This con, I had a lot of fun. It’s definitely one of the more memorable Otakon personally. But that’s got a lot to do with some non-con related things. It’s just that I’ve been going to too many cons and taking too many days off work, I don’t know when I can really afford a real vacation. And I need one.

If you ever do cons with me you know I take it pretty seriously. Well, you can tell just by the blogging I’m doing I guess. One side effect is that I burn out on cons; it’s like a huge party to begin with, but now not only I don’t get much sleep, I spend the entire day doing stuff. There’s very little down time, and it can be exhausting. So cons are not like vacations…with exception to maybe Animazement.

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Otakon day 3 by stats

• # of Jimmy John sandwiches consumed: 2
• # of meals at the con: 1
• # of tweets at home: 16353
• # of autographs: 3
• # of handshakes: 7
• # of UOs burned through: 4

Otakon day 3 by Tsuritama cosplayers

Otakon day 3 in a paragraph (or 3)

Aya Hirano went overdrive and signed a billion autographs. There were a lot of happy fans. Jim Vowels finally announced his J-music festival. There were a lot of happy fans. It’s one thing to bid farewell to friends departing the con, it’s another to say “see you in November” to them. Thanks Otakon! And all it took was to wait until after the closing ceremony before leaving the con! If there was one “I wish I had” moment on Day 3 for me, it is missing out entirely on the Charity Auction. Which, in retrospect, might be a good thing.

PS. I listened to a bunch of iM@S music on the way home. In fact, the entire way home. Two observations: First, I really do like the iM@S 2 related tracks much more. Second, it is probably because they are better produced. Maybe by “second vision” it actually does mean something, something that kicked into effect in 2009 or 2010. Because it is just outright so much better than their previous string of stuff.

PPS. I listened to a lot of iM@S music on the way home because I feel yet again a severe lack of iM@S content. I did see some couple Ps with their iM@S shirt. A particular person on twitter wore Iori and the other guy (friday) wore Makoto. I tried unsuccessfully to search/stalk for an iM@S cosplay gathering and I guess there was one but I probably should’ve asked someone working the ACP or something. Which is funny, because I do know someone!

We ended the night spending 3 hours at a tapas place, chatting and drinking. It was actually quite pleasant and I would love to do it again when I’m not running on fumes. When we got back to the hotel room, well, there was this still.

As for the con, it was fairly condensed. Content ran from early in the day (NISA’s first East Coast anime panel complete with audience plant for Umineko’s announcement) and ended also early in the afternoon (was done after Maruyama’s MAPPA panel/Madoka autograph, unless you were pressed into doing Yuuka’s, er, press events–all by 6pm or earlier). Well, 6 was kind of late. Instead I played Tanto Cuore at the dealer’s room and spreading that Love maid love. Only wish if I had a chance to play some Riichi with all those mahjong addicted guys. I guess we could’ve played tenhou IRL, which is less pathetic than tweeting across the dinner table.

Ai Nonaka’s panel was quite something. I’m obviously way biased as a long-time fan, but it’s not usual when the Japanese seiyuu guest goes on the stage and says “take lots of photos!” and goes double-V for all the guys in front. Well, there were a couple girls in the front row after all. That’s just the start. Her English was passible although she stuck to very simple phrases when she could, and went to the translator (Taka) for the rest. It was an early-morning panel and she was very full of energy. Possibly one of the best seiyuu panel i’ve been to for a girl.

Yuuka’s panel was fairly predictable, but she played it straight.

Aya Hirano’s was actually also predictable. She’s a good sport and very pro at this stuff. Katja line required some guts! I think she got in the spirit of thing while keeping it under control. Definitely pro.

Can’t complaint. I got my main targets today. Urobuchi’s interview went well, although I could use another 10 minutes, if not an hour. He’s “one of us” in a lot of ways.

Lots of MJ and Tanto. Good times.

Actually I was already in Baltimore by day -1. Day 0 was mostly enjoyable for a sweltering-hot day at the Camden Yards. James Shields pitched into trouble and that was the end of that. I also realize how tough it is to be an O’s fan. I hope they make the playoffs this year.

“I don’t need THIS ONE!”

By Day 1 I was able to meet/greet most of the internet/twitter dudes I wanted to see. Hopefully I can catch the rest tomorrow. For now, a little bit of sleep.

Nanri Yuuka, when dolled up, is a little exotic actually. She’s got this natural beauty that doesn’t show up on pinup shots. But at the same time I don’t disagree with Momotato’s “type 3″ cute estimate. Not that I know what he means. When she’s just walking around the con, you would barely notice this 4’11” Japanese woman just walking around.

The Aniplex guy working with Urobuchi recognizes my script from AX, LOL. Maybe when the time is right I might donate it. I’m in that kind of mood. For that to happen more people need to watch Fate/Zero. By that I mean having it being a meaningful donation and would fetch a higher price.

This Mikako Joho girl is pretty okay.

Best part of the day that I can blog about was probably when the Baltimore Fogo had no lines, and is $30/person. A+ deal will do it again.