UlasanAnime.com – Anirevo Summer 2023 successfully brought renowned voice actors Itou Miku, Ohashi Ayaka, and Machico, alongside veteran Morita Masakazu, to its event. The summer gathering also featured the Animusix concert and activities from Hololive.
For attendees familiar with major anime conventions, Anirevo offers a unique blend of Western and Asian event styles. Organized by a Chinese team, the convention strikes a balance by implementing tiered pricing to cater to a diverse audience while maintaining affordability. The event’s atmosphere was notably cosmopolitan, with a mix of attendees, including Japanese tourists expressing interest in the anime-themed gathering and the cosplayers present.
The three-day event commenced with badge registration in the morning. Opting for a Premiere pass allowed for early access, securing a good spot for the opening ceremony and opportunities to reconnect with friends. The author spent much of Friday morning working, returning to the convention later in the day. An early dinner in Richmond with friends who weren’t attending the convention’s main events took precedence, as the day’s schedule didn’t present a major draw. This also meant missing an opportunity to meet Takadera-san again due to time constraints.
Morita Masakazu’s scheduled photo and autograph sessions for Friday were unfortunately canceled, likely due to health reasons. However, he was able to participate in the Friday evening panel, which the author attended. The panel provided valuable insights, and the cancellation also prompted discussions about the convention’s line control and photo session procedures for the remainder of the weekend, as new rules and setups were in place.
Having opted out of the Hololive segments, the author enjoyed an early supper with friends who also skipped the event, followed by a later dinner with those who attended. The day concluded with a feeling of fatigue from extensive walking, work, and socializing, compounded by early morning work calls due to Eastern Time. This early start, however, made waking up for Saturday’s activities easier. A late lunch in Richmond also contributed to the day’s exhaustion but added to the overall fulfillment.
Saturday morning saw attendees arriving early for the Premiere line, ensuring they were among the first to enter. Good positioning was achieved thanks to a hotel splurge. A notable scheduling decision by Anirevo was to hold the photo and autograph sessions for the three female voice actors simultaneously. This arrangement made it challenging for non-Premiere pass holders to attend multiple sessions. Despite some issues with the Premiere lines for these sessions, the author managed to secure four out of a possible five desired autographs, deeming it a successful outcome.
The Saturday concert experienced significant delays, attributed to technical difficulties with the two Vtuber opening acts. These performances were essentially live karaoke streams, with one Vtuber unable to proceed and the other facing audio synchronization issues during their three-song set.
The main concert featured Ohashi Ayaka, Itou Miku, and Machico, each performing three songs. The setlist was as follows:
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The concert’s brevity was a point of contention, with attendees feeling it was exceptionally short. Despite the short duration, the quality of the performances was appreciated. The author expressed a willingness to pay more for a longer concert, especially considering the cross-country travel undertaken primarily for this event. The short setlist did, however, allow for full engagement with all nine songs, including the encore, which lasted approximately 45 minutes.
Attendees began queuing for the concert, scheduled to start at 7 PM, at 2 PM, with the actual start time being 7:45 PM. This waiting period facilitated social interaction with friends who had traveled for the event. Most attendees secured front-row seats, and even those without Premiere passes had decent views. The venue, significantly larger than in previous years, was estimated to be about 80% full, which was deemed acceptable.
The inclusion of “Wagamama Mirror Heart” was particularly significant for some attendees. The Q&A session with Itou Miku was described as straightforward and well-prepared, perhaps even a bit too rehearsed, suggesting a need for more engaging questions from the audience.
Machico’s Q&A session was more lighthearted and engaging. Her answers, similar to Ohashi Ayaka’s, were generally brief and to the point, allowing for more questions to be addressed. A highlight was Machico mentioning Natsukawa in response to a question about Anyuri.
The autograph sessions introduced a new policy: only shikishi could be signed, with a $20 fee, unlike previous years where badges could be signed for free. While personal items were not permitted, this compromise was considered acceptable. Photo ticket procedures remained similar, but demand was exceptionally high, leading to the printer running out of ink and paper by Sunday.
The author noted the extensive queuing for photo opportunities, sharing an anecdote about a friend’s experience with Itou Miku’s photo booth:
Accommodation was at the Pan Pacific, utilized through the Amex Fine Hotels & Resorts program. The hotel, primarily serving cruise passengers, offered a 5-star service level in a 4-star setting. Its proximity to the convention entrance was a major advantage. Given the high hotel prices in Vancouver during August, the cost was shared among multiple individuals to make it affordable. The possibility of staying at a similar hotel in the area for future events was considered.
The voice actors also shared their experiences of the trip on Twitter. Itou Miku posted about seeing a whale, while Machico shared a photo of a lobster meal. Ohashi Ayaka also made a post, and Itou Miku shared further updates. Machico confirmed receiving a delivery, implying a successful interaction. The author expressed gratitude for the attendees’ support in making the event a success.
PS. Dining experiences:
Richmond’s Chinese cuisine, while not always visually appealing, offered some memorable dishes.
Saturday dinner was at Chop, a restaurant conveniently located near the convention center. The meal, consisting of various beef dishes, along with a drink and dessert, cost under $100 USD after tip.
Sunday dinner was at Miku, a Japanese fusion restaurant near the convention. The menu included a pepperoncino, pictured here. The author splurged at Miku, with other beautifully presented dishes not shown, which offered a taste experience exceeding expectations. The author also enjoyed Japadogs for lunch on Saturday.
A photo of a Blue Jays-themed hot dog was included, with a humorous nod to the Montreal Expos.
