Birdie
Birdie is a content creator on TikTok and YouTube, with a focus on video essays dissecting anime. They have a passion for history and how it leads to the pop culture people love today. Birdie studied critical theory in school and now likes to create content that examines media using theory in an approachable way for beginners. Anime is their bread and butter and what they spend their time watching and discussing. Birdie is also a cosplayer, aspiring writer, and definitely not a cook.
Follow Birdie online at
10:00 PM | Location: Boomer A 18+
LGBTQ+ in Anime: From Subtext to Spotlight (18+)
Anime has a rich (and sometimes messy) history of LGBTQ+ representation. Join us for an uncensored look at the best and worst examples of queer themes in anime, from progressive portrayals to questionable subtext, in this 18+ panel.
Moderator: Birdie
Panelists: Red Bard, Ted Pennella, Veronica Brodsky, Birdie
11:00 AM | Location: Boomer B
Opening Themes That Slap: Anime and Sci-Fi Edition
What makes an opening theme truly iconic? From Attack on Titan's soaring anthems to Star Wars' unforgettable scores, we'll rank, discuss, and debate the best intros of all time. Bring your favorites and join the fun!
Moderator: Red Bard
Panelists: Red Bard, Birdie, Caleb Masters, Clinton Girkin
9:00 PM | Location: Boomer B 18+
Monsters, Myths, and Smut: A Fanfic Reading (18+)
Get ready for an unforgettable evening of risque readings! Our panelists will dive into the wild world of monster-f*cker fanfic, delivering dramatic (and possibly over-the-top) readings from the steamy, strange, and scandalous stories fans create across fandoms. From tentacles to eldritch horrors, this is where trashy, smutty, and absurd stories come to life in all their glory. Grab your popcorn and your sense of humor -- things are about to get spicy! (18+ only, prepare for explicit content!)
Moderator: The Alice of Hearts
Panelists: Steven E. Wedel, The Alice of Hearts, Birdie, Red Bard
11:00 AM | Location: Boomer A
Hills You Will Die On: Unpopular Pop Culture Opinions
Everyone's got that one pop-culture opinion they'll defend to the death. Whether it's "Han shot first," or "The prequels are better than you think," join our panelists as they share their most controversial takes -- and the hills they'll die on. It's a lively, no-holds-barred discussion where fandoms clash, and no opinion is too bold.
Moderator: ChiiVanna
Panelists: Trina Jacobs, Dr Paisley, Mark Alfred, ChiiVanna, Birdie
1:00 PM | Location: Boomer B
Anime vs. Hollywood: Who Does Space Best?
Gundams or starships? Mecha battles or laser duels? Join us for a heated discussion comparing how anime and Western sci-fi approach space exploration, storytelling, and world-building. Audience participation highly encouraged -- who will win the ultimate showdown?
Moderator: Stephen Patrick
Panelists: La Blanke, Red Bard, Birdie, Cowboy Villain Cosplay, Stephen Patrick