UlasanAnime.com – The Anime Weekend Atlanta (AWA) 2017 event has concluded, and the author offers a reflective wrap-up of their experience. Despite a busy schedule leading up to the convention, including multiple back-to-back events and personal commitments, the author managed to attend AWA. This year’s focus included catching performances by Luna Haruna and Bless4, as well as seeing Ueda Kana. Additional interests were Daoko, and miscellaneous guests like Takahashi Taku, Hanafugetsu, the Strike Witches voice actors, and veteran Naruto seiyuu. While some guests were missed, the author notes the positive aspect of reconnecting with familiar faces and meeting new people.
The author mentions that this particular post will be concise due to a lapse in memory regarding specific details. The convention itself felt larger than the previous visit in 2015, with noticeable improvements in its organization, though there remains room for enhancement. A significant change noted is AWA’s transition to a four-day event, with activities commencing on Thursday evening, including a guest panel featuring individuals from Aoni Production. The author expresses appreciation for the efforts to bring veteran Japanese industry professionals to the event, suggesting it offers a unique perspective on anime’s global impact.
Regarding specific guests, Luna Haruna’s presence was a highlight, with the author attending all her scheduled events, including a preview of the first episode of “Urahara.” While the anime was described as “pretty okay” and “a tad hard to watch,” the author found its conceptual premise interesting, despite being a departure from their usual experiences with Harajuku culture.
The author made an attempt to attend a panel hosted by Sekai Project or DenpaSoft, but left due to boredom and fatigue. A live drawing session by illustrator Miyasaka Miyu was a pleasant experience, with the author appreciating her “lovely moe style.” Most of the author’s panel attendance was centered around guests, with a notable absence from Bless4’s panel and the opening ceremony, indicating a less intensive panel participation overall.
A notable personal touch was the author’s participation in an IDOLM@STER cosplay gathering, wearing “Producer” attire on Friday, the same day as the gathering. This was followed by wearing Luna-themed clothing on Saturday and a “WUG bib” on Sunday, reflecting their engagements and interests during the convention.
The remaining time at AWA was largely spent socializing, browsing the dealer’s hall for autographs and merchandise, and dining. The author also acknowledges the presence of concerts during the event.
Daoko’s live performance was a significant point of interest. While described as “great” but “a little unpolished,” the author found this aspect appealing. Her collaboration with Teddyloid during a rave was particularly enjoyable, and her new chart-topping song was also noted. In person, Daoko was perceived as “too cool.” The author expressed a preference for more dance-oriented music but acknowledged the limited sample size for a definitive judgment.
In terms of acquisitions, the author obtained several autographs, some less valuable merchandise, and photographs, including a “cheki” with Luna Haruna. A selfie with Ueda Kana was highlighted as the most cherished item from the convention. While Ueda Kana’s panels were well-received, a scheduling issue at AWA caused a late start on Saturday. The author also commented on the audience’s demeanor during Q&A sessions, describing American attendees as “gentlemanly” and notably less “insane” compared to Vancouver.
The author concludes that AWA is in a “decent state” and remains a viable option for their annual convention rotation due to its affordability for an out-of-town event. The primary challenge identified is transportation within suburban Georgia, with Uber/Lyft costs accumulating over the weekend. Parking is also a concern for those driving, making it difficult to determine the most efficient transportation method.
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A postscript details the author’s culinary experiences during the trip, including late-night Waffle House, Ted’s Montana Grill, and Steak and Shake. The author also mentions attending Otabrew with meads acquired during an earlier “EventerWedding,” but missed out on much of the event due to a conflict with Luna Haruna’s concert. This Otabrew was perceived as more subdued compared to Otakon.
