UlasanAnime.com – With Memorial Day weekend now in the past, the North American anime convention season is officially underway. Following conventions like Anime Boston, Anime Central, and the Memorial Day weekend events at Anime North, Animazement, and Fanime Con, it might seem like the convention circuit is already in full swing. However, the author notes that they did not attend any of these events.
Despite this, it’s still important to monitor developments. The ongoing Tohoku disaster has created a unique situation, opening up new opportunities while closing off others, making the guest announcement process somewhat unpredictable this year. The author plans to attend Anime Expo (AX) and will share their current thoughts on the AX events announced so far.
Anime Expo is gradually revealing its major guest announcements. For many, the highlight will undoubtedly be the “Miku-fest,” officially known as Mikunopolis. The author finds it amusing that the significance of this event might not be immediately obvious to everyone, but acknowledges that it’s a substantial undertaking for any convention. With Toyota’s backing, it’s poised to be a major event, and the author hopes the organizers will be pleased with the outcome.
The announcement of Miyuki Sawashiro as a guest is particularly noteworthy. She is described as a unique talent with a decade-long career in voice acting, making her an industry veteran before the age of 30. At 26, she is younger than many of her peers, such as Aki Toyosaki who is 25. Unlike some in the industry, Sawashiro is not pursuing an idol career but is instead featured in a wide variety of anime. This marks her first significant fan event outside of Japan.
According to the press release, Miyuki Sawashiro’s appearance at AX is facilitated by NISA, likely to promote titles like Arakawa Under the Bridge. Another potential tie-in could be with Good Smile Company (GSC), as Sawashiro is involved in the Black Rock Shooter OVA. The president of GSC is expected to attend, along with Danny Choo, which prompts speculation about further collaborations. For comparison, by Memorial Day Weekend in 2010, the major guests for AX 2010 had already been announced (excluding the surprise guest Yoko Kanno, who was anticipated). This suggests that AX is a couple of weeks behind its announcement schedule compared to last year, possibly due to the earthquake. The author anticipates that the best announcements are yet to come.
The inclusion of Kalafina is also welcomed. The author reflects on how their appreciation for the group has grown significantly since Kalafina’s previous visit to Anime Boston a few years prior. They recall seeing themselves and acquaintances in the omake video accompanying the second album and now find themselves much more fond of their music. Formed initially to provide music for Kara no Kyoukai, Kalafina has achieved considerable success, demonstrating longevity beyond their original purpose. The author feels no need to use glowsticks for their performance, indicating a deep appreciation for their music.
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On a different topic, the author is interested in the symposiums AX is hosting. Having watched at least one presentation by Ian Condry online, the author believes these sessions are worth attending. However, they remain uncertain if these symposiums will justify dedicating an hour of valuable convention time.
Regarding Mangagamer, the latest information from Bamboo during a recent live chat suggests that it’s unclear which industry or artist guests they will be able to arrange. Bamboo did mention that it will be a quieter year for guest appearances from their side. The earthquake’s impact on galgame development efforts is significant, as these are often small-scale operations. The author humorously suggests that perhaps Bamboo could visit Otakon next year.
Turning to other summer conventions, Otakon is scheduled to feature up to six voice actors, along with a couple of directors. This lineup promises to be quite interesting. AnimeNext is the next convention on the author’s list, although they may not be covering it. The author wonders if AnimeNext will address current political events, such as Naoto Kan’s resignation and the recent vote of no confidence. They also humorously speculate if Taro Aso would make an appearance, even if it were a surprise “ninja” entrance like Aya Hirano’s.
Finally, AM2 remains to be considered. The author would find a performance by Scandal to be a great addition. However, attending AM2 while at AX would require travel between Anaheim and downtown Los Angeles, a journey of about an hour without traffic. AM2 is free to attend, but they do offer special tickets for shows and paid badges for additional perks. The author views AM2 as heavily mimicking AX, especially since it’s run by former AX organizers who have publicly stated they are not trying to replicate AX. Nevertheless, given AX’s large scale, an alternative like AM2 could be beneficial for attendees. The author also notes the potential advantage of being able to see both Scandal and kanonxkanon, comparing their songs “Koi no Doutei?” and “Calendula Requiem” with a chuckle.
