UlasanAnime.com – Blogging can be challenging when faced with a demanding schedule that includes lining up early for merchandise and events, attending those events, post-event gatherings, and repeating the cycle, often leading to late nights.
Despite the packed schedule, there’s an opportunity to share some thoughts. The aim is to keep this brief, hoping to get to bed soon.
The IM@S movie is an interesting experience, akin to “The Passion of the Christ” in that personal expectations heavily influence the reception. For dedicated “true” fans, it’s likely a deeply moving experience. For me, it was a less intense, perhaps a 0.5-hanker. This highlights the depth of my own connection to the franchise. I might have inadvertently diminished the pristine experience by listening to the soundtrack beforehand; for the full effect, avoiding the OST is recommended. However, “M@STERPIECE” was still enjoyable. The soundtrack, in my opinion, was even less impactful than the 30-second PV showcasing the concert. Some of the tracks and arrangements were already quite emotional for someone deeply involved in the anim@s community.
I’ve only seen the movie twice so far. Heavy snowfall on Friday made travel difficult, though it didn’t stop me from staying up until 2 AM due to WUG.
I heard positive feedback about WUG from attendees at Milk Lariat. However, judging their appeal is tricky when discussing with friends who are already seasoned idol fans. The general consensus, aside from the passionate WUG fanbase, remains somewhat subjective.
I plan to write about the butai aisatsu events on the blog.059pro.us site. It’s a challenge due to my limited Japanese proficiency, but I will endeavor to provide relevant links and more details about the movies.
You might also be interested in : The Journey
Yukarin’s concert at SSA on February 15th was a classic Yukarin live performance. She clearly enjoys engaging with her fans. Her MC skills now seem to be on par with, if not better than, the average anime convention emcee in Japan. The highlights of a Yukarin live concert typically include:
- King Record’s signature old-school seiyuu music, which makes up about 50% of the performance.
- The energetic and enthusiastic calls from her dedicated fanbase, the “oukokumin,” which fill the other 50%.
- Her humorous anecdotes, often involving her family, and comical video segments. Unlike some other performers, like Hocchan, she doesn’t shy away from directness.
While setlists and key details can be found elsewhere, here are some links I want to save before I forget:
https://twitter.com/paranda_update/status/434720406126075904
https://twitter.com/paranda_update/status/434720477005619203
https://twitter.com/paranda_update/status/434720578797199360
https://twitter.com/paranda_update/status/434720808154329088
https://twitter.com/paranda_update/status/434721179257954305
It’s quite endearing to witness.
https://twitter.com/paranda_update/status/434717262730117121
What else is there to report? Not much significant. Tokyo experienced heavy snowfall on Friday, accumulating up to 6 inches in some areas. While this might not be a major issue for those accustomed to much larger snowfalls, the Tokyo rail system struggles with such conditions, leading to delays. This is understandable given the immense passenger volume on the regional JR lines. The snow made walking around a considerable inconvenience. By Saturday, the snow had turned to rain, creating a damp and cold environment that felt unpleasantly chilly even when the temperature was above freezing. This was still preferable to waiting for a hotel shuttle in Toronto during frigid temperatures.
My flight was quite eventful due to severe weather on the US East Coast the previous Thursday. While it didn’t become a major problem for me, it significantly impacted my travel companion, delaying his flight by two days. This was unfortunate as he had been eager to see Yukarin’s performance. My own journey involved a rather lengthy layover.
I’ve visited A-Button a couple of times. It’s a great spot, not only because Shin, the owner, is a fantastic person, but also because it attracts a diverse and well-connected crowd. I once sold an IM@S ticket there to a guy, which turned out to be quite a coincidence, especially since we ended up having an extra ticket.
I’ve spent a lot of time with @Paranda_update, who is a genuine “Oukokumin.” Attending these events with such an individual is highly recommended. The owner of A-Button is also a big Yukarin fan and well-known within the Oukokumin community. We share similar culinary preferences, which led to me having Kikanbou for brunch. While delicious, it wasn’t the “mashimashi” level I might have expected after a late night and waking up a few hours later.
My food experiences haven’t been overly exotic, including cow tongue, izakaya staples, and honey toast at an all-night karaoke session. Perhaps A-Button’s curry could be considered special, especially for curry enthusiasts.
I also attended a KOTOKO concert. If I had to summarize my feelings, it would be: “I missed her, and I didn’t realize how much until I saw her again.” Her upcoming performance in Raleigh for Animazement has elevated that convention’s standing during the busy Memorial Day Weekend. I intend to write a separate review for that event.
A few hours ago, we participated in an incredible “kaigai” (overseas) drinking and eating party in Akihabara. It’s an experience that’s hard to fully convey in writing; one truly had to be there. If you’re genuinely curious about what semi-intoxicated Love Livers get up to, feel free to ask me in person sometime.
Shoutouts to the new friends I’ve made, such as Driller-san, Alvin, and Tora-san, as well as those I already knew through connections but finally had the chance to meet in person!
