UlasanAnime.com – The first day of Anime Expo 2012 was a whirlwind of anime fandom, cosplay, and merchandise hunting. The author navigated the event, sharing insights on various panels and experiences.
The day’s events kicked off with a focus on LiSA, a popular artist, and the vibrant cosplay scene. The author noted the increasing popularity of cameras like the NEX-5N among attendees, suggesting a growing interest in capturing the event’s visual spectacles.
A notable experience was attending Tatsuo Sato’s fan panel. While the panel was designed to encourage questions about “Mouretsu Pirates,” the discussion inevitably drifted to older works like “Nadesico.” Interestingly, “Stellvia” was not mentioned by attendees. Sato did reveal that a scene in episode 25 was modeled after the actual recording studio where voice actors Komatsu and Hanazawa conducted their session. It was also confirmed that the anime’s storyline from episode 21 onwards was original content, deviating from the source material.
Much of the day was dedicated to acquiring merchandise and waiting in line for autographs. The author expressed admiration for Tamiyasu Tomoe, anticipating her upcoming role in “Little Buster” and looking forward to FictionJunction’s performance on Day 2. A slight disappointment was missing out on the Animetal USA show.
Anime Expo 2012 introduced a new 21-and-over lounge, a welcome addition for attendees after the dealer’s room closed. However, its popularity led to overcrowding and loud music, detracting somewhat from the experience. While the live music offered was decent, the expensive drinks, particularly the $7 domestic beers, were deemed overpriced.
You might also be interested in : Anime Expo 2012: Day Zero
Instead of a traditional blogger dinner, the event featured a “tweet-up” atmosphere, described as a “protein overdose.”
The author highlighted several memorable interactions and purchases. Spending over $200 at the NISA booth secured a towel with an “Anohana” purchase. Buying a LiSA CD offered a chance for a photo session with the artist. The author also expressed a desire to meet Aimi and Izumi Kitta. There was a humorous observation about Bushiroad’s “Dr. K” being easily confused with “Dr. O,” leading to an unexpected amount of information about the Cardfight Vanguard game. The mention of “Ufotable” also sparked curiosity, leaving the audience to ponder its significance.
The best cosplay captured on camera during the day was:
A postscript mentioned seeing a well-done Nyaruko cosplay but was unable to get a picture.
