Victoria Erica and Tom Tonthat founded Traveling Valentine in 2003 as a cosplay group for Anime Expo. For their chemistry, costumes, and personalities, both are well received in the cosplay community. Both have written and participated in award-winning skits during the conventions’ costume contests. 

Traveling Valentine began covering conventions as Press for Anime Overdose, Fanime, Sac-Anime, Wonder Con, Anime Central and Tales of Anime. Using a combination of photography, our personable writing style and personal observations, the reports are enjoyed by anyone reading them. 

Traveling Valentine also provides video coverage of the many activities and interactions during the convention. These candid moments provide a genuine look at the convention. Tom and Victoria also edit and produce music videos and short films with footage shot on location to summarize the convention experience. 

Traveling Valentine covers the entire convention experience in one convenient package.  Our work returns past attendees seeking nostalgia from their convention experience and interests potential attendees into attending the next convention. We eagerly look forward to covering the next convention. 

Victoria Erica
v @ scarlet-rhapsody.com

Co-Founder, Photographer, Designer and writer of web-content for Traveling Valentine, Seamstress

Victoria began attending anime conventions since Anime Expo 1999 at the age of 14. Victoria's contributions to the anime convention scene including running the first AVA (amateur voice actors) panel at Anime Central 2001. She has also been performing in karaoke contests. In Anime Expo 2002, she made the top ten. In addition, she loves sewing, hence why she cosplays. She is currently organizing the Sac Anime Doll Tea Party. 

The idea of producing convention reports came about after Anime Expo 2000. It was a weekend of fun and great memories. She decided to create a "memorial site" for her photos, stories, and quotes. Why stop there? Since then, Victoria has been taking photos and posting stories of her convention adventures. 

Victoria's undergraduate work included interning for Center for Asian American Media (formerly NAATA). She marketed public relations for the 24th Annual San Francisco International Asian American Film Festival. She was asked again in the summer of 2006 to do the same for Frameline: the LBGT film festival during San Francisco's Pride Week. Recently, she was one of the official photographers for VC Filmfest: The Los Angeles Asian Pacific Film Festival.

In her free time, she likes to sew, take care of her Siamese cat (Mr. Richard Nixon), karaoke, and go to Disneyland. 

Tom Tonthat
tom @ scarlet-rhapsody.com

Co-Founder, Videographer, Proofreader and writer for Traveling Valentine

Tom began attending conventions since Fanime 2001 and enjoys each new convention. He’s volunteered to work for Fanime and Anime Expo to better understand the workings of the convention before joining Victoria and co-founding Traveling Valentine. He works with Victoria in convention tasks relating to Ball-Jointed Dolls.  

Usually hiding his face behind a video camera, Tom has a “shoot first, ask questions later” approach to filming the countless antics of the convention attendee, convention event, and convention guest. The footage that he and Victoria gather is used to produce the various convention videos. While proofreading, Tom contributes his dry humor to con reports based on observations and opinions.  

Tom’s job in the Public Relations field allows him access to techniques used to more effectively attract the attention of the public and news media.

He is currently single.

Stan Oh
stan @ scarlet-rhapsody.com

Second Video Unit, Photoshoots, Podcast, Driver

Stan has lived all around the world. He is a Korean born and raised in England. He currently resides in Torrance, CA, USA. He is currently attending California State University Fullerton as a Graphic Design major.

Stan has been attending anime conventions for several years. He cosplays because it lets him be creative. You may see Stan carrying around a puppet on his back as Sasori from Naruto. Stan came aboard Traveling Valentine in 2008. Originally, he wanted to be the coffee bus boy, but Traveling Valentine had bigger things in mind for this convention veteran.

Stan takes care of local photoshoots. He also films masquerade. He has plans to make a video blog about his bizarre adventures at conventions.

On his spare time, Stan enjoys snowboarding, rooting for the San Deigo Chargers, and going out to restaurants. His dream vacation spot is Osaka. "It has the best food," says the Chargers fan.

Deb Lo
deb @ scarlet-rhapsody.com

Second Video Unit, Voice Talent, Podcast, Resident Squirrel

Though she has a few years of coventioneering (Anime Expo 2004 being her first) under her belt, Deb considers herself a n00b. Deb hails from Fullerton, CA where she attends Fullerton College. She plans to be a video game developer.

Deb became a part of the Traveling Valentine crew in 2008. She will begin her work at Fanime 2008 covering the masquerade and other events. She is thrilled to be a part of the team.

Deb is into shounen anime such as Naruto and Reborn. She also enjoys the occasional Pokemon. "I cosplay as Ash because I want to be a Pokemon master," says the hyper squirrel. Yet, Deb also loves old school anime such as Candy Candy.

On her free time, she likes to draw, do karaoke, and kill zombies.