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.
If STCC and AFA combines…they should be looking towards Expo…ouch, that’s far.
“If that happen, Singapore would really be the cool capital in this part of the world.”
Man, I’m looking forward to that happening. :D
“So, I heard you tried fish head curry?” What an opening question for Koji Morimoto…
You never disappoint me, One. It’s always great to hear an insider POV. Glad to know about the “ceasefire” treaty. :D
And was the May’N pic by Windbell? Now that’s an official photograph.
[...] got to have two events to buy more stuff! This particular piece of news came about after reading 0ne’s post who is part of the local industry of animation. Go over and check out AFA 08 from an industry [...]
I didn’t go to the Mizuki concert, but the May’N one LOL. I did hear his performance after the Cosplay Mania though, and it was great. I was standing pretty far away from the stage(ChuangYi booth area) and thought it was a recording being played until I turned around and saw the screen. At the moment I just went O_O since the quality was pretty darned good. :D
So yes, you have a convert in me, and if JAM Project comes, I will definitely be very very broke. XD
May’N was wonderful, and just seriously too cute for words.
As for the Odex issue… They did do a much better job with their DVD packaging, but I’m still skeptical over the actual DVD quality, from the screening of Shakugan no Shana and other anime at the anime booths.
“You might have read the rumours on Straits Times that AFA and the Singapore Toy, Games and Comic Convention (STGCC, formerly called STCC) and Anime Festival Asia may merge.”
You wrote AFA twice, btw.
But honestly I wouldn’t want the two events to merge. IMHO the STGCC crowd is just too big, and the content displayed is rather different.
Wow, looks like I missed out on quite an event back home. Can I still buy that Pepper T-shirt anywhere online ?
Now all the organizers have to do is actually look through the tons of unconstructive feedback in order to sift out the real constructive feedback and then work on improving next year’s event. Hopefully, they can pull that off. Nice coverage Derek, too bad we could not chat more on Day 2.
Besides the concerts, the Genius Party Beyond discussion on Day 2 was my favourite part of the AFA. The screening blew me away, and the Q&A that followed was really enlightening. It’s great to see such deep meaning going on behind that abstract story-telling.
Consider me biased as a fan that I found Aniki’s presence at AFA to be biggest highlight for the event. I really hope to see him returning next year, with friends preferably, whether they be Jam Project or other retro Anison singers like Isao Sasaki and MIO. My only gripes with the event are a few organisational matters such as processing of the entrance queues, which I hope the experience gained from this first time event would lead them to improve upon in the future.
I definitely see areas of overlap between STCC and AFA, Bandai’s presence at AFA was especially deja-vu-ish. As much as I’d like to see a Singapore version of Comic-con, I wouldn’t want them to combine. With the dilution of focus area, it’d be difficult to achieve a good balance of events and space to be able to give sufficient coverage for each and every demographic. Already I felt STCC had some trouble doing so, with fans coming from single area of interest not being fully satisfied with the event. On the other hand it’s be a good for cross subculture exchange if they do combine. However, I’d rather the organisers ofboth events to hone their organisational skills and gain experience through their own individual events first before considering a merger.
I’m sad to say that before AFA I’d never heard of Ichirou Mizuki, being a relative newfag both in terms of age and to anime (heh). However, your description of instant convert is pretty apt – I was hooked the moment he appeared and started singing. I guess that AFA highlighting his work to me, as well as those of others such as Koji Morimoto, was worth the time already, even without the other things which I had originally wanted to go for such as May’n.
what happened to the blue IFS Prime book cover? The old one was beautiful- this new one sucks!!! I miss the old one!!!
I went to the IFS booth- it was full of ARTGERM art all over- I was in heaven!
Hi Kawaiigirl, thanks for the support. IFS new Prime book has a new jacket cover (with the old cover that you love beneath it. :)
Nice to see you there. I’d rather they stay separate, and STCC take a leaf from AFA and charge for entry. The crowd at STCC was just too much.
STCC and AFA share similarities, but their spheres are quite different. Besides, there’s like four shows selling IT a year and all of them do well. Why can’t two toy/comic conventions?
Anyway the best part about AFA was it was a space for fans and cosplayers to be themselves.
Quite sad I couldn’t make it to Moritomo’s talk on Day 2 due to previous commitments. Well hope to be able to showcase the whole of Genius Party Beyond next year and maybe even have the budget to bring some of the other animators in for Animation Nation.
(And glad to see some coverage on it. On most other blogs it’s about the cosplay and May’N…)
Cheers,
Dave (Singapore Film Society)
If there was one thing that this event has highlighted, it makes Singapore the “hip” capital of South East Asia. (This was evident by the number of Malaysians, Filipinos and other nationalities coming down to check out the scene.)
I bet you still didn’t wash your hands from all the handshakes you make with the stars. XD But yeah, this is one of the few events that have garnered a lot of attention in the public psyche.
@Dave:
Indeed, I was afraid that this event may make the hobby “feel commercialized” by all the mad dash to the Gundam/figurine kits and massive selling of merchandises and DVDs, but yes: the ample space given to them gives the event a more “communal” feeling. And that is one feeling I hope can be preserved in the next AFA’09 or STCC ‘09.
============================================
Hopefully this will translate to even better outcomes in the future.
I think the event was so so. The way they treat Morimoto was terrible. They were going to cut out his seg on Sunday for some lame-ass Cosplay. I bet 9/10 of the ppl there duno him or Studio 4C, and instead drooling over the latest flash in the pan May’N. Please that woman has accomplished NOTHING compared to Morimoto-san.
The event has a long way to go to even compare with any of the other festivals you mentioned. There were also hardly any exhibitors beyond Bandai in AFA; but credit to them, they made it look bigger than it was.
And please don’t combine the events. STCC was terribly organised and worse than a fish market, yes, but what they cover and anime doesn’t mix.
[...] Strike Witches scroll posters, which fooled 0ne into thinking that it was offical products! LoL The Fool’s Progress [...]
I still don’t understand why you covered up a great cover with a sucky one! Luv seeing your art all over the booth and posing for pictures with you! I bought so many prints that day too! Wish you had put out more. I notice most of the other pieces by the other artists weren’t selling- just took up space! wakakaka!
I can’t wait to see your anime- Lamb! i’m going to start making a cosplay of her!
wow. Fangirl sighted.
Anyways, it definately is an event to be well remembered. Kudos to everyone for making it happen. I only wish that more doujin groups had participated and show everyone what they are capable of.
got more pictures from this site http://photograpicguru.wordpress.com
got more pictures from this site http://photograpicguru.wordpress.com
“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.”
Agreed, man. Which is why I brought my copy of Code Geass, and I’m enjoying it so far. If they bring in Suzumiya Haruhi, I’ll be buying that too.
I’m very surprised that you shook hands with the CEO of ODEX.
It’s a historical reconciliation（歴史的和解）.
[...] the universe and everything – The FØØL’s Progress: Anime Festival Asia 2008 – A Defining Moment in Southeast Asian Otaku History – Agents Are Go!!: A letter to Mcdonalds [...]
Reconciliation and respect is all good. Only if it came from *both sides*.
As long as ODEX has not offered a public apology, give full accounting on how much they have collected during the fiasco and what did they do with the money, as well as provide iron clad assurance that such ass backward incident of lawsuit usage will not occur again, they will still get zilch from me. I’ll do all my otaku shopping on my annual Japan visit, thank you.
I don’t even bother watching the show they “sponsored” on okto. I’d rather enjoy my MMORPG.
[...] mrbrown.com: Mass cycling event in Singapore a little expensive, no? – The FØØL’s Progress: Anime Festival Asia 2008 – A Defining Moment in Southeast Asian Otaku History – Agents Are Go!!: A letter to Mcdonalds Singapore – Musings: DBS replies – The boy who knew too [...]
[...] AFA 08, defining moment! [...]
Asian Girls…
What does it mean to be a woman? I have never met a woman who hasn’ t struggled with this question, subconsciously or otherwise. There are a variety of influences in a woman’ s life, each with their own concept of what a woman should be. Beginning when…