UlasanAnime.com – During a trip to Japan in 2015, a group of friends who shared accommodations across three different cities humorously dubbed themselves “Meiwakrew.” This moniker reflected their adventurous spirit and willingness to participate in various events, embodying the typical desire of young Americans to experience Japan’s vibrant culture and entertainment scene.
The journey, spanning approximately 11 days, began with a largely uneventful flight on ANA. The author spent more time awake than asleep during the flight, and the connection at Chicago O’Hare (ORD) was smooth, though the necessity of a layover was a minor drawback inherent in reward travel.
Upon arriving in Tokyo early on a Sunday, the author had sufficient time to attend an event but chose instead to relax at a friend’s place and enjoy takeout curry, which was noted as one of the most satisfying meals of the trip.
A significant focus of the trip was the anticipation and experience of the Idolmaster (IM@S) 10th anniversary concert. The author, as part of a group of Producers known as Houkago P Time, had been looking forward to this event since late 2013. The group invested considerable resources, in the thousands of USD, into elaborate fan projects, including flower stands, to express their dedication to IM@S 10th.
Houkago P Time had grown considerably, coordinating fans from around the world to attend the 10th-anniversary event by providing information and fostering a community. They also facilitated fan projects, contributing to the extensive preparations undertaken by the group.
The author mentioned the need to process videos of the flower displays and write a follow-up post about an event called ANorth offkai. Preparations for ANorth had overlapped with those for IM@S 10th, creating time pressure and challenges in commissioning artwork, which was managed with the help of well-connected dealers.
The stress from these preparations led the author to regret not attending Anime Expo, but retrospectively acknowledged it was the correct decision due to time constraints and organizational challenges. Attending IM@S 10th had been prioritized over West Coast events like AX for the 2015 itinerary.
Despite the extensive planning, not all intended activities were completed, attributed to a combination of poor organization, timing, and planning, but primarily due to a lack of sufficient time. The focus remained on achieving the core objectives of the trip.
[Anyone watched Sore ga Seiyuu 5? That’s kind of it in a nutshell.]
The sheer scale of IM@S 10th was astounding: an otaku idol video game franchise filling a dome venue for two days of live concerts. With approximately 38,000 to 39,000 attendees, including lawn seats, the venue was completely packed. The 360-degree stage design further amplified the immersive experience. The full impact of the event’s grandeur only truly registered after it concluded, despite prior knowledge of what a dome live for IM@S entailed.
The author spent the days leading up to IM@S 10th enjoying various activities, including a day trip to Sendai and sightseeing in Tokyo. This included visiting friends and shopping areas. However, the trip was not without its hiccups, such as difficulties checking into an Airbnb and the unfortunate misplacement of a JR Pass.
These mishaps, though initially troublesome, led to a series of humorous circumstances and provided valuable learning experiences, even improving the author’s perception of Sendai. The efficiency of Japanese trains was also highlighted, albeit with a note on their cost.
The author’s itinerary was tightly packed, a habit possibly picked up from other Western eventers. While acknowledging the risks associated with such a schedule, the author was fortunate that no major disruptions occurred.
Falling ill was another challenge. Fortunately, the illness did not significantly impair physical activity but did affect the ability to eat. The author felt unwell for about one to two days, possibly due to sleep deprivation from intense event participation and partying throughout the week. Even consuming chicken sashimi, which was delicious, did not have a similar effect.
A brief account of the Sendai visit mentioned staying at a ryokan within the city, a short walk from Luvya, an idol cafe associated with the anime Myu. The cafe featured a chika idol setup, with five out of seven members performing a three-song set. Despite the late hour and sparse attendance, the experience was described as quaint and charming.
The following day in Sendai was spent sightseeing, though it was hampered by continuous rain. Bijou, a notable spot, was unexpectedly closed that Thursday. The author speculated that a lunch special at Gyoza no Tenpuri might have triggered the digestive issues experienced.
The IM@S cafe was visited only once during the trip, but it was a positive experience. The author attended a birthday celebration for a Japanese acquaintance from ANorth, arriving late and missing some of the planned festivities.
During the trip, the author also managed to attend an Osaka live event for Wake Up, Girls! (WUG) during merchandise sales hours. Arriving late meant missing out on the most sought-after items, such as parkas, which were sold out due to attendees camping out.
A visit to Machida included a stop at a 3000 JPY for 2-hour all-you-can-eat and drink establishment, which also served as a pickup point for couriered goods. The author enjoyed the unlimited grilled meat and the ability to mix their own drinks. Machida, a suburb of Tokyo, offered a glimpse into the lifestyle of those living outside the central city.
Regarding IM@S 10th itself, the author noted that it could warrant multiple posts and focused on non-IM@S-centric aspects. One unique element was a baseball-themed announcement of the starting lineup, which, despite the author’s limited Japanese, evoked a rally-like atmosphere similar to a baseball game, albeit without traditional cheerleading.
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Transportation to Seibu Dome for the concert involved a chartered bus on Saturday and a rental car from Akihabara on Friday. A 24-hour rental car was crucial for avoiding parking fees in central Tokyo. On Sunday, the return journey was made by train, with a conductor humorously remarking on the return to reality, a sentiment reportedly echoed on an IM@S radio program.
Further details about the Saturday Offkai, which included music, dining, and mingling, were available in a separate post. The event began late and concluded around 3 AM, with attendees from Ikebukuro making their way back, while others continued partying nearby.
The day after IM@S 10th, the author traveled to Osaka for the first stop of the WUG 2nd tour. The journey was less energetic than desired due to the toll of the previous event. Although the most popular merchandise was sold out, other desired items were available. The venue was not overly crowded, which was a relief. The author participated in gacha can badge pulls, with some group members acquiring signed badges.
The author’s prior illness made attending two consecutive standing live concerts challenging. Choosing a hotel adjacent to the venue in Namba, which was conveniently connected to the JR station, proved to be a wise decision despite the labyrinthine nature of the underground station.
The Namba Hatch live event was significant as it focused on promoting the movie “Wake Up Girls 2.” The concert featured approximately five new songs, requiring the creation of new fan calls. The performance included energetic “orya-oi” chants during songs like “7GW” and “Tachiagare.” The author enjoyed both performances, opting to move towards the back for the late show to ensure personal space in case of needing to rest.
The remaining time in Osaka was dedicated to finding food. The author explored Denden Town, which offered lower prices and better stock compared to Akihabara, making it an enjoyable and wallet-friendly experience.
The Teito arcade in Denden Town hosts monthly IM@S parties, with the first image of the post originating from there. This was the author’s last day in Japan. Upon returning to Tokyo, and with a late flight, the author managed to catch a showing of the Love Live movie. While other films were considered, the Love Live movie was chosen for its accessibility and potential for humorous commentary.
The author noted that this post covered the main highlights, with many other experiences occurring, such as location hunting based on seiyuu preferences, documented in linked videos. These activities, while not personally engaging, were enjoyed as tourist experiences. Attendees were encouraged to ask if they saw the author for more stories.
Following the trip, upon returning to Japan, the author saw a tweet that sparked a memory.
While reviewing photos for the post, the author noticed a car parked next to theirs during merchandise sales that bore a resemblance to one belonging to “kyouP,” though it was not the exact same vehicle.
The author also recalled that on the day of the merchandise sales, a Lions player posted a photo of the dome’s interior on Twitter and Instagram. This player was identified as Anthony Seratelli, a foreign player, who provided a view of the stage before and after the event.
