UlasanAnime.com – Crafting a comprehensive wrap-up for Anime North 2015 has proven to be a more extended endeavor than initially anticipated, with a significant portion of the content slated for a separate, in-depth post detailing the organization of the offkai. This article, in its current state, has taken over two weeks to finalize, despite most of the writing being completed shortly after the event.
Anime North, for those familiar with the convention, operates primarily as a local event. It caters to the local anime and pop culture enthusiasts, serving as their annual costume party and social gathering. The convention features standard programming within hotel panel rooms, alongside unique attractions such as recurring taiko drumming performances and impressive cosplayers who engage in professional wrestling and acrobatics while in costume. During one instance, while waiting for an autograph, the author witnessed an entire tournament featuring characters like Shishi-o versus Elmo and Guile versus Superman.
The primary motivation for attending Anime North this past Memorial Day weekend, rather than a southern event featuring Hidaka and Inoue, was the presence of Asapon and the North American Producer community. Anime North hosts its own series of producer-focused events. This year, most guests were scheduled for three panels and three autograph sessions, with Nakamura Chie having a slightly condensed schedule with only two events.
Upon arriving in the city on Thursday, a large group of over 30 people convened for dinner. The author returned to the same hotel as the previous year, having identified a restaurant capable of reliably accommodating large parties of 20 or more, which proved exceptionally convenient.
Friday morning was relaxed, allowing attendees to catch up on sleep. The group gathered in a parking lot, making calls and socializing in a large circle. The author noted the absence of alcoholic beverages and blankets for seating. The author’s room group also made initial contact with new Japanese producers who were part of the Asapon expedition, identifiable by their Redrop shirts.
The author attended the opening ceremony, which commenced about 15 minutes behind schedule. Leaving halfway through, the ceremony was barely underway. This likely meant Asapon’s arrival was delayed, consequently impacting her first autograph session. Unfortunately, this also led to the author being caught in a minor stampede of attendees attempting to enter the convention. Despite missing Asapon’s appearance, departing early from the opening session was deemed the correct decision.
The Friday autograph session was notably disorganized, with Asapon managing to see only about 40 people, limiting attendees to one item and one photo. This resulted in many individuals, including several Japanese attendees, being unable to get their autographs. The situation improved on Saturday and Sunday, with Asapon even offering a bonus high-five to those in line on Saturday as a gesture of apology. The author had a direct view of the chaotic scene on Friday but deemed it inappropriate to detail the specifics here.
The weather throughout the three-day convention was excellent, allowing Asapon to wear summery attire, reflecting the time of year in Japan. A group of Japanese producers who had attended Anime North the previous year returned, this time dressed in suits, adding to the “P mafia” presence on Saturday. The author observed at least 30 individuals in suits during the day and was grateful for the cool weather that prevented discomfort.
A significant improvement in this year’s Anime North was its enhanced organization. Fans of Haramii were numerous, and the North American producer community was more coordinated than in previous years. Lessons learned from the prior year were applied, leading to better execution. Managing a large group consistently presented challenges, occasionally necessitating attendees to manage on their own, though this was unavoidable. The author mused about the possibility of organizing into smaller groups in the future.
This convention marked another instance where the author completely bypassed the dealer’s room. Purchases were limited to food, drinks, gasoline, and a handbag belonging to Nabatame Hitomi. This reflects the author’s primary activities, which revolved around socializing with producers in various settings—in lines, at the convention, during panels, at meals, at offkai events, and in hotel rooms—aside from the brief attendance at the opening ceremony.
A video was captured of Asapon appearing on stage during the closing ceremony.
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The closing ceremony also featured the winner of this year’s idol contest, who performed the song “Papermoon” by Tommy February for Soul Eater. Attendees used red penlights. Footage from the opening ceremony is also available, showcasing both Asapon and Nabacchi.
As the author’s first “real” convention experience of the year, this event stood out. Similar to Otakon Vegas, the convention served as a focal point for bringing events and guests, but the author and friends organized their own programming. This approach seemed logical, as if the primary purpose of attending a convention is to socialize while participating in programming, it makes sense to create one’s own if the official offerings are lacking.
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Regarding Asapon, those familiar with her personality would know what to expect. What was particularly appreciated was her uninhibited and authentic presence, made possible by the convention’s Guest Relations team. The established relationships between the convention and its voice actor guests over the year culminated in a positive experience. While Asapon may not be the most overtly affable voice actor encountered, her radiance was undeniable. This could be attributed to her excitement about visiting Canada, having never traveled west before, or simply the allure of the country and its people. Regardless, Asapon presented herself as one of the most welcoming and playful personalities from Japan seen in North America, and her full potential may not have even been showcased.
Nabatame Hitomi was also described as a kind and pleasant individual, and meeting someone highly regarded in voice actor otaku rankings was a pleasure, even if that status was from a past era. The author purchased her handbag to show support, noting the favorable exchange rate for USD, and her performance as Kazusa remains memorable.
Her Q&A session was somewhat challenging due to the interpreter’s limited vocabulary and inexperience.
The charity auction was noted as being relatively free of predatory practices, with most merchandise being of average appeal. Anime North is not affiliated with a non-profit organization, meaning donations are not tax-deductible. Despite this, many participated, though a bid of 200 CAD deterred some.
Asapon donated two auction sets. The first included her iPhone 5/5S case, an autographed Asapon coaster, and a poster. The second set comprised the same coaster and poster, along with a personalized souvenir from the CN Tower—a keychain engraved with a photo of Asapon taken at the tower. This set fetched 700 CAD, while the iPhone set sold for 400 CAD.
Nabatame donated a single set, which included the aforementioned handbag containing a White Album 2 towel, her copy of the Himemiya Milan single, and a Precure Pure crane figure. The items fit neatly within the compact handbag, and the cloth pattern suggested suitability for carrying while wearing a yukata. The author participated in bidding for this item with fellow seiota, considering it a small price for a piece of voice actor memorabilia, believing it deserved more than the winning bid of 250 CAD.
Overall, the auction was a fun way to spend money, with the assurance that proceeds would go to a good cause and potentially assist Anime North with tax obligations.
The author thoroughly enjoyed Anime North due to the company, a sentiment shared by many others. The convention’s ability to attract guests from afar, thereby bringing people together, was highlighted as a key function of a proper convention. The author expressed a view that conventions primarily used as “offkai” events, while not inherently wrong, deviate from the core purpose of events with robust guest relations operations.
The author clarified that this perspective does not imply a dismissal of conventions focused on socializing, as they serve as excellent excuses for parties.
PS. For additional perspectives, readers are encouraged to check out reports from Macha-P and Exciel (AKA Exile)P.
PPS. Some pictures.
Not pictured are three tweets from Asapon during her panel and one from Nabatame on her blog. Additionally, there were several IM@S cosplayers in attendance.
PPS. Food discussion. In addition to visiting Zets twice for delicious meals (despite some criticism of its poutine, which the author conceded was not authentic), a new dining experience involved visiting a liquor store. The author found cases of a particular beverage and purchased a few for in-room parties.
This beverage, best described as a juice chuhai, offers a flavor profile similar to Strong Zero but with less alcohol and a grapefruit taste, comparable to a beer. It was found to be very delicious.
The food spread at Zets on Friday night was varied. While the T-bone steak’s quality was uncertain, the gyro was satisfying, though the author indicated a preference for sticking to their signature dishes. The accompanying picture represents approximately one-sixth of the total order, signifying a substantial amount of food.
Dinner on Saturday, consisting of Chop’s smoked ribeye, was not pictured. The author found it flavorful but unlike a traditional steak, despite its preparation method, and was unsure if they would order it again, possibly due to it being overcooked.
