I attended the press preview for Anime Festival Asia 08 today. The actual event starts tomorrow at 9am. The preview itself consisted of a short tour around the booths that were being set up and a press conference to introduce the invited guests.
Note: This post is backdated because it took longer than expected to upload a 25-minute video to YouTube…
In case you’ve been ignoring all my posts on the topic, AFA08 is Singapore’s first anime convention and it will be held on Saturday and Sunday at Suntec Convention Hall 403 and 404.
The guests are (left to right):
- May’n (singing voice of Sheryl Nome in Macross F)
- Yasufumi Soejima (director of LaMB, former GONZO animator)
- Koji Morimoto (Studio 4°C founder)
- Kunio Okawara (original designer of Gundam)
- Ichiro Mizuki (anime and tokusatsu singer)
The press conference itself is just a short sales pitch of the whole event, and you can already find all the information on the official website, including the details on exclusive merchandises.
Shawn, the head honcho
There is a Q&A session at the end with each of the five guests. I’ve uploaded a video recording of the whole thing to YouTube using ShakyCamâ„¢ technology.
The best part of the whole thing was actually after everyone else left and they started doing stage rehearsal. May’n performed all the songs she’ll be doing for the concert. Unfortunately, cameras were not allowed for the rehearsal, so you have to use your imagination for that, or catch her actual performance on Sunday. All I can say is that she is one of the few singers who sound even better in real-life than on CD.
Also, for no reason, here’s a picture of a Sheryl cosplayer who was a member of the press.
Head down to Suntec City tomorrow or on Sunday if you want to see more. I’m really tired now, so I shall retire…to the world of Azeroth. Well, Outland actually.
UPDATE: Yes I realize that this post is really, really late. The YouTube video took years to upload overnight before failing and I had to upload it again using the non-beta uploader. Just pretend that you are reading this post on Friday night, okay?
On another note, I just got back from AFA08 day one. I’m really tired. Will blog about the whole event tomorrow because I didn’t get enough pictures today. (I forgot to put a CF card into my camera and only managed to borrow one from Windbell just before I was going to leave the venue.)
Ah, its not THAT late if you read the post from Europe… :p
Sadly that also means that i obviously will not go to AFA.. meh. Why dont we have real anime conventions here…
MazinGAR Z!!!
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Was there. Damn the Q for the ticket damn long. And wats more the stupid usher cant giv a good direction. Asking where the line for the pre-registration he lead me to the normal line. It was too late when i realize it was a wrong line when im half way the line. Took a whole 60min to get the ticket.
not same line meh? I reached in the afternoon and it seemed like there was only one line there even though i pre-registered.
i came around 9.15 there was 2 line.
enjoy the concert today guys :D
DarkMirage got a Diamond VIP pass? =P
The queues were long, indeed. The only thing that caught my attention for long was the Multi-blood game in the arcade section. >.>
Kinda disappointing for the morning half, since I had quite high hopes for it, but the nicer looking cosplays started popping up later in the day, like near 3pm. Too bad I had run out of gas by then, and was leaving.
Next year, I’ll go after lunch; less queues and prettier girls/cosplays. >=)
Why is the first convention in Singapore better than the like, 10th convention in Australia? The guest list is insane.
It looks mad fun I hope everyone who went had a good time :)
it was a pretty fun experience for me – was the first all-anime and concert for me (u can try checking out the few pics on my blog)… hope for another one next yr!
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darn, nice guests! It’s been quite a long time since I went to conventions etc..
At this Anime Festival Asia 2008 it was a great experience and I’m really happy that I can have pictures along with the cosplayers and I also participate in an Arcade showdown at the 2nd day. I was really happy that the people that time was actually added me into their MSN Messanger.
There will be another conventional at Changi Singapore this 13th December. So if anyone that interested in this event, please know the place cause the place you are going to search isn’t easy to be found.
There’s another event at Sunway Malaysia this month at 20th and 21st December. It’s a Comic Fiesta. If anyone know where is the place, it’s very easy to find.
I know now a days, the anime lovers are actually takes their time on holidays and also likes to gone to these exhibitions. How about takes some time to have a chat at MSN? Add me at JohnSmith2299@hotmail.com , I’ll be online from Morning till evening 5pm working time. See you guys there.