Mojojojo is our ANIMAXIS "nandemo" dude. He flits in between dealing with various companies and helping out our Japanese customers to T-shirt design and the hard task of tracking down people to interview.

When asked about anything he tends to reply with "nandemo" (whatever). Mojojojo's desk is in front of mine (MJ) so I've managed to gather the following tid bits...

...Mojojojo hates anything that is not original, for example cover bands or sequels to anime or movies. With his bleached-brown hair and punk style he's pretty much an original himself - although we can't agree on who first started wearing the lizard earring...

Not only is he a "nandemo" man at work - privately he makes and designs clothes, customizes models and has designed a stack of CD covers. Here is his experience at AX2001...

I had a really good time at the expo, it was great to meet with our customers, fans and dealers face to face for the first time.

It was also really magical for me when we actually started to construct our booth and unpacked and set up all of the stuff that we had sent across the ocean.

Unlike most of the other booths, except for the industry booths like

Bandai's, I was really pleased that our booth had a real "shop" feeling about it - which was the first time really as we only exist as a virtual shop.

Also it gave our regular customers who attended a chance to meet the ANIMAXIS staff face to face - instead of only on a computer screen.

One thing that I was a little bit disappointed in was the time that the Dealers Room was open was too short! I just didn't feel that I had enough time to chat with customers or with other exhibitors! (It should be noted that Mojojojo is famous

around here for his ability to talk mind you...).

On a more personal level it was really interesting for me to see the attitudes and feelings of people overseas towards Japanese anime and manga. It was also interesting to find out whta anime they are intersted in and what kinds of products. Although I sensed that there is quite a gap between us in Japan and overseas.

The expo was also a great chance to learn about how the other exhibitors obtain stock and generally conduct business.

Next time round I hope that I can have more of a chance to speak with

other exhibitors - using someone to translate between us of course...(Mojojojo is also famous for his er lack of English ability and his habit of speaking at light speed = almost impossible to interprete for...).

The biggest problem that we had at AX though is that we found out how lousy American tape and scissors are!!! It kept tearing every which way!! The scissors couldn't cut the tape! Next time we are bringing a whole crate of tape and scissors from Japan!!