MORNING MUSUME at Anime Expo (LA), Thanks for coming! Options

[caritherage]

^ Hahaha that's so funny cuz I said I wanted a hat-camera right before the session!!!

For the people complaining about organization - on page 7 of this thread , post #136, in bold I said, "Anime-expo is poorly organized...>_< They suck at almost everything."...so it shouldn't be a supprise. I'm complain about line jumpers because that is on individuals and their own selfishness.

[turbos86]

Day 1 Report *Note: Very long*

Opening Ceremony

Today was full of running and confusion, but the UFA staffs has redeemed themselves. There were problems all day, and AX do have to take some responsiblity. However, from all the bad things we have heard about pass years at AX, some problems were to be expected. Actually, being there, the problems can get totally blown up in your face.

My day started off by lining up to the opening ceremony. We had to wait outside under the sun for them to let us in. That was slightly delayed by about 15minutes. I sat on the left side of the stage, 2 rows behind where they blocked off the first three rows for GoHs. 20 minutes of so after most of the audience were seated. A big group of people walked in from the left entrance. It was quite odd to for such a big group of people to come in so late, so I turned to see what's going on. To my surprise, it was Sayu and Eri with their staffs. Instantly I called out their names which made Eri turned her head back to look at us, which in turns made every fan in the hall freak out. They headed through the black curtains into the backstage.

A while after that, we saw Diaz (H&A's handler at Sakura-con) talking to AX staff on the stage, we knew it was almost time to start. Minutes later, Morning Musume came out from the backstage in their Shouganai outfits. Instantly the hall exploded with cheering and members name calls. All the members responded to anyone who called their name with waves and smiles. The staff had to pushed back all the people who tried to rush toward them to take pictures. I was lucky enough to be 4 seats directly behind JunJun and all the seats between us were empty, because they were the first GoHs to come out to sit down at the GoHs seats. I said hello to LinLin in Chinese and she replied back in Chinese. Did a "KO~HA" to Koharu and she gave one back, heart shape and all. Aika turned around to face the crowd for so long to give everyone a chance to take pictures, which was awesome.

MM was then interviewed by AX reporters and someone who seems to be an UFA cameramen (DVD Magazine of LA anyone?). As we waited for the ceremony to begin, we noticed Sayu and Reina were shaking. Their staffs then ran to grab them each a scarf to cover their exposed shoulders. Seeing the girls chatting amongs themselves was very interesting. There were songs playing on the speakers while we waited for the ceremony to start, one of these song was "Invoke" by TM Revolution (I think it was Invoke.) Almost all the MM girls started singing along and nodding their heads to the beat of the song, Reina, Aika and JunJun, especially. Aika actually clapped to the song, almost wotagei style. It was quite a sight to see them fangirling another artist's song.

Soon after, the ceremony began, and the GoHs were called onto the stage. Morning Musume got one of the loudest cheers. Ai-chan introduced the group to the crowd, and the hall went nuts. Moi dix Mois was next, and they came out directly from behind the backstage curtains, with full make-up and outfit. MM was very shocked to see them. Sayu and LinLin actually looked quite scared because Moi dix Mois was seated right next to them.

After all the GoHs came on stage, the ceremony was over. As MM was leaving the stage, many people rush to the front and tried to take pictures, which was very chaotic. AX staff had to stop people from getting too close. I took this opportunity to call the member's names again, which caught Reina, Koharu and JunJun's attention.

Exhibit Hall opens

At 12 noon, the exhibit hall was officially opened and MM fans stormed the JapanFiles and JpopHouse/UFA booths in a riot like fashion. The line was so long, it circled the booths more than 2 times. Due to a limited amount of tickets available for the friday Hangry signing and saturday MM signing, things really got out of hand, as people budged and shoved their ways in, trying to secure a spot. Otherwise, the booth staffs were friendly and products were well stocked.

Morning Musume Q&A panel

Many MM fans entered the Morikawa Toshiyuki Q&A panel, which was right before Morning Musume's panel to ensure they will get good seats and tickets for the autograph session right after the panel. Within minutes after the Morikawa Toshiyuki panel ended, half the seats were filled with MM fans. Soon after, UFA staff came in to help set up the name signs infront of where each MM girls would be sitting. Many fans ran up to the front and took pictures of the names, which opened up the chance for AX staff to announce that no photos or videos was allowed. They threatened to kick people out and even take away badges if they catch anyone even setting their equipment on their lap. Ofcourse, many were not happy about this, but rules are rules.

After AX staff reminded us about the no taping policy three times, and explaining to us how the autograph after the panel will work, there suddenly was sunlight coming in from behind the TV projector screen. Funny enough, the screen was semi-see thru and many people in the front saw MM coming into the hall. They hid after they found out the screen exposed their position.

Diaz went on stage few minutes later and did an introduction explaining who MM were, including an introductary video with past and present MM clips. Then after getting the crowd hyped up, she signalled for MM to come on stage.

All hell broke loose as everyone screamed and called for their favorites. This lasted for a good two minute, until Diaz told everyone to sit down so the panel can start. She used a short Q&A format to allowed the 9 girls to introduce themselves, each met with insane amount of reaction.

Then it was time for the audience's turn to ask questions. People ran to the mic in the middle front of the hall. A good 20 or so people had a chance to say to the girls what they had on their minds. MM was very willing and funny to every request made to them, from playing jyanken pyon (rock paper scissors), to doing the ARTO from haromoni@. I was surprised at how good some of the questions were, and delighted no one asked any stupid questions like, "Will you marry me?" Three people got cut from getting their questions answered as time ran out, and they looked very disappointed. Unfortunately, there was another panel that needed the room afterward, so it wasn't anyone's fault.

After all the questions were asked, Diaz asked each member to give a final response for the crowd. In particular, Eri loved the fist pumping and loud cheering we gave her, and Sayu asked everyone to jump during the concert. Then the panel was over and MM left and headed inside the building. We were all told to be seated if we wanted to receive tickets for the autograph session. A guy got on stage and explained how everything for the autograph will work. He said the location would be an area behind the Artist Alley in Hall K. AX staffs were then to hand out 500 tickets, but they did not gaurantee an autograph, which was also due to time restrain. Those who were out of range could still go to the autograph standby line, with even less chance of getting in.

Morning Musume's autograph session

I sat relatively near the front and was lucky enough to get a ticket. Along with everyone else with a ticket, I rushed to Hall K and could not find anything that look remotely close to an autograph booth. MM fans wandered all over the hall and eventually a group gathered infront of the Artist Alley information center. The staff there announced that the MM signing was actually located to room 301. Everyone was in disbelieve of how the guy at the end of the panel gave false information. The mob rushed to room 301. A small line had already formed as I got to the passage way leading to room 301.

After a few minutes wait, we were lead to room 301B and received another numbered ticket. People slowly discovered the location change and one by one came to room 301. With about 100 people in the line now, AX volunteers began directing fans in groups of three, into room 301A right next door. However, we were also told that we were only allowed to present one item to the entire group. Some people were caught off guard and had to change their plans last minute. Luckily for myself, I was intenting for them to autograph on my 2009 MM calender.

The line moved up at a moderately slow pace. When I got to the door way of room 301A, it was clear why the line moved so slow. Each girl took their time to draw their signature out nicely and talked with each fan who tried to strike up a conversation. Also, there was a sign outside of room 301 that said the autograph session is being filmed for a possible DVD release (Could it be for a DVD Magazine!?).

I was panicing when I was next. The girls sat in order, from Ai-chan to LinLin. When my friend infront of me was done with Ai-chan, she looked at me and smile. It was an incredible feeling. She looks so amazing in person, you wouldn't believe. I lay down the calender infront of her and she carefully drew on it. After she was done, she looked up and thanked me. I took this chance to tell her how I enjoyed watching QED which made her very surprised and happy. Next was Gaki-san, but I was so star struck from Ai-chan's reactions, all I could manage was a hi and bye. Eri was next, because 6th gen are my favourite members, I had to say something to them, beginning with Eri. I told her how I watch Jewel Pet every week. She didn't understand what I said, but Gaki-san did and turned around and told Eri what I said. A big smile appeared on Eri's face and she jumped out of her seat and offered to shake my hand as she thanked me. Sayu was next, but the people infront of me weren't moving up. My friend infront of me asked Sayu if she was practicing her signatures on the scrap piece of paper she had beside her. She said yes and showed us that she even drew a bunny head. I told her that's very cute and she said thanks. People moved up seconds after, and clumsy me knocked away all the pens and markers infront of Sayu as I tried to move my calender over to her from infront of Eri. I appolgized and was forgiven instantly by Sayu. We did an Usa-chan peace together after she signed. Reina was next, and with her being my favorite member, I was shaking and words didn't come out my mouth in any grammatical sense. I told her I travelled a long distance to come see her because she's my favorite. She was happy to hear that and offered to shake my hand (I will never wash my hands again ). Probably due to the after shock of finally interacting with my favorite idol, again, I knocked away all the pens and markers, this time from infront of Koharu as I tried to fumble the calender over to her. I appolgize and she told me it was okay. For Koharu, I did her new "KO~HA" thing from Oha-star again, for the second time, face to face within the same day. This made all the UFA staff in the room to burst out in laughter and Koharu replied me with her own "KO~HA". I was running out of ammo when I got to the 8th gen, only managing a hello and bye for Aika (BTW, she's super cute in person). For JunJun, I did the same but in Chinese, and she replied back in Chinese. LinLin was the same, but she actually stood up and handed my calender back to me with both hands while saying thank you for coming in Chinese. They are honestly nine very pretty and charming girls.

Exhibit Hall - Yossie surprise appearance!

I went back to the exhibit hall and hang around the JapanFile and JPopHouse/UFA booths. As I was checking out the display at the JPophouse side, they were playing Kill me Kiss me on their hifi system. My friend and I started echoing the words Kill me Kiss me to the song. There was a girl with a hat, hiding behind the TV in the booth, and she reacted as we did the echoing. We didn't thought much of it until suddenly, another friend of ours pointed to the girl and said, "Dude! Turn around, that's Yossie!". I literally froze, realizing what has just happened. Yossie was watching us acting like idiots the whole time! We called her name and she took off her hat and smiled and waved at us.

Soon, many fans caught wind of this and a large crowd gathered at the booth. Yossie took pictures with a couple fans and shoke hands with anyone who asked. She played with someone's baby for a while too, which was very cute. She left about 10minutes after.

And that's end my long report on Day 1. Sorry I am just so overwhelm with what happened today.
The concert tomorrow is going to be crazy! See you all there!

[マークＲＡＷＲ]

Cheers for the update Turbo's great read

[sanrio]

@turbo

it sounds like an awfully amazing experience..... DAMN IT WHY ARENT I THERE *extreme envy mode*)
but its great to see how the girls are so interactive and cheerful with the fans i wanna shake their hands and talk to them too =/

[Mr Ayu-Mania]

Reading turbos86's report makes the fact that I couldn't go somehow bearable. I may not be there physically but thanks to those great reports it feels like a part of me is there and is enjoying this event.



keep up the good work, have fun, and please try to keep us (the poor souls that couldn't come) informed!

So far the only picture from the q&a that I could find is this one from Tsunku's blog:



Also I am loving Yossie's looks!

[「REDX」]

TODAY IS THE BIG DAY!!!

[krotch]

Okay, you all need to stop your complaining right now.

1. Don't tell me crap about your waiting 2 hours or whatever. Burnt glitter, caritherage and I waiting 12 hours. TWELVE HOURS AND THAT IS NOT AN EXAGGERATION. How many times have people on this thread said "I will be there at 6 am" You were well aware people would be ahead of you. If you wanted it that badly, you would have been there too like we were. You make your own fate, it is not the fault of AX staff (yes they sucked, but you cannot blame everything on them)

Oh...so sorry that you waited for 12 hours. I'd do it myself, but unlike you, I have other things going on in my life. Like the past week, I have been clearing out my German apartment and shipping all my belongings to S.Korea. Then on the 1st, finally getting to fly out, sitting in planes for a total of 18 hours. Then getting on more planes the next day for another 6 hours. All to show up at AX after the 300 tickets at the JapanFiles booth already sold out.

Why was it like this? Well, I could have planned ahead to make it early, but AX (yes, I can blame everything on them) did not give information early enough, so I had to make all my plane reservations. I simply cannot get around this fact. So when they did finally give information, I was stuck having to try to work around it all. So $2000 dollars later, I was able to get to AX the middle of Day 1.

I don't have the luxury of living a city or state away.

2. That is bullcrap if anyone here says "I have thought about up and leaving because of _____" Honestly? If you spend $X on plane tickets $X on hotel $X on other expenses just to get here, you are not really thinking that. This is not about AX staff, this is not about your personal bad experience, THIS IS ABOUT MORNING MUSUME. It makes no sense to spend that money and then up and leave.

Unlike you, I can easily make money and can save. As soon as I got to LA, I blew $60 on a taxi, $30 on lunch, $100 at the Momusu booth, $35 at the JapanFiles booth, $15 at the JPopHouse booth, $40 for dinner, and then I pulled another $200 out of an ATM. Plan on going back for some shirts and crap.

Also, who's to say I'd leave LA. I can just cancel my hotel room and get a hotel over in Little Tokyo. Then spend the remainder of my days there.

There are times where I'd get so pissed that nothing else matters. Even if I were at the concert, I'd just be sitting there pissed off and not enjoying myself. Luckily, that isn't the case for me. The shit that AX is pulling is bearable. Course I'd love to burn the building down when it's all said and done.

Anyways, got all of November reserved at a hotel in Roppongi, Tokyo. Who's down for Momusu's Tokyo concert?

Listen, after all this is said and done, what are you going to remember? Maybe you didn't get an autograph ticket, maybe not everything was run perfectly, but when you see them on stage singing their heart out for AMERICAN FANS is that all really going to matter? They came here for us. In the Q&A JunJun said she was happy because so many fans go out of their way to come to Japan to see them, and she was happy she was able to do the opposite this time, and come for us.

Stop being petty.

Bad impressions last longer than good ones. At this point in time, I remember more about the AX douchebags while I waited in line, than the Q&A session.


Well, it's 6 am and I'm getting ready to walk back to the con. Wonder if the hotel has breakfast.

[SacredCultivator]

Dunno if anyone cares to read about my adventure, but hehe, I'll just link to the place I posted mine:

Here you Go

Well today is the Concert, can't wait!

[turbos86]

I know many of you are frustrated at the poor organization and management at AX, so it's okay if you want to rant and complain, but please don't turn this discussion into a personal attack battle ground.

[magatsu17]

@Turbos86 Thanks so very much for that post, It sucks so much that this is as close as I've been to Morning Musume right now, and i'm still on the other side of the country. But reading about peoples experiences and watching the videos and whatnot have made this still very exciting for me.

For those complaining I've been to quite a few anime conventions myself and if i ever go to one that is organized and well run it would be the first. Mostly the problem comes from there are always a few events that there are way more people there then was anticipated. Try not dwell on the negative and appreciate that there are a lot of people reading this thread who did have means or opportunity to go. I know i would gladly put up with what some of you are complaining about just for a chance to be able to see them in person.

[bang]

I've read many times that ZORRANDER has very good videos, does anyone know if he's planning to upload them? Someone said he got ai's scream in the opening ceremony? No rush though.

[Nayok-Kihara]

Reading everyones stories is so great. I'm all excited even though I couldn't be there myself; so thanks you guys, for helping to keep everyone that wasn't lucky enough to be there up-to-date on everything.

[マークＲＡＷＲ]

@bang: Zorrander will most likely upload when he gets back to england if he decides that he wants to.

[krotch]

Dunno if anyone cares to read about my adventure, but hehe, I'll just link to the place I posted mine:

Here you Go

Well today is the Concert, can't wait!

I can say without a doubt...I didn't see you at all in the flood of ppl there.


Turbo>>

No prob turbo. Just don't like it when someone thinks we're all in the same boat. World is different, so are ppl and their circumstances.

Magatsu17>>

Can't say much about US cons, as I normally never go to them. Fat cosplayers annoy the hell out of me. As for the cons I've gone to, they've always been perfect. Well, minus the huge line to get inside. Tokyo Game Show, Tokyo International Anime Fair (TAF - don't ask where the I went), Comiket, Tokyo Auto Salon, some motorcycle one (think Auto Salon, but with motorcycles - friend wanted someone to tag along).

[NaruTettekete]

I've read many times that ZORRANDER has very good videos, does anyone know if he's planning to upload them? Someone said he got ai's scream in the opening ceremony? No rush though.

I really want to see that~!
After reading through everyone's stories, I'm excited for everyone that Momusu's appearance in LA is going very well. But I can't deny that I'm jealous and sad that I can't be there >.>;;

[krotch]

RAWR!!! My freaking Reina t-shirt shrunk from the last washing, I think. I can't wear it. Guess I'll be wearing my Kamei shirt, but will seem pretty weird to be using blue glowsticks at the concert in a Kamei t-shirt.

[マークＲＡＷＲ]

@Krotch: As long as you aren't amongst a sea of Japanese Wota you will be fine. I did that at P9D i wore a Reina tee and was waving loads of orange glowsticks, i got some weird looks as alot of the knew i was an Eri fan from the concerts before.
Do what i did wear corresponding colours to Rokkies i kind of got away with it by wearing all my sweatbands up my arms, same with glowsticks Pink, Orange and Blue in each hand.

[Van*]

Turbo! Thank you for the Story



http://s61.radikal.ru/i174/0907/f5/f44319fb6d4d.jpg
http://s59.radikal.ru/i165/0907/81/864e0974ef8e.jpg
http://s59.radikal.ru/i164/0907/d9/c61de4ea7c24.jpg
http://s52.radikal.ru/i136/0907/ac/4561b9e44d5b.jpg
http://s59.radikal.ru/i163/0907/2d/345fd65e6a0c.jpg


Here, in Russia - we Celebrate the GREAT Day in the H!P History/

HELLO LA!!!!

THANK YOU PEOPLES!!!

[KawaiiAyu]

Yeah I agree that people are getting too personal. I might have sounded like a biatch in my other post, but that was because I was so mad that people were acting the way they were. A lot of people were being petty and selfish. We need to just be thankful that they are even here, that some of us are fortunate enough to be able to travel to see them, and that they are doing not one but THREE autograph sessions. You may be frustrated by the staff, but please remember that some people are not fortunate to even come at all. If anything, are you not happy that you are lucky enough to see them in person.

You can choose to remember the bad stuff, but the memory I choose to remember is seeing them in person for the very first time and being so overwhelmed and just crying.

[krotch]

@Krotch: As long as you aren't amongst a sea of Japanese Wota you will be fine. I did that at P9D i wore a Reina tee and was waving loads of orange glowsticks, i got some weird looks as alot of the knew i was an Eri fan from the concerts before.
Do what i did wear corresponding colours to Rokkies i kind of got away with it by wearing all my sweatbands up my arms, same with glowsticks Pink, Orange and Blue in each hand.

Do you have like really small arms or large wristbands. I can't get more than one on there. I figured I'd just wave around orange and blue glow sticks.

Anyways, I'm all ready now, heading out. I'm in the Kamei shirt, wristband, backpack, and headphones. Also, Asian. If you see me, say "what's up" or something. I also have some green and red glow sticks. Keeping my blue and orange ones now. I'm flying solo, so I'm down to hang out with random ppl.