Sharing your hobby

[MyBaby]

Ok here's one... How many of you share your love of anime/manga with your spouse or significant other?
I'll answer first.
Unfortunately my wonderful husband of 18 years, yes I got married when I was 12, does not share my passion for Japanese culture so we made somone who does. My 12 year old daughter loves Anime and Manga. So someday I'm going to Japan and she's coming too!

[JWR]

I am quite lucky to say that my wife is very much involved in sharing our hobby.

I will say that it was aquired over time. When we were 1st married she would like a few of the comic art pieces I would purchase but really did not understand the comic book scene.
I would go down to comic con with my brother then show and explain the pieces I would bring back. I finally convinced her to go with us to the comic con one year and while she enjoyed meeting a lot of my friends who created the artwork she did not quite understand the talent that went into the art.
In 1997 I talked her into getting a sketch book with provision that it would be hers and that it would be her "job" to ask the verious artist if they would be willing to draw a quick sketch. This way it was not just getting stuff because they were my friends but instead gave her a chance to meet and develop friendships of her own and to see upclose how talented these artists truly are. She's always amazed how nice the people are and who in around a minute she can walk away with a treasure made just for her. Now people know her and I'm relegated to being Maria's husband.

Here is a sample of 10 years of her book
http://ryan.rubberslug.com/gallery/mast ... esID=30487

Now that we have gotten into anime cels and series she is consulted for her opinion on most purchases (exception are gifts for her )
It's why our gallery is listed as Ryan's Gallery instead of Joe's or JWR's gallery.

[MyBaby]

I forgot to mention both my hubby and I are artists. We met in college.
BTW how do you get sketches at cons? Do you just ask? or do you have to pay the artist?
I've only been to one with my daughter this year, my first one in years... and it was a bit overwhelming.

[Shampoo]

Most of the older beta peeps know the story.

At least birthdays and X-mas is easy shopping.

[cutiebunny]

BTW how do you get sketches at cons? Do you just ask? or do you have to pay the artist?

It depends on the artist and the convention.

Some cons, like Yaoi Con, specify on their website that you can't ask the artist for a sketch. While I appreciate the advisory, it doesn't make me want to spend $$$ to go and just get a simple signature...especially if I really admire the artist's work.

My advice is, unless you're told by staff that there will be no drawings(or photos), to ask the translator when you get there. Or, if you're fluent enough in Japanese, just ask the artist. The worst they can say is 'no'.

Guests of Honor at conventions don't charge for their signature. Very rarely, though, they will try to sell items during their signature sessions(ie. Akemi Takada hawking $75 copy prints or Nabeshin's $5 'History o' Nabeshin' books), and that you're sometimes guilted into buying. However, other guests might be under a different contract and they will only sign for a fee. A good example of this would be the the artists that were hanging out in the MangaGamer booth at Anime Expo. Each artist charged $30-$60 per sketch.

[Sky Rat]

I’ve never been in a relationship with anyone who didn’t like anime or manga….it’s the main interest through which I’ve met most of my friends. I met my fiancée through reading her One Piece fanfiction, heh. We don’t just both like anime, but have all the same favorite series/characters, etc.

I can’t say she understands my drive to sink so much money into cels though. Which is probably a good thing. I need to live with another person who can be the voice of reason and keep my spending in check. Left to my own devices I’d probably be broke by now.

As for getting sketches at cons…usually I just ask. Although there is one particular person I see on a regular basis, and I usually buy one of the posters he sells at his booth each time (they cost $20,) mainly because I know he made very little money off of his comic career and I like to support him as much as I can. I know he'd do the sketch completely for free though, it's entirely my choice to buy something. Although you do need to bring your own paper for them to draw on usually...I typically take a pad of bristol board and a thin sharpie with me when I am hoping to get a sketch at a con.

[Starfighter]

Mistake

[JWR]

I forgot to mention both my hubby and I are artists. We met in college.
BTW how do you get sketches at cons? Do you just ask? or do you have to pay the artist?
I've only been to one with my daughter this year, my first one in years... and it was a bit overwhelming.

In Maria's case every sketch in her book was done free of charge.

At Comic-con a lot of the artists will do a quick simple sketch for free so long as they are not busy with commission artwork for which they are getting paid to produce. Most will be charging a fee for more detailed artwork or commission requests.

At AX most of the artists from Japan are at booths that charge such as Manga/gamers this year. Cost ran around $30 for B&W and $60 for Color.

[Gonzai]

Hmmmm - actually, Rich thinks I am totally bonkers.
Anime puts him to sleep. He doesn't understand the
infatuation I have with anime, and totally thinks its
crazy to spend that kind of money on artwork. Good
thing its my money.

Actually, though, he has bought me artwork in the
past for birthdays and Christmas. I end up finding
somthing I like and tell him he can get it for me for
this or that. He has me get it and pay and then he
pays me back.

My kids, however, love anime as well as my little
granddaughters. Not sure my oldest son understands
or shares the desire to collect, but Josh does. I am
working on the girls as well, and can see little cel
collecters in the future.

[MyBaby]

Any one else want to contribute? Who shares cel collecting and anime/manga passion with his/her significant other?

[duotrouble]

I won't date a guy if he isn't into anime and/or videogames. It's kind of a pre-req. It's surprising how easy they are to find and usually close to my age. Well, except for the guy I just broke up with . . . he was uh, *cough14yearscough* younger than me.

[Belldandy]

My husband enjoys anime, but doesn't understand the whole cel collecting thing. He tolerates it, but doesn't understand my love of paint 'n' plastic. That's okay since I tolerate his love of FF XI and watching DC Universe animation (with a little Marvel thrown in every once in awhile for good measure XP).