My personal journal about my time at the convention ^^
My 3 days at AnimeNEXT 2008 ^^
Upon arriving to the convention, I was surprised some people recognized my character and wanted to take my picture before I got into the building. XD They were so nice and friendly especially the first Lenalee I saw inside that asked for a hug. XD My dad even thought she was a friend from school. XD I also got hugged by a Mello, whose friend was getting it on video. XD I actually found it on Youtube, but you'll have to search for it if you want to see the horror. XP
But I have to say that I was blown away by how cool this year's cosplays were. I only saw about about three to four other Allens in person, but no Kandas. XD Even two people came up to me at different points and asked if I was with a Kanda. XD I WISH I had a Kanda with me, because Allen and Kanda are my fav D.Gray-man pairing. >_> XDD But there were definitely some Kandas at this con that I later saw photos of from various AnimeNEXT 2008 albums after the convention. I just somehow totally missed seeing any of them in person on all three days. XD I also met some really nice cosplayers who liked my cosplay. (Thanks so much guys) Some who I remembered were a KH1 Riku, a Yuki from Vampire Knight, a Dante from Devil May Cry, an Ichigo from Bleach, and another Allen Walker in an awesome and very accurate cosplay, who had the sword and contacts for his cursed eye. <3 I also saw a lot of D.gray-man groups and pairs, but I wasn't able to make it to the D.gray-man photoshoot, because everything was just so crazy and busy, especially with my brother leading us to who knows where. x_x But at least I was able to get some good pictures of some D.gray-man cosplayers. ^^
This is probably the best convention experience I had out of the three times I've been to AnimeNEXT. It's been two years since I went to this convention and I have to say a LOT has changed. For one thing, the lines are MUCH longer, no matter what you're waiting for and the place is PACKED almost all the time. The dealer room line was almost a MILE long before it opened and even trying to look at the items and merchandise at the booths was very difficult, because people were constantly crowded around them. The j-rock merchandise booth in the Dealer Room even had a LINE (which is the first), but that was mainly because people were getting tickets s and items of the band, Rentrer en Soi who were guests at this con. ^^ <3 It was crazy just having to wait in a long line just to buy one of their albums at that booth, but quite worth it. ^^ The main stage setup for the main shows was also much bigger with pretty colored lights shining on the curtains, with the addition of many more seats.
I love this convention so much, because not only did it have my personally favorite j-rock band there, but even one of my fav English voice actors EVER, Brad Swaile was there!! :heart: He did voices such as Light Yagami from Death Note, Teen Gohan from DBZ, Quatre from Gundam Wing, as well as Dearka and Auel from Gundam Seed Destiny. XDD I had to restrain myself from going into fangirl mode when I saw him.
But with the band, I was so crushed that I was unable to attend Rentrer en Soi's concert or even use the free autograph ticket I got from purchasing their album. T_T It was mainly because we were waiting in the line for Brad Swaile's autograph that took up most of the time and we also had to get lunch afterwards from all the exhaustion and hunger even though the band's autograph session didn't start until after an hour. But there was no way we could have even made it back in time for that considering how extremely long that line would be when I got back. X_X *sobs*
I went to this con with my dad and brother, so they also wouldn't want to pay for a separate ticket to attend their concert, since they also don't know anything about this band or are even into j-rock. >_< But I was at least able to attend their Question and Answer session and see them on stage to answer their fan's questions. XD <3 But I would have loved to get an autograph from Satsuki... XD <3
But despite that, I have to say (as crazy as it sounds) that waiting almost over an hour in line for Brad Swaile's autograph was completely worth it. o_o It's crazy but, right when I was about six people away from getting his autograph, the staff said that the line was closed, because the time limit for autograph signing was reached. O_O I was like "No way...You have to be kidding me...." My dad who was waiting in line with me left the line as well as several people in front of me (which equaled to two people who remained in front of me), but I still stood there, not wanting to believe that they were going to close the line with only about 10-15 people left in the line. I was completely let down, but still held onto a thin strand of hope that they could change their mind somehow. T_T Then someone in line complained out loud to the staff that it wasn't fair to us, because we waited over an hour and that there aren't even that many of us left. However, the staff wasn't about to change their minds, but then suddenly Brad himself ran up to the line and quickly signed the remaining people's stuff quickly and said "My hands won't stopp!" XD When he got up to me I had the Death Note Vol. 1 DVD with Light Yagami on the cover that I purchased in the Dealer Room just to get him to sign XD and the booklet everyone got at the convention with the voice actor's photos and description opened to his picture, in my hands. He looked at the DVD first and then hesitated (maybe it's because he thought the plastic wrap was still on, because after purchasing the DVD I just removed the plastic wrap and left on the security tape, or maybe I should have taken the paper out of the cover for him to sign instead >_<, but he first signed next to his picture in the booklet and then looked at the DVD again. Then he asked me "Are you sure you want me to sign on the plastic cover?" I nodded and he signed it quickly, because he was in a hurry (Keep in mind, this was all happening very quickly and within seconds XD). I smiled and thanked him and quickly went back to where my dad was and was HAPPY as ever!! XD <3
I was so surprised he knew that I wanted an autograph from him, because there was also two other voice actors at the same table who were also giving autographs (one who did the voice of Ryuk). It was really one huge line that would be for all three voice actors and each person would split and go to the voice actor they wanted an autograph from at the table. But only Brad ran up to sign the rest of his fan's autograph, while the other two just stood there. XD I just so love him for giving such considering to his fans. *sighs and melts* XD <3
I originally wanted to bring Vol. 3 of my Gundam Wing DVD where Quatre's picture was on the cover (because he is my fav character that Brad played <3). But I thought it might not be recent enough for an autograph sign, so I decided to have him sign something with Light Yagami on it from Death Note instead, since that's his most recent work. XD But I personally love his work as Quatre the most, I don't know why. o_o His voice is just so innocent and adorable as Quatre that I am so in love with his voice as him. XD And speaking of that, I also was able to make it to the panel on Sunday where he was also going to be there with the other male voice actors. I think he might have recognized me from the autograph signing the previous day, because I was also in the same Allen Walker cosplay. I was going to melt, because I noticed him looking straight at me. *faints*
When he was introducing himself and saying the roles he played before, he got to mention that he played Quatre from Gundma Wing and I immediately raised my arm in excitement (halfway, because I restrained myself a little, since my dad was next to me XD) and applauded! XD It was like automatic and I rarely cheer like that, but in this case it was just too much to contain! XDD It was cool, because a lot of other people cheered too. ^^ This panel allowed anyone to volunteer and ask one of the voice actors a question. I was glad when someone asked all of them what their most unusual convention experience was, and Brad mentioned about the unfairness of the autograph line (the one I was at the day before) and how he couldn't believe they would have such a time limit and treat the fans like that, because he said that he had to do an autograph session for six hours straight before. (Aww.. XD Brad was so nice for mentioning that XD :heart:) I also loved how this one girl came up and gave Brad an L plushie from Death Note and asked him what his opinion was on yaoi fanart (or something along those lines, that mic was not loud enough at some points, so it was hard to hear). Lol XDD I loved how he answered that he doesn't have a problem with it, because he says as long as it's artwork it's great that people are drawing what they like. He himself appreciates art, because he also does graphic designing on the side for his other job. ^^
I actually wanted to come up and request him to say a line by Quatre, but wasn't sure of a good quote. XD If I would really have requested a line, it would probably have been something like "Thank you my dear Sandrock." XD) Now I also kind of regret I didn't bring my Quatre DVD for him to sign, because I noticed from online pictures that people had the voice actors sign multiple things, even of much older works they had done. T_T *sobs* This was the first autograph I ever got in my life, so I am new to all of this. XD
But later on during this panel, someone asked Brad to say the quote by Light Yagami "I'll take a potato chip and eat it!" XD That is the best ever, because that happens to be my fav English dub lines from Light, because it's such a dramatic line for eating a potato chip in that one scene! XDD Lol. I love how he was preparing himself for it and suddenly got in a slightly *evil Light mode* and began saying "I'll take a potato chip and...EAT ITTT!" LOL XD I really wanted to stand up and cheer, but then again I had to contain the fangirl within. XDD (I actually found a small clip of him saying that line here. He also did an example of himself doing Teen Gohan, which is very awesome, though not many people has heard it before.
I also think it was cool how the voice actor for Vegeta from DBZ (and also Ryuk's voice) was there too! He actually said the line "It's over 9,000!!!" and did the power up yell. LOL XD I thought that was so awesome and so full of win. XDD And Greg Ayres was also there too, who did Son Goku from Saiyuki, Chrono from Chrono Crusade and Satoshi from DN Angel! I heard he was also the DJ at the dance that took place the previous night, but I couldn't make it there cuz it was so late. XD But these were such awesome voice actors all at this one con that I was able to attend and see in person!! XD But in the end, I have no regrets, because just getting an autograph from Brad Swaile was like a miracle, even if he had to sign it quickly in the end. I'll never forget that moment where he rushed up to sign the rest of his fan's stuff, even if it was past the time limit for signing and going against the staff's rules. XD <3 I'll so treasure my DVD and booklet forever. XD <3 <3 Love you Brad!! <3 <3
Now going to the subject of my cosplay, I have to say that my Allen Walker outfit was way messed, because it was my first time cosplaying, so I had no idea which were the best materials to use. My Allen Walker's cursed hand's symbol kept wanting to come off near the middle end of the convention, cuz it was glued on lighter than I thought, XD but that's because using white glue on a black glove would really show up if I don't use it carefully, so apparently it wasn't on strong enough to last the day, so I had to hide it as much as I could. XD And that darn white artist tape I put for the white trimming on my boots on one leg was getting a bit weak too (Must use different material next time). X_X My wig was also not as reliable as I thought, because my real hair kept wanting to come out at some points as well as the darn hair clips that would stick out from underneath. X_X I had to ask my dad and brother to constantly keep a watch over my wig to make sure nothing was coming out. XDD Apparently my long black hair just couldn't be tucked under a short cut silver wig very securely, without a wig cap. I thought the wig net would be enough to last the whole day, but I thought wrong. X_X My black pants were also from like 5 years ago and very not well fitting anymore. It is also SOO hard to find a good pair of nice fitting black pants in this area, it's not even funny. T_T My vest was also tailored by myself instead of going to a professional tailor, because I was on a money and time situation. HOWEVER, now that I know the horrible downsides of my cosplay, I know what things to consider and be aware of next time, if I do plan on cosplaying again.
This is a pic of the things I purchased from the Dealer Room, with the Death Note DVD already shown above. Note that the chibi Athrun and tiny Nicol figure was actually from a random figure box, where the boxes all look the same and you have no idea which figure you'll get. This was actually the one I wanted, so I was sooo lucky choosing this one on the first try. XD I also just love Kanda and Allen, so I just had to get these pin accessories of them with a picture included of them on the side. <3 The Tsukasa figure from Lucky Star (the purple haired girl unwrapped) was also from a random box series. But I had to buy two other box figures to try and get either her or Konata (my two favorites), but I got Akira and Miyuki instead and now I have no idea what to do with them. XD I also got another chibi Athrun figure from a different random box series, one that wasn't exactly shown on the box, but shown underneath the flap of the box if you unfold it, so it must be one of those more rare random ones they sometimes throw in. It's a figure of him with an injured arm in bandages with a little suitcase accessory. XD He has such a sad face too.. XD And of course I totally love Atobe from The Prince of Tennis, so I had to get the Hyotei Gakuen cellphone strap as well as a botton cover of Atobe, cuz it's just so cute. ^^ I also got a Konoha Gakuen Sasuke fastener accessory that is from the Shippuden series, because for some reason I still like Saskue. o_o
I also purchased a blue save crystal Final Fantasy necklace, a solar powered Allen Walker keychain that flashes his picture when put near a light source (really neat and hope it lasts a longg time XD), Rentrer en Soi's latest album (very cool), and the remaining volumes of the Imadoki manga as well as a Japanese fan. XD I really wished that they had more merchandise of the Vocaloid characters, which I wanted. T_T But I only saw a T-shirt of chibi Miku holding a leek, but wasn't sure if I should get in or not. I would rather have wanted a chibi figure of her and maybe Len, if they had him, but sadly they didn't...
To view the cosplay photos I've taken, they are in my photobucket album here.
You won't find any of my cosplay in this album, because mine were so horrible. I needed major professional tailoring with my outfit. But next time I will be sure to do that. XD But if you really want to see the horror, then these are probably the best shots I could get (some bad quality, but they will have to do XD).
