UlasanAnime.com – Sakura-Con 2014 has concluded, leaving behind a pleasant impression akin to a well-crafted single-origin coffee roast. The event, much like the coffee, didn’t overstay its welcome, fitting perfectly within the user’s attention span. There’s a tinge of regret for not purchasing more local Seattle coffee and chocolate, as the offerings were distinct from what New York City provides.
This distinction mirrors the essence of Sakura-Con itself. It’s a commendable convention, characterized by a positive and energetic crowd that manages to be both relaxed and focused. A peculiar moment observed was the unnatural act of attendees seeking autographs at the Guest Dinner, which stood out as a particularly odd experience.
The 4chan im@s panel also left a significant impression. The presenter, animeweedlord, clearly has a deep affection for idols. Spotting him in a casual Yayoi cosplay on Sunday perfectly encapsulated the spirit of Sakura-Con.
Naturally, the guests played a crucial role in the overall enjoyment. With four A-1 animators present, it was inevitable that some would be involved with Anim@s. Among them was the talented Akai Toshifumi. Masunari Kouji was also in attendance, though his work on projects like “Welcome to the Space Show” and “Read or Die” is more personally favored, despite his involvement in anim@s. Adachi Shingo proved to be a good sport, interacting alongside Akai, suggesting a genuine friendship between them.
The Guest Dinner proved to be a highlight, offering the opportunity to converse with individuals like Ishikawa Yui, the Pony Canon producer, and a Fuji TV producer outside the confines of panels. Attending panels for numerous Japanese guests can be quite demanding. A particularly interesting experience was sitting with Ohata Koichi as he discussed his craft and Hayao Miyazaki. The chance to “pester” Nagahama again was also a memorable moment, with a playful intention to request an Iron Man sketch next time.
The camaraderie among fellow enthusiasts was another significant aspect. Friends like Ally & Sally and much of the West Coast contingent, along with some East Coast attendees, were present. The combination of excellent food and company undoubtedly contributed to a fantastic time. The only notable absence was the missed opportunity to connect with Sixten.
Sakura-Con 2014?ELISA?concert????????????????????(^o^)?picture!!!! pic.twitter.com/UxbwIYwe3o
— ELISA (@ELISA_0414) April 21, 2014
The musical performances were also noteworthy. Elisa delivered a strong vocal performance, despite the “English-exotic” image projected. She came across as warm and personable, albeit with a unique sense of timing, maintaining a very cool demeanor.
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While a precise setlist is unavailable, a recollection suggests the following order:
- ebullient future
- Realism
- World God Only Knows
- Soba ni iru yo
- Wonder Wind
- Millenario
- HIKARI
- Mononoke Hime (a capella short version)
- euphoric field
- (encore?) Do You Remember Love
This is a rough estimation based on fading memory, with an update credited to animate.tv.
Elisa’s rendition of “Mononoke Hime” was particularly impressive. The anecdote shared was that it was the first anime her grandmother introduced her to, fostering a deep love for the song.
Her stage interactions (MCs) were notably lengthy, which seemed to be a characteristic of her performance.
Sakura-Con’s theme, in a way, mirrored the blog’s content over the past six months, heavily featuring IM@S. Beyond the two dedicated IM@S panels, the presence of four individuals involved with A-1 and Aniplex naturally led to discussions and content related to their anim@s productions. This focus is reflected in the acquired merchandise.
真命 indeed.
- A humorous side note: “Yuiberries” was a recurring jest.
- Additionally, a question was posed regarding the GSC exclusive Cinderella Girls petit nendo + stage set, as the user found they possessed two. This item has since been claimed.
- The Sakura-Con x ELISA t-shirt, acquired as a convention souvenir, is also mentioned. While convention tees are generally well-designed, this one held personal significance.
- A note on image orientation indicates that an upside-down Yamada image, when rotated, appears horizontal.
Regarding cosplay, the quality was slightly above average compared to East Coast conventions, yet surprisingly similar in both execution and character choice. There was a noticeable increase in “otaku” characters, such as Anzu and members of team weedlord. Otherwise, the cosplay was not remarkably distinctive. The Mako bancho cosplay at Anime Boston was considered superior to the one at Sakura-Con, though both were still appreciated.
Returning to the IM@S theme, it’s suggested that Adachi harbors a particular fondness for Yamada, less so for Asuna, and identifies as an IoriP. This was confirmed during a “live sketch” panel. Akai identified as “DD” but indicated a preference for Miki/Kotori in Ogistar. Akai’s workspace features a Nishigori movie visual, and his attendance at both days of SSA suggests an understanding of “the feels,” which can be observed in the full-sized image.
Further details emerged regarding the Ogi-star Memories/Backstage M@ster story. Several print errors were identified between the initial and current print runs, including an incorrect profile for Masunari. While the specifics of Masunari’s comment were not perfectly recalled, it was understood that his profile had been swapped with another individual’s, and a portion of Nishigori’s page was omitted in the new version.
A charity auction was held. Range Murata, whose panels were partially attended, maintained his characteristic demeanor, consistent with previous observations at AX 2004. Murata’s artwork consistently commanded high prices, and Titan also performed well, though this information was acquired secondhand during the journey home.
Koyama Mami was described as a pleasant older lady who uses a stamp. The use of stamps on shikishi immediately elevated her standing in the observer’s eyes. However, her autograph lines were noted as being very small.
A conversation with producer Kinoshita at the guest dinner revealed his study abroad experience, possibly at LIU in New York. It was during this time that he first encountered anime as a potential career path, with “Akira” in class serving as a pivotal moment.
A similar narrative was shared by the “noitanimA” representative, who spoke fluent English. He expressed his feelings about working on various Leiji Matsumoto series, having grown up with them in his 30s and 40s. The story of “Yamato 2199” was particularly poignant for him.
In an effort to conclude this convention wrap-up succinctly, the focus shifts back to Ms. Yuiberries. Ishikawa Yui was largely as expected, but with a notable difference: unlike many voice actresses her age (early 20s), she appeared more “alive,” being quite talkative and approachable. She seems to be at a career crossroads, with the “Titan” project potentially propelling her forward. Hopes are high for her future. Her appearance was described as very cute, embodying the “next-door-girl” aesthetic with a distinctive look that was hard to pinpoint.
PS. Yui Ishikawa’s photos can be found here.
PPS. A quote from a satisfied attendee regarding the Elisa photograph session: “The line was kind of long, but they were really pushing people through. You got to sit in a chair next to her and she held my arm and leaned in for when they took the pic. []I’m sure she’s pretty tired, but she was really warm and friendly the whole time.”
