UlasanAnime.com – This weekend, the author plans to present a panel at Anime Next, provided everything goes as scheduled.
The convention has slated the panel, titled “M@STER OF IDOL IP WORLD,” for Saturday evening at 7 PM. It will be held in Panel Room 318, which is described as the “small” panel room located on the third floor of the ACC. This timing unfortunately conflicts with the Trigger Autographs session, a primary reason for the author’s attendance at the convention.
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The core concept of the panel is to offer a concise overview of the meta surrounding modern otaku franchises. This context aims to enrich the presentation of event photos that will be showcased, essentially serving as a travelogue. Due to the timing, the author will also have the opportunity to display screenshots or clips from the IM@S 10th Blu-ray, in addition to photographs from attending the 10th anniversary event and MOIW 2014.
Here are some of the author’s points of interest for Anime Next:
- Kouno: A brief sakuga write-up is available [here](https://camonte.wordpress.com/2014/10/09/megumi-kouno/). The author also intends to share artwork from Anim@s related to Kouno.
- ZAQ: Beyond her reputation as an anison rapper, the author appreciates her as a singer-songwriter who contributed to some IM@S songs. ZAQ’s live performance is anticipated to be excellent, and her past work is worth acknowledging.
- Dining: An opportunity to try White House Subs, as the author has never eaten there before.
- Socializing: Spending time with acquaintances.
- Panel Presentation: Successfully running the panel and navigating the event.
- Guest Sightings: Observing Director Daichi’s current activities and seeing seiyuu Matsui Naoko, recognized for her solid behind-the-scenes contributions and a regular role in Nadesico.
- Potential Panel Visit: Possibly attending the panel hosted by “Black Lagoon Guy,” who has reportedly done a variety of miscellaneous work since.
- ZAQ Activities: Attending ZAQ’s concert, autograph session, and photo session.
The relocation of Anime Next to a larger venue is acknowledged as a necessary step, given that the convention has outgrown its previous central New Jersey location. However, Atlantic City presents challenges with accessibility and cost, and is described as somewhat run-down. While this might be less of an issue for attendees near NYC, it represents a significant travel change for the author, transforming a local convention into a distant one. The journey to Atlantic City is estimated to take a considerable amount of time, comparable to a significant portion of the travel time to Baltimore.
Despite the travel considerations, the author notes the abundance of dining options in Atlantic City and the ability to drive around. It is likely that the author will skip Friday of the convention due to limited paid time off this year, but hopes to connect with attendees on Saturday or Sunday.
