A blunge to the world of manga and anime and information seeking in context

This Sunday I had the pleasure to follow a good friend and 3 youngsters; Link, Hinaichigo, Suigintou toTracon in Tampere. One hero and two dolls. A "con" delight I had a pleasure to attend for a second time. The event place was swarming with characters from manga, anime, games, and fantasy stories. We saw Alien, Neytiri, Harry Potter, Snape, Mad-Eye Moody, Super-Mario, and Howl's Moving Castle.

It is so impressive to see these teenagers in their often homemade costumes. The effort, the passion, the dedication! Dresses, accessories, boots, all done following the smallest details of their favourite characters' costumes. Not only that but they also try to imitate the characters in their poses and facial expressions. This hobby need so many qualities: handicrafts, designing, sowing, acting and mimicing, make-up skills. Many of the enthusiasts are also drawing and making trinkets and ear-rings, and doing these group shows with dancing and performances. Not to mention the game playing!

The thing that got my attention while watching all this: the information seeking the kids have done to make all this happen! The enthusiasm of reaching their goal to attend a con has demanded numerous hours of information seeking in doing research of the characters and their origins and the history, studying the dress and learning the personality, not to mention learning complicated handicrafts skill to make the costumes. Or the problem solving skills and innovativeness when making weapons of wood, card-board paper and empty soda bottles. Using social media, films, games, and discussion forums for seeking information.

This is higly culturally and socially binded knowledge practice. Information seeking and collective knowledge building in a certain cultural context. And when the motivation is high, the challenge can be guite big as well. Even if the skills and competence is not right there yet, the motivation to succeeding is a driving force. And the great thing in this is that I am quite convinced some of these teenagers have really reached their best!

Posted with Blogsy