I was very surprised! and so happy! Thank you!? pic.twitter.com/TU0a63zBKF

— ?????(i?Ris) (@iRis_k_miyu) July 8, 2018

If I use one word only to describe AX this year, it’s “gucci.” Thanks Sally.

I spent a considerable amount of time standing in front of the Aniplex booth this past weekend, trying to catch glimpses of the three 22/7 members (nanabun no nijuni, or just “nanabun” or “twenty-two seven”). On their scripted stages, the wotas on the floor were busy taking photos and videos of the girls, catching their attentions, and enjoy being fished. The idols (and MC Albert Kao) meanwhile tried to play along and did what they had to. For an idol stage, it was pretty much what you would have expected…if you are an avid reader of Amaki Sally’s tweets. The other two members (Miyase Reina or Reinyan, and Hanakawa Mei or Meimei) are both sort of along for the ride, but also aboard the party boat pulling fishies out of the water. The fisher of men analogy refers to how in Chinese, idols “hook” wota during their stage shows by the means of dance and acting, like a strong dab or a cute smile with eye contact.

It’s like, even Sally knows this stuff, just look at her reactions here.

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I’m still at home and procrastinating on my packing. I fly out Tuesday night to LA. It’s gonna be a fun time at AX, except a part of me just want to stay home and grind UNION for the Nth time. Maybe I can do both, because on schedule, AX 2018 is packed with interesting things I want to see. I want to see SudoP’s panel, and ask him about Hellshake. I want to see Trigger again and rep IDOLM@STER at A-1’s panel. I want to see Tsugutsugu and the other cast members from SAO and GGO. But nope, all those things conflict with anisong events and whatever.

Unlike the usual collection posts, this year I’ll just take it easy. The only AX-sponsored autograph I want to see are the PA Works/Maquia team. (And we’re giving them flowers?) I don’t think I’ll splurge for sketches, although I think there are still prizes in Kentia waiting to be uncovered. There are prime first-hour deals for Premiere badge holders that I can take advantage of, and more in terms of on-the-ground data collection that needs to be done.

But I’m okay with a less engaging AX. JKL featuring Cinderella Girls is enough of a reason to do AX all by itself. Bonus is the party I’m throwing, the Mogra thing Fakku is doing (OMG INOTAC), and just about everything else. Meeting up with friends is also a well-honored reason to con, especially meeting guys coming from Europe. And Japan. And Korea and Taiwan.

Anyways, just dropping some links. Feel free to comment and add more AX related heads’ ups.

• CR HQ details + schedule
• Square Enix, and Mizuyuno yeah?
• Aniplex USA. Doing it right with a dedicate page. Also includes 22/7 schedule (sup Mei I heard you like some IM@S).
• See Enako at Spike Chunsoft?
• Miss Monochrome aaaa
• Aiba doing something. By the way Bushiroad USA Social Media team is kinda clueless… Keep on posting obvious info (like dealer room hours) and not the important details (when the stage is, what they are actually selling, etc).
• AX Autograph Schedule

PS. There’s this guy who harasses people on twitter (and elsewhere) about Smash Bros. and IDOLM@STER. I bring this up because MoriP will be at AX (as a forward-facing industry member, I’m sure this is not his first rodeo at all) so you can go and ask him to do something about it?

PPS. Hey, Aqours! You are all right, I saw that screening last weekend and it was fun. But your fans need to cut out that crap about overwork LOL.

PPPS. OI COME TO MY PARTY ON WEDNESDAY.

I went to AC to hang out with friends, distribute goods, and go attend a con. It was a tad tough because I only landed back in the States the Monday before, so I had to quickly repack and unpack, maybe not in that order. Still, it was a fun time.

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Whoop I went to Chi-town and had some deep-dish pizza. There was also some fhana live I went to. Kevin also played a DJ set at the Saturday Night rave. In attendance of the con in general include other guests like Inoue Kikuko, Iso Mitsuo, Sonoda Kenichi, and other top kek animators and illustrators. It’s too good to not go.

Also, I wanted to check out probably the best con rave in America. Unfortunately CBP/immigration got a couple of the DJs flying in so no Kors K and Ryu. Instead we just went to go see Kevin throw down some anisong remixes.

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