ImagiCon Anime Track Director James Carroll sat down with us, electronically speaking, via email, so we can tell you a bit about his history in Anime and hopes for the convention.

When did you first become involved in Anime?

I grew up on Anime before it was called Anime. I am half Asian and an Army brat. My family spent a lot of our time stationed in Japan and Thailand. I knew who Kamen Rider and Gundam were before I knew anything about Batman or Star Wars.

What did you find particularly fascinating about anime?
Anime is an art form and not a genre. It can be action, artsy, funny and often tragic. Much of the Anime I like impresses me because it has a beginning and end. The story builds steadily over the course of a series and when you get to the end, you feel that you know these characters and their back stories. Even though a lot of Anime only runs a few volumes, you feel like these are characters that have been around for much, much longer. Anime is more than just big eyes and screaming. It's about plot and emotion (when done well.)

What do you currently find fascinating about all the above?

The fans. US Anime fans are like no other. Even their Japanese counterparts will tell you that. The amazing thing about US Anime fans is their dedication to a series. In Japan, once a series is done, most fans move on. They don't collect or really even continue to cosplay from a series. Here, it is very different. I get a lot of folks looking for Sailor Moon or Speed Racer stuff and my buyers scour Japan to find the official stuff, but the truth is there won't be many new items from the series. I honestly end up getting them from guys out there who are getting rid of their collections. I am always impressed by the dedication US Anime/Cosplay fans have to Asian Pop-Culture.

Do you have any favorites and if yes, who/what?

I have many favorites. I am a live action guy, so I always have to shout out Kamen Rider first. That is a series that was based on a manga and then became a series in the 70's that still airs today. As far as anime? I like it all. I am huge on Ghost Hunt right now. It's very Buffy meets Ghost Hunters. As far as Manga is concerned, I just started a preview copy of CSI: Intern at Your Own Risk Vol. 1.

Anime has made its way into Costume Play (CosPlay.)  Do you have any suggestions for those who choose to dress as their favorite Anime characters?

I think the key is to try and make as many of the items for your cosplay as possible. I also find that the more unique the idea, the more attention one gets. Don't be Light from Deathnote. Be the Notebook.

What made you decide to go into the Anime business?

I have always been a pop-culture guy. I love comics, sci-fi, and gaming but one thing that has always set me apart from my friends and colleagues is my knowledge of Asian Pop-Culture. I really got into the Anime Dealing business because I knew that there was a need to bring things to the masses that didn't just air on Cartoon Network. I have family and contacts in Asia and I am always relying on them and other fans to let me know what the big new thing is hitting big out there and then I make sure I'm one of the first to get it.

We know that you have an electronic store at www.gaijinusa.com, but will you also have a space at ImagiCon?

Yes, look for us to have tables at ImagiCon with Gaijin USA and its partners selling you our famous "Star Boxes," manga, kimonos, corsets, figures, DVD's, Stickers, pins, patches, Japanese Jewelry and much, much more.

As Anime Track Director, do you have any particular hopes for your programming track?

The goal for our Anime Track is fan interaction. We want everyone who comes to our panels to be a part of the experience. We plan a lot of hands on events. From the Tea Party to Japanese dancing, you will chat about our panels well after the con has ended. And whatever you do, don't miss our Cosplay Idol or our Fashion show!

What do you hope for ImagiCon?

ImagiCon is primed to be the next big thing over the next few years. Birmingham wants a convention and I think Tom and his team are the guys to do it. I'm a Dealer first and any of my dealer friends will tell you that this is a great area for a con. My personal goal for ImagiCon is to grow the Anime avenues of the con. Anime fans are repeat attendees and they truly make a con fun. I know everyone is looking forward to more and more celebrities and voice actors... myself included.

What would you like to see attendees gain from their time at ImagiCon?

I want attendees to forget what they think a con is and see that ImagiCon is taking what’s fun about a con and building it in a new direction. Fans will be just as much a part of the attraction as the voice actors and panels at ImagiCon.