Those who attended Anime Festival Asia 2008 are probably still trying to get over the can’t-get-enough post-event syndrome. Both fans who refuse to wash their hands after the autograph session with Mizuki Ichirou/May’n and also exhibitors counting their takings for the two-day convention.
發啊! From Left to Right: Mr Benedict Soh, Chairman of Kingsmen Group; Mr Anthony Kang, President of Dentsu Singapore; H.E. Mokoto Yamanaka, Ambassador of Japan; Ms Catherin McNabb, Director MICE STB
For many of the otakus from Singapore and around the region, this is probably the best thing that happened during this calendar year. Though the content offered at this convention is probably a fraction of Japan’s Tokyo International Anime Fair, US’ Anime Expo or even the regional animation/otaku conventions in Taiwan or Hong Kong – it was rather impressive for the first effort. Although there are many areas that can be improved upon, I am sure this even can be considered a measured success – both fans and industry stakeholders are certainly looking forward to AFA09.
For a fanboy/otaku – I’d say this event is something that we’ve all waited a long time for. The long running fan-based event such as EOY and Cosfest can be credited for creating the necessary conditions for such this professional convention to happen.
Waiting to Enter
For many of you fans out there – your defining moment would probably be meeting Ichirou Mizuki and May’n, shaking hands with them (or new found idol: those young ones who attended Mizkuki’s concert were instant converts. Death to the infidels who refuse) or getting an autograph from Kunio Okawara or Koji Morimoto.
The KING – Mizuki ‘Aniki’ Ichirou
I didn’t stay for May’n’s concert – so I can’t compare Mizuki’s show to hers; but I believe there’s no grounds for comparison – each is in a league of their own. I totally enjoyed Mizuki’s hot blooded performance. And given the response from the audience, I believe its easy for him to convince JAM Project to perform here next year.
Galactic Fairy May’n
As for myself, this is my most significant moment:
Stephen Sing and Me
[Pix by Windbell]
Yeah. Buying ODEX products (Gundam OO collector’s box set & MS Igloo) and shaking hands with Mr Stephen Sing himself. In fact, I’d gone up to him and introduced myself – even telling him I was the one who staged the Action Figure Protest. And both had a good laugh over it. It wasn’t sarcasm, and I’m defintely not buying their products for the purpose of sending it to the ‘good brothers’ down there.
Since the ODEX saga fiasco, I’d say that ODEX had learnt from that costly lesson. For once, I’m impressed with the improvements that ODEX had made to their packaging, as well as the improvement in the video quality of their content. Not that it’s top notch, but it’s certainly reached ‘collectible’ quality. Besides that, ODEX has also brought in simulcast content – subtitled anime that’s broadcast in Singapore within a week from the first Japanese airing of that episode. These titles (currently on simulcast: Casshern SINS, Skip Beat!) are now showing on Okto’s Animania. Many otakus are actually impressed with ODEX’s display in the Anime Blockbuster experience zone..
Essentially, two of the main grouses of the fan community on why they don’t buy original/download from the Internet. With such marketing efforts, ODEX is certainly eroding the ‘moral high ground’ that downloaders are standing on.
And let’s not forget – ODEX is certainly one of the pioneering companies that brought in anime to Singapore, and credit ought to be given where its due.
While I still have sympathy for those who download fan-subs, my word to habitual downloaders: if you love the show, please buy the original DVD and merchandise.
Imaginary Friends Studios @ AFA08
At AFA08, my participation here is more than just a fan or ‘accredited media’ – I’m also involved in this festival in the capacity of a consultant as well as an industry participant. So I’ll provide my perspective from the industry point of view.
Just like during the Singapore Toy and Comic Convention, there was a lot of skepticism when the event producers approached industry players to take part in the event. But in the end, the producers did pull in enough good content (brand names, celebrities) that brought in the crowd.
Digital Art Demo by Chris Ng
AFA08 – being a public event on all days of the show, is pretty much business-to-consumer. The traffic was good and many exhibitors – especially those doing business-to-consumer sales/marketing did pretty well. Yet, I felt that the crowd at STCC was bigger and crazier – perhaps because of the timed-relesae of event exclusive products (e.g. STCC Bearbrick figures) on both days of the event and was held at a smaller convention hall. There wasn’t much to show for the business-to-business segment of for AFA, and it felt more like an after-thought.
Nevertheless, Imaginary Friends Studios – being a studio founded by artists for artists – had a field day when we could meet with those who inspired our work:
Me, Kai and Kunio Okawara
We presented the venerable Kunio Okawara with Imagine PRIME 2.0; He saw Kai’s mecha designs and said he’d hope to see his works on Japanese TV soon.
Me, Ben Kwek (Mr.B), Kai, Koji Morimoto, Stanley (Artgerm), Kendrick (Kunkka)
Mr.B, one of IFS alumnus, was awestruck when he got Koji Morimoto to autograph the artbook “Orange”. That artbook is a bible that Mr.B reference for his works, and now it’s been blessed by the man himself. You can see he is happy like bird.
Genius Party Beyond – Dimension Bomb discussion
[Pix by Double]
I’d also have the honour to moderate the discussion for the “Genius Party Beyond – Dimension Bomb” screening with Mr Morimoto. Although he’s such a seminal figure in the Japanese animation scene, he’s so warm, friendly and unassuming. He’s a rather humourous guy too and it’s a pity I couldn’t banter with him without the need for a ‘terp. And Pamela from Animax Asia did an excellent job facilitating all the interpretation at AFA08. Her job was made easier since she’s an anime fan herself.
PEPPER PROJECT
[Pix by Double]
I presented Mr Morimoto with a copy of IFS’ latest artbook PEPPER PROJECT, that was launched at AFA08.
The greatest satisfaction any creator can have is to have one of your revered artist endorse your works. And then go partying with them ;-)
You might have read the rumours on Straits Times that the Singapore Toy, Games and Comic Convention (STGCC, formerly called STCC) and Anime Festival Asia may merge. At this point in time, its pure speculation. There is room for both conventions to co-exist although there may be overlaps in some areas. Although it may look same-same, it’s different.
Given the amazing amount of content and diversity of genre, its better to hold the two events separately, but for each to sharpen their focus. If they’d wanted to combine both events, it’d have to be something as big or even bigger than the San Diego Comics Convention – perhaps even a convention that could rival the Singapore Airshow in terms of size. If that’d ever happened, it would be the golden age for the animation, games and comics industry of Singapore and Southeast Asia. If that happen, Singapore would really be the cool capital in this part of the world.
