UlasanAnime.com – The 2018 Anime Expo has concluded, and looking back, the word “gucci” aptly describes the experience this year. The event offered a blend of idol performances, fan gatherings, and the usual convention chaos.
A significant portion of the weekend was spent near the Aniplex booth, observing the members of 22/7. Their stage events were filled with energetic fans, or “wotas,” capturing photos and videos, and engaging with the idols. The idols, along with MC Albert Kao, played along, creating an atmosphere typical of idol performances, especially for those familiar with Amaki Sally’s online presence. Miyase Reina and Hanakawa Mei also participated, embracing the lively fan interactions, which are often described as idols “hooking” wotas through their performances.
The author’s personal experience began with travel disruptions. A 3.5-hour flight delay to Los Angeles, caused by thunderstorms, led to unexpected expenses on food and drinks at the airport. The delay meant arriving at the hotel very late, around 3 AM, and a subsequent late bedtime of 4 AM. The weekend schedule was adjusted to accommodate this, with no early morning activities planned.
Another highlight was the Aina Aiba track, associated with Bushiroad and the Bandori franchise. A friend shared a video capturing an interaction during a multi-live session with Aina Aiba. Aina Aiba had three autograph sessions, with limited slots available only to the first approximately 40 fans who purchased $30 worth of Bandori merchandise. While premiere attendees had an advantage on the first day, subsequent days saw many exhibitors occupying line spaces. Attendees could also participate in Bang Dream EN party play with her and watch her perform two songs on the Community Stage, drawing a wild crowd. Despite having a Premium Badge and queuing early for Bandori goods on Day 1, the author missed out on these events.
The Lumica events also garnered attention, featuring a wotagei contest with guests like two members of Ginryu Force and Keitan from Real Akiba Boyz. Tsui’s group, Aniparty, also had a guest DJ slot. These events provided demonstrations of wotagei techniques, which the author felt were essential for the American audience. Keitan’s limited two-day presence meant the Ani-Party team had to fill in the gaps.
The Lumica events alternated between their booth and the AX rave space, making it challenging to attend both. The convention floor was exceptionally crowded this year. The corridor connecting the west and south halls experienced significant gridlock due to the flow of people from the escalators. This congestion was exacerbated by the record-high temperatures and a single main exit point from LACC to the JW Marriott, leading to crowding issues. The author suggests using the South Hall exit for easier egress, even though it leads to less central areas, as the main ground floor hallway connected the Exhibit Hall and Entertainment Hall.
The transition from traditional badge checks to RFID technology was generally smooth. However, security checks for bags remained a point of contention, though usually manageable. Other issues included poor line control for exhibit hall entry and panel queues being located outdoors, often in extreme heat exceeding 100 degrees Fahrenheit for at least two days. This led to instances where attendees required emergency medical attention.
Compared to previous Anime Expos, the autograph sessions this year were notably less competitive. While some industry autographs required purchases, like those for Aina Aiba, the author secured one from Sato, the director of “Kase-san And Morning Glories.” Attempts to get autographs from PA Works and Trigger were unsuccessful due to long lines and organizational issues. The autograph lines were generally shorter, with fewer guests drawing massive crowds. Even Go Nagai, a legendary manga creator, had a relatively small turnout due to the limited scope of his autograph session (only for the new Cutey Honey). The author noted an increase in paid autograph options, which may have reduced the presence of many voice actors.
Miracle anime autograph get pic.twitter.com/F42slFwZHS
You might also be interested in : Anime Expo 2018: Two Days Before
? omo@KawaiiKon2024 (@omonomono) July 6, 2018
On a personal note, the author won a signed sticker of Suwa Nanaka at the Bushiroad booth, with the person behind them also winning the same sticker, suggesting a shuffled insertion into the stack. This good luck contrasted with having to forgo an Aqours AWM ticket.
The Aqours AWM event was missed due to the need to set up the Wota Peace Party. Loading was delayed because July 4th was a federal and state holiday in the USA, increasing labor costs and restricting venue access until late evening. The Wota Peace Party content is available on Chun’s Twitch. The author plans to write a separate retrospective on this event to inform future planning.
Following the JSL event, the author attended the Fakku x Mogra party, catching most of Inoue Taku’s set. They had to leave around 2 AM to let a friend into their hotel room. This event is also streamed on Twitch. The author had the opportunity to chat with several people they hadn’t expected to see at AX and noted the presence of many Mogra-affiliated friends, highlighting their appreciation for Inotak’s work.
The convention featured numerous parties, with some being of the rave-like variety. Despite the crowd at the Fakku event, the author observed many genuine fans who knew the songs but struggled with how to engage with them, lacking the “calls and wazas” that enhance live performance culture. This was evident at the Mogra event, where the author’s enthusiastic calls were met with relative silence, even from wota friends.
The author lost their voice at JSL due to May’n’s performance of “One in a Billion.” While more calls were heard compared to previous events, the “Paku Paku” segments remained quiet. The rest of JSL was described as more relaxed. The setlist for JSL is available online. Aimer’s performance was impressive, drawing a comparison to a more refined version of Itou Kanako. Kajiura’s FJ set was excellent but felt too short, covering a wide range of songs from .hack to SAO and Heaven’s Feel, which ran concurrently with the Aniplex SAO panel. Sangetsu Shoujo Sayuri’s performance stood out due to its unique shtick, contrasting with the typical idol and anisong acts.
A separate post will be dedicated to JKL, particularly the TULIP USA version and i☆Ris performances.
The author enjoyed reconnecting with people at the convention, acknowledging that while Anime Expo is arguably the worst-run large anime convention they attend, the attendees are what make it enjoyable. This included the 22/7 events, parties, Mogra, AWM shows, and general socializing with people from various countries. Movie premieres were also a highlight, with Japanese creators bringing their work to an audience eager to react positively.
On Sunday, the screening of “Kase-san” featured director Sato Takuya, who shared insights into the film’s creation. A special video from the three main voice actresses introducing their characters was also shown.
Additional random observations include:
- Numerous parties occurred, some spontaneously forming in various locations around the venue.
- Meimei from 22/7 was a personal favorite, partly due to her being a “P” (producer).
- The OtaQuest lineup was strong, with performances by 8Prince, PKCZ, Crystal Kay, and m-flo, featuring DJ Nakata.
- A question was posed regarding the absence of “Cream” chants.
- The heatwave was a significant factor, with Thursday being particularly scorching outdoors.
- An encounter with SudoP at the Crunchyroll HQ event was missed due to timing issues. The CRHQ space was described as swanky but largely empty at the time.
- Chara Expo was mentioned as an upcoming event for locals.
- Horie Yui was seen at her Showmaker panel, but not at Miss Monochrome’s live. A lucky attendee won a 1:1 cutout of Miss Monochrome signed by Horie Yui, similar to giveaways from the previous year.
The author concludes by looking forward to next year’s Lantis 20th anniversary, anticipating Bandai Namco Arts’ involvement, and the need to purchase another Premiere badge. Despite its flaws, Anime Expo remains a must-attend event.
PS. Regarding Food Expo 2018, the author frequented Yard House and M-Grill in Koreatown. Yard House offered Blue Moon Mango Wheat, while M-Grill provided an excellent churrasco experience with standout lamb chops and grilled pineapples. BCD Tofu House in Koreatown was also revisited and found to be better than remembered.
PPS. A post-post-script details further travel issues. The author missed their departing flight from LAX due to unexpected traffic congestion. They were able to catch a later flight and were upgraded to a PS-equipped 757, allowing for a comfortable journey and a slightly late arrival at work.
