showcase how much fun we all had at this year. Of course, there were hiccups, but we weren’t too affected by them. We would love to hear your horror stories, comment below or contact us!

Can’t wait for 2018!

Click here for the special episode of Tyler asking people “What is the worst anime of all time?“

Welcome to our 2nd Comic Con Month Special! We have Fuzzy Joseph, creator of The Warren Hope, on talking about how education and comic books can go hand-in-hand!

 

 

You will hear more from Fuzzy next month!

 

We had a lot of fun at San Diego Comic Con and Fuzzy did a fantastic job with the art for the panel!

 

Are you interested in making your own comic book and physically have it to enjoy? Well, we have MOM Comics and Mark Martinez on this special episode before San Diego Comic Con telling you how you can make that dream possible!

We don’t have a comic of the month, but we have this discussion and another special one coming up after the convention for you to enjoy!

 

 

There is so much to check out with MOM Comics! To support her work, go to her Gumroad and Comixology, also, check out her website!

Definitely keep checking for updates on “Issues” and look for it at conventions!

Keep up and connect with her on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Tumblr, and watch her on Twitch!

For more information on Mark Martinez’s work check his Tumblr and support his amazing creations on Gumroad!

Look out for “Samuriachi” at cons or online, as well!

Be sure to follow him on Twitter and Instagram!

I can definitely say that this Anime Expo was insanely interesting. I overall had a lot of fun, but there were some crazy mishaps. Before we go full into my article, let’s hear from some attendees!

 

I ran around (randomly) to find the greatest answer to the greatest question I could think of 10 seconds before clicking record: What is the worst anime of all time. You will hear some familiar people and hopefully have fun listening, too!

 

 

Don’t worry, Shukai episode 7 will be out NEXT WEEK so you can hear our experiences from this year’s AX! Below I have a slideshow of those I interviewed as well!

 

 

 

Anime Expo 2017… AHHHHHHH. I have never been to a convention that turned around so quickly. If you read the news stories, are in one of the Facebook groups, or saw the smoke signals, the first day was amazingly horrific. I will have to admit that I wasn’t affected by the badge pick up or waiting to get into the con, however, that energy definitely prevailed the halls.

I have gone to four Anime Expos prior to this year (2012-15). I missed last year, which all I hear are horror stories, because of my father’s wedding. This year, as I knew, was going to have an immensely larger number from the year prior. If you didn’t happen to know, AX 2016 hit 100,420 attendees which was 10% more than 2015. This year, the numbers “reached 115,726 including Pre-Show Night, marking a 15% increase of attendance from 2016,” exhibitors, press, professional, and volunteers. Holy. Crap.

So what are the bad things, Tyler?

Well buckle up Bessie, I have to start with the physical aspect. Every year I enjoy being in the crowd on Day 1 watching the ‘Opening Ceremony’ and going in with everyone. Nothing makes me more hyped than *slowly* charging for those exhibit room doors. The prior years I never had an issue. This year, one of the 3 escalators was down and they were trying to squeeze that ungodly amount of people (picture seen above, an hour beforehand, so imagine what it looked like when the doors opened) going up 2 escalators. The cast of Shukai and I were squished, pushed, pulled, and terrified.

It amazes me how SDCC can handle it’s attendees, but AX has issues each year. I understand that it is hard to control a crowd, however, I would think safety would be one of the top concerns while putting together a con. From now on I think I will just wait until I can just walk in…

Another thing that ticked me off is the same thing a lot of cons don’t control (and this may be stupid, I guess): wagons. Seriously. Stop bringing your goddamn kids unless they are well-behaved and/or in a stroller. I almost messed up 4 or 5 wagons last weekend and it was terrifying. While I am on the subject, how about teach your kids how to act when there are 100,000 people around them. Don’t run, push, or not pay attention when walking. I hate terrible parents…

What is worse than waiting to get to a con? Waiting for the shuttle to take you back to your hotel. Needing to go home when you have a crap ton of swag, purchases, backpacks, and a body pillow…. wait what? You just want to fucking go home. Saturday night was so enraging, waiting an hour and a half for our shuttle to come pick us up at 8PM to drop our shit off, while the volunteer shuttles were arriving every 5 minutes (or less). I am very happy that they are taking care of the volunteers, without them, we wouldn’t have a fun con, BUT COME ON. The location switch from Saturday and Sunday actually helped out alot, so I am insanely grateful for that. Thank you.

The last complaint, may come as no surprise, is the volunteer/line situation. Holy crap for panels and whatnot there was barely any communication or knowledge as to what the hell was going on.

Danny is BACK! What did we think about Ronin Expo? Did it exceed his expectations? Find out below!

Question of the Week: If you were able to start up a convention, other than Ronin Expo, what would it be about?

Game of the Week: Drunk Stoned or Stupid

About Ronin Expo:

Our mission at Ronin-Expo is to bring together a network of those who appreciate Asian culture, from various topics ranging from anime, cosplay, video games, and fashion. Sharing our devotion for Asian culture while providing a fun and unique experience is our goal at Ronin-Expo.

The Expo will be in Little Tokyo on June 10th! We will have a panel at night, so look out for “Unnecessary Debates.”

With plenty of guests joining in from voice actors, musical guests, samurai sword fighting demonstrations, our friends over at The Corps Dance Crew, and more!

Register RIGHT HERE and follow Ronin Expo on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram!

Again, check it out and we will see you there!!!

 

Drunk Stoned or Stupid:

Drunk Stoned or Stupid rose to fame after the successful launch of their first game (of the same name) on Kickstarter. Since its introduction, the game has taken off and is now the #2 game for the 18+ crowd, behind the game Cards Against Humanity.

Drunk Stoned or Stupid was created by twenty-something brothers, Noah and Trevor Mayer, and their father, Andy Mayer.

(Via their website)

Want to learn how to play? Here you go:

For more information check out their website, follow them on social media Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram!

The game is available for purchase on their website, Amazon, and plenty of stores that sell awesome card games!

Go ahead and support them and this fantastic game!

 

Like to drink? We have a drinking game here are the rules! Don’t drink and drive!

When anyone:

Someone has two picks of the week

Any time someone mentions JJ Abrams

‘Green Lantern’ film is mentioned

‘Dark Knight Rises’ is mentioned

“I swear to god” is said

Says “Drink!”

Tyler:

Tyler makes a horrible segue

Tyler says a pun

Tyler is corrected by someone

Tyler forgets his story half-way through

Tyler is interrupted by someone

We are on iTunes, so review us!!

Don’t forget to share us, like us, follow us, and subscribe!

Albert’s podcasts can be found here:

www.whowhatwhereswhy.com

Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/TheGrandGeekGathering

Twitter:

@TheGrandGeekG

Email us @:

Twitch.tv

http://www.twitch.tv/thegrandgeekgathering/

Extralife:

www.ExtraLife.org 

Music provided by:

The Staylyns

Song: Sex & Coffee

Alright! We have read it, now what do we think? Click below and find out! Here is our last episode where we interview Michael Tanner.

 

 

‘Junior Braves of the Apocalypse’ description:

The Junior Braves of Tribe 65 return from a camping trip to find swarms of bloodthirsty mutants have overrun their town, bringing death and destruction everywhere they go! With their families missing and their homes destroyed, these plucky kids must use all their scouting talents, combined smarts, and teamwork to survive the end of the world! Also, Johnny knows how to skin a rabbit!

Via: Oni Press

You can find more updates, info, and more on the comic’s Facebook, Twitter, and the website!

Buy the first volume on Oni’s Store, Comixology, ask your local comic book shop, and Amazon!

Know the Creators!

Michael Tanner:

Born in Great Falls, Montana he kept moving west until he hit the ocean and then he went south and stopped in Los Angeles. He writes comic books and short fiction.

He has also been an improvisor and sketch comedian, as well as food blogger back when that was a thing.

Via Michael’s website

Be sure to follow Michael and his adventures on Twitter!

Greg Smith:

There is so much to say about Greg Smith, that it’s a bit overwelming, actually. So much so, that we’re having a hard time writing his biography! Don’t worry though, we will get it done and posted soon. Meanwhile, feel free to check him out on social media!

Via JuniorBraves.com

Like it says above, follow him on Twitter!

Michael and Greg are also contributors for the upcoming Monsters and Other Scary Shit Anthology! Check out our interview with Russell Nohelty here!

 

 

About Oni Press:

Oni Press is a premier comic book and graphic novel publisher located in Portland, Oregon. Founded in 1997, Oni Press is run by Founder and Publisher Joe Nozemack and Editor-in-Chief James Lucas Jones. Oni Press’s curated line includes a variety of best-selling, award-winning, original and licensed comic books and graphic novels, including: [adult swim]’s Rick and Morty, Nickelodeon’s Invader ZIM, and many critically-acclaimed creator-owned titles including Scott Pilgrim, Queen & Country, Courtney Crumrin, Wasteland, The Sixth Gun, Stumptown, Wet Moon, Letter 44, The Bunker, The Life After, The Coldest City and Kaijumax.

(via Oni Press ‘About Us’)

 

Check out their website, Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for more info and to stay updated!

 

 

We are on iTunes,

We are BACK! Sorry for the long wait, but we have another gathering of anime/manga loving crazies! We had a team at E3 so we had to use our old equipment, so sorry for the mediocre quality.

This week Kevin is joined by Gabby, Antonia, and Bob as they talk about things they expect from an anime or manga, what keeps them watching, and what brings them back to that rabbit hole!

We are on iTunes, so review us!!

Don’t forget to share us, like us, follow us, and subscribe!

Albert’s podcasts can be found here:

www.whowhatwhereswhy.com

Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/TheGrandGeekGathering

Twitter:

@TheGrandGeekG

Email us @:

Twitch.tv

http://www.twitch.tv/thegrandgeekgathering/

Who doesn’t love a good ol’ trash panda? We have Adrian from Trash Panda Clothing! Eric and Tyler are joined by Drink N Dragons’ Tim to learn more about clothes and trash pandas!

 

QoW: What was the childhood movie did you love so much, but then grew up and realized how horrible it was and died a little inside?

Game of the Week: FunEmployed

 

About Trash Panda:

“Trash Panda are a couple of snack snatchers from Southern California who don’t quite fit in and never really wanted to anyway. We want to wear clothing we like, have fun wearing it, and be who we are.

Whether it’s rolling that critical hit, landing that hit on someone’s face, or simply eating that last slice of pizza, or sitting down for a long session of shit talking and video games you should enjoy what you look like. Live on the outside.

Steal snacks and look good doing it!”

Via TrashPandaClothing.com

Trash Panda Clothing is on Twitter! Keep up to date and follow them! You can buy their shirts and posters on their website here!

Game of the Week

Funemployed™ is the crazy party game where each player is handed four random Qualification Cards to “build their resume.” One by one, each player interviews using all four cards and has to talk their way into winning the job! But watch out! The manager has something up their sleeve too!

Via FunEmployed’s Website

A little more info is on there site here!

To buy the game check Amazon, and their site.

Follow them on Twitter and Facebook!

Like to drink? We have a drinking game here are the rules! Don’t drink and drive!

When anyone:

Someone has two picks of the week

Any time someone mentions JJ Abrams

‘Green Lantern’ film is mentioned

‘Dark Knight Rises’ is mentioned

“I swear to god” is said

Says “Drink!”

Tyler:

Tyler makes a horrible segue

Tyler says a pun

Tyler is corrected by someone

Tyler forgets his story half-way through

Tyler is interrupted by someone

Eric:

Eric says ‘touche’

Eric opens a beer on mic

Eric talks about Indiana Jones

Eric talks about archeology

Eric mentions an awkward moment from the guest(s) was recorded

We are on iTunes, so review us!!

Don’t forget to share us, like us, follow us, and subscribe!

Albert’s podcasts can be found here:

www.whowhatwhereswhy.com

Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/TheGrandGeekGathering

Twitter:

@TheGrandGeekG

Email us @:

Twitch.tv

http://www.twitch.tv/thegrandgeekgathering/

Extralife:

www.ExtraLife.org

Music provided by:

The Staylyns

Song: Sex & Coffee

Hear more here!

Like them on Facebook!

June is here! Perfect for swimming, tanning, and… camping….. Join this month as we follow the adventures of The Junior Braves of Tribe 65 and interview Michael Tanner!

 

‘Junior Braves of the Apocalypse’ description:

The Junior Braves of Tribe 65 return from a camping trip to find swarms of bloodthirsty mutants have overrun their town, bringing death and destruction everywhere they go! With their families missing and their homes destroyed, these plucky kids must use all their scouting talents, combined smarts, and teamwork to survive the end of the world! Also, Johnny knows how to skin a rabbit!

Via: Oni Press

You can find more updates, info, and more on the comic’s Facebook, Twitter, and the website!

Buy the first volume on Oni’s Store, Comixology, ask your local comic book shop, and Amazon!

Know the Creators!

Michael Tanner:

Born in Great Falls, Montana he kept moving west until he hit the ocean and then he went south and stopped in Los Angeles. He writes comic books and short fiction.

He has also been an improvisor and sketch comedian, as well as food blogger back when that was a thing.

Via Michael’s website

Be sure to follow Michael and his adventures on Twitter!

Greg Smith:

There is so much to say about Greg Smith, that it’s a bit overwelming, actually. So much so, that we’re having a hard time writing his biography! Don’t worry though, we will get it done and posted soon. Meanwhile, feel free to check him out on social media!

Via JuniorBraves.com

 

Like it says above, follow him on Twitter!

 

Michael and Greg are also contributors for the upcoming Monsters and Other Scary Shit Anthology! Check out our interview with Russell Nohelty here!

About Oni Press:

Oni Press is a premier comic book and graphic novel publisher located in Portland, Oregon. Founded in 1997, Oni Press is run by Founder and Publisher Joe Nozemack and Editor-in-Chief James Lucas Jones. Oni Press’s curated line includes a variety of best-selling, award-winning, original and licensed comic books and graphic novels, including: [adult swim]’s Rick and Morty, Nickelodeon’s Invader ZIM, and many critically-acclaimed creator-owned titles including Scott Pilgrim, Queen & Country, Courtney Crumrin, Wasteland, The Sixth Gun, Stumptown, Wet Moon, Letter 44, The Bunker, The Life After, The Coldest City and Kaijumax.

(via Oni Press ‘About Us’)

Check out their website, Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for more info and to stay updated!

We are on iTunes, so review us!!

Don’t forget to share us, like us, follow us,

Welcome back Danny Gonzalez! Join Eric and Tyler as the Gathering talks about Ronin Expo 2017, GGG’s next Unnecessary Debates panel, and Doug, of To Do Le Dougie, about the behind the scenes to Tyler’s Maid Cafe video, and more! A jam-packed episode for you to enjoy!

 

Question of the Week: Who are your top 3 favorite stand up comedians?

Game of the Week: Urban Dictionary Game

 

About Ronin Expo:

Our mission at Ronin-Expo is to bring together a network of those who appreciate Asian culture, from various topics ranging from anime, cosplay, video games, and fashion. Sharing our devotion for Asian culture while providing a fun and unique experience is our goal at Ronin-Expo.

The Expo will be in Little Tokyo on June 10th! We will have a panel at night, so look out for “Unnecessary Debates.”

 

With plenty of guests joining in from voice actors, musical guests, samurai sword fighting demonstrations, our friends over at The Corps Dance Crew, and more!

Register RIGHT HERE and follow Ronin Expo on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram!

Again, check it out and we will see you there!!!

 

To Do Le Dougie is a Facebook page where Doug from Titan Con posts his cosplay shoots! Check him out on Facebook!

 

About Urban Dictionary Game:

t’s a card game with Urban Dictionary words, for 3-8 players. We gathered the best words contributed by people like you from the past 16 years and put them into a card game. The box has 330 Urban Dictionary words, 81 prompts, a drawing board and dry erase marker. When the judge draws a prompt, you play one of three ways: fill in the blank, free association, or act or draw out the word and have your teammates guess.

Via their website

The game is a lot of fun and we learned things that we probably shouldn’t have…. But nonetheless, it was fun!

You can buy the game directly from their website or Amazon!

For more information on the game, check their website and follow them on Facebook and Twitter.

Like to drink? We have a drinking game here are the rules! Don’t drink and drive!

When anyone:

Someone has two picks of the week

Any time someone mentions JJ Abrams

‘Green Lantern’ film is mentioned

‘Dark Knight Rises’ is mentioned

“I swear to god” is said

Says “Drink!”

Tyler:

Tyler makes a horrible segue

Tyler says a pun

Tyler is corrected by someone

Tyler forgets his story half-way through

Tyler is interrupted by someone

We are on iTunes, so review us!!

Don’t forget to share us, like us, follow us, and subscribe!

Albert’s podcasts can be found here:

www.whowhatwhereswhy.com

Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/TheGrandGeekGathering

Twitter:

@TheGrandGeekG

Email us @:

Twitch.tv

http://www.twitch.tv/thegrandgeekgathering/

Extralife:

www.