Friday, July 13, 2007

Anime Expo@LBCC Convention Center



Anime Expo 2007 had arrived and left so quickly, I really wish it was more than just four days. I will report what I did there, and will update this very post with pictures, once they upload!

June 28, 2007 - Day Zero: Entering the LBCC

What a long ride it was! I think it was an eight hour ride from my place to Long Beach. There was so much traffic! I noticed that so many people were talking on their cell phones while driving.

Two friends who I shall call Seto and Haruko for now, due to privacy issues, came with me, along with my parents. When we finally reached the Long Beach Convention Center, I noticed that numerous flags bordered the entrance. I couldn't believe it was so big!

My parents dropped us off next to the near a restaurant across the street from the center, so we proceeded to cross the street. We ended up going all the way to the Performing Arts Center, where we waited in line to pick up our badges. It only took about 20-30 minutes, so it was very fast. I changed my nickname from Ciel to Konata on my badge, and the person who changed it for me was very kind.

The badge was very cute! It had Keroro on it! In fact, Keroro would be everywhere at the Expo!

Wearing the badge on my neck, I waited for "Megumi" to show up. She ended up coming later, around 8 PM, when the badge pick-up closed! She was so close to getting it too, so she would have to wait to tomorrow.

We ate at a restaurant called Tokyo Wako. It was very nice, but the miso soup had a bit too much water in it. Oh well, the soda and rice were well served! Everyone there was also very polite. Along with miso soup, rice, and one piece of spider roll, I also ordered cold soba noodles. I was already full though, so I only ate some of it D:

It was late at night, so we walked back to the convention and crossed the street to Borders. Then we went to our hotel, Renaissance Inn. At first, I thought the inn would be sloppy, but it was actually quite nice. Our room had two floors and a small kitchen. Everyone except my parents slept on the floor.

June 29, 2007 - Day One: Lines and Aya and Company's Panel

Finally, the Anime Expo had arrived!

I took Seto with me around 7 AM and waited in line for the SOS Brigade Invasion Tour premiere tickets. I cosplayed as 長門有希 from Suzumiya Haruhi no Yuuutsu. I knew it would be a long wait, so I pulled out my Battle Royale book and continued reading. Some people took pictures of me, and some didn't want me to pose, but just continue reading my book, ha-ha~

Perhaps it was because it would seem in character?

After finally retrieving my ticket, three hours later, I was very satisfied. Everyone else (Megumi, Haruko, and Kuri) waited in line for both getting Kuri's and Megumi's badges, as well as the line for the SKIN Concert. Seto and I met "Hinamori" (I shall call her that because she cosplayed as Hinamori Momo from BLEACH) while I waited to play Melty Blood: Act Cadenza. I used Kohaku, but I forgot the controls! -_-

I lost, only winning one out of six rounds~

Then we went to the Dealer's Room line. It was so incredible, the line itself extending around the entire convention center! It was only about a 30 minute to hour wait this time.

The Dealer's Room was so big! I noticed the Bandai Entertainment booth first, which had a huge Haruhi poster as well as an Eureka Seven (?) robot statue.

I danced Hare Hare Yukai twice at the Anime Selects Booth, and watched the Haruhi Dance Contest at the Bandai Entertainment booth. I regret not going and dancing at the contest that day, because I might've won! I had thought though, that if I had participated in it, my dance team would be disqualified...

Haruka Inoue and Kana-chan were there, as well as Patricia Lee! Kana-chan was very energetic. She threw many Cowboy Bebop shirts to the crowd, and I was one of those who caught one! I felt so honored!

Next, we went to the Aya Hirano, Minori Chihara, and Yuko Goto panel. Again, there was a line. But, it was worth it. The three answered many questions, and they said that if they were to be a food, Aya would want to be cake, and Minori would want to be chocolate. Minori loves chocolate, and she said that she ate ten shrimps the size of 3/4 a ruler, perhaps, that night. Is that possible for her?

Hirano-san said her favorite character in SuzuHaru is Tsuruya-san. They act like each other, as they're very cute. Chihara-san said she liked "SHAMISEN!" the best. How nice! Yuki and Shamisen are good "alien comrades" of episode 00, right? And then Goto-san said hers is Kyon. I bet many MikuruxKyon fans were satisfied.

I loved how Hirano-san said "Timotei~ Timotei~ Timotei~~~" as well as "CHA-LA! HEAD CHA-LA!" in Konata's voice. Too bad I couldn't ask her a question! I would ask her if she could sound like Crayon Shin-chan, ha-ha~

She was very surprised, because she didn't know that her fans listened to her music. She also didn't know her music had been released into the US.

After the panel, a nice exhibitor asked us if we wanted to Hare Hare Yukai. I wish we could, but it never ended up happening. We saw some very good dancers though, dancing to techno renditions of HHY and Motteke! Se-ra-fuku.

Seto and I met with Kuri, Megumi, and Haruko again, and we left the convention center.

June 30, 2007 - Day Two: The Melancholy of the Haruhi Dance Contest

-Coming soon!-

July 1, 2007 - Day Three: SOS Brigade Autograph Signings, Melty Blood, and more!

-Coming soon!-

July 2, 2007 - Day Four: Fin

-Coming soon!-

._. I forgot who was who already...


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