Think you know your stuff? Test your Anime Knowledge with our trivia questions! Answers will be revealed at closing ceremonies and posted here.
From Noel Rodney Jr.
Q: Inspiration can come from uncommon places at times. During an interview, Mangaka Hiroya Oku said a well known American sci-fi film That he rented back when he was a teenager “changed his life” and led him to become a career in manga. What was the name of that movie?
A: Back to The Future
From Voice of Doug W.
Q: Yoshiki Fukuyama, guitarist for Jam Project and the singing voice of Basara Nekki in Macross 7, credited a certain 70s and 80s rock band as his main inspiration. This band composed music for which two cult classic sci-fi movies from the same era?
A: The band is Queen, the movies are Highlander and Flash Gordon
From Anime Lockdown
Q: In this mid-2000s anime, the main character locks themselves in their apartment and helps create a visual novel with an old friend. But in the novel the show was based on, the game is a little different. What is the name of that anime, and what is the name of the ultimate weapon in their game?
A: Welcome to the NHK. Revolution Bomb
From Voice of Doug W.
Q: Before a certain multi-time Golden Globe winner was being paid by the hour as a primetime counterterrorist, he starred as a Martian police officer in the English dub of which direct-to-video anime movie?
A: Kiefer Sutherland, best known for 24, played Ross Sylibus in Armitage III: Poly-Matrix
From Noel Rodney Jr.
Q: Many people who know anime are familiar with Yoshiyuki Tomino. His long career in the industry plus being the mind behind Gundam, one of the most influential anime franchises out there, has made him a living legend. What you might be unaware of is that one of his daughters has also contributed to anime production. Name the daughter and what her contribution was.
A: Yukio Tomino created the dance choreography in the eye catches for Gundam Reconguista in G.
From Voice of Doug W.
Q: The creator of Lum, the bikini-clad Oni alien from Urusei Yatsura, was a student of the writer of which internationally famous manga samurai duo?
A: Rumiko Takahashi was taught how to write by Kazuo Koike, creator of Ogami and Daigoro Ittō, the Lone Wolf & Cub.
From Noel Rodney Jr.
Q: 2001’s Final Fantasy Unlimited is remembered for having almost no similarity to the famed video game series however, the iconic summon spirits from the games appear as summons from the Magun, a weapon used by the character Kaze. Kaze uses different combinations of “Soil Bullets” to summon different spirits each episode. Which bullets did he use to summon Shiva?
A: Forest Green, Maiden White and, Ice Blue
From Voice of Doug W.
Q: Which cool anime studio animated two entire Cartoon Network remakes and the second season opening of one Adult Swim movie adaptation?
A: ThunderCats (2011), Transformers Animated, and the 2nd opening of Black Dynamite were animated by Studio 4°C.
From Anime Lockdown
Q: This anime director is well known for their unique approach to magical girls. But before they had their hands full with young looking magic teachers and long winded ghost stories, they cut their teeth directing this anime about fighting in power suits. What is the name of that director, and what is the name of the first anime they directed.
A: Akiyuki Shinbo, Metal Fighter Miku.
From Voice of Doug W.
Q: The original Bubblegum Crisis was meant to promote which pop group, fronted by one of the voice actresses?
A: Priss Asagiri’s actor, Kinuko Ohmori, was the singer of the band Silk.
From Anime Lockdown
Q: It’s okay to be sad sometimes. This Tennessee based emo band has made a career out of it. And if you listen to their music it’s easy to figure out what one of their favorite hobbies is because three of their songs are named after towns in this anime. What is the name of the band, the name of the anime, and the three songs?
A: Free Throw, Pokemon, Lavender Town, Pallet Town, and Cerulean City.
From Voice of Doug W.
Q: In the town of Ishinomaki in Miyagi Prefecture, there is a Honda motorcycle dealership just down the street from a museum dedicated to which manga artist?
A: Honda motorcycles were the preferred vehicle of Kamen Rider, a superhero created by Shotaro Ishinomori.
From Voice of Doug W.
Q: The voice everybody associates with Mario belongs to Charles Martinet, but who was the first voice actor to portray Mario in any language in any medium?
A: In a video game-themed anthology series called Saturday Supercade, on CBS from 1983-1984, Mario was first played by longtime Optimus Prime and Eeyore actor, Peter Cullen.
From Voice of Doug W.
Q: In the first closing sequence of Dragon Ball Kai, the character Launch is featured prominently, yet she makes no appearance in the show. When questioned about her exclusion during these story arcs, what was series creator Akira Toriyama’s reasoning?
A: From an interview in the English edition of Shonen Jump: “To tell you the truth, I totally forgot about her at one point.”
From Noel Rodney Jr.
Q: Anime and pro wrestling are two worlds that often find themselves crossing over. October 2016 saw the premiere of Tiger Mask W, a sequel to the popular 70s anime franchise that inspired a succession of real-life wrestlers. Tiger Mask W features cameos from several New Japan Pro Wrestling talents. Unfortunately, only one New Japan wrestler lends his voice to the show. Who is it?
A: Togi Makabe plays himself in Tiger Mask W.
From Voice of Doug W.
Q: Before The Matrix, Keanu Reeves was entering computers in a movie based on a short story by William Gibson. Scenes from which Yoshiaki Kawajiri movie are shown during one of these hacking sequences?
A: Through the eyes of the eponymous main character of Johnny Mnemonic, audiences got to watch the first fight scene from Demon City Shinjuku.
From Voice of Doug W.
Q: After creating a new dance craze, rapper Soulja Boy compared himself to which anime character?
A: Soulja Boy wrote and performed a track where he tries to convince fans that he looks “like Goku.”