AFA08: My Views Finally

AFA Kun... AFA08 Official Mascot

This is getting boring… With everyone writing a post to give their views on the first ever Anime Festival Asia… in Singapore. People of the whole spectrum wrote… from the cynical reviews to the praising of the event.

So let me say this.The Anime Festive Asia 2008, is great! And will definitely be one of the highlights of my year. But there are few flaws, which with experiences should not be a problem next year.

My accounts don’t start with the actual event but from before. Way back in September during the first press conference at the Japanese Association. I’m so glad that One and Reddawn Communications invited me to the first press conference, an historical event itself as the AFA08 and AFA-Kun is for the first time announced to public, thru the press(Real Press) and us, Bloggers.

Among the Bloggers that had attended the event are One, Dark Mirage, Sochi, xephfyre and me. Not many compared to the later influx of anime bloggers getting the media pass and promoting the event online.

I talked to a participant just before May’n’s concert, asking, why is a blog like ours roped in to promote the event?

Why? She asked… At that point I can only answer diplomatically… that, not many main stream medias are covering the event and that AFA08, a niche event needs a way to spread it’s existences and etc…

But deep inside I know that Dentsu, Ipromo and the many organisers are just being nice to us. Giving us access to what is previously “Press” only, including interviews, sneak previews and even advance heads up to the news, they are going to be releasing.

For that I thank the AFA08 organisers and really… sorry if we(splifearts.com) have caused any trouble, especially to Florence, Mr. Chur, Greg, Calvin and last but not least Shawn. (Not using full name, to protect their privacy.) Also I sure hope we have done our part to help in the event.

Moving on… to the next special meeting in October, rather then announcing the news to the traditional press, yup they released it to us. So we got to know of it first hand~ but after that, I still receive email updates about the latest event news like the Singapore Arcade Showdown, The Appearence of Aniki, and etc.

At that point of time I really looked forward to checking my email everyday, in hopes of receiving their update… yes it’s addictive for a 8 to 5 job bearer and later an unemployed… It’s just that fun… like opening a treasure box… but funny thing is that… the organisers sure work till very late, 2 to 3am at some point of time…

Thus, time passes the press preview is on and then AFA08 arrives… KITA!!

I reached the Hall at 8:30 when every thing and quiet and for the whole day, me my friend took turn playing Haruhi(Not Cosplay) dragging each another to the many booths to do some filming, interviews and had fun. It was tiring… but it was FUN! Ended the day at 10pm… Was one of the last one to leave the hall…

2nd day, i felt no need to reach the hall too early… I was wrong… I missed the Cosplay Mania… and then Studio 4 degree’s Genius Party beyond… haiz… my second day is really just about May’n… … and also the ending… when all the visitors have left the hall, we began to take group photos… At this point, I found out that the organisers are wild people… They sure know to work hard and PLAY hard… … … …

This article is only my views on the event, and it’s surrounding… More factual articles to come, including videos interviews and etc. That reminds me, have anyone contated DLE yet?

Need to note that, during the tiime of AFA08, we are also covering another event, M-Con. Not only covering but also helping out…

So a Great Thank YOU! To all the club’s members for helping out and the blog’s team for covering the events.

Otsukare sama desu~

(Not related to anything, just a very cute video, Nico Nico Douga Account needed)