Dramacon by Svetlana Chmakova (amazon
This was a title from Tokyopop that I was looking both forward to and dreading a little bit. The dread was due to me not being very interested in the premise - goings on at an anime convention. I know I’m a geek, but I’ve never gone to a comic or anime con and I didn’t find the idea of that setting very appealing. I decided to take a leap of faith and order the book anyway because I really enjoyed Chasing Rainbows. I’m glad I ordered the book, because I think this is one of the better OEL manga that Tokyopop’s put out.
Christie is a budding manga writer, and she attendes her first convention with her artist partner/boyfriend. She’s 17 years old and even though she can be sarcastic and witty, she has a hard time sticking up for herself when she sees that her boyfriend Derek has decided to flirt with girls in bunny costumes as part of his technique when selling art prints. Christie gets upset, leaves her boyfriend at their booth, and runs away into the crowd, bumping in to an enigmatic sunglasses wearing cosplayer named Matt. Matt comforts her, and Christie starts talking with him as if she’s known him for years. Although Matt feels free to give Christie advice about her love life, he doesn’t reveal much about himself.
Matt keeps popping up to save Christie from the horrors of the convention, and they keep talking and getting to know each other better. Christie’s boyfriend beings to act like even more of a jerk, and the title of the book suits the plot, as the drama continues to build over the course of the anime convention.
Chmakova’s art is assured and expressive. Much of the art that I’ve seen for other books from Tokyopop’s OEL line tends to come from artists at an earlier stage of development - the characters sometimes look stiff or wooden, with pasted-on expressions, and the panel layout isn’t as sophisticated. This isn’t an issue with Dramacon at all, as Chmakova captures Christie’s rapidly changing emotions with ease. The characters slip in and out of super deformed style which adds a slapstick comedy element to the book. The backgrounds change to emphasize the inner turmoil of the characters.
Some of the characterization seems a bit broad, as Christie’s boyfriend is SO much of a jerk, you begin to think that she’s an idiot for going out with him in the first place. Matt is the embodiment of “the cool haunted older guy” that a high school girl might be attracted to. It looks like Dramacon will take advantage of the three volume format Tokyopop is using for these releases, because the later volumes will explore what happens to the characters one year later at another convention. The convention is really just used as a setting to showcase the evolving relationships between the characters, and I think that someone with no knowledge of anime conventions could pick up and enjoy this book, as there aren’t too many inside jokes. I enjoyed this book, and I’m looking forward to seeing what happens next.
4:52 am on October 11th, 2005 1
I just made a fanlisting for Dramacon, if you’re interested.
Thanks,
Sylvia
7:33 pm on October 11th, 2005 2
I loved this Manga, anyone who hasn’t read it should! This is the newest craze in OEL, and I recommend it to anyone! Go out and read it now!
2:47 pm on October 12th, 2005 3
Ah Dramacon, I spent months wating for it, AND ITS FINALLY HERE!!! XD!!! I got it on the release date, which is also the day I finished reading it…I couldnt keep myself away!!!! Its sooooooooooooooooo awesome! I keep re-reading certain parts, for what seems like no real reason. Its rocks so hard though!! Read it and you will see what I mean!
9:36 pm on October 13th, 2005 4
I just read Dramacon! I love the story line and I am completely lin love with Christie and Matt! It’s a good read! Go out and buy it!
11:26 am on November 29th, 2005 5
I read the book recently and it was AWSOME! Anime romance lovers will fall over this one, AND I CAN WAIT to read the next volume!!!!!!!!!!
1:31 pm on November 29th, 2005 6
I thought this was a really well done manga, and I personally can’t wait to read more!!! I need to buy the first book!! This is a lovely book, and like stevie wander said, (though not actually) isn’t it lovely… to fall in love at yatta con!!
4:09 am on December 22nd, 2005 7
I bought it today and I think I’ve read it over 5 time! I just love how Chmakova captured the sence with Christie+Matt. I hope they don’t stop at vol.3 and made it up to vol.5 *at least*
2:42 pm on February 14th, 2006 8
I. LOVE. DRAMACON. >_O
7:37 pm on June 12th, 2006 9
Omg i abosolutely LOVE this manga, i ordered it a week ago and even though it didn’t arrive yet i read my friends xD hahaha i couldn’t wait!
3:48 pm on July 5th, 2006 10
I love Dramacon because is so romantic is the best magna I never see, I love the romantic and dramacon is so romantic Plese, Please Svetlana put more of three vol. PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE, MADE DRAMACON A ANIME AND PUT IN THE TV PLEASE, PLEASE,PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE.
4:28 pm on January 4th, 2007 11
OHH!!!I love Dramacon sooo much!I thought i wouldnt like it at first,but it is the best.I shall own both volumes 1&2 or else. =)
10:51 am on March 6th, 2007 12
so awesome ^_^
i love it ^_^ i get vol 3 friday ^_^
IT WOULD BE AN AWESOME ANIME MOVIE.. CANT MAKE IT INTO A SERIES ITS TOO SHORT BUT A MOVIE WOULD DO AWESOME…i would like to see derek get punched in the face over and over… well yeah.. if any of you guys go to any conventions here in texas, fl, or cali.. ill be there always volunteer to be staff ^_^ well tilll another day
10:53 am on March 6th, 2007 13
think im the only guys to say i like this manga
well beside my friend luis.. well posting here on his behalf this time.. he loves it too.. his gf is alot liek cristie ^_^ and well yeah.. bye guys