[EVENT] AKB48 at Anime Expo 2010, Los Angeles

[makistar]

Kondo Sayaka mentioned in her blog today's autograph session was their last LA event.
I guess this is it.
http://gree.jp/kondo_sayaka/blog/entry/465931965

[flagator21]

Just wanted to add.. Webster Hall concert was an 18+ only event, else it probably would have been completely full.. plus the way you had to register/win tickets was confusing, and there wasn't much time to prepare, etc, etc

AX, from what I've read/heard was better organized.. as far as the concert goes, anyway

[Criss]

Some of the girls took a walk in the Japan Expo remember? Maybe they can do the same this time, be ready just in case

Nice autograph Hall shot btw.

[flagator21]

I hope something besides a DVD Magazine will come out of this trip.

Does anyone know if they filmed/will film for a TV show, perhaps Nemousu again?

[immo]

So... first post since going to LA.

I just wanna say that SOME GIRL GOT A PICTURE WITH KASAI!!!!!!

DGIKTHGJSDRHODTYPHNSERGTROK!!!!DRGNRT5Y34WEGTRHJHN!!!!


crazinesss!!!!!

[memorybreak]

ARE YOU FREAKING SERIOUS?!!! NOW I'M FREAKING PISSED!!!!

sorry just had to let that out....

[jinx626]

As a casual fan of akb48 here was my impression of the concert. It was good but not great especially compared to the May'n/Megumi Nakajima concert which was awesome. Concert was delayed for at least 30 minutes. Whose fault is it one can only guess. The girls were great with their introductions and music was good. I feel the let down actually came from the fan themselves at the concert. The fans started off strong with the cheering but eventually died down as the concert progressed. To be simply put the entire concert i felt lacked energy and enthusiasm from the crowd excluding those guys that sat in the first few rows who were i assume hardcore AKB48 fans. The girls did do an encore which was nice of them.

The autograph sessions were pretty ugly as pretty much if you weren't the first 50 ppl in line you were probably not going to get an autograph. This was due on part as the girls were quite fan friendly instead of just sign and go which is good and bad. Good of course if your the one getting an autograph and spending time with each of the girls but bad for those waiting behind you. Also another thing to note is that NOT all the girls were at the autograph sessions. Only half showed up at the 2nd autograph session. I am guessing the same 8 also showed up for the 1st one. The 8 girls gave it there all and were all smiles and super friendly. For that they have acquire a new fan!


So who were the girls? Asuka Kuramochi, Rino Sashihara, Ami Maeda, Sayaka Akimoto, Moeno Nito, Reina Fujie, Rie Kitahara, Aki Takajo.
Overall i am satisfied with the whole entire experience and it will be one for me to remember.

[TheAnna18]

^
^
^OH MY GOD THAT'S ME!!! XD

After the concert I walked out and I saw Akimoto and I was like ";o" and he looked just like in the pictures. Me and the guy I met at the concert (from Japan) followed him down this hallway on the side of the theatre, and then out of no where, Kasai was there. Yet again, I was like ";o!!!" but this time ten thousand times more excited, I had no idea what to do so I kind of covered my mouth and jumped up and down. I was like "Tomomi!!!" and she seemed kind of confused but the japanese guy, Eiki, had me take a picture with her, and he got one with her too. He still has it on his camera and hasn't emailed it to me though. I showed someone in line for the q&a though since he was there with me. :3

By the way, if you saw a girl yesterday wearing a sheer purple top over a white cami and shorts, that was me. Today I wore a floral print dress with a tie in the front.

Also, I got into both autograph sessions! Woo! The first one I felt really bad because there weren't that many people in line but I just plopped down at what I thought was the end of line. I guess it ended up being the beginning!! >< I still feel really guilty, like I deprived someone more deserving than me of an autograph... I ended up sitting by MaikuBano from H!O, he was really nice!

Anyhow, I was so intimidated seeing Sayaka first! I was shaking and I had a big grin on my face and I just handed her my cd booklet to sign and she was nice and said "Thank you!!" Then Rie was next and she was nice too. The whole time I was kind of out of it, like "OH MY GOD OH MY GOD!!!" so the first autograph session is a little bit of a blur. I remember Moeno telling me she thought I was cute, and some people were like "o-! jouzu~". When she said I was cute I was so taken aback and flustered I was like "a...a....ana....anata.....anata no hou ga kawaii!!" ww Sasshi was so sweet too, she is my new favorite. I never knew much about her but in real life she is so beautiful and cute and oh my god~ She had commented saying that I'm cute too. Anyhow after I got my stuff signed there were some japanese press there and they took pictures of me, I felt special. haha. I think they took pictures of everyone but oh well.

Then the next day was the q+a, I got there at like 10:15 which was way later than I actually wanted, but it ended up being alright. The line was so long and outside it was like "omfg". I sat next to a very nice guy, and his favorite was Sasshi! I can see why! :3 His name escapes me though, I'm so forgetful with these things.... Also Eiki came by me in line so we sat together at the Q+A. I didn't think I was going to get an autograph at all so I didn't bother to bring anything to get signed. The q+a was cute, but not the highlight of it at all. When they announced they weren't going to give out tickets for the autograph session I was like ";o!!" and then as soon as I saw people running I took off dashing for the exhibit hall where it was going to be. We ran through and the guards were yelling at people so I didn't know what to do but I kept running through peoples pictures and stuff. I don't know if I'll ever forget the image of a crowd of guys running to get to the autograph line. They started running into one que line (is that what it's called?) but then one of the staff was like "its the other one!!" so we all ran over there, but this guard guy went in the middle and was like "STOP!!!" And saying he won't let us get an autograph if we don't calm down, but we all hurried there. I was probably like 20 or 25 in line. Anyhow I got there and after I caught my breath and calmed down, it hit me. I had nothing to get signed!! I was a little worried, all I had was the stupid expo guide, my phone, and the little piece of paper those maru music people were handing out. I called my mom and asked if she could bring me something, but she couldn't figure out what to do (if you ask me my instructions were very good!) so as the line started moving I was like maybe 7 in line and I was all upset, but this Japanese guy had a bunch of Ponytail to Shushu copies with him and he gave one to me and two other girls that didn't know what to get signed. I got up there and Rie was first, if I remember correctly, and she was like "o-! Kawaii!!!" I was so flustered again, I kept moving down the line and the girls kept saying "kawaii!!!!" when they saw me. I came up to Sasshi, and she remembered me from the day before! She told me I was cute and I was like "><!!!!" and then she's like "ponytail to shushu!" so she started singing "poniiiteeruuu" and without thinking after that I sang "Setsunaku naru" and then she thought it was so cute and she wanted me to do it again so I was covering my face a little and I'm like "Aahhhhhh" 'cause I was so embarrassed. I didn't know what to say so I was like "hazukashii!" and then she sung it again so I did "setsunaku naru" and she said it was so cute again. On my autograph, she wrote "Cute" under her name. :3 I will take pictures of my autographs when I go back home tomorrow. Maeda Ami said something along the lines of "So pretty! Cute!" and I can't even exactly remember what I said it was such a rush of happiness. I got a lot more "jouzu!!!"'s this time too, even though my japanese is so bad and I couldn't even think clearly. Moeno was extremely nice again too. She even was like "suki desu! suki desu!" and wrote "I love you" under the autograph. Reina also wrote "Cute" under my autograph, and I think Ami wrote "I love you" too. Every single person was very personable except for Sayaka. She said the same "thank you!" and wrote on my autograph then I was on my way. She was the only person who didn't say I was cute that second time around, so I don't like her. I'm just kidding of course, I still like Sayaka, she is so beautiful. Actually everyone was very beautiful.

I can't wait to show off my picture with kasai and pictures of my autographs! Yay!!!!!

[TotallyUncool]

I was jumping around like crazy!!!!
But at the start of the concert my sister was crying cause she couldn't see!
My mom had her stand up on the chair and she was able to see but it was just too much for her.
You guys are lucky.
Why can't the panel be at 1 instead of 10?!!
And I didn't think she was small!
Sayaka was prettier than I thought too!
I'm guessing they filmed the concert?
I saw camera's in the front.

I think I might have been standing in front of you -- I was in Row V, right in the middle (in which case I hope you could see around me ).

OK -- the show was excellent -- better than Morning Musume last year -- and THEY DID BIRD!!!!!!!!

(I've actually been more or less a casual AKB listener, but I've been listening to Bird obsessively for the past few weeks, and I have to say that I would have paid that much just to hear Takamina sing it!) (a capella, even )

[Kazuma2387]

^
^
OMG, both autograph sessions and a picture with my oshimen....Im suuuuper jealous right now.

I had a blast the last few days, getting to see the girls up close and in concert for the first time
The girls are 1000x cuter in person, especially Kitarie who ive fallen in love with now

only bad thing was I got cut off from both autograph sessions

I officially hate AX now for saying they were going to give out tickets for the last signing but then changing at the last minute giving a big advantage to the ppl in the back

[TheAnna18]

^ I'm so sorry about not getting into either. ><
I think it was more of a disadvantage to people that are unfit rather than people in the front ww. I mean the mad dash to the exhibit hall wore me out..... I guess neither way is far really as far as how they picked who got the tickets. I'm just an extremely lucky person. Did you at least get to see them for the second autograph session?

[Kazuma2387]

^ yea I was kinda in the front of the pack running to the exhibit hall, even had to do a few hurdles. I made the mistake of using the bathroom on the way cuz i couldnt hold it anymore lol...stupid me. But at least I got to see them while I waited in line, even got Rie to look right at me and wave

[MaikuBano]

^
^Look who it is XD

Anyway, I was really glad that I was able to get autographs. When I walked up to Sayaka, she looked me right in my eyes and said "Hello!" The feeling was unimaginable. Even though we weren't aloud to shake the girls' hands, I was able to shake Sayaka and Rie's hand. I was using a lot of Japanese and every one of the 8 members were impressed. One of the ladies who I got interviewed by even walked up to me saying I don't need to use it

When I got up to Reinya, she asked me who my favorite member is. I told her in Japanese that I didn't want to say her name (Ono Erena is my favorite). After that her voice got so high pitch asking me why I won't tell her. It was such an honor being able to meet them and I hope to see them again soon.

[TomoTomo]

Is there no Reinyan fan but me? :[
I wanted to meet her so bad and tell her that I supported her cause I knew she probably wouldn't have fans judging by the NYAF last year.

._.;;

I at least got my presents to her. *whew*

[jellymomo]

OH MY F. AX was soo epic

They're alll sooo cute in person!!!!!!! AHHH!!

My GF was in a wheelchair(from a recent knee surgery) so we got to go straight in front of the line for both autograph sessions and for the QnA they let us in with the press/staff. We were just sitting there when they walked into the hall at the QnA as they passed right by us (seriously like 2 feet away) and ALL of them looked at us and said good morning. They all pointed at hadripan's (the GF) knee and made gestures letting us know they remember us from the autograph session.

I think I became a HUGE fan of sasshi after these event. We told her that we love Itoshiki no Natasha and she started singing it for us!! Then we told her that we were chanting the mixes at the concert and she did the mixes with her hand in that WOTA MIX gesture LOL (Tiger Fire Kasentobijokyo and all). She even told us to come again and see her again in Japan

Kitarie was SUPER nice, Reina was really sweet (and super cute), man, overall they were all awesome.

As for the concert I only have one real comment.

BIRD

(and that I think we scared the people sitting in front of us with our chants)

I'm still overwhelmed from everything that's happened.

Thanks to all the Stage48 ppl for making this experience so memorable

and I think someone already mentioned this, but Gid, seriously, you're my new hero

[MaikuBano]

Oh, so that was you!

I'm glad that you enjoyed it. I was surprised by the amount of people I was interviewed by. It was only 3 people, but still

[gai]

Is there a booth in the exhibition hall selling AKB48 goods or anything (other than Kinokuniya)? I haven't seen any and I'd love to buy some stuff.

[MaikuBano]

There is one that's selling all AKB's song from OD to PTS. PB as well. I can't remember where it is exactly thought...

[sangackt]

Is there no Reinyan fan but me? :[
I wanted to meet her so bad and tell her that I supported her cause I knew she probably wouldn't have fans judging by the NYAF last year.

._.;;

I at least got my presents to her. *whew*

Awesome, glad to hear you got your presents to her. Did you get her Tweety stuff? I just read her blog. She mentioned she heard a lot of people call out her name "Reinyan!" and she was happy. And she was happy to get to talk with people at the autograph session. Also she roomed with Aamin while staying here.

Aamin didn't really give her impressions of the concert (not sure if she will later). But she updated today, they were going sight-seeing it seems.

[Carl Smoky]

There's nothing like having your hopes dashed not once, but twice in two days. I missed out on both autograph sessions by just a few people. I was third from the door when they closed it yesterday and was 6th or 7th when they cut off the line today. It really sucked getting so close to the girls, thinking about what I was going to say to them and what-not, only to hear the words, "These are the last people getting in. Sorry." I really wanted to talk to Mocchi about Kobashi Kenta, too .Oh, well. At least I got to see them up close today. Congrats to everyone who was able to meet them.

Besides that, though, everything was awesome. I mostly follow the group through their TV shows and don't really know that many of their songs outside of the singles, but that might all change after seeing the concert. I was towards the back of the orchestra seating or whatever it was called and it was awesome to see everyone in that area doing the chants and cheering so hard for the girls. The star of the show for me was Yuko. Any time I looked at her it seemed like she was looking right back at me. I don't know if it's some trick she knows or if she was actually looking at me, but she was the only one I noticed that happening with and I can see how she got first place in the senbatsu now. Sasshi ruled the panel though. Seeing her so happy and excited when responding to the people's questions was really cool and she definitely moved up my list of favorites.

I didn't get too much of a chance to talk to the forum members too much, but the ones I met seemed really cool. It's not too often I get to hang out in a huge group of people who even know who AKB48 is, let alone love them as much as everyone here did. It was a great experience and I hope to see some of you the next time AKB48 does a show in the US or whenever I finally finish school and move to Japan, which ever comes first.

[MecchaMelon]

I still can't believe it's all over now. * A* It all went by so, so fast.

I'm working on a big detailed write-up because there's just so much to say... KoopaCandy/Caity and I were incredibly lucky to get to do everything we did this weekend (meet and greet, both autograph sessions) and I'm still just... reeling from how lucky I was to get the interactions with Sayaka that I did. Seriously treasuring every moment I had with her, but I'll save all that for the Sayaka thread. >_>;;

I also want to sincerely apologize to everybody who didn't manage to make it to autographs, or didn't get to meet their oshimen, and everything like that. I hope this write-up doesn't bum anybody out, I only want to share experiences, not brag or anything like that. .___.;; The past few days have shown me that stage48 is an incredibly supportive, positive place filled with people who've really got each others' backs, so consider this me giving you a giant hug. ._. I'm convinced there will be a next time, so stay positive! As for this time...

The meet and greet introduced us to girls that we didn't know a ton about (except Sayaka, obv) and just... every one of them was wonderful. Particular love for Akicha Aamin and of course Sasshi but every girl we talked to was so, so sweet.

The red carpet event was AWESOME, the girls that noticed our fuku (Caity and I made the outfits they wore at NYAF) seemed to really like them (reason #394 we wish we'd been able to meet everybody...) and it was so fun to take pictures. Opening ceremonies were worth it just for them. ;3

And the concert... I still don't know how we pulled it off, but I don't think I'll ever have seats that good for anything ever again. * A* Not that we were ever sitting... or ever doing ANYTHING but dancing because there were friggin' Japanese press cameras on us the entire concert (it got really distracting and frustrating.. watch the girls, not us, dammit ) but dancing for the whole concert in three inch heels was absolutely worth it...

...Especially when almost every girl at the autograph signing later said they saw us in the front row. * A*;;;;; Our fuku went over really well with them, too.

The panel this morning was... interesting, but I think all of us could have dealt with a little less producer talk and a whole lot more feedback from the girls. (But it was definitely worth it for a wave and a few smiles from a certain oshi. )

And then the Running of the Wota... what a spectacle it must've been for bystanders! So, so fortunate to have gotten to do autographs a second time... and particularly glad Sayaka was last in line this time. A bunch of Japanese press stopped me and Caity as we were signing with Akicha and Sayaka and took a TON of pictures... Expo staff even yelled at them, asking them to be "considerate press" because it was holding up the line... but oh my god, four-shots with them? * A* Really glad one of the ladies from Nikkan Sports gave me her business card after that, she said if I email her she'll send the picture. Can't wait to see that, skjdfskldjsl.

Speaking of press, Caity and I sort of... attracted way more attention than we wanted/deserved because of our brightly colored hair and the costumes that we made. Seriously lost count of how many interviews. = A=;; They were fun for a bit but definitely got old... the only exception was right after the concert, on our way out when we stopped to finally take off our painful shoes, and we look up and Kondo Sayaka was just... right there, wanting to ask us more questions. That one was fine.

Ah, and then after the last autograph session ended... I'm glad several of us milled around even though AX staff kept trying to swat us away, because getting to say and wave goodbye to everyone (as they peeked back through the curtains and waved to us too) was absolutely worth it. Highlight for me was blowing a kiss to Sayaka and her blowing one back, as anyone who saw me fighting tears for like 10 minutes after that well knows.

There was also the charter bus that pulled around a corner we were standing on this afternoon... as we strained to see who was inside, the back corner of the bus started waving like crazy and we all waved back and ran next to the bus for a bit... I'm CONVINCED it was them, there's just no way it couldn't have been! The rest of the buses (there were several, bringing Sophia fans to the separate building of the JW Mariott for a play I guess band members were in or something?) were all very well-dressed, fashionable Japanese girls, but I feel like... it would be really culturally uncharacteristic for a whole bunch of girls to wave like that at complete strangers. As far as I'm concerned, it must've been our girls!

Anyway, I'm sad it's over, but I really want to thank all you wonderful stage48 people for making this adventure so worth it. It absolutely wouldn't have been the same without you, your company, your help and your friendship. I'm sure I'll see at least a few of you tomorrow (at the Little Tokyo thing... check the other AX thread if you need info!) but since I'm being mushy I needed to mush about all you guys too.

...Wow, my brief report turned out to be not brief at all, sorry about that!

(...btw, I'm Liz/purple hair. If anyone actually managed to tell us apart, I applaud you!)

[issa]

Note to self: Dont read any more fan reviews from AX

[delerium]

Some pics...

Chance meeting outside of JW Marriott:


I have a ton of pics from a bunch of the events, but editing them is pain on my tiny netbook... so you'll have to wait.

But as a teaser... here's a few pics from the red carpet event:


Enjoy!

[korp]

Nice meeting some of you this weekend.

Thank you to my Umechan look-a-like for the 2-shot. Sorry, I don't remember your screenname. Please pm me. I believe she said Pan-chan made the costume so mad props to her!

(*runs back to the krack kave*)

[bloggingpig]

http://www.hello-online.org/index.php?s=&showtopic=17329&view=findpost&p=1067338

For completeness for those wanting to read about AKB48 at AX-my cross-link'd post. Mostly a con report, so it'll cover more than just the girls.