UlasanAnime.com – As Otakon 2012 approaches, details regarding guest appearances and autograph sessions are becoming clearer, offering attendees a glimpse into what to expect. For those interested in meeting specific guests, it’s crucial to be aware of the logistics and potential limitations.
Information regarding Kakihara’s autograph sessions is primarily available on the Otakon website. A key detail is that each session will be limited to a maximum of one hour or 100 autographs. Historically, convention staff have had the discretion to extend autographing times if the guest’s management permits. Kakihara’s session at the Bandai booth will require the purchase of an item, likely limiting autographs to Gundam-related merchandise.
For other guests, the general advice is to arrive 75 to 90 minutes before the scheduled autograph session time. These sessions are expected to last for an hour and will likely be held at the same location as the previous year. Most sessions are not ticketed, but attendees are encouraged to contact autograph staff at the venue for specific details. Information about booth appearances and times should be sought directly from individual booths, with English-speaking guests, Aipon, Butch, and Kakihara being among those with scheduled appearances.
Bandai Visual has also announced guest appearances and autograph session details. Sasaki Shin will have an autograph session at their booth on Friday at 6 PM, accompanied by Sinterniklaas. Sinterniklaas will also have a solo session on Sunday at 11 AM. It is anticipated that these sessions will focus on official merchandise, with freebies provided for attendees who do not have items to be signed.
Details regarding NISA’s presence at Otakon are still pending. While NISA has scheduled two panels for Saturday, their presence in the dealer’s room is not yet confirmed, suggesting they may not have a dedicated booth or might sell through a third-party retailer. Their activity might be limited to their scheduled panels.
Aniplex USA is organizing appearances for guests from Madoka Magica. Nonaka is scheduled for a booth session at 3:30 PM on Saturday, and Urobuchi will have a session at 5 PM on the same day. Both sessions require a ticket obtained through a purchase of Madoka Blu-ray/DVDs or Fate/Zero Blu-rays. Aniplex may also offer additional opportunities to obtain tickets through panel participation or booth activities. The cost of a Madoka DVD is noted as relatively inexpensive.
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The timing of the second Aipon session is noted as conflicting with a planned Maruyama panel and potentially impacting the Aya Hirano panel. The author expresses a willingness to attend these panels if circumstances allow.
Funimation’s involvement at Otakon appears to be standard, offering convention-special bonus items. These include remaining Panty Stocking merchandise, new items for One Piece, and potential items for Steins;Gate. The absence of Fractale bonus items is noted with some disappointment.
The Matsuri event, held in the First Mariner Arena parking deck, is suggested as a way to pass time, especially given the potentially high temperatures. While the logistics of the event are unclear, its indoor location might be preferable to outdoor activities.
Details about the Otakon charity auction are available, with hopes for additional donations from industry guests. The possibility of attendees bidding on items, such as Aipon’s hat, is mentioned humorously.
The Maid Cafe is presented as a potential option for relaxation, despite a $10 cover charge. The karaoke room and Otacafe are also mentioned as fallback options.
An unexpected announcement is the development of an Otakon-themed video game titled “Crisis Heart Brawlers: Clash at Otakon” by Studio Nasu.
The author’s personal schedule for Otakon is not yet finalized. They have at least one, and possibly two, non-negotiable commitments. Plans include attending a game on Thursday, enjoying dinner on Friday, participating in late-night panels on Friday and Saturday, and seeing Aya Hirano’s performance. For merchandise, the goal is to get Butch to sign items and complete their Manabi Straight DVD set. The recent purchase of a Blu-ray is mentioned, with slim odds of receiving it before the convention. A sighting of Nanrietta would be a significant highlight, with an autograph being a bonus.
The author expresses hope to see other attendees at the convention. A note is made about James Shields pitching on Thursday, allowing the author to have seen many of their team’s starting pitchers in recent years. The author hopes for a game that does not go into extra innings due to the expected high temperatures.
[Updated: NISA newsletter]
NISA’s anime panel on Saturday at 9 AM will feature a “special anime announcement.” The panel is also expected to include giveaways.
