Continuing a trend of rather panels on Friday was that of Yoshitoshi ABe, acclaimed artist and co-creator of Haibane Renmei, Tehxonolyze, and Serial Experiments Lain. The panel itself wasn't particularly notable, but a few things came up that I felt were worth mentioning.

Despite his inactivity over the past few years, ABe is currently developing a new project for television. Naturally, no exact details were provided. He also discussed a little about his views on anime as opposed to fine arts, and how financial troubles and debt after his college years led him to take job offerings in the area of anime. While that particular decision was left in some part to serendipity, he did maintain that he regards both anime and fine arts (which much of his work often leans towards) both as worthy pursuits. Anime just happens to be the area he's exploring at this phase in his life.

He gave one interesting answer to a question in relation to Haibane Renmei. He was asked about the implication that many of the characters present in that series had committed suicide, and ABe stated it was intentionally left ambiguous so that the audience could draw their own conclusion. He seemed rather amused in pointing out that every time he comes to the US he is asked "tell me" in regards to this issue.

After one audience member pointed out that he was using a Mac Air, he rambled on for a good five minutes about how much he loves Apple Computers, but thankfully cut himself short and showed the audience a few samples of his dabblings in 3D animation which are currently being used for a small project. While ABe specializes almost exclusively in 2D art, he did express that he sees utilization of 3D technology as an inevitability that should be embraced and appreciated.