Category Archives: Conventions and Concerts

Eventing Do’s and Do Not’s

Since I sort of just tossed up my thoughts there, some people might want an easier-to-digest version.

  • Do what you like.
    • The problem is some people like to do things that are stupid/dumb and are context insensitive. So for those people, no, don’t do what you like if it’s those dumb things.
    • There are things that are common sense. It’s a vague and grey area so I’ll leave it at that.
      • But know that it can be a grey area, so have some grace/mercy when dealing with such.
    • Try to not be KY. We are KY I know but do your best.
    • …and some of you are just trolling, so welp.
    • Unfortunately this also determines if you are yakkai or not. Honestly? It doesn’t matter, from a western point of view.
  • Learn about the time/context/place of the thing you are at, and the things you want to do.
    • Wotagei is a type of nerd dance style and is generally inappropriate at a public venue, outside of chika idol shows, anikura, etc.
    • For anime/2D idol/anison fests, calls are appropriate usually, and even if you don’t want to do them, sometimes you should at least learn about them and do them for show at critical junctures?
    • Learn about the acts and the show you are at, if you can. Why are you there, anyway? Festival events are different than solo lives for this reason, usually.
      • Go prepared. Learn ahead of time. Watch some live footage. Read concert reports. Get an idea of calls if not learn them outright.
      • Send flowers, bring gifts, make call books, whatever. But these are bonus round items, don’t get your undies in a wad if these things don’t work out.
        • Definitely don’t make trouble if they don’t. Instead, think positively as a fan, what would you do to make the best of it?
      • Meet other fans! Socialize!
      • Don’t get hung up by penlights or stuff that are secondary to your enjoyment of the show.
      • If you learn what you should do, you can also avoid what you shouldn’t do. And maybe, just maybe, you can get more enjoyment out of these events.
  • Don’t cause trouble, especially if you are a foreigner in a foreign land, but when you invariably do so, just play dumb and be yourself :)
    • To paraphrase a good teacher, if we are to enjoy these gifts that are the reasons in which we attend events, the best way to get along is with love, respect and charity.
  • It’s okay to [insert any Frequently Asked thing here]. Just don’t do it when you know it’ll cause problems. If you don’t know, it’s better err on the safe side. Or you could always ask some people who are also going to the same event, or the management if necessary.
  • Bonus: Don’t get hung up on jizos or house tigers. It’s a waste of your time, it’s a waste of my time. People have the right to enjoy themselves by doing nothing (or even sitting down at a seated venue), or by having a good time “moving” (assuming it adheres to the rules). Yes, there’s a fear that young people or people who don’t know any better may get the wrong idea, but this fear will never end if you let it control you from having a good time. Yeah, there will be people who go too far and need to be disciplined, removed, what have you, but don’t let that get in the way of your fellowship.
    • But it does make good whine material and troll bait.
    • As Tadokoro Azusa said, “So what?”
  • Extra Credit: Go to different live events, learn what it is in different countries, for mainstream and indie bands, for EDM, metal, pop, rock, country, classical, opera, whatever. Widen your perspective. Go to a Hanshin Tigers game and watch real cheering.

Anime Expo 2017: Wrap

I don’t think I caught something, but I might have, at Anime Expo 2017. The lack of sleep was definitely the contributing factor. I feel OK enough to work but some part(s) of my body is not operating at optimal conditions, I guess.

Just to put it into the history books, AX this year was pretty epic mainly because of AWM. Outside of these Cool Japan-sponsored music festivals, AX was its usual self. It’s huge and it’s got a ton of programming, but it’s also got a ton of people and pretty disappointing line management practices which means if you want to see 10 things in 3 days, you might get to see 3-6 of those things. I wanted to see maybe 8 things, I got to see like, 4? And I have a Premiere badge.

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Anime Expo 2017 Anime World Matsuri (July 1) Japan Super Live

Without all the added fandom stuff, Japan Super Live was a lot more laid back but probably just as hyped for me. I spent the day dying and running into WUGchans. It was kind of a nonsense day but I had Row A 300s seat to make up for it.

Overall the setlist falls into place as expected, already know what everyone was gonna play, just a matter of how many songs for who. That doesn’t stop the show from surprising us.

The show started again about 30-40 minutes after 8pm. The live band was a given but always welcomed. Konomin and Angela walks onto the stage in the dark but I was like WTF. The surprises are the collabs! (Setlist & photos copied from Resonance’s PR.)

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Anime Expo 2017 Anime World Matsuri (June 30) Japan Kawaii Live

The long blog post title aside, I don’t have a whole lot to say actually. Actually let me cap the whole day, since that’s how I have been looking at this from the start.

There is more to the experience of seeing an IDOLM@STER live than the live alone. I think in this case we put together something that a lot of producers could enjoy. There was a call book thing, there was some goods sold, there is the offkai. There’s the line-up and socializing. I think people had a good time, at least based on the feedback. There were also things that can screw us up, like AX’s ticket pickup policy. But first things first.

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Anime Expo 2017 Prep

Somehow I got roped into pressing at AX again, despite paying for Premiere… Should’ve said no but welp.

Just a page of links and what I know that can be shared. This year I have not had as much time collecting info, but here goes.

Sentai Filmworks here. Not much to note.

Mangagamer has some stuff. Probably nice for the usual commission hunters.

FUNi – If you care about FMP take note here.

Atlus has a food truck tie-in

Fakku – MEME50 huh.

Sekai Project – Bring seiyuu already lol.

DenpaSoft

Kadokawa has a PR without much details but I guess check FB later?

GSC, in case you hate money. Not too terrible this year.

Visual Arts LOL

Bookwalker – Danmachi author…

Aniplex USA – Man, Kawasumi is coming again but I can’t do anything about going to the FGO panel. And I am playing the game right now…

Oh yeah, there’s also Bushiroad Grand Festival (US ver). Mini stage schedule. Main stage schedule. Based on what I know you go early to line up to go in and buy stuff to get tickets for autograph or other things. Basically try to budget an hour to travel between events, traffic willing.

Crunchyroll is probably holding back because they are throwing their own party in Norcal later this year.

Key things to note about the two AWM shows, Japan Kawaii Live and Japan Super Live.

  • People will be distributing call books. Check my twitter for location.
  • Make time to pick up your tickets from AX Will Call booth near LACC south hall entrance. There’s a 4 hour minimum pickup time before your first show. This means if the show is at 7pm then you need to pick it up by 3pm. That’s tight on 6/30 to say the least. If you need to, AX offers ability to pick up tickets at the venue directly by emailing them. That said you can pick them up on 6/29, and starting 8am on 6/30.
  • The gist here is AX wants to enforce badge and ticket check at will call. It sucks because the sensible thing to do is have MS Theater staff check instead, but welp. Considering that JKL is well-sold it means a lot of people will have to deal with 6/30 problems on 6/30. I’m leaving my tickets with my name for the time being, can always change the names on your ticket later.

AX Autograph rules here.

On 6/30 and 7/1, I believe AWM will have goods sales at the Microsoft Theater. Better check the day of.