UlasanAnime.com – Otakon 20 proved to be a significant event, especially with the return of Yoko Kanno and Shinichiro Watanabe. While not inherently unique for their presence, their involvement elevated Otakon 20, which marked the 20th iteration of the convention rather than its 20th anniversary, into something quite special.
This particular Otakon felt like a convention dedicated to premiering content that would pique Japan’s interest.
Piano Me – The collective gasp from anime fans in the concert hall and simulcast room was palpable. Although the venue’s capacity of 7000-8000 people meant not everyone could attend, and tickets required days of prior queuing, the experience was undeniably a highlight. The “Piano Me” performance by Yoko Kanno was a masterful display of her signature style: whimsical, emotive, and undeniably infectious, inspiring a desire to sing along. It evoked powerful emotions reminiscent of the magical Tanabata show in 2009. The performance was a direct continuation of that experience, a segment of “Cho-Jiku Tanabata Supersonic.” If broken down, Tanabata Supersonic could be seen as comprising various parts, including a “Macross Frontier” segment, the creative “Piano Me” art project, and other elements like the “Warsaw Philharmonic,” “Seatbelts,” crowd interaction, a second music art project, and an encore.
OreImo S2 OAVs – The premiere of the OreImo S2 OAVs elicited an honest and appropriate reaction from the Otakon audience, with Fushimi receiving the response he anticipated.
Space Dandy – The new series, Space Dandy, was met with enthusiasm. While a detailed write-up is available on Japanator, the provided assets highlighted the excitement. Following Watanabe’s initial panel, the buzz around Space Dandy was undeniable. Although the author did not stay for the Q&A in Watanabe’s second panel, details about the series’ setting were discussed, revealing numerous jokes, reminiscent of the “Beta tape” in Bebop. The author also noted that LOAE made many jokes, humorously reflecting Watanabe’s thought process, though not his speaking style. A glimmer of hope was also present with the mention of Fushimi-sensei appearing in Watanabe’s Sunday panel.
To streamline the writing process, the remaining points will be presented in a bulleted format.
iM@S – The author had the opportunity to meet Digi Kerot and a fellow iM@S-P (the 876 Producer), and even spotted a Haruka cosplayer. The author expressed a slight disappointment at the apparent lack of other iM@S fans, contrasting it with the previous year’s Otakon. Gratitude was extended to @7thwraith for fostering a sense of “UNITY MIND.” Despite this, the author still regretted missing out on iM@S cosplay events.
Con Gripe – Having attended approximately 15 Otakons, this was the first instance where the author was removed from a line, albeit only sent to the back. This incident highlighted a perceived issue with Otakon’s line management for the year, characterized by poor execution despite ample discussion, leading to unnecessary frustration. Attendees were encouraged to voice their line management grievances on the Otakon forums, as they are monitored. The queue for the Kanno concert tickets on Friday was exceptionally long, surpassing the crowds for Horie Yui at AX in 2010. The absence of Ishikawa on screen and the incident of being kicked out of the bathroom were also noted as lapses in discretion. The author expressed expectations for Otakon to improve and differentiate itself from Anime Expo, especially after two decades. The “OreImo premiere room clear snafu” was also mentioned as a notable incident requiring further context from the related forum thread.
My Panel – The author participated in a panel, with Dave providing assistance that inadvertently disrupted the planned timing, leading to a rushed presentation and some forgotten points. Despite this, the panel was considered successful, delving deeper than surface-level discussions. Thanks were extended to the attendees for their presence.
More nerding out – Sharing a room with more like-minded individuals resulted in extended conversations about nerdy topics, taking precedence over updating the blog or Jtor.
Dealers room – The dealers’ room felt somewhat sparse this year. Notably, Good Smile Company offered $60 scrolls for $20, a price that the author found questionable, though they ultimately passed on the OreImo scroll. The focus seemed to be on figures, which sold well. The rest of the dealers’ room offered a familiar selection.
Otakon Press – The press room operated smoothly this year, attributed to effective planning. The inclusion of gifts for the press was a welcome gesture, enhancing their positive experience, regardless of the gift’s value.
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Food – Cazbar and Fogo proved to be delicious dining options, while Jimmy Johns offered a convenient and satisfying meal, ideal for a convention setting. The Hilton’s location also provided easy access to these establishments. For a slightly more upscale experience, Potbellys was also available.
- Cazbar, a Turkish restaurant located on Charles Street, is about a 10-minute walk away. The author enjoyed beers and baklava, noting the beers were particularly suited for dessert. This served as a pleasant pre-game activity before heading to the convention.
- Fogo de Chao offered a similar experience to the previous year, with the Garlic Steak being a particularly memorable dish. The ice cream-strawberry blend was also a pleasant treat.
Chiaki Ishikawa – The author attended Ishikawa’s panel, autograph session, and concert. While the post-concert autograph session on Sunday was an option, the author was occupied with a cosplay gathering, which provided a unique, albeit somewhat odd, conclusion to the Otakon experience. The author contemplated what item to have signed and regretted not bringing “Simoun” for an autograph.
TMR & HMK – The author only saw TMR and HMK briefly at the concert. A potential reason for this limited interaction was the author’s inability to attend the Opening Ceremony due to the aforementioned convention gripe. TMR still demonstrated an ability to engage the crowd, and the author was pleased to hear “Heart of Sword” again, despite the rendition being somewhat unconventional.
Shifting focus, the author observed a change in their convention experience this year. While scheduling still plays a significant role in how convention-goers navigate events, the author’s priorities at Otakon have evolved. A greater emphasis was placed on an iM@S photoshoot and spending time with friends, even if discussing disparate social circles, over attending panels with SAO guests or participating in the charity auction. The author noted that removing voice actors from the equation seemed to reset their convention experience.
Despite these shifts, the author still engaged in their usual activities, including drinking at Pickles and participating in a Sunday morning karaoke marathon, finding the experience both enjoyable and introspective.
Loot:
The included image showcases Kawaiikochans, which the author deemed the only item worth photographing. Notably absent is the Piano Me black tee, featuring a duck within the “O” of Piano. The Fukanzen Nenshou pin was worn over it during the day. The green towel is an Ishikawa towel, and the peculiar face item on top of the AX door hangers were convention freebies. Overall, the loot haul was modest.
Photos from the event will be featured in Jtor coverage over the following week, with Part 1 already available. A transcript of the OreImo guests’ panel will also be published later in the week.
Finally, the author expressed gratitude to everyone met during the four-day weekend, both online and offline, for making their Otakon experience enjoyable.
