UlasanAnime.com – The Anime Expo 2011 convention has concluded, leaving attendees with a mix of excitement, fulfillment, and reflections on the event’s successes and areas for improvement.
The author expresses deep gratitude to friends and acquaintances who shared the Anime Expo experience, highlighting the genuine connections made through shared enthusiasm for anime and manga, rather than external influences. The efforts of the AX staff, guests, and even figures like Vic and Danny Choo were acknowledged for contributing to one of the most enjoyable conventions to date. The author also extends thanks to attendees, including those who engaged in conversations, even if their identities were as simple as a Twitter username or a request for a MyFigureCollection username.
Amidst the excitement, Anime Expo 2011 served as a somber reminder of the impact of the March 11th disaster in Japan. While the fandom often discusses the disaster in terms of industry disruptions, such as project delays or cancellations, the author found it more refreshing to witness the collective effort to make a difference. The convention provided opportunities for attendees to contribute through donations and charitable purchases. Taka’s opening speech, the charity auction, and various initiatives like the “hands” doujinshi, Kurosaki Maon’s charity wristbands, and GOFA’s proceeds with Izumi Matsumoto’s work were all highlighted as meaningful contributions.
These charitable efforts, when viewed within the context of an American anime convention, felt particularly grounding. The author noted that Otakon’s inclusion of a charity auction this year is a positive step, emphasizing the importance of action over mere words, especially when the “excuse” for such actions is so strong.
Moving on to the convention’s operational aspects, the author observed both improvements and regressions at AX 2011. The autograph situation, for instance, saw significant improvement, though it was questioned whether this was due to superior management or a lack of advertised autograph schedules. While line management and the Monday FFA autograph session were praised, the overall draw of AX 2011 was deemed less potent than in 2010. The lack of information, while inconvenient, did create opportunities for attendees to secure multiple sketches from a single group of guests, though the author suggested this should not be the convention’s standard approach.
The “Meet the Guests” reception faced issues, including a lack of attendees and a high cost of $75, especially considering its placement on a Sunday night when many guests had already departed. While the food was adequate, the venue at Club Nokia, though “swank,” was not ideal for conversation. The author also shared a personal challenge related to running a panel at AX, acknowledging the immense effort required to balance panel responsibilities with other desired convention activities. This experience led to two key takeaways: the necessity of prioritizing panel commitments over other con activities, and a questioning of the selection process for fan panels at AX.
Despite these challenges, the author was pleased that some attendees enjoyed the panel, even those not already known to the author. The panel itself served as a learning experience, offering insights into the world of figures. The room for the panel was half-full by the start, with only a minor attrition rate, which was better than expected. Time management issues arose due to setup requirements, a previous panel running overtime, and technical difficulties.
The author then shifted focus to a more positive aspect: the food trucks. These were seen as a solution to the challenge of finding convenient and good food. Several food trucks were strategically located near the entrances at the LA Convention Center, making them easily accessible. While the author mostly opted for to-go orders, the group experience on the first day was a memorable exception. The author anticipates the food truck trend will extend to Baltimore, albeit on a smaller scale, and expects demand to be high.
A mention was made of the “Last Exile” event, which the author wished to attend but was deterred by the long wait times due to many AX events running behind schedule. Despite not being able to attend, the author observed the event was well-attended and heard positive feedback about its outcome, with anticipation for its release in the autumn.
As a consolation, the author received several autographs, commending Funimation for their well-executed promotional items, particularly the Silver Wing promo print.
A conversation with an attendee of Japan Expo in Paris highlighted the relative advantage of AX attendees concerning autographs and sketches, a sentiment the author strongly agreed with. This led to observations of Japanese otaku at AX, many of whom were also waiting in lines for events related to their favorite celebrities.
The author regrettably missed panels for Kalafina and Maon Kurosaki. While Kalafina’s coverage was already extensive, the author expressed uncertainty about what to say regarding Maon, noting her potential and the need for her agency to nurture her talent. A comparison of Maon to “Makkun” by a third party prompted the author to pay closer attention.
An anecdote was shared about a hotel roommate experiencing severe sneezing and nausea after Kurosaki’s concert, humorously linking it to “Con AIDS” and proposing the term “Maon plague.”
Maon Kurosaki performed two concerts at AX: one at the “HOTD” dub preview and another at Club Nokia. Both were similar in length, with the latter featuring a new song from Hellsing. The author refrained from extensive commentary on Kalafina, stating they were better than ever and that Club Nokia’s standing-room-only setup suited their music. The author referenced a report on a Yuki Kajiura live performance, finding it to be an accurate observation of the three singers.
The convention also featured industry professionals participating in panels, some of whom were in character. AX 2011 was noted as an announcement-heavy event with many exciting reveals. An industry trivia game show panel was preempted by impromptu autograph sessions. The author expressed interest in Asobi ni Ikuyo’s upcoming Blu-ray release, seeing it as a testament to the ongoing value of licensing in bringing diverse content to fans.
The convention’s open panelist policy was highlighted, with examples of diverse participants, from toddlers to figure enthusiasts and Spanish guitarists. The author concluded that AX offers a good time and that this wrap-up might not cover every detail, with intentions to update if further memories arise.
Additional notes were provided for Nirgilis and Miku. Nirgilis, an established Japanese electronica group, was described as having an amusing lead singer, Acchu, who seemed to enjoy herself. Mikuopolis was well-documented, with the author noting the presence of English tracks and the visual experience of the holographic performance, comparing it to performing inside a fish tank. The author also provided links to setlists for Maon Kurosaki and Kalafina, noting that “Hikari no Senritsu” was Kalafina’s encore.
