Like any great Anime character, Peter Tatara (a live human) had this supernatural potential, to reach an amazing heights, in a creative career. Even while he was studying at Ithaca College (in Ithaca, NY), he ran its local Anime club and interned with Central Park Media a company based here in NY that is responsible for releasing Anime/Manga. These are the guys behind Utena, Grave of the Fireflies, Full House (Manhwa), Lodoss War, MD Geist, Project A-Ko, and many other well known titles.

Still all the while studying at Ithaca, he managed to organize mini-type cons or meet-ups for about 50+ people all for the love Anime. His early side projects include movie making, which he still does today. He independently filmed “Johnny Robo”, a series lasted 8 episodes; which was made in tribute to tokusatsu (special effect) superhero shows, like Kamen Rider or the better U.S. known Power Rangers.

It was with dedication for this media, that anyone could see, he was quickly offered a full time position with CPM.  So since 2005 he based himself here NYC, and now has come on-board with Reed Exhibitionsto launch the New York Anime Festival.  “I’m not programming all the panels, not just a few.” He says “So, the scope of what I’m doing has grown from leaps and bounds, but it still touches upon what I did on the Ithaca campus not that many years ago.”

You can definitely say that Peter is health, and humanely conscious. He is a devoted vegetarian for over 10 years! “Just had brunch yesterday at Quantum Leap, a great vegetarian place just south of Union Square, and despite not being table to eat most of his cooking, I’m very, very, very excited Chef Morimoto will be joining us at NYAF this year.  Personally, I’m most excited about Kikuchi and Amano – as Vampire Hunter D is what got me into anime – but Chef Morimoto ain’t far behind them.  And, if Morimoto has a good time, I’d love to welcome him back in ’09 along with some of his friends.  I heart Alton Brown.”

Well… we HEART Peter Tatara, who helps us get all our ANIME on! So here are a couple of insightful questions we got to ask.

Q:  Do you consider yourself an Anime connoisseur?
A:
I’m not an otaku.  I don’t consider myself an otaku by any stretch.  I’m a huge fan, though.  I love a lot of stuff including Macross, My-HiME, Gunbuster, FLCL, Wings of Honneamise, Zipang, Bleach, Mushi-shi, Black Cat, Black Jack, Digimon, Jin-Roh, and Ronin Warriors just to name a few.  I’ve got pretty diverse tastes.  Right now, honestly, I’m not watching anything.  With planning NYAF, I don’t have the time to follow any series.  The only thing I’m watching right now is Doctor Who.

Q: What was your first experience with Japanese Animation and how did it Change you?
A: Vampire Hunter D.  Long, long ago on the Sci Fi Channel.  I had no clue what it was.  I mean, this was a cartoon, but it was serious.  It had plot, it had emotion, and – also appealing to a 12-year-old boy – had giant swords and boobs.  I fell in love with anime through Vampire Hunter D, and being able to now, years later, invite Kikuchi and Amano to NYAF, brings me tremendous joy.

Q:What are some of the signs that Anime has grown as a Medium?
A: When I first got into anime, the only things you’d find in the US were ultra violent series like MD Geist and video game adaptations like Toshinden.  Since then, what’s become available has grown up immensely.  The ultra violent stuff is still out there, but there’s so much more now coming to the US.  Looking at the fanbase, what used to be something solely the domain of 20-something guys has now increased to include fans of every age – and actually more women than men.  And, more than anything, it’s exciting to see Black Jack, Mushi-shi, Zipang, and the works of Satoshi Kon in the US – mature, sophisticated dramas that are being appreciated as such.

Q: Do you see the Maturity levels of western dubbed Anime staying, instead of changing for younger audiences?
A: You’ll always have anime aimed at kids.  Look at Saturday morning.  You’ll see stuff like Sonic X, Dinosaur King, and Yu-Gi-Oh – shows squarely aimed at a youth market.  But, there’s nothing wrong with this.  These are shows for younger fans.  What’s powerful, now, is that more mature programs aren’t being shifted down to this level.  The market’s developed here and titles are coming over squarely aimed at adult audiences.

Q: What are the current Anime/Manga titles that keep your interest?
A:I love Macross.  (yay I DO TOO) The original Super Dimension Fortress Macross remains by favorite series to date, and the last show that really captivated me was My-HiME.  I’ve got Yukikaze by my DVD player at home, and I hope to be watch it sooner than later.  Right now, though, with NYAF approaching, I honestly don’t have time to watch anything.  The only show I’m currently following is Doctor Who.

Q: Has the nature of the Anime enthusiast changed over the years?
A: Yes.  When I got into anime, you had to know someone who knows someone who knows someone to get a barely watchable VHS.  It was a very tightly-knit underground community.  With the advent of high-speed internet connections, digital duplication, and P2P networks, the barrier to entry has evaporated.  Anime is more popular than ever now, and the average age of anime fans has dropped significantly.  While it’s great anime is popular, the problem that is increasingly hard to avoid is that newer, younger fans don’t see a need to pay for anime – an attitude that is hurting the industry on both sides of the Pacific.

Q: Can you give me a brief history of what you do for NYCC/NYAF?
A: New York Comic Con and the New York Anime Festival are both run by a company called Reed Exhibitions.  Reed is the largest events organizer in the world and runs over 500 very famous B2B trade shows including BookExpo America, MIPCOM, and JCK.  I exhibited at Reed’s first New York Comic Con as part of Central Park Media.  Come the second year of NYCC, Reed had approached me to program the anime portion of the event on a freelance basis.  Shortly after NYCC’s second outing, Reed brought me on full time to create the New York Anime Festival and continue to do work on the anime section of NYCC.  As of this summer, I’m still programming the New York Anime Festival and am now also in charge of all of New York Comic Con’s guests, panels, screenings, and special events.

Q: What is the best part of working on NYAF?
A: Being able to work with the people I grew up idolizing.  As I’ve said before, I’m bringing Kikuchi and Amano to America.  It’s a dream come true for me – and hopefully for a few other fans out there, too.

Q: Could you give us a little bit more on what we can all to look forward to at the NYAF? like what should we look out for?
A: Personally, I can’t wait for Kikuchi, Amano, Morimoto, and HAPPYFUNSMILE.  While I’m sure you know about the first three names, HAPPYFUNSMILE is probably new to you.  HAPPYFUNSMILE is a local NYC band that performs high energy adaptations of traditional Japanese festival songs.  I’m a big fan of theirs and excited to bring them into NYAF.  My big message to fans is to not just see the stuff you know you like.  Instead, take in a few panels, a few screenings, and a few concerts – like HAPPYFUNSMILE’s — that you don’t immediately recognize.  There’s a lot of amazing stuff at NYAF, and I encourage fans to seek out what they don’t already love.

WE would like to thank PETER for giving us this awesome Interview. THANK YOU SO MUCH!