UlasanAnime.com – Taiyoucon 2017, an anime convention held in Phoenix, Arizona, marked the beginning of the year for many anime enthusiasts. This was the convention’s seventh iteration and its third year at the Mesa Convention Center, a venue characterized by its interconnected ballrooms and conference halls.
Described as one of the smaller conventions attended by the author, Taiyoucon’s layout, with its winding walkways and walls, made capturing crowd shots challenging. The dealer’s room, potentially the largest open space, was not explored by the author. While outdoor areas were available for gatherings, their dispersed locations meant attendees did not congregate in any single spot for extended periods. The convention’s setup was noted for its convenience, allowing for swift travel from the hotel room to any event area within minutes. The relatively low attendance and compact venue contributed to a cozy atmosphere.
Similar to the Animazement convention in 2005, Taiyoucon attracted attendees due to its guest lineup, which included voice actors Kanda Akemi and Sanpei Yuko, alongside Lotus Juice, Hirata Shihoko, and Teddyloid. The author specifically mentioned Shihoko’s diminutive stature.
The author’s primary objectives for attending Taiyoucon were to engage with the two featured voice actors by attending all their events, to reconnect with friends, and to observe the local anime community and convention staff. The overall experience was described as relaxed and unhurried, with activities such as autograph sessions, panels, dining, live viewing streams, concerts, and parties filling the schedule.
Saturday’s entertainment options included a cosplay lounge with a monster girl theme and a VIP party featuring Teddyloid, Lotus Juice, and Shihoko. The VIP party was a pleasant experience, focusing on photo opportunities, listening to music from “Panty & Stocking,” and sampling themed alcoholic beverages.
The themed drinks, while reasonably priced, were noted to be diluted, similar to those at the Characro IM@S cafe. An example of a specific drink experience was also shared.
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— omo@KawaiiKon2024 (@omonomono) January 8, 2017
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The author also enjoyed a drink named “Rin,” which was described as alcoholic and blue, leading to its renaming as the “Rin Shibuya.”
The comparison to Animazement extended to the convention’s location, with Mesa being a suburb of Phoenix, approximately 30 minutes from the airport. This mirrors Animazement’s past location in a corporate park outside Raleigh. The author speculated that continued success might lead Taiyoucon to relocate closer to the heart of Phoenix.
The caliber of guests for a small convention like Taiyoucon was considered quite impressive, raising questions about its sustainability. However, the author noted precedents at other conventions and expressed minimal concern, considering the resilience of the featured guests. The presence of voice actor Sanpei Yuko was attributed to the diligent efforts of specific convention staff members, indicating a potential shift in the convention’s approach to guest selection.
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Kanda Akemi was present on Friday and Saturday, but the author missed her panel due to remote work commitments. Similarly, a significant portion of Sanpei Yuko’s Friday panel was missed due to a work conference call.
Unlike many voice actors associated with “THE iDOLM@STER,” Sanpei Yuko has voiced a diverse range of roles, including prominent characters in children’s shows like Precure and as the voice of Boruto, whose TV series was upcoming. Interestingly, few Naruto fans were observed during autograph sessions, which was not entirely unexpected. It was somewhat surprising that Sanpei attracted more fans on Saturday than Kanda, despite Kanda having voiced a comparable number of roles, albeit perhaps fewer mainstream ones.
During Sanpei’s panel, the author inquired about the ending of “Xam’d” and her aspirations for stage performances beyond her experience with CG 4th live events. Sanpei revealed she attended the first day of CG 4th, her favorite song being “Miina no Kimochi,” and recalled attendees dressing as animals. She also mentioned her friend Makino Yui and described the stage as castle-like, suggesting that anything is possible with sufficient funding. Earlier, when asked about disliked aspects of voice acting work, Sanpei stated that modern voice actors must engage in more than just vocal performances, including radio shows and live events, and sometimes participate in punishment games. She expressed a dislike for consuming mixed foods as a punishment and a general aversion to scary things like haunted houses. She then engaged the questioner, who admitted a fear of heights, a sentiment Sanpei did not share, finding it an interesting exchange that she repeated when questions were slow to arrive.
Following up on the CG 4th discussion, the author asked what Sanpei would do if she had the resources to create a property similar to CG 4th. She responded that she would be open to flying over a castle, given her comfort with heights. This interaction exemplifies the nature of the weekend’s discussions, where “THE iDOLM@STER” questions constituted only about a quarter of the total. The strong presence of “THE iDOLM@STER” fans likely led Sanpei to discuss the franchise more frequently.
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Kanda Akemi’s panel resembled more of a fan meeting, with her actively managing the Q&A session. The author asked about Aice5’s reunion and how their dynamic had changed. Kanda indicated that they could now approach challenges, such as Chiaking’s injury shortly before an event, with a more mature perspective. The author noted that while Kanda gives off a “Showa era idol vibe,” she might not strictly fit the definition.
During autograph sessions, attendance was consistently low, with no more than 40 people present at any given time. Sanpei Yuko had three sessions, one each day, while Kanda Akemi had one session per day of her attendance. Attendees presented Kanda with Aice5 CDs for autographs, and some dedicated “Negima” fans showcased rare merchandise, including one individual with “Drops” goods and Kanda’s solo CD. Obtaining autographs from Sanpei proved more challenging for the author, who resorted to getting items signed for friends and engaging in conversations about the size of America and the presence of producers.
Although the author did not get to ask Sanpei about “Seikon no Qwaser,” she did promote a show she would be appearing in during the upcoming spring season when presented with a related item.
In conclusion, Taiyoucon 2017 was characterized as a relaxed, small-scale convention that offered significant guest interaction, including a concert and VIP party. Despite its somewhat disorganized nature, typical of smaller conventions, the event was deemed “top-tier” by the author.
A postscript mentioned culinary experiences, including burritos, authentic northern Chinese cuisine, and Chicago-style beef sandwiches. The author also benefited from Marriott perks, providing free or discounted breakfasts throughout the weekend, which was particularly welcome given the challenging adjustment to East Coast time after arriving late the previous night.
