Okay, here's the recap (which is based on my memory, so it might not be completely accurate) of the day:
*Kyle (Jabba) and I carpooled to Little Toyko and arrived around 11:10. Daniel (Spam), his friend, and Adriel (Grusagi) beat us there and signed us up for Stan's demonstration. It was very limited seating 46 or 48 people limit.
*We went to eat lunch and we saw that Stan was eating in the restaurant next door. His meal looked better than ours.
*We got back to the JANM, checked into the presentation room. John Higashi was first in line for the waitlist (he got in). We sat behind Ken Taylor, who said he got the last reserved spot. Ken is another Dojo member that I didn't know but is as nice as everyone here. Stan came in about 20-30 minutes early, saw Kyle and I and sat next to us. Stan also recognized Ken. Adriel came in sat next to Stan. It was a nice to catch up a little before the show.
*Stan went up to the table at the front of the room and people started lining up to get their Usagi / Sakai stuff signed. A lot of little fans (kids) were there, which was nice. They set up a nice video camera to live stream the demonstration to the overflow room of watchers.
*At 1, Stan was introduced by the JANM staff. They mentioned Stan had an exhibit at JANM before and that it is always an honor to have him back. They mentioned that this demonstration was being recorded and would go up on the JANM youtube channel in a couple of months (
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCAJi3Y ... 8ao_5jJYGA).
*Stan did his typical presentation introducing how he came up with the idea for Usagi based on a sketch he did, sketching as he talked. Stan opened it up to questions and he sketched characters based on audience questions: Here's photos most of the sketches in progress (on their big tv screen):
Stan said when he first drew Usagi, Usagi had bigger eyebrows and was much more scruffy. Usagi has become more clean cut over the years.
Stan then talked about how he starts with simple shapes with loose drawings in pencil (so he has a lot of flexibility in designing positions, not locked in), and then inks it. This is the more detailed sketch, he demonstrated.
A kid asked about TMNT.
Stan drawing TMNT.
A woman asked Stan to draw her. Stan politely said he is terrible at drawing caricatures so he doesn't. She asked if he could draw something with a spear (used the Japanese word, which I don't know). Stan drew Jei and told his story. (I think Ken got this finished sketch)
A little girl asked about Lord Noriyuki and Stan said he likes pandas.
Stan talked about his love reading of mysteries.
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The coolest part, IMO, was when Stan talked about how he is very thoughtful on how he introduces new characters in Usagi. He was proud of how Usagi was introduced and then recreated the introduction of Usagi.
Stan talked about his first submission to Albedo #1.
Some lucky and happy fans got these sketches when they asked Stan for them. Daniel's friend took this awesome picture of us Dojo folks (minus John, who was talking with Julie).
Adriel, Maka, Kyle, Stan, Daniel, Ken
Afterwards, Kyle talked with Emi about camera gear. I talked with Julie. Everyone else talked with Daniel Fujii. All the Sakai's are so friendly and good to us. We said goodbye. We bumped into Stan in the JANM store and he pointed out Julie's Chibi Usagi onesies. I told Stan I wished they made that image on an adult size. Adriel and Kyle joked about adult onesies. I don't care, if it was adult size with Julie's Chibi Usagi, I would buy it.
Kyle, Adriel and I went upstairs to look at the museum exhibits. Then we went to Kinokuniya to check out their books, Studio Ghibli collection, and pens (mostly me). Then I drove Adriel and Kyle home. Then I headed back to Santa Barbara.
It was a wonderful day. Kyle offered to pay for my parking and I ignored him. Kyle, I'm sorry about that. You were offering to do something kind for me and I should have accepted your kindness and generosity. Next time, I will. Kyle also gave me the December Scavenger Hunt prizes. Steve, that book you created is AWESOME. I haven't been able to look through it all yet but it is AWESOME. Thank you for donating it with your own hard cash and time. I love it!
We are planning on going to Ontario Comic Con to see Stan in May. Kyle and I have birthdays in May so maybe we will bring cake. We look forward to connecting with dojo members there too. We will post another meet up when it gets closer to May.
Peace, maka
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Any suggestions of good restaurants in Little Tokyo is appreciated. Closer to the JANM is helpful too. Thanks in advance. 
). We are also three Asian guys and Kyle is tall. 
