The Rose City Comic Con, Portland’s premiere pop-culture event, is headed back to the Oregon Convention Center this weekend, September 6-8, 2024.
On Friday, September 6, there will also be an official proclamation naming September 6, 2024 as “Rose City Comic Con Day” from The City of Portland.
Guests at the convention include Hayden Christensen, some of the cast from Our Flag Means Death, Rosaro Dawson, Charlie Cox, Simon Pegg, Nick Frost, some of the cast from Breaking Bad, Doug Jones, Jason Issacs, John Cho, Katee Sackhoff, Michael Rosenbaum, Tom Welling, and more.
Get all of the details and purchase tickets, here.
Netflix has announced that an animated series adaptation of Stephenie Meyer’s Midnight Sun, is in development.
Stephenie Meyer is the author of the Twilightseries, with Midnight Sun being the retelling of Twilight, but from Edward Cullen’s perspective. The original Twilight novel is told from Bella Swan’s perspective.
Midnight Sun was released in 2020, and the audiobook was narrated by Jake Abel, who was also in the film adaptation of Meyer’s The Host.
The Twilight Saga was originally released as four novels — Twilight, New Moon, Eclipse and Breaking Dawn. The popular series was turned into five films, starring Robert Pattinson as Edward and Kristen Stewart as Bella.
Stay tuned for more details on the Midnight Sun series.
Every Labor Day weekend, downtown Atlanta transforms into a celebration of all things nerd and pop culture. And while Dragon Con is famous for its panels, parties, and cosplay love, the lore of Dragon Con is what makes it truly different than any other con.
Every year, it seems more and more inside jokes form, which leads to the creation of fan communities, or what congoers lovingly refer to as cults. But these cults aren’t sinister or secretive; most are born entirely from niche references or traditions seen at the con. In fact, Dragon Con even created a “Cults of Dragon Con” costume contest a few years ago to honor the chaos.
But one thing all the cults have in common is to make the con more fun, more interactive, and more weird – in the best way possible.
Here’s your guide to the most popular cults of Dragon Con:
The Cult of the Marriott Carpet
The Marriott Marquis is one of Dragon Con’s primary hotels, and for a while, its carpet was just…carpet. But after the hotel replaced the bold, geometric pattern with what congoers (and Dragon Con TV staff) jokingly say looks like a “printer test page,” it became the stuff of legend. Soon, attendees began cosplaying as the carpet – be it everything from ball gowns to stormtrooper armor – as part tribute, part protest, and part inside joke. The Marriott still honors it in their own way, this year offering a cake with the iconic pattern on top.
And while the Hilton recently debuted its own eye-catching blue carpet, the jury’s still out on whether it will ever inspire the same cult-like devotion – or if it will simply live forever in the Marriott’s shadow.
And here’s a secret about the carpet: a small part of it still exists! If you’re feeling nostalgic – and there’s not a long line at check-in! – You can nicely ask a front desk associate at the Marriott to show you the goods. It’s like spotting a cryptid in the wild!
FedEx Jon
FedEx Jon was never a person. FedEx Jon was a cardboard cutout advertising the Marriott’s FedEx services, sitting quietly in a skybridge hallway in 2019. But like most everything with an ounce of opportunity for a joke at Dragon Con, he soon became a cult icon. First, a fan stuck googly eyes on him. Then another added a lei. Soon, he had stickers, a mustache, speech bubbles, badge ribbons, and more leis. Fans started leaving sacrifices at the altar of Jon. But soon, Jon vanished, never to be seen again. However, his spirit lives on in congoers and cosplayers forever.
Trashy
Trashy is legendary amongst Dragon Con lore. It’s not just a trash can; it’s a landmark, photo op, and social gathering spot. Trashy was literally just a trash can in a convenient place that got removed (or perhaps stolen during a particularly rowdy party), and soon, fans mourned its loss. Now, attendees leave offerings where it once stood, snapping photos, and paying their respects to this gone-but-not-forgotten celebrity. The fact that Trashy is treated with such reverence sums up the magic of Dragon Con: it’s a place where anything, no matter how mundane, can become the stuff of legend.
What Could the Next Cult Be?
Every year, more and more inside jokes are added to the pantheon of Dragon Con lore. If history has taught us anything, any of these could become full-blown cults at any time. One recent, popular addition is the inflatable T. rexes. They’re big, they’re goofy, they’re impossible to ignore, and they’re growing in numbers. They’re especially popular at the opening party on Wednesday night, but they can also be found waddling throughout the con, dancing and occasionally photobombing a cosplay photoshoot in a hotel lobby. But will they ever dethrone the Holy Trinity? Probably not, but they’ve definitely earned a seat at the cult table.
Japan’s largest publisher, Kodansha, is hosting its first-ever immersive pop-up in New York City — Kodansha House: Where Manga Meets.
The creative team behind stories such as Akira, Sailor Moon, Attack on Titan, and Blue Lock has created an experience for manga readers that includes a giant manga shelf entryway—a portal into a gallery, cafe, lounge, and robust manga library.
It opens on October 4 and will run through October from Wednesdays to Sundays, 12 p.m. to 9 p.m. at 45 Grand Street.
The month-long programming includes a diverse lineup of activities such as the Toast of Tardiness Challenge, live discussions, trivia night, movie screenings featuring fan-favorites like Akira, Blue Lock, Ghost in the Shell, and Blame!, as well as a speed friending event for fans to find their perfect manga-loving match. Four major manga creators will make rare U.S. appearances with Q&A sessions and signings:
Shuzo Oshimi (The Flowers of Evil)
Tsubasa Yamaguchi (Blue Period)
Makoto Yukimura (Vinland Saga)
Kamome Shirahama (Witch Hat Atelier).
In addition, there will be two interactive activations:
• Akira Slide Photobooth: Slide into pop culture history with the Akira bike meme come to life! Fans can suit up in Kaneda’s iconic jacket and goggles, hop onto a stationary Akira bike, and pose against a projected anime background. Capture the moment in a four-shot sequence that’s sure to be a hit on social media.
• Titan’s Fury – Attack on Titan Photobooth: Experience the awe of stepping into a real-life model of the Attack on Titan walled village. This massive, scaled model lets fans become Titans, acting out scenes as they reach over walls and grab tiny figures made of candy or chocolate. The fun, goofy moment is captured on video, turning fans into the stars of their very own Attack on Titan adventure.
Kodansha is Japan’s largest publisher and the source of some of the world’s most recognizable manga properties, including Katsuhiro Otomo’s Akira and Naoko Takeuchi’s Pretty Guardian Sailor Moon, along with a robust catalog of novels, cookbooks, craft guides, historical and cultural literature, and more. Today, thanks to recent fan-favorite and critically acclaimed hits like Attack on Titan, Battle Angel Alita, and Witch Hat Atelier, Kodansha, through its U.S. publishing arm Kodansha USA Publishing, is also one of the best-selling manga publishers in the United States.
Kodansha USA Publishing’s print books are distributed by Penguin Random House Publisher Services, and their digital books are available across a wide range of online stores.
Deadline reported today that a One Tree Hill sequel series is in the works at Netflix, with Sophia Bush (Brooke Davis) and Hilarie Burton Morgan (Peyton Sawyer) set to executive produce and reprise their iconic roles.
The series would also be from writer/executive producer Becky Hartman Edwards, and Warner Bros TV.
Jensen Ackles and Danneel Ackles, the latter who was on the original show as Rachel Gatina/Scott, will also executive produce through their company Chaos Machine. Emily Moss Wilson will also produce.
One Tree Hill was a staple on The WB/CW, which also starred Chad Michael Murray, James Lafferty, Bethany Joy Lenz, Paul Johansson, Lee Norris, Barbara Alyn Woods, Moira Kelly, and Austin Nichols. The show ran for nine seasons, ending in 2012.
The series still has a huge fan following, with fans visiting Wilmington, North Carolina to see locations for shooting as well as attending fan conventions. Bush, Burton Morgan, and Lenz also co-hosted a Drama Queens podcast where they re-watched the series. Burton Morgan recently stepped back from her role on the podcast and Robert Buckley joined Lenz and Bush for the later episodes.
The highly-anticipated Wizards Beyond Waverly Place is set to debut on October 29 on the Disney Channel, and the next day on Disney+.
Executive-produced by Selena Gomez and David Henrie, the duo return to their roots for the continuation of Wizards of Waverly Place. The new series will debut with two episodes at 8:00 p.m.E EDT on Disney Channel.
The first eight episodes will be available on Disney+ and Disney Channel On Demand the next day, Wednesday, Oct. 30.
Raven-Symoné (That’s So Raven, Raven’s Home) and Danielle Fishel (Boy Meets World, Girl Meets World) will direct episodes in the first season.
Here’s the synopsis:
“Wizards Beyond Waverly Place” follows an adult Justin Russo, who has chosen to lead a normal, mortal life with his family, Giada, Roman and Milo. When Justin’s sister Alex brings Billie to his home seeking help, Justin realizes he must dust off his magical skills to mentor the wizard-in-training while also juggling his everyday responsibilities — and safeguarding the future of the Wizard World.
Also in the cast are Janice LeAnn Brown, Alkaio Thiele, Max Matenko, Taylor Cora, and Mimi Gianopulos. Gomez will guest star in the first episode.
Jed Elinoff and Scott Thomas serve as writers and executive producers, along with executive producers Gary Marsh, Jonas Agin, Gomez, and Henrie. Andy Fickman directed and executive-produced the pilot and will direct multiple episodes. Wizards of Waverly Place was created by Todd Greenwald.
The next installment in the Jurassic World saga has an official title — Jurassic World: Rebirth.
The new film, set to take place three years after the Jurassic World trilogy, is set to hit theaters in July 2025.
Here’s the synopsis:
Five years after the events of Jurassic World Dominion, the planet’s ecology has proven largely inhospitable to dinosaurs. Those remaining exist in isolated equatorial environments with climates resembling the one in which they once thrived. The three most colossal creatures within that tropical biosphere hold the key to a drug that will bring miraculous life-saving benefits to humankind.
The film stars Scarlett Johannson, Jonathan Bailey, Mahershala Ali, Rupert Friend, and Manuel Garcia-Rulfo. It’s directed by Gareth Edwards with a script from original Jurassic Park screenwriter David Koepp.
Here’s more about the characters:
Johansson plays skilled covert operations expert Zora Bennett, contracted to lead a skilled team on a top-secret mission to secure genetic material from the world’s three most massive dinosaurs. When Zora’s operation intersects with a civilian family whose boating expedition was capsized by marauding aquatic dinos, they all find themselves stranded on an island where they come face-to-face with a sinister, shocking discovery that’s been hidden from the world for decades.
Ali is Duncan Kincaid, Zora’s most trusted team leader; Jonathan Bailey plays paleontologist Dr. Henry Loomis; Rupert Friend appears as Big Pharma representative Martin Krebs and Manuel Garcia-Rulfo plays Reuben Delgado, the father of the shipwrecked civilian family.
The film also features Luna Blaise, David Iacono, Audrina Miranda, Philippine Velge, Bechir Sylvain, and Ed Skrein.
It’s executive produced by Steven Speilberg, Denis L. Stewart, and Jim Spencer, and produced by Frank Marshall and Patrick Crowley.
Busch Gardens Tampa Bay has announced an all-new Halloween Harvest event, starting on September 7.
It’s a family-friendly event, that will feature fun activities for all ages.
Here are some of the offerings that will be available:
Trick-or-Treating: Dive into the Halloween spirit with festive trick-or-treat stations at Kandy’s Sweetacular Celebration—grab a bag and enjoy the sweetest seasonal treats around!
Sweetacular Costume Parade: Join the fun at the Sweetacular Costume Parade, where colorful costumes light up the catwalk and every kid gets their time to shine like a Halloween star.
Jack-O-Lantern Scavenger Hunt: Join the Jack-O-Lantern Scavenger Hunt at Kandy’s Sweetacular Celebration and embark on a fun-filled adventure to find whimsical pumpkins hidden throughout the festivalwalkway.
Taffy Twist’s Black Cat Dance Party: Get into the Halloween spirit at Taffy Twist’s Dance Party, where spooky beats and playful dance moves turn every step into a ghoulishly good time for the whole family!
Spooky Kooky Science: Professor Pufflemintz is the never predictable, anything is possible, sometimes puzzled but always positive Professor of Science.
Storytime with Kandy: Nestled by Kandy’s enchanting pumpkin patch and bubbling cauldron, guests can join Kandy, the friendly young witch in training, for a magical reading of “Room on the Broom,” where everyone finds their place in the story.
Sesame Street Safari of Fun Halloween: Enjoy even more Halloween fun with your favorite Sesame Street friends dressed in their Halloween costumes, a Sesame Street-themed Halloween show and dance party, Halloween Storytime, a bat-themed scavenger hunt and festive photo opportunities.
Fall Photo Spots: Discover charming fall photo spots around the park that offer picturesque backdrops, perfect for capturing unforgettable memories to post and share.
Guests can enjoy a full year of fun at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay with a 2025 Fun Card! For a limited time, guests can get 15 months of unlimited visits for the price of a single day ticket. Plus, by purchasing now, guests can have unlimited admission for the rest of 2024 for free. This means they can experience Halloween Harvest and the festive spirit of Christmas Town as many times as they like. For more information on Busch Gardens’ Halloween Harvest festivities and to purchase a 2025 Fun Card, guests can visit BuschGardensTampa.com.
When Shangri-La Frontier premiered last October, it took one look at the character designs to pique interest. They were vibrant and ridiculous, and the concept of a “trash game player” alone was intriguing. Within the first episode, I was already hooked. From the storytelling, to the dialogue and bright, vivid colors within the incredible animation, this series was such a highlight of the Fall 2023 season.
Rakuro Hizutome only cares about one thing: beating crappy VR games. He devotes his entire life to these buggy games and could clear them all in his sleep. One day, he decides to challenge himself and play a popular god-tier game called Shangri-La Frontier. But he quickly learns just how difficult it is. Will his expert skills be enough to uncover its hidden secrets?
The story written by Katarina first debuted as a web novel on Shōsetsuka ni Narō in May 2017. The manga followed in July 2020 written by Katarina with art from Ryosuke Fuji. Both are still ongoing.
At Anime NYC, we had the chance to sit down with the author of the light novel and creator of Shangri-La Frontier, Katarina, as well as the manga artist, Ryosuke Fuji, to get a little more details on how they felt seeing the story animated for the first time to building the world of ShanFro and creating the whacky and endearing characters within it.
Nerds and Beyond: Shangri-La Frontier was one of my favorite series of the past year, I talked about it to everyone, and this anime project has been in the works for a while. How did you both feel after finally seeing the anime series?
Katarina: Finally seeing the animation, I was very moved. There’s nothing I would want to complain about. It was perfect.
Ryosuke Fuji: Seeing the characters in motion really helped me understand the characters even better. So it’s easier for me to draw them now, and I’m a little worried about the animators, because the quality of the animation is incredible.
Nerds and Beyond: How has it been seeing a whole new audience come to love the world of ShanFro and all its colorful, wonderful characters?
Katarina: Sometimes, I doubt it. “No, is this true? Am I dreaming?”
Sometimes on X/Twitter you see the reactions and feedback from the fans, like, “Oh, I started watching it, and it’s really good,” reading something like that … I’m glad to see that new people are finding this work.
Ryosuke Fuji: When I was asked to [do the] character design, Sunraku especially, I was a little concerned. I was worried. But it looks like the fans accept that character design. So I’m a little relieved, of course.
C2C/Katarina/Ryosuke Fuji
Nerds and Beyond: What came first, building the world of Shangri-La Frontier the game and finding the characters to fit inside it, or building a world around the characters?
Katarina: I started with the world-building first. I think about what kind of world it is, and then I come up with a character that fits into that world.
Nerds and Beyond: The way you create the action scenes is amazing, they’re so easy to understand just from the art, what helps you map those dynamic scenes out from Katarina’s words?
Ryosuke Fuji: So one thing I’m really careful about is to draw action scenes where the whole body of the characters are seen. Also, the dynamics of the scene, where before a punch or something explodes comes, there’s a pause. You have to kind of build up the energy before the release happens, and after that impact maybe I’ll pull back a little bit so that you have a bigger view, so that you see the reaction of what the release does to the rest of the world.
Nerds and Beyond: What led you to having Saiga, with the schoolgirl crush on the main character, Hizotume, the most formidable character in ShanFro with Psyger-0 coming to Sunraku’s rescue when typically it’s the other way around?
Katarina: So, like Princess Peach, a lot of times is a stereotype of a damsel in distress, but I wanted to draw somebody who can be fighting alongside the main character, standing next to it. It’s almost like a buddy relationship. And so that’s what I initially had in mind. Then, I kept on writing, and somehow she ended up like that. [laughs]
Shangri-La Frontier season 2 premieres in October 2024.
You can watch season 1 of Shangri-La Frontier on Crunchyroll. Take a look back at all our Anime NYC coverage from this year and check out Otaku Stroll on YouTube for more anime interviews!
Netflix has released the teaser trailer for the upcoming fourth season of its hit series, Outer Banks.
The season will be split into two parts, with part 1 releasing on October 10, and part 2 on November 7.
Here’s the synopsis for the fourth season:
Following last season’s 18-month flash-forward showing Wes Genrette’s proposal for the Pogues to find Blackbeard’s treasure, Season 4 takes us back in time to the lead-up of that moment. After finding the gold at El Dorado, the Pogues return to the OBX and commit to having a “normal” life. They’ve built themselves a new safe haven, officially dubbed “Poguelandia 2.0”, where they live together and run a fairly successful bait, tackle, and charter tour shop. But after some financial setbacks, John B, Sarah, Kiara, JJ, Pope, and Cleo take Wes up on his offer, drawn back into the “G” game for a whole new adventure. But before they know it, they’re well in over their heads, with dangerous new enemies hot on their heels racing them to the treasure. Meanwhile, their problems are only growing, and they’re forced to question their past, present, and future – who they really are, has it all been worth it, and how much are they willing to risk?
Outer Banks features cast members Chase Stokes, Madelyn Cline, Madison Bailey, Jonathan Daviss, Rudy Pankow, Carlacia Grant, Drew Starkey, Austin North, and Fiona Palomo. Catch up on all of the seasons now on Netflix before season 4 drops starting in October.
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![Interview: ‘Shangri-La Frontier’ Creators Dive Into the World of ShanFro at Anime NYC [EXCLUSIVE]](https://i0.wp.com/www.nerdsandbeyond.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/01e8f2831c6071036502e1816d2cd14acde06934bc579ad00d9f92188f3ec7e8.jpg?fit=696%2C392&ssl=1 "Interview: ‘Shangri-La Frontier’ Creators Dive Into the World of ShanFro at Anime NYC [EXCLUSIVE]")
