UlasanAnime.com – This recap of Anime Boston 2014 is presented in the “JUST BE FRIENDS: Multiple Camera Angles editions” format.
My experience at Anime Boston is becoming quite familiar. I recognize the staff members, and some even recognize me. This familiarity allows for a smooth adjustment of the event’s chemistry and overall atmosphere.
This year’s Anime Boston was notably more relaxed for me. A significant factor was the ability to spend hours at the convention on Sunday without attending any scheduled events, as my time was dedicated to press activities. This arrangement worked out well, with minimal conflicts. The only real choices I had to make were skipping the Funimation panel to attend Asakawa’s press panel, and the JAM Project public panel for the same reason. Additionally, I had to decide between covering Aniplex or Kodansha and FUNi. While this might seem like a lot when written out, it’s actually quite manageable for a convention of this size.
The reduced waiting times were another aspect contributing to the relaxed atmosphere. I spent the entire weekend in only six significant lines, none exceeding two hours. The queue for entry into the Hynes from the Sheraton entrance, due to bag checks, was the longest, but still not excessively so. In fact, the bag check itself was arguably the most inconvenient aspect of Anime Boston. The Sheraton, being an extension of the convention center, made the bag check particularly irksome. The lines were quite long during peak hours on Friday and Saturday, and also early Friday as attendees arrived. While a workaround exists by using the street entrance of the Hynes, it adds a ten-minute detour. Walking from the Sheraton to a point of interest within the Hynes requires navigating a crowded central hallway, which serves as an overflow for the dealer’s room and a popular spot for cosplay photoshoots. This already presents challenges, and the added bag check further exacerbated the situation. The bag check queue also caused congestion in the mall area, as it encroached upon spaces designated for cosplay gatherings, leading to a compounding of problems.
Moving past the complaints, the autograph lines were generally well-managed. Sorting out the line assignments just thirty minutes before they began could be a bit chaotic, but overall, I didn’t experience significant waits for most activities. The JAM Project ticket situation turned out to be less of an issue than anticipated, with many tickets remaining. The concert schedule also did not overlap with other major events, as both shows were scheduled late in the day, allowing ample time for queuing up to two hours before showtime. Most events ran close to or on schedule.
The full JAM Project performance, complete with their original band, was exceptional. This was the first time I had the opportunity to see them in this complete configuration, as previous appearances were hampered by the absence of either Fukuyama or the band. The performance this time was truly great, and I thoroughly enjoyed it. I believe JAM Project also had a fantastic time. While we might consider ourselves dedicated fans, the East Coast fans present were incredibly passionate and undoubtedly matched our enthusiasm.
However, my primary reason for attending was to see Makkun, and hearing Mask performed live was an absolutely incredible experience.
The press panels I attended were all very informative and engaging. Beyond the JAM Project panel, the others were substantive and heartfelt, offering valuable insights from the guests. I hope to find the time to organize and transcribe these discussions, and get them approved for publication. [Update: There were some changes regarding this process.]
Regarding the Japanese guests, Dai Sato made a humorous remark about K-ON!, prompting me to use the terms “Kuukikei” and “Sekaikei.” He also mentioned Enjoe Tou. He seems to be a forward-thinking individual who stays informed about the industry’s direction.
Yuko Minaguchi’s session was particularly touching. Although I had previously bypassed her appearances at Animazement last year, hearing her study abroad story this time was very sweet. I also gained a broader perspective on her life experiences.
Asakawa Yuu was her usual pleasant and fun-loving self. It’s always a delight when she can convey her unique personality through her English. I attended her press panel, and the following is a compilation of related content, including links to as many available copies as possible. The top one is mine, and the next is from Kuro-chan:
I believe I have shared enough regarding these particular segments.
I largely avoided attending fan panels. While several, such as the Key Sounds panel, the Touhou discussion, or the Vocaloid panel held near the press area on Sunday, were appealing, time constraints limited my participation. With only 24 hours in a day, I had to prioritize. Despite this, I felt the convention was paced well, and my lack of interest in autograph sessions (save for a potential one with Dai Sato, which I ultimately skipped) contributed to a stress-free experience, apart from the demands of press work and scheduling.
For additional details about the JAM CON, I recommend checking out Kuro-chan’s write-up at http://www.kurotsuki.info/blog/?p=3086. He has a talent for capturing such events. It was both amusing and refreshing to see a group of attendees who met through the JAM Project FB fan page interacting at the convention.
Anime Boston, in my opinion, is a smooth and enjoyable convention with a few minor issues, as is common with most mid-to-large-sized conventions. I’m pleased that my personal emotional investment was at a level that allowed for a very relaxed experience, while still offering enough epic, passionate, and once-in-a-lifetime moments to make the effort worthwhile.
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— ?????? (@LoveLoveDragon) March 24, 2014
FOOD & LOOT:
My dining experiences this year were not particularly gourmet, with the exception of Thursday night’s dinner at Salty Pig. This establishment caters to a foodie crowd, serving dishes that fit that description. It’s the “L.O.V.E.N.I.K.U” type of foodie joint, where we all indulged in various processed meats. Their menu features three main categories: fermented food platters (including a selection of European cured pork and chicken liver pâté) served with cheese, toasted breads, and nuts; artisanal brick oven pizzas; and meat samplers such as Israeli lamb roasts in offal stew or a combination of pork cuts. They also offer an extensive list of beers and spirits. I would recommend it, particularly for the pizza, which was surprisingly good. The platters were also interesting, though the samplers were less impressive but still solid. A minor drawback was the serving size, at least for what I ordered. We concluded the evening with a round of B. Good, although only a few of us managed to get burgers.
Legal Seafood was rather uninspired, and I likely won’t return unless there are no other options. KPC was as expected, and Cheesecake Factory, while convenient for a late-night meal, was also predictable. It was amusing to run into JAM Project there. Wagamama offers good food, but it didn’t quite resonate with my Asian palate, and having it twice in a weekend felt like one time too many.
There is a Fogo de Chão located conveniently near our hotel (Copley Square Hotel). However, we opted against it as the concerts on both days were scheduled after dinner, and indulging in a heavy Fogo meal before a JAM Project concert would not be advisable for health reasons.
Regarding loot, I haven’t fully unpacked yet, so I can’t provide a picture. I only visited the dealer’s room once and purchased JAM Project merchandise. Their messenger bag is quite cool. The jacket is also nice, but unfortunately, it doesn’t fit me. I did spend a considerable amount of money, but the bag should complement my WUG can badges well. You can view the full list of goods at http://jamjamsite.com/tra_tour2013-14/goods.html#goods, but keep in mind that only about 40% of the total items were available at Anime Boston. It’s a shame we only get to purchase leftover tour merchandise.
You might also be interested in : Japan Trip 2014 Highlights
For a more comprehensive account of the convention, please refer to the other posts at http://omonomono.com/2014/03/22/anime-boston-2014-day-1/ and http://omonomono.com/2014/03/23/anime-boston-2014-day-2-jam-edition/. Stay classy, Boston!
