UlasanAnime.com – The recent Miku Expo concerts in the USA, specifically the two nights in Los Angeles and two in New York City, saw a ban on electric glow sticks. This has led to some inconvenience for fans, often referred to as “wotas,” who are accustomed to using these for their performances and light-up routines during concerts. They will have to resort to chemical glow sticks instead.
While some may view this as a minor issue, it holds significant cultural importance for the wotagei community. For them, the electric glow sticks, often called “cylume,” are a major symbol of their fandom, akin to how cosplay is for anime conventions. Banning them can be seen as comparable to an anime convention prohibiting certain types of cosplay or the use of specific materials for costumes, which would undoubtedly cause an outcry among attendees.
Interestingly, the Miku Expo organizers plan to distribute green chemical glow sticks to all attendees. This suggests a desire to curate a specific visual aesthetic for the crowd. In Japan, this is often naturally achieved due to a strong sense of collective consciousness and consideration among fans regarding the colors of lights they display. However, in the United States, concert-goers tend to express themselves more individually, embodying a spirit of “freedom of worship” when it comes to how they enjoy concerts.
Finding suitable glow sticks in the US can also be a challenge. While 8-hour glow sticks for camping or general celebrations are readily available, the more specialized, party-oriented electric gear is still largely exclusive to Japan and primarily sold there. This makes it difficult for American fans to acquire the specific types of lights they prefer for events like Miku Expo.
The article also notes that Aniplex+ USA is planning to sell a product called the SAO King Blade, suggesting that official merchandise related to concert light sticks is becoming more accessible. The author questions why Miku Expo organizers don’t simply allow official electric lights, such as those sold at Miku events in Japan.
Despite the ban on electric glow sticks, fans can still enjoy the Miku Expo with lights, as chemical ones are permitted. However, discerning wotas might be particular about the quality of these chemical glow sticks. For those seeking higher quality options, it might be beneficial to import them from Japan or other regions where they are more readily available.
There are also community initiatives to help fans acquire the necessary light sticks. For instance, a user named Zalas is organizing a “buy a set for you and a set to give away” event and also provides call guides for wotagei performances. The author expresses a wish for an English-language version of Twipla, a platform used for organizing such events.
For those looking to purchase glow sticks in the US, Amazon does offer some official Cylume-branded products. While the 8 or 12-hour green glow sticks might suffice, the ideal choice for many would be the high-intensity or ultra-high intensity versions. Online retailers like House of Rave are mentioned as sources, though their shipping costs can be high. Amazon also has third-party sellers offering items like first-generation King Blade X10s. The availability of options depends on diligent searching. Alternatively, fans attending other events, such as IM@S 9th, could ask friends to bring back boxes of Ultra Pink or Ultra Green glow sticks.
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