I have three main objectives in mind as I hopped on the train and headed expectantly towards Expo for my first Chara Expo. Firstly, there's something I need to get my hands on. Then there's that somebody that I have to take a photograph with, and I want to get a scope of the event for this blog. Sounds relatively reasonable and attainable yea? Alright let's hop right it ->
Oh and I must talk about the clickbait above. This dashing Lancer from Fate/Zero caught my eye from afar with those spot-on lances (just lOOk at those grooves, oh the feels~) As our eyes made contact, I loosely waved my phone, sending my (burning) desire to get his photograph, but to my surprise he actually waved back and smiled at me instead.
I totally thought the Heaven's Gate just opened (no movie reference intended).
Anyway, he quickly got into Shoot Mode and boy does he know his angle - just look at that face, and how he's holding his Noble Phantasms. Even the crowds knew better and cleared the background, this was simply meant to be...
... Okay, back to the event updates.
My expectations for this con is kinda between Anime Festival Asia (AFA) and the End of Year Festival (EOY), where the former is THE event to die for and the latter kinda meh, but passable, if there are some decent doujinshi booths.
The ticket cost $10, and is easily the most beautiful ticket I have ever received in my life - it's glittery and made of 80 gsm magazine paper, a wonderful piece of paper I must say.
The crowd is more forgiving than AFA, but I was really disappointed to find there was no Doujinshi Artworks sections, just mainly commercial booths.
What's more appalling than that was the number of booths dedicated to card games - this entire row is basically the Card Alley, plus a few others on the loose.
Nobody told me the Singapore card scene is so happening, and even Aunties (bottom left, spotted and trying to appear inconspicuous) were inevitably drawn into the mixture.
It appears that the Marketing team of the SONY booth has done their research and somehow got the faces of Sword Art Online to don the Singapore Airline's stewardess's uniform. Whether they knew that National Day is coming or it was a secret collab with the government to promote patriotism through anime, I do not wish to know.
For the SAO fans who might already know, there's also gonna be a movie for these two models. Phew finally back to their normal (and appropriate) outfits.
I need to know who designed this sick poster, I mean just look at how badass it is! Totally giving out the Steins;Gate feel.
As a chronic bishie fangirl, I'm always on the lookout for good looking anime guys. Incidentally next to the SAO promo poster, there were these SERVAMP manga laid out and calling for me to read them. I looked up the title and the first episode of this 12 episode long series actually just aired 5 days ago! *Mad grin*
Speaking of anime to watch, has anyone heard of Sakamoto? <3
If there's one anime that was heavily advertised throughout the expo hall, it has to be Love Live. Seriously, if the show is popular enough to warrant its own full, empty booth solely guarded by 9 cardboard cut outs of its main characters, you know this series is making serious bucks off the poor fanboys (and girls).
If anyone still remembered about the objectives I mentioned at the beginning of this post, you're seeing it - this booth. More accurately, this booth is the reason why this post even existed; I wouldn't have go if Voltage Inc. had not announced on its Facebook page (that I checked 10 times a day) that it was flying from Japan to Singapore for the first time.
What's Voltage, you're asking? Only the creators of some of the Best. Sexy. Fantasy bishounen, delicately packed into their delectable platter of dating apps, made for people just like me. And they're here with my favourite man in the form of merchandise - how can I miss the world for this?
...
Apparently, I still ended up missing him.
See, when I said I came down to get a certain something, I seriously only intended to get this one thing. I meant business. Now let me zoom in on that item.
Oh hold on, there seems to be something blocking the view. Hmm what's that offensive piece of paper doing on my bae's face? Someone tell me, what are the odds that a red SOLD OUT tape happened to run loose and coincidentally ended up stuck to my Scorpio keychain?
...
...
S...old... out...
SOLD OUT.
It's only Day 1 and less than 3 hours since the opening- I can't. I knew it's going to be popular, even entertained thoughts that it might get sold out, but not BEFORE I got my hands on it...
After walking listlessly away from the booth, my surroundings immediately dimmed and the crowds' chatters faded into a sort of hushed muffle. The world became lacklustre, and I felt like I've lost direction.
Okay exaggerations aside, that tape did dealt some serious damage to my fragile mind, and my mood sank to the dead bottom for a good half an hour. This tragedy was clearly avoidable - why couldn't I just get my sorry ass out of my house earlier?
Anyway, there's no way I could have left the booth empty-handed, seeing there were no other options of bagging their merchandise anywhere (no online or physical shops in Japan either). I have to make-do with my other favourite app - Our Two Bedroom Story's Tsumugu and Minato. The Guide Book is free and I snagged that too, not that I needed one but anything with hot bishies printed on I must.
Objective #1 - 0.5 completion.
Look at me, at this time I was still deeply fraught with disbelief that I failed to take note which anime this is from, my bad. Anyway, this is a dandy booth filled with animator's original sketches (scanned, duh) and character designs.
I chose a few that caught my eye and snapped them for future references.
Side-view with insider's colour and alphabet markings
Ah lucky me, seems like they're characters from, nope not diomedea that's the anime studio's name, but Mayoiga, or The Lost Village and it has just finished airing last June.
*****
Now let's move on to the figures, shall we? Besides a few repeats from AFA last year like the Miku mebae. ver. and Saber bride ver., I've noticed a surge of of Ichiban Kuji prize figures. Big names like Aniplex, Bandai (with their S.H. Figuarts and Figuarts Zero), and GoodSmile Company created together have a conservative display.
This is an example of the Ichiban Kuji prize figures (prize line is the alternative and cheaper version of the usual scale figures), featuring Asuna in Japan's famous maid costume.
They have this thing with doing alternate colours for the same figure, but i thought this Sonico was really neat, especially the pastel version.
They did the same for Shinobu too but I got bored and just took one
Cuteness overload! However where's my Senjougahara :(
Spotted this ravishing beauty by Alpha X Omega, one of the earlier figures from 2009
Ranka Lee by Banpresto, released in 2012 as a prize figure for the movie ~Sayonaya no Tsubasa~ (*Intentionally inserted below Sheryl Nome coz I'm on Team Sheryl)
Here are the lovely 12,000 yen Miki and Kyouko Maiko ver., joining hands and tempting defenceless fangirls and boys
A blurred shot of Ho-ho-homura
Moving right into S.H. Figuarts territory, still hot from their 20th Anniversary (aka merch overload), an anime convention can't be complete without some dose of classic Sailor Moon
In the spirit of celebrating pretty gals in super short skirts, I have just finished this watercolour postcard of Usagi as an early birthday gift for my best girl in Canada~
DBZ, yet another classic that has shaped the anime industry. Loving that effect!
The ships are real (One Piece, Bandai)
Random Angela ochatomo-ish figures
This is a figure that can lure a smile and lighten burdened hearts. Max Factory presents Miku's long lost twin sister, Tamayorihime
I have a lot to say about this hot stuff... But I have to mention there was this geezer with a DSLR, seemingly doing expert shots of her in front of me, until I took a causal glance at the photos - yep classic panty shots. Consecutively. Way to go.
...And the only reason Kogitsunemaru from Touken Ranbu made it to my page is thanks to the scale figure by Max Factory. Luckily for me I don't play the game (yes they may all be bishies, but none are comparable to Voltage's)
Of course we can't have a figure showcase without Nendoroids, and it was a delight to see the Harvest Moon Miku in flesh and plastic after so long
This year's Snow Miku nendoroid (2016 - Snow Owl Ver.) and figma (right)
And here's the ever famous Hatsune Miku, now available in 1:1 scale lol
(the box is roughly the size of a seating stool)
*****
Sliding straight to the last portion - cosplay.
Looking at this duet conjures many feels, but mainly the tough and arching decision to forgo adding Kamui (left) to my bishounen figures collection. Kagura (right) is looking way too soft and happy facing her baka older brother!
This beautiful Saber in her midnight blue gown totally adds class (and a dose of deadliness) to the deadpanned concrete floor
Very satisfied with this year's Saber cosplayers, including this sweet lady in Fate/Stay Night Rin's borrowed outfit ver.
More magical girls - this is easily the prettiest Kinomoto Sakura (and female cosplayer) I have seen in a looong time
P.S.: It was my [denied] childhood dream to wield that pink wand
Just now we have Homura sealed behind a piece of glass, and now, in flesh and blood with Madoka
A striking and statuesque Bismarck from Kancolle (I think that's her, I've only watched an episode on Aniplus HD). So thankful to get a shot posed just for me ^.^
"It all began with a bashful tap on her shoulder from behind..." I actually spotted 2 Chun-Lis, and the limited pink version was unfortunately trapped behind a booth, so I couldn't approach her TT
The ever popular squad of Love Live gals, nicely done in front of their poster
The ever popular squad of Love Live gals, nicely done in front of their poster
When I spotted Akutagawa Ryunosuke and her (why do they always turn out to be cosplayed by gals) on-point cosplay, I just have to. Look at his her expression!
Concluding this lengthy post, I have henceforth completed Objective #2 and #3 - to capture cosplayers at their best and snag a photograph with my Itachi, as usual <333 What I love about Itachi cosplayers are their attempts to stay in character, which equates to zero utterance of words and emotions. I totally don't mind (reeling in it really). Even though this time round's a female, I ain't complaining.
All in all it was another great con experience and a timely outlet to release my inner otaku amongst the likeminded.
Thanks for staying until the end, and till next time!
P.S.: I'm gonna work on my next figure photoshoot and not put them off again, I swear!
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