The guests are highly likely to arrive at about the same time as last year’s as well, and if my memory serves correctly, they will arrive about 2 days before the event; they need their rehearsals, no? Also, from last year’s experience, they arrived in the evening, at about 5pm. Do check out on flight arrivals from Changi Airport to get a rough gauge. XD

Last year, Aniki arrived first, followed up by May’n on the following day. Since we have more aristes coming, I’m sure the newer artistes will arrive later than last year’s. Sooooooo here’s the plan:

- They will arrive either via ANA or JAL
- Mostly evening flights (5.30PM to 6.30PM)
- flights throughout 4 days, from 19th to 21st
- Midnight flight is also highly possible (especially for k-on)

At least, that’s my hypothesis. JAL’s at Terminal 1, while ANA’s on Terminal 2. If you see barricades at either terminals being set up, it’s very likely that it’ll be for them (again, experience from last year). \

Happy fangirling/fanboying! XD

-edit-

Next up, are larger pictures of her album covers. =D

Styles [w/ DVD, Limited Edition]
Retail Price : 3200yen
Release Date: 2009/11/25

Styles [Regular Edition]
Retail Price : 2900yen
Release Date: 2009/11/25

Honestly, I love both cover pictures. Pity it wouldn’t release before AFA, or there might be a possibility that it’ll be sold there. @_@ Either way, I WILL GET MY COPYYYYYY *gasps* Do listen to it and tell me how the song goes =D

Aside from the spelling error, the short snippet shows how the last leg of Perfume’s ⊿ tour at Yokohama Arena went. Yes, it’s very much like the one I went at Sapporo, although the only difference was the size.

Here’s an excerpt from the latest post:

Their next live performance announced will be for the Act Against AIDS 2009 benefit concert at the Nippon Budokan on December 1st. This will be their 2nd time joining the AAA “The Variety” concert.

As for releases, their just finished 2009 Tour will be released on DVD will be out on January 13th, 2010! If it seems a bit too long of a wait, don’t fret for the 10/15 Yokohama Arena venue of the tour will be broadcasted on MUSIC ON! TV after X’mas (12/26 ).

I can’t wait for both the broadcast version and the actual DVD. Mmmm more Perfume goodness. That said, I’m still a sucker and pre-ordered my Perfume Livefolio at the local Kinokuniya a week back. D’oh.

For more information, do visit Perfume City’s post.

Some of the key highlights are.

• Cosplay Finalists are selected.

They have narrowed down to 6 groups who will represent their respective countries for title of South-East Asia’s best cosplay group.

For more information :  You can visit  http://www.afa09.com/afa_cosplay_championship_09.html

• AFA09 Merchandise shop

Exclusive merchandise will be available for sale at the AFA09 shop,

They include , Limited Edition K-on! items. “I love Anisong” Concert  T-shirts.

• Exclusive Merchandise

Bandai Asia – Exclusive tamashii nations merchandise these includes

Autumn Limited Chogokin Saint Seiya Be@rbrick, Limited GX 24N Tetsujin 28 Naked Edition. Limited Myth cloth Appendix Gemini Sagao Original Color Edition(Saint Seiya) and many more.

Cospa – Exclusive Aquaplus Fiesta Bag from Aquaplus Fiesta08  .

Incluses a Sasara and Maryan sports towel(To Heart 2), Eruru hand towel (Utawarerumono). Konomi and Tamaki Bathroom poster(To Heart 2) and a Commemoration book!.

Bushiroad – Limited Exclusive goods include Da Caro and Idolm@ster merchandise. AliceCross and Chaos TCG will be launched in Singapore officially.

Takashimya Singapore Limited – There will be products from popular series such as Code Geass, Shakugan no Shana, The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya, Lucky Star, Full Metal Alchemist : Brotherhood, D.Gray Man, Tora Dora and much more.

• Animation Studios

Tatsunoko Productions , Madhouse, Production IG, Imaginary Friends Studios, Stormlion and Egg Storry Creative productions to be there at AFA09

• Launch of New Sanyo Eneloopy kit.

Sanyo will be launching its new ‘Eneloopy’ Battery checker kit during AFA09. It is to celebrate SANYO’s Sales achievement of 100 million cells worldwide.

That more or less wraps up the  Key points of today’s Press conference.

Omake picture of Ume with the Moe Moe Kyun Squad after the jump :)

Omake : Ume got to take the pics with the maids from the Cafe today.

Here is the pic :)

The above picture is a collage of those from her blog over the week after her birthday 8D

May’n had a blast celebrating her 20th birthday on numerous occasions, with great friends, food and loads of caaaaaake. Including Taiyaki ones. lolololol

Next, the tracklist for May’n’s upcoming FULL album on the 25th of November, titled “Styles”. More information below:

『Styles』　
DVD付限定盤　VTZL-11 / ￥3,360(tax in)
通常盤　VTCL-60190 / ￥3,045(tax in)
発売：フライングドッグ　販売：ビクターエンタテインメント

■収録曲■
1.「Get Ready」
作詞：Mike Wyzgowski、Satomi　作曲・編曲：鷺巣詩郎
2.「キミシニタモウコトナカレ」
作詞：岩里祐穂　作曲・編曲：本間昭光
3.「standing bird」
作詞：渡邉睦月　作曲・編曲：鷺巣詩郎
4.「XYZ」
作詞：松尾潔　作曲・編曲：鷺巣詩郎
5.「Let Me Be Myself」
作詞：松尾潔　作曲・編曲：鷺巣詩郎
6.「Deep Breathing」
作詞：岩里祐穂　作曲・編曲：鷺巣詩郎
7.「Welcome To My FanClub’s Night！-Styles ver.- 」
作詞：hal　作曲：菅野 よう子　編曲：Chokkaku、鷺巣詩郎
8.「h@e me？ h@e you！」
作詞：Satomi　作曲・編曲：鷺巣詩郎
9.「パラノイア」
作詞：松尾潔　作曲・編曲：鷺巣詩郎
10.「M-Revolution」
作詞：May’n　作曲・編曲：本間昭光
11.「YOUR ROCK」
作詞・作曲：May’n　編曲：鷺巣詩郎
12.「Heart & Soul」
作詞：Mike Wyzgowski　作曲・編曲：鷺巣詩郎

Other than her own full album, May’n will have a mini-album released under Sheryl Nome, titled “Universal Bunny”, to be released on the same day!

Proposed picture of the CD Jacket

Looks like all May’n/Sheryl Nome fans will be broke this coming end November. ;_; I wonder how would her “Styles” album sound/look like; also, wondering how the “Welcome To My FanClub’s Night！-Styles ver.” would sound like as well. o_o~

Any May’n fan will be exhilarated upon receiving either of the CDs. XD WHERE IS MY MAY’N PHOTOBOOKKKK even Minorin has one. ;_;

From Huke’s blog, pictures of the Black Rock Shooter (and Dead Master-tan :3) plushies, inspired by chanxco’s extremely cute take on BRS/DM. These will not be on sale but will be put up as prizes at game centres sometime this month.

Lots of them.

Also, pictures of the stick poster and sticker set that will go on sale at the Pixiv Market (15th Nov) are up.

Do want.

-Amagi Yukiko cameo in P3P

Only in the female main character’s route, P4 party character Amagi Yukiko will cameo in the PSP remake of P3.

Speaking of which, there are plenty of updates to the P3P Creators Blog, which I will translate and put up within this week.

And more updates after the jump.

-Taiko no Tatsujin 2 for Wii announced

Slimes have appeared.

More reason to buy a Wii (orz)

-Huke drew My Melody

I lol’ed at the Silent Hill comment. Also, Huke signed/doodled on an Xbox360. It’s pretty cute, but not very, uh, Huke.

-Lucky Star Idol Meister Store Specials

Extremely. Cute. (Though Konata as Kud is very strange, I admit)

-Windows 777

Awesome OS by an equally awesome guy. Where do I preorder? lol.

The girls’ management are robbing my bank account! Dammit. Well, I’ve been wanting to join the fanclub anyway, perhaps this will further sweeten the deal? XD

Here’s an excerpt from Perfume City, blogged by Meirin:

“Announced prior at their Osaka leg of the 2009 Tour (image above), Perfume officially announced a special “live house tour” exclusively for their fanclub, PTA. It will take place in Spring of 2010, entitled 『パッと楽しく遊ぼうの会』/”Pa- to Tanoshiku Asobou no Kai”. No specific dates or venues have been announced as of yet, but I’d imagine the venues to be small and intimate, just like the good ol’ days. I’d say, if you have a chance to join PTA, you should do so as soon as possible.”

As I was contemplating on the possibility on attending a Perfume Tour in Spring (adequate time to save up, etc), I felt that a possibility of a Spring Perfume Tour is next to impossible. I do not wish to attend large venues, it brings down the ‘homeliness’ of the ‘live’ event. As such, I was both surprised and delighted that my wish kind of came true. But I got to wonder, if it’s going to be small, how on earth are they going to accommodate all the fans in that particular region? Hmmmm…. we shall see.

I luls at miku’s and AFA-kun’s pose. It’s similar XDXD

First up, additional guests!

K-ON LIVE DUBBING AND Q&A panel
The K-ON Experience @ AFA09!
The voice actresses of K-ON! will make an appearance for the first time overseas at AFA09. The cast will be doing a live dubbing a scene from the animation, in addition to a Question and Answer session on the main stage.

I LOVE ANISONG – HATSUNE MIKU LIVE ON DAY 1!
HATSUNE MIKU X AFA09!
AFA09 I Love Anisong Concert, featuring special guest, The World Most Popular Virtual Idol, Hatsune Miku to perform LIVE in Singapore for its very first overseas appearance.

Next up, ticket pricing!

Normal entrance tickets, for adults and student tickets

Children below the age of 12 enter for free!

Also, cosplayers will get to enter for free as well! But they probably need to pre-register. Also, I believe the ‘adequate’ costumes for free entry pass equate to ‘no super casual wear’ like grabbing clothes from your wardrobe and saying ‘passerby #348234 from so-and-so anime’ or something along that line. Or maybe another cardboard box Gundam. Some people will do whatever it takes to get free stuff, especially Singaporeans 8D (I know I would.)

—–

I LOVE ANISONG concert tickets

Day 1:
Nakagawa Shoko
Hatsune Miku
Mizuki Ichirou

Day 2:
Fukuyama Yoshiki
May’n

WOOOOO 5 artistes for only $188???!?

Anyway, to make it easier to justify the costs as compared to last year, let me do some math for all you lazy otakus =P

$188 = 2 days concert tix + 2 days entry tix ($25)
= $163
$163 divided by 4?
You get about SGD$41 per artiste!

Finally, AFA09 Regional Cosplay Championship call-for-entry extension!

One such entry O_O I believe she cosplayed this during STAC’s EOY 2007 with a few from her group as well. XD (Yes, it’s a she.)

At this point of time, quite a few hardcore quality cosplayers all over South-East Asia has applied to be amongst the top. =D not to mention I checked out on the list, and one of them actually cosplayed for over 10 years O_O!
====

Looks like a fellow otaku whom I know shared some concerns with AFA09.

Here’s a few things that I noticed.
From the organisation point of view, I personally don’t feel that it is the most pleasing choice. Firstly, this country is not Japan. There are still stocks for K701s, the Fenders are still reasonably prices (yet the prices for AFA’s tickets have increased?). Next, most cosplayers here cosplays characters from Shonen manga, such as Naruto and Bleach, yet there are no Nanoha & Fate cosplayers…xD OK, there’s definitely no right and wrong about what characters the cosplayers would like to cosplay, but from here it’s obvious that what part of the ACG lovers in Singapore knows about ACG….
- Perhaps it’s just a difference in opinion? The additional content, from how I see it, doesn’t come from nowhere. Increase in cost will surely mean increase in prices.

Another thing: cosplayers cosplay a variety of anime, and from recent trends, Naruto and Bleach are only one of the many series’ that have been cosplayed locally. How about the many cosplayers who did K-On, Macross Frontier, etc that mirrors the trends in Japan’s cosplayers as well? Furthermore, the bulk of nanoha and fate fans are guys; and thus obviously, they couldn’t cosplay as their favourite characters.

Yet, I know of several friends who dislikes Miku, to the extreme of leaving Animelo on Day 1 because of her performance.
- I’m not one to say, because I find the Miku craze a bit too much too. Yet honestly speaking, I did enjoy the Animelo performance of Miku. If they leave because of Miku, it would be a waste of the ticket, wouldn’t it? Because personally, the rest of the performers after Miku were good (I’m not too keen on Mamoru Miyano and ALI Project, though. But Minorin, May’n and JAM Project sure are)

Following that is with regards to the K-On Seiyuus. With the majority of them being novice seiyuus, even strictly from Singapore’s market response, their significance proofs to be rather tricky to judge.
I believe that Japanese anime viewers have already taken notice that Japan has set its sights on the problem of widespread fansubbng. Wouldn’t this be bringing this problem back into the limelight? Even more so, this time round, the K-On attractions do not require tickets to enter, which I believe will cause big problems.
- Perhaps the Japanese took it the same way as music piracy; expanding to the foreign market rather than succumbing to piracy, they earn their revenue through other means, like figurines. Every artiste and their management who traveled overseas would surely know of that issue by now. They probably don’t really care much about it already; why else would they even want to travel abroad to overseas conventions? XD

Finally, I have to say that this year’s AFA has given me the DAICON vibes. I feel that the entire Event is geared towards a different point of interest and its priorities are no longer focused on the sponsors and booth owners anymore.
- Even though I agree with you about Daicon, but for AFA itself, we won’t know until we experienced AFA09 this year, right?

With such high ticketing cost, I personally feel that it is definitely unfair towards the booth owners inside, especially under the current financial situation
- It’s only SGD$41 per artiste. Sure, nothing about autographs has been communicated, but even with $41, it’s dirt cheap, to put it simply. At most, I just save more. It’s not everyday that Japanese anime artistes come to South-East Asia everyday.

====
Another post about the Asia Animation Conference 2009, or AAC2009 for short, will be up shortly!

Looks like amazon.jp has updated their database and the last disc for Kara no Kyoukai wraps up the 7-DVD plot. You can pre-order now, link on the Japanese text above. Cover looks damn sweet, a must buy for me.

Release date for the DVD is on the 9th of December this year. =D