Melanie Braverman's fascination with anime began in 2005 after a trip to Hawaii left her internal clock severely “out of whack.” She found herself sleeping all day and awake all night. In her boredom she began watching late night “Adult Swim” and discovered her first anime, Inuyasha. The rest, they say, is history. Melanie engulfed herself in Japanese culture, especially the animation. She was invited to Japan as a student ambassador in 2006, where she met fellow AMIN writer Jessica Dawson over their love of Fullmetal Alchemist. Jessica then introduced Melanie to her first anime convention, AnimeNext 2006. She made her first piece of cosplay, Edward Elric’s automail arm to wear at the convention. For her next convention Melanie cosplayed as Haruhi from Ouran High School Host Club, and in 2008 Melanie, Jessica Dawson, and other fellow AMIN writer Lara Visconti performed our first masquerade at AnimeNext as Tifa, Yuffie, and Rinoa (respectively) from Final Fantasy VII, and Final Fantasy VIII. In 2009 Melanie, Jessica, and Lara teamed up with fellow dance group IchiP! and performed the Anime’s Best Dance Crew skit as the members of the anime series Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion. Melanie performed as Kallen Stadtfeld, and due to their hard work and dedication, they placed first in performance.
Melanie graduated high school in 2008 and is starting my sophomore year at the University at Albany studying American History and business. She is the Public Relations Director of the Fencing Club at Albany (F.C.A.A.) and is currently working towards a national ranking. In her spare time, she also volunteers as a firefighter in the McKownville volunteer fire department.
If you want to contact Melanie Braverman, e-mail her at Melanie@maypang-amin.com
