New York Comic Con: Day 1! SERIOUS WIN.

[guingel]

GUYS. THAT WAS AWESOME.

SO FUCKING SWEET.

DUDE.

I thought, like, that it was going to be really weird and stressful and disappointing? AND IT WAS SO AWESOME.

Because, you see. . . Katie ran into Sho. And then we stalked him. Not in NYC, that would have been incredible, but at the Con. He was supposed to do a thing for the fans at 2:45 by his booth, but it turns out, before that - filming the Con for News Zero. Katie (my twin sister) found him at 2, I showed up at 2:20, and we followed him til 2:35 or so. Just, like. A couple feet away from him. He was RIGHT THERE. BEING SHO.

We were sort of trying to be subtle, so we would look at whatever part of the Con they were filming at. This involved a lot of moving around and apparently we were in front of the camera a lot. Katie probably has a good chance of being on News Zero if they use any of this footage! I might be too! XD I will be watching the backgrounds very carefully. At one point, I turned around and I was right next to him. I was like "oh, I almost bumped into a guy in a suit - !!!!" ayamachi was more aware of where they were filming and avoided being on camera. XD

Which was also my reaction when I first saw him, "there's a guy in a suit. . ." Then I was like "SHIT THAT'S SHO. HE'S A REAL PERSON. RIGHT OVER THERE. RIIIIIIGHT THERE." He's so, so, so cute!! I found him even better-looking in person. Tinier, though! Maybe it was just being surrounded by Americans. He looked quite skinny, though. And tan. And with fluffy hair. And just adorable!! And hot!! Really good-looking. The theory Katie and I came up with is that on TV, we expect people to be gorgeous, so there's kind of a higher standard? But in real life, people are not supposed to be that attractive!! (except for my friend Stefan) So he looks even better. Really, incredibly cute and also totally hot.

Speaking of the fluffy hair! Before I got there, Katie got to see them fixing Sho up during the filming. XD I repeat: so cute! Not a lot, but they fluffed his hair up (it does take maintenance, apparently!) and touched up his make-up. . . just a tiny bit. XDDDD

He was so goddamn cute. And he was conducting the interviews so seriously, and looking really calm, and amused, and interested. Calm - composed? Katie says he seemed to be somewhat in control, as well - he'd be interested in something, so they'd go over and film it and check it out. Rather than him being managed the whole time. And they'd stop people in costumes. She heard him ask people in English "Who are you dressed as?" I didn't get to hear any English, which is disappointing. One person is more stalking-efficient. She said he would say a couple things to each person in English, at the beginning of the interviews, but then there was also a translator. I think Katie got closest to an interview with a crazy manga fan who didn't know who he was and was really overwhelmed. Partly by the translator, who was apparently quite cute trying to lean in as much as possible and still stay out of the frame. :D Little job skills that we don't notice. Katie said Sho was very good at looking at the person he was interviewing even if it was done through the translator. She also got the impression that he had to think really hard about his English. I'd imagine it's because he learned it well but doesn't get to use it enough to keep it fresh and on the tip of his tongue. It's an effort. I'd imagine he could understand a fair amount of what the people were saying, though, especially if they spoke carefully - understanding is easier than speaking.

So yeah, it seemed that most of the fans didn't realize this was occurring? So there wasn't a huge crowd following them. Just a tiny crowd. And most of them were with News Zero. XD [ames_909 tells me that everyone was waiting in line for tickets at that point. That explains. I'm really glad I didn't want to go to the showing - I predicted that it would just be stressful trying to get tickets, and I didn't want to be running around anyway. I'd made dinner plans, too.]

EDIT: I thought we didn't have any pictures but it turns out ayamachi owns me and totally took one! BEHOLD THE PROXIMITY. Obviously it's phone quality, but it's definitely one of the most clear pictures I've seen, and definitely DEFINITELY one of the most up-close ones. You can see in the foreground the reason there weren't more: the huge bodyguard. XD

Anyway, we got distracted by Neal Adams (more on that later) and lost them but it was about time for him to make his official appearance. So we head towards the Yatterman booth, and indeed, huge crowd of fangirls. We figured we would wait around just in case something happened, but already feeling satisfied at the course of events. And it was pretty hilarious. There was, like. . . the exhibit hall was two stories tall, so there was a room with glass walls overlooking the hall, and it appeared that the expectation was that Sho would appear in that room. So people were waiting there, which was a little ways away from the Yatterman booth - in the Grand Theft Auto booth. We were really amused by all the people walking by thinking this huge group of fangirls were just that pumped about Grand Theft Auto. By the way, I've seen fancams and my memory of the following doesn't necessarily jive with them - I was in just a haze of excitement that. . . yeah. XD

It turns out we have some shame, because we didn't join in any of the chanting of "Sho-kun! Sho-kun!" I mean, we had an image to uphold - I always feel the need to act tough at comic book conventions so people will know I'm a real fan. ;) We did, however, cheer when random staff members entered the glass room - it always caused a little buzz of excitement every time the doors opened and closed. The staff were clearly really amused by the horde of young women as well. Although not taking advantage of the situation to do a silly dance or anything.

So, eventually Sho comes out, still wearing his little News Zero suit and still looking ludicrously adorable in it. God, I can't believe I was just a few feet from him. It felt surreal - the impression is that I've jumped into Japanese TV, rather than feelingn like Japanese TV has jumped into my life (seeing him filming on the Con floor, that is). Anyway, even though he was, you know, much further away and behind a wall, it was still a very fun and satisfying experience, his brief appearance. Cos he was so sort of gobsmacked by the fans, I guess. He was sort of waving and seemed a bit confused - I don't know if it was the weird set-up, or if he wasn't expecting many people (I think it might have actually been less than I was expecting - probably because of the scheduling shenanigans, also I was on the edge of the crowd). [Someone else suggested that he was embarrassed which is exactly it, I think - he was all up behind a glass, we can't hear him, and this huge group of people is gathered just to see him. And it was a really normal room, with a bunch of random Con staff in it, and stuff. So he was sort of. . . pleased that we were there but didn't know what to do with himself?] People sang A.ra.shi (I once again discovered that I'm not completely shameless, and did not join in XD) and he did the "for dream" hand gestures with all of us (those I did do). Seeing him react to the fans was just really cute. He was terribly sweet. He pointed to the Yatterman booth, which happened to be riiiight behind me so I was like "WHAT?" XD And he waved lots. People were shouting something as well. I couldn't make it out, but he put his ear to the glass to try to hear it. Generally he just seemed really pumped. And probably jet lagged.

Additional Sho timing notes: I found out last night that instead of "maybe he'll do the panel, maybe not," they switched things to "not doing the panel, doing an appearance at the booth at 2:45." I was supposed to leave work at 2:30. XD So my boss was totally chill with my just adding an extra half hour of leave time. Things also got weird because I still have to take lunch, even though I was leaving exactly when I would get back from lunch, so I took lunch til 1:30 but I was meeting with my boss til 1 so I sort of flubbed things around. . . the point is I got to the con at 2:20. Way too late if I'd wanted a ticket, again, luckily I wasn't going for that. So, yeah - getting out of work was another thing that could have been stressful and turned out nicely. Half day on Friday is fun. :D

Conclusion: Sho is a muffin and I adore him.

I had no interest in going to the premiere, I don't even know how you were supposed to get tickets, so, yeah.

But I did have a FUCKING AWESOME time at the Con after we all dispersed. (We ran away as soon as it seemed like Sho was leaving so we could put some distance between ourselves and the crowds. If he did something amazing right at the end, I don't know about it.)

I'll put this behind a cut, since I guess less people are interested? I got to meet and talk to and get autographs from some really awesome people, though. So awesome!! Dude. AAAAAAAAH. It was just such a satisfying and positive experience.


So, I mentioned Neal Adams! He's the artist responsible for my icon. He's best known for helping to redefine Batman, to make him cool and dark and tough. He also (with his partner in crime, Denny O'Neil - who also wrote the Batman stuff) is the artist behind the Green Lantern-Green Arrow team-up that kind of made it OK for comic books to be about social issues. So he's a legend. An absolute legend. But beyond that, I also just adore his artwork. I've expanded but for a while he was behind almost all of my comic book icons. XD

So while we're following Sho around, I look up and see a huge booth that says "NEAL ADAMS" in huge letters. We go over and there he is! And he's adorable!! A sweet, chubby, smiley middle aged man in a big squishy sweater, sitting and sketching and chatting with fans. We're sort of hanging around and I see there's a table that says all the trades (trade paperbacks, or collections of comics) on it are $10, and they had a collection of "The Brave and the Bold" - a comic that had a different hero teaming up with Batman each issue. I love it a lot, so I was pumped - it's a great price. And the woman who sold it to me asked if I wanted it signed. HELLS YEAH. She asked if I wanted it personalized, I thought it was a trick question. So she brings it to Neal and tells him my name - I'm basically right next to Neal anyway, except this big guy was standing right in front of him. So I'm sort of peeking around and when Neal finishes he's like "Are you Laura?" and I was like ":DDDDD" and he was like "Be careful so you don't smudge it!" cos he signed on the cover. And I was like "I will treasure it!!" And I'm beaming, and Katie is standing behind me beaming, and so Neal Adams was like "You have a really nice smile! Both of you!" And I was like ":DDD We're twins!"

YAAAAAAAAAAAAAY! He was so nice and so awesome and I have a copy of the Brave and the Bold signed by him! I love him so much!! ::swoons::

OK, so after we finish with the Sho-ness, we start working the floor. We head over the autograph area to see if anyone interesting was there. One of the names was Peter Mayhew, which sounded really familiar but we couldn't place it. Well, he played Chewbacca!! AWESOME. He had a short line, too, so we went over and Katie bought a picture of him with Han and Luke and Leia, and he autographed it for us, and was soooooo nice and so chill. We were really confused because some of the autograph places were weird so we were all awkward and he was really nice. Big guy, obviously - although skinny, now. Lots of hair, hat. HUGE HANDS. HIS HANDS. DUDE. THEY WERE THE SIZE OF SHO. I couldn't stop staring at them as he signed. So awesome. (The lack of a camera was disappointing here - the staff person who was with him asked if we wanted a picture with him, which I totally would have. Damnation! Basically I just really wanted this guy to feel loved and admired, somehow. Cos he's so legend and he just seemed so cool, he deserved to be showered with adoration!)

At some point we went over to where all the people selling back issues set up, and went to the discounty ones. I've been trying for years and years to find some Robin back issues, Robin III, the Chuck Dixon run. And I was SO DAMN SUCCESSFUL! Jesus, it was awesome. I found everything. And all for either $1 each or 2 for $1!! I didn't get any of the issues with Spoiler, which is good - saved me a lot of money. But I got a bunch that I've really, really been wanting. So happy! I almost bought them on ebay. XD I also got a bunch of Justice League America comics by Keith Giffen - with Blue Beetle and Booster Gold and all that. They seem really fun.

Things not bought (yet) - a Central City Track t-shirt. :D Central City is the home of the Flash - Barry-Flash, my favorite comic book character. I think I'm going to get it on Sunday. We also didn't buy HUGE SQUISHY ROUND TOYS. Katie almost bought the chicken. But it was $40. We were saying if she'd gotten it, she could have jumped into all the photos people were taking (a lot) with her huge round chicken.

Next phase of the adventure: Penny Arcade! I'm being pretty chill with my chronology - Sho was first, then Neal Adams, then more Sho - the rest of it I don't know. I was kind of shaking with excitement the whole time. It was too much. XD Talking to strangers, especially strangers that I'm a HUGE FAN OF is really scary. Katie kept telling me to just talk to artists that I like, like Zander Cannon and Peter Gross, but I couldn't do it.

Speaking of which, Penny Arcade. We'd passed the booth earlier and ogled Tycho and Gabe, who are also adorable in person (turns out, everyone's adorable). Well, I knew what they look like so it wasn't a shock but still. Also I think I've seen them in person at San Diego Comic Con so. But still! Cute! Anyway, earlier the booth was really crowded, but when we passed it later, there was almost no line! So I bought their fourth book (i'd just bought the fifth at Borders the other day XD) to get them to sign. But I couldn't think of anything to say and they were nice, but just sort of signing it and I was like "okay!" Of course they were waiting for me to say something but I was too shy and it made the whole thing weird. So I was feeling sort of "daggit" about that, and I was like "maybe I should just stop by later if there's no line and say 'hey, I couldn't say this before but I love your comic.'"

But then! Luckily! ayamachi was on the phone and it turned out a friend of a friend of a friend wanted something signed by Gabe and Tycho. A person named Cory. Or Corey. So we're like, "What the heck!" But they didn't want to buy anything, so I pulled the cardboard backing out of one of my new comics, the white paper that they put in the little bags? And I was like ". . . Will you guys sign something that hasn't been just purchased?" Some people get really weird about signing - you have to pay, or you have to pay if you haven't bought anything, or whatever. But they were totally chill and really sweet. They said they'd sign anything that didn't bite or sting. XD So we were like "Great! Sign this blank piece of paper to a person we don't know and whose name we can't spell!" They were like "XDD Okay?" I think I said "I've been told to get you to sign something for Corey but I don't know them!" So Gabe wrote "For Cory?" and did a quick sketch and Tycho added "(maybe?)" underneath. XD

And when we popped back over, they were like "You're back!" and I got to explain the mission and say I was glad I got to come back because I felt bad that I hadn't told them how awesome the comic was before. And I told them I'd just bought their fifth book the other day so I got two autographs and two books, cosmic balance is maintained.

Anyway, so that made the only unsatisfying experience to be even more awesome and entertaining and fun and memorable than it would have been!

We wandered around Artist Alley looking for people, and Peter David (who is not an artist!) had a booth but wasn't there. He's supposed to be there on Sunday. :DDDDDD YES. DUDE. I AM BRINGING YOUNG JUSTICE WITH ME. SO EXCITED! It's my favorite comic book! No Darwyn Cooke, which is probably for the best. I might have died from too much nervous excitement.

By the way, Katie and I dragged ayamachi around for all of this, so I want to say sorry. . . it was a horrible double whammy of "twin world" and "comic book world" which are both things that cause us to be completely incomprehensible. Sorry! You are awesome for putting up with us! :D Thanks for hanging out!!

So!! One more "famous person that I adore run-in moment!" I really can't take many more of these, I was shaking! But as we were walking back through the floor, sort of on our way out, sort of to ponder the Central City Track shirt again, we saw. . . Terry Moore! I knew he was going to be there but he was randomly with the Graffiti Designs booth (I guess they do sell a lot of Strangers in Paradise shirts! And the Central City one, btw). So it was really just. . . if I didn't know what Terry Moore looked like, we wouldn't have gone over. XD But I was like ". . . That's. That's Terry Moore." And he's incredibly non-threatening, so him I did manage to go up and talk to without the pretext of an autograph. We didn't buy anything. We just said we loved his work, and he shook our hands. And I talked to him about how I'm behind on Echo because my dad is buying it and I wait til I go home to read it (I know, not a great idea to tell the creator you're skimping on his work). And then we talked about how much we love SiP and his art, and about how he'd done it for 13-14 years and it was time to move on, and how we're glad to see an ending for the characters but sad to see it end. But excited to see him doing something new! And he was saying that he didn't want to keep the characters going forever, it'd be like Blondie (the syndicated newspaper comic strip). So we were joking that it'd be so weird if one day the fourth panel was just "The End."

So that was also really, really amazing. I was wishing I could have been more witty and charming, but I wasn't too weird and awkward, so I will settle for that. And he's just adorable. I know I've been saying that about everyone but he's even cuter than Neal Adams! He has this adorable little smile and he was sooooo sweet! So cute! He was adorable at San Diego as well. :D SO CUTE.

AAAAAAUGH EVERYONE IS CUTE AND AWESOME. And I saw and met and spoke to so many amazing people! And didn't make a complete fool of myself! I was shaking with excitement. XD Sho was amazing and exciting and, well. . . Katie and I realized - it was just doki doki! That's what it felt like, to be so close to him and see him in person. And surreal. And then to go up and speak to so many people that I really, really admire. Peter Mayhew was a bit of an opportunistic thing, although I do adore Star Wars and Chewie and think he's awesome. But Neal Adams really is one of my all-time favorite artists, Penny Arcade really is one of my all-time favorite webcomics, and Terry Moore really is one of my all-time favorite authors (and artists!!). So it was just incredible, and really overwhelming, to get to speak to all of them. Major, major bonus of the small size of the NYCC - people are more accessible and I'm less intimidated by lines, etc!! Normally I hate speaking to celebrities so it was even more "!!!!!!!!!!" than you might think, even. XD

I'm still reeling about the whole thing! :D :D :D SO AWESOME.

Comments

[ayamachi.livejournal.com]

Hahah, don't apologize, it was totally fun! Otherwise I would have wandered around not knowing what to do. XD I can't believe we saw Shoooosdjhfds!

I hope you have as much fun on Sunday!

[guingel.livejournal.com]

: DDDDD

WOOOOOOO!!!

SO CRAZY!!

No matter what happens on Sunday, even if we show up and the place is all filled with Marvel people, it'll see be an awesome Con. :D

[guiltyschu.livejournal.com]

This entry is all so cute. Chewbacca! ♥ Also, Sho! I wish I could've been there! Last week some of my new co-workers (all of whom are wonderful super geeks, it's great) were lamenting how they wanted to go to New York Comic Con and couldn't because er, we're obviously in Australia. XD; And I nearly piped in and said, "I want to go too so I can lurk in the shadows and peer at Sakurai Sho from around corners!" and only just managed to hold myself back, because it would've just been too hard to explain. XD

But I really noticed the same thing as you when I went to all the JE concerts in Japan, how they're all really gorgeous in real life. I expected the same as you, that they'd be good looking but not TV-touched, you know, but they were all more amazing looking! And so tiny, lol, they don't just look tiny because they're standing next to gaijin. The person that sort of simultaneously impressed and terrified me the most was Kame. He's so tiny and wee! Ryo too. XD I could put them both in my handbag and take them home, lol.

[guingel.livejournal.com]

Hahahahaa, yeah, I've been having a really hard time telling co-workers why I'm going. XD Luckily one of my co-workers is a big comics fan so we were talking about that, and he'd actually heard of Takashi Miike before? But I know that even if I'm vague, as soon as I say "Japanese actor" they aren't thinking "She likes foreign films," they're thinking "She's one of those anime people" - which I am not. XD Of course, if I'd been going to stalk an American boyband person/actor it would have been just as embarrassing. XD

Ahhh, I was wondering if they would have the same effect at concerts! Because it's more of an idol-y situation. Good to hear that they're stunningly attractive no matter what. ;) (You should have nabbed Ryo. I bet he'd like Australia.)

[ohmiya-sg.livejournal.com]

Oooooooooh! :O Your Friday was so much more awesome than mine was. Actually meeting someone I watch videos of on the internet is just...wow. O.O

[guingel.livejournal.com]

:DDDD It was so odd! I was like "This isn't the internet, right? It's real life? I'm really right here. . . so why is Sho right there!!?!? Does not compute!"

[sarah-p.livejournal.com]

I can't believe who is going to BE there this weekend. Are you going to EVERYTHING? Because...JOSS WHEDON! And I think Jared Padalecki is going to be there tomorrow (and I ENJOY him). And, just, MAN, KEEP THE UPDATES COMING. :)

[guingel.livejournal.com]

I can't see Joss Whedon because they put EVERY SINGLE good panel at the same fucking time. Luckily I had such a good time on the Con floor, because literally every panel I want to go to is between 12:15 and 1:45 - four different panels! So in the whole Con, I'm only going to 1 panel. It's incredibly irritating, but on the other hand I've already gotten such a good experience out of it so I can't really complain.

[kegom.livejournal.com]

THIS IS SO COOL! *_______*


Not only that you saw Sho so much (I'm starting to suspect Katie has a radar in her - you might want to check that out and take advantage of it ;P), but also that you saw so many artists that you knew and liked! *______________*


I'd have loved to have watched the News Zero taping too - I love watching the proceedings behind the cameras. ^-^ And it's nice that the fangirls showing up at the booth at least got to see Sho, even if they couldn't get close to him. ^-^

And I'm kind of amused that everyone whose account I've read so far and who mentioned his height was kind of like "he's gorgeous and tiny". XD Though it truly makes me wonder what people would think about Ohno in such a situation, because obviously he's kind of small, but then we expect him to be small...


Also, I don't know half of the artists you wrote about, but they sound absolutely AWESOME! *____*

And I can just imagine how I'd feel in a situation like that - like, getting to see and talk to all of my favourite fantasy writers. I'm pretty sure I'd end the day in a daze, smiling stupidly the whole time. ^-^


I'm really glad you had such good experiences! Especially since there weren't any other boothes that you wanted to visit on Friday, so your experience must have been about 90% better than you'd expected it to be! &hearts

[guingel.livejournal.com]

Hahaha, wait, what else has Katie done to indicate the presence of a radar?

Yeah, after the initial shock wore off (slightly) Katie and I were like "Oh, dude, we're seeing a Japanese film crew at work!" We're always really impressed by the cameramen, because a lot of shows involve them following a lot of running around and filming in crazy locations and stuff like that. So we were like "we must learn their secrets!" But yeah, also just finding out how big of an entourage he had (10 or so people? There was the occasional blurring between fan and staff XD) and stuff like that.

I've been reading other accounts and I'm afraid they've been making me feel so smug! That we got to have this really special experience and see him up close for so long. It also makes me feel really undeserving because neither of us spent much money or time or really went out of our way that much to be there, and we got so much more than the people who really traveled. >.>

It wasn't that there weren't booths I wanted to visit - there weren't panels. Panels are organized talks, etc, that happen in separate rooms. Booths are on what I've been calling the Con floor or the exhibition floor. I knew there'd be stuff out there that I wanted to check out! It was better than I expected, though. :D I didn't predict a huge Neal Adams booth! (makes up for the fact that I have to miss his panel. >.<)

[kegom.livejournal.com]

Not much, really, just that she found Sho, so perhaps she might be good at finding other celebrities as well? XD (I had a friend who actually had an ability like that - not so much celebrities, but she always seemed to be able to find people someone else was looking for. ^-^)


I know exactly what you mean with "we must learn their secrets!" *___* I seriously find the whole crews around the stars even more interesting than the stars themselves (actually, when we were children, all the other girls always wanted to be movie stars, but my best friend and I always wanted to be cameramen, because we thought that that would be more interesting). ^-^ So I think I'd have followed that crew not only for Sho, but also for the whole "getting to see a camera team in action" thing.

And the entourage around a star is really amazing, isn't it? It always surprises me just how many people you need for filming!


I've been reading other accounts and I'm afraid they've been making me feel so smug!

Ahahaha, oh, Laura! XD But don't worry, there's another fan who even got interviewed by him, so you won't get the full blast of envious fans. ;P (Only kidding - I'm really surprised just how positive all fans who commented on the various reports about Comic Con have been. ^-^)



Ah, OK, I got that confused! That's still sad that you can't visit all the panels you want to go to - but maybe the people speaking will be at different booths (I'm learning! ;P) later on and you'll get a chance to speak to them too? Or you and Katie can go to different panels and take secret little cameras with you to film the panel you're attending? (Btw, whose panel will you go to?)

[kegom.livejournal.com]

I really wonder whether the Tom Hanks thing might not have had something to do with my comment? Because, while I definitely didn't remember it while writing, now that you mention it I do remember talking with you about it once and when I was writing that comment I did have a feeling of "Katie is good at this", even though I couldn't explain why I thought that at that moment.



Being on the staff of such a TV show must be really cool! I mean, yeah, lots of work, not as secure a job as other people might have, but - you're part of what makes that show tick! And the show might need its celebrity figurehead, but without you and the other guys (and girls), the whole thing would fall down!

You know what kind of job I would have absolutely loved to have done? (If I'd been a professional in that field, I mean.)

Being one of the crew of the "Lady Washington", when she became the "Interceptor" in Pirates of the Caribbean. *___*

(In case you don't remember/haven't seen the movie - the "Interceptor" is a beautiful ship and was "played" by a ship called the "Lady Washington".)


In the specials to the DVD of the first movie there's a "diary of a ship", where you can see how they got the Lady Washington into the Caribbean, which was to sail her down from California, along the coasts of South America, through the Panama Canal and finally towards one of the Caribbean islands. The whole journey (which took place before the movie even started shooting) took 40 days, the crew was on that ship at Christmas and they didn't really have a lot of comforts there or anything - but the idea of being part of that movie by sailing one of the most important ships (and the only "real" sailing ship) to the location, and then afterwards being on that ship while film shooting is occurring, seeing the stars at work while I do my own work as a part of the crew... that appeals to me so, so much. *______________*

(And the fact that I like sailing doesn't help, of course. ^^")


And yes, I can really understand how the fact that you know that show would make it even better to watch its proceedings! ^-^


I'm really glad you got that experience! And about that being more of a missed opportunity for everyone else - you know, I didn't even think about it that way, but you're absolutely right. I've read a lot of the reports and there have been a few that mentioned disappointed faces and stuff and - yes, I can imagine people being bitter if they realized that, if they'd only wandered around instead of hoping for tickets that they ultimately didn't get, they'd have had a chance to see him closely. :(

I initially had wondered why you hadn't linked to this, because it's so interesting to read, but now I realize that you just have a lot more tact than I have, Laura. &hearts
(Btw, you know I think you're awesome, right? I don't think I mention that often enough, but you are. ^-^)



One potential side effect of JE starting to officially spread to America, like everyone wants, is that they might get more on the ball about the level of internet activity and sharing in the english-speaking world. Right now, we're completely under the radar.

I've been thinking about that too, whenever I heard people expressing their desire for Arashi to come to America, and I've now decided that in the case that happens, Arashi fans will just have to learn to lie convincingly, preferably in the manner that romantic novelists (including Jane Austen) used for some of their characters: Invent a rich uncle who conveniently left you all his fortune, if you want to be part of the high society.

Or, in our case: Invent a good friend in Japan who is an absolute Arashi fan and who told you about them and sent you CDs and concert DVDs and talked about their TV shows until you could picture it in your head (and you might even be allowed to mention a bit of You-Tubing, since everything and everyone is on YouTube). XD



Oh, Green Lantern! I don't know much about the character, only the bits that a friend (who's a huge Batman fan) told me about - still, I think it must be really interesting to talk with the people who actually designed the comics, to hear what they thought when creating a certain scene or character!

I hope the panel will be enlightening and fulfilling! &hearts

[guingel.livejournal.com]

Ahh, perhaps that's it! That was a weird day, running into Tom Hanks. XD We were just saying he's really tall - the opposite effect from with Sho, he seemed taller in real life than he looked on TV.

Yeah, I wonder. . . I think ultimately being a staff on a TV show would be too high pressure for me. I guess it depends on how responsible a position I'd have, but. . . on a TV show you can't say "it doesn't matter, no one will notice." People will notice! Of course, I can't do that at my job either. XD

Your idea of working on something that becomes involved in the making of a movie or TV show sounds like a lot more fun! I love that sort of special feature!! :DDD I love special features in general - because I love all the behind the scenes stuff, as we've been saying. But I'm definitely more interested in stuff that takes place during the filming, rather than the pre-production stuff.

So yeah, that sounds awesome! Not that I sail. You sail? That's so cool!


Nooo, I'm really not that awesome. XD Actually, I'm so not awesome that I'm editing my comment because it was impolitic.

But yeah - I don't mind if people read it, and if you know anyone that you think might be interested, feel free to link them here, but I guess I'm not going to advertise it. Even though I'm thinking "We're so cool! We got to see so much more Sho!" Maybe when emotions aren't running so high about the whole thing?

preferably in the manner that romantic novelists (including Jane Austen) used for some of their characters

Hahaahahaaaa! Excellent idea! We should all coordinate our stories beforehand, as well. XD

talked about their TV shows until you could picture it in your head

XDDD Of course!! lol. That is an awesome suggestion. I was thinking "dramas and concerts are on DVD but man, I'm really into the variety shows, how do I explain that??" Of course, a friend reenacting A no Arashi experiments for me!

I realized I actually did find them through youtube. Someone linked to the Kitto Daijoubu PV and i thought it was fantastic. XD So I guess I have a good, and legal-safe story - since, yeah, they'll know things are on youtube already.


Yeah, I really like comic book history and it's great to get to hear things from the people who made it. Although we know of Len Wein from a fans vs. creators trivia contest? And he was always joking that he shouldn't be called upon to remember anything that he'd written. . . which was a lot!! (He invented the character of Wolverine, actually!)

[tinybluemarble.livejournal.com]

Though it truly makes me wonder what people would think about Ohno in such a situation, because obviously he's kind of small, but then we expect him to be small...

Hello, excuse the cutting in, but I had to comment about this. Okay, so I'm about 5'5 and I don't know if it was the fact Ohno was in a suit and wearing his black dress shoes or not, but I was actually standing next to him as he was working (as in two feet away) and he looked to be about the same size as me (I was wearing flip-flops). Yes, this was at a Maou filming.

And to the author of this journal, that is a pretty rad experience that you had! Way totally awesome. :) I definitely would've wanted to do what you did, too. I want to "meet" Sho!

But either way, I felt the same when I first saw Ohno. And my boyfriend who was with me at the filming saw him and was like, "o__o He's REAL!" Though we had seen them in concert before that. Haha...

[guingel.livejournal.com]

5'5" is always what I've thought Ohno to be. That would still be quite tiny! I just don't expect celebrities to be that small, apparently?

That is totally awesome that you got to go to a Maou filming, though! Dude! I was excited to get to see what goes into a location shoot, but seeing what goes into a drama must be amazing as well!

They're just so. . . idol-like, I guess? That it seems so, so odd to see them in real life, out of context. Immediately after, I could barely conjure the image of Sho in my head, it seemed so odd to see him right in front of me.

[fuunsaiki.livejournal.com]

It feels like everyone I know is at the con this weekend. I feel sooo left out! I'm glad it's awesome for you though. :D Also, you're the only person I've ever come across who's reported on a positive Peter Mayhew experience! Readers of Toy Fare never prove so lucky. O_O

[guingel.livejournal.com]

Really? What did other people say about Peter Mayhew? He wasn't warm and bubbly but he seemed really relaxed and was quite accommodating!

[fuunsaiki.livejournal.com]

Perhaps he can smell Toy Fare readers a mile off and is therefore immune to their dubious charms, but reports (dredged up from my memory, by no means accurate or reliable) suggest he charges extra for photos, doesn't care if he gets your name wrong, and would rather be somewhere else. Like I said, by no means accurate or reliable, it just makes it a bit of a surprise that you found him awesome. :3

[guingel.livejournal.com]

Ah, yes, that may be the case - he was really pleasant and nice, though, so I interpreted his attitude as just being really laid back and a bit out of it. A bit weird in general as well. XD (He did charge quite a bit but. . . oh well!) So yeah, because I had a positive experience, I just put a positive spin on the whole thing.

[aello-lime.livejournal.com]

That sounds very exciting. I'm glad everyone had a good time. I feel rather spoiled being here in Japan so it's nice to see fans in America getting some contact.

Ah, my best friend works at the Penny Arcade Expo every year.

I become so awkward when I get autographs! And no matter how much I tell myself, "they have to sign thousands, I'm just another fan," I always get a little disappointed when they don't even look up.

And the Tom Hanks conversation above reminded me - my mother and I once saw John Travolta filming, and her reaction was, "He looks so short in real life!" It's become a running joke in our family - "How big is the Christmas tree this year? Well, it's taller than Travolta."

[guingel.livejournal.com]

I actually don't know if everyone had a good time. . . I've been reading other people's reports and we definitely got the lion's share of Sho exposure. But. . . we definitely had a good time! An amazing time!

That is awesome about your friend. I wouldn't go to PAX because I don't game. XD But that didn't come up here! Although I'm sure we're not the only non-gamers who read their comic. They are just funny!

Oh my god, yes, I usually hate getting autographs. It's so stressful. And like. . . I guess I feel like it's hard to choose what to say. You're getting your autograph, so they know you're a fan. Saying your a fan sounds inane? Unless it's, like. . . your favorite or you have something specific to say about it. But then I want to be careful that I'm actually saying something that would be meaningful for them, that would make them feel good, and not actually be motivated by, like. . . me wanting to make a good impression. Me trying to say something that would sound cool. Cos that's secretly what we want to do when we get autographs, right? XD ALSO! There's a risk, if you speak more deeply about their work, that you've completely missed the point. I like to feel people out if possible before launching into any specific comments. "I loved Young Justice." then when they say, "Oh, I did too," I can (but I didn't) go into "I thought the art and writing worked well together, I loved the characters, and i loved the way the stories furthered the characters but were still interested and exciting stories." That wasn't a good example, but I know what I mean. XD

THAT SAID! All our autograph experiences were amazing, and it wasn't because I'm so great at getting autographs. Actually, let's think. Neal Adams, Peter David, Todd Nauck, Len Wein, Neal Adams again, and the PA guys. The PA guys waited for us to start the conversation, but were totally friendly afterwards. I think the other four actually all said stuff first. Todd in particular is a standout, when we were shyly standing there trying not to hold him back too much, he took the time to ask our names and everything?

Let's see, in San Diego we got a bunch of BtVS actors to sign stuff, and they were a mix of "sign and move" and "friendly and sweet." I can understand both ways. I think our twin-like beaming put the comics creators at ease? XD

Hahahaha, I love your John Travolta story!

[growsanddies.livejournal.com]

awww your so lucky!!! lol imagen that he was walking around while we were at the booth lol

[guingel.livejournal.com]

He's so sneaky!

[nightofhope.livejournal.com]

You were so lucky you got to stalk him in News Zero mode!
lol I'm a little jealous but I'm totally happy for you, your sister, and your other friends that went with you! lol Thanks for sharing! ^^

[guingel.livejournal.com]

It was fun - it gave me new appreciation for his role as a "serious reporter". ^_^ Hope I was able to convey a bit of what it was like!

[flange5.livejournal.com]

I love this report! Just . . . &hearts

I was all caught up in the Sho thing and thus really missed the con itself and my friend was ill so we never went back on Saturday, but I actually like comics and sci-fi and fantasy, so it really was a loss. My husband and I are talking about going next year maybe . . .

Don't get me wrong--I had a great experience, was lucky enough to see the premiere *shivers thinking of 4 1/2 hours in subfreezing NYC* and would do it all over again. But there was so much other awesome going on I never saw. Thank you for sharing this ^_^ kegom mentioned this report as something I would enjoy, and she's totally right.

Also:

Conclusion: Sho is a muffin and I adore him.

*laughs*

This is so perfect&hearts . . . now I kind of want to make a Sho icon with the word "Muffin" on it ^^"

[guingel.livejournal.com]

Awwww, that's a shame that you missed the Con. It was quite lovely. Although for me it was mostly about meeting people who had tables set up, so I'm not sure if I could give you a good review of the panels and booths. I'd definitely check out the guests, exhibitors, and programming before buying a ticket!

I also found out that the next one isn't going to be until OCTOBER of 2010!! D: Sooooo long. I wonder if they're mostly just trying to keep it spaced out from San Diego and are experimenting with different times? It was April or May last year and Feb this year. . .

Awww, it was soooo cold on Friday! And then Saturday and Sunday were so warm. It's too bad. I felt really bad for everyone waiting outside.

That is so amazing that you got to see the premiere though! Heck, even without Sho, just going to a movie premiere sounds awesome. And then you got to see and stare at him and hear him speak, too! :)

I'm glad you enjoyed the report. :D

now I kind of want to make a Sho icon with the word "Muffin" on it

Hehehehee, you would totally have my blessing to do so. XD I'm glad that phrase seems to be taking hold. ;) It's such a good way to describe him!

[tangerine-fever.livejournal.com]

WOW what at awesome experience! Lucky you :)

I think I can understand what you mean about that whole 'better in real life thing'...I've always had the same notion XD

btw, this is classic:

Conclusion: Sho is a muffin and I adore him.

AMEN TO THAT.

[guingel.livejournal.com]

Yeah, I think I'd gotten sort of used to seeing him, as well, so that how he looks on TV started to seem normal. And then there he was in front of me! Looking both utterly gorgeous and utterly muffintastic. :D

[ringononohara.livejournal.com]

lol! my favourite phrase: Conclusion: Sho is a muffin and I adore him.

hahah.. he is a cute muffin indeed! xD omg, you're sooo lucky!! i'm green with envy. xD thanks for sharing your experience with us. x3

[guingel.livejournal.com]

Haha, thanks! Feel free to steal the phrase. XD Hope you enjoyed the report!

[guingel.livejournal.com]

XDD He was adorably awkward, though!!

I'll probably be walking quickly past in the background of Zero, cracking up. :D

[eyeslikefirefly.livejournal.com]

lol. Finally someone who actually wandered around the rest of the con. If I could have gone I probably would have wandered like you and seen him and actually been more excited about being at COMIC CON. fdljfshg;djf.

I didn't read the rest of your report because I'm reading from a tiny computer screen, but I'm glad you saw more of the con and not just Sho. XD

[guingel.livejournal.com]

Yeah, seeing Sho was pretty spectacular because it was so rare, and so unexpected to see him up close. But I had so many other incredible, amazing experiences meeting people at the Con! It was completely mind-blowing, I got to meet (and actually speak to) so many people whose work I really admire.

And I saw a lot more of it than is even in this report. XD I went back on Sunday and have another entry with an even longer write-up about that!! It was definitely a very full weekend. (Perhaps running into Sho was Comic Con's way of repaying us for lovin' it so hard!)

[I've also been wanting to say this to people except I haven't because it's obnoxious, but I've been reading press and reviews about the Con and NO ONE has mentioned anything about Yatterman, or Sho, or the huge group of fangirls. Everyone seems to have this "oh man, we were such a spectacle! Sho being there and all these fangirls being there was such a big deal!" . . . No. Comics fans have seen your like before.]

[eyeslikefirefly.livejournal.com]

When I have a bigger computer screen again I might have to come back and read your report (it's a 7in screen @_@). Though I will be watching the report from G4's Attack of the Show later. heheh.

I was looking for outside people reporting on them too, just complaining about them even- and there's nothing. I'm actually kind of surprised I haven't read any complaining since they were blocking walkways and booths.. XD;

[guingel.livejournal.com]

Friday was generally not excessively crowded, as a whole, so maybe people just worked around them for the, what 2 hours? They were seriously blocking the Grand Theft Auto area and some sort of Animal Planet thing during the public appearance. . . I can't remember what booths were right near the Nikkatsu one, but it was a bit off to the side.

And there were a lot of distractions that would stop people writing reports from harping on a group of fangirls on the first day!

[eyeslikefirefly.livejournal.com]

Animal Planet had a booth? Does not compute. XD
I would be upset with the fangirls if I were trying to make a beeline to the GTA booth, but other than that.. yeah. I see why they wouldn't have made that much of an impact if it was on the first day, early in the day.

Do you watch G4/Attack of the Show at all? They showed a bit of NYCC and you could see Sho fans in line to get in and you could see the deserted Yatterman booth in the background (I'm pretty sure, I saw a read booth with a big logo in the middle and just a TV screen and table). Hahaha...

[guingel.livejournal.com]

I don't have G4. :( Although I didn't watch Attack of the Show when I did - I just used it for Ninja Warrior. I would totally have tuned into an NYCC report, though!

That sounds like the Yatterman booth. We stopped by on Sunday, it was. . . quiet. Not totally dead, though - I guess some Miike fans were there just before us.

[eyeslikefirefly.livejournal.com]

Ninja Warrior is awesome. XD
Specifically, you could see a girl holding up a sign that said, "Sakurai Sho ga daisuki" in Japanese- if you know that person or saw them. Heheh.

The booth was a little...empty. It sounds like it was just a screen playing the trailer and some flyers? Not really something that would make a lot of people stick around for a long time. Ah well..

[yuniesan.livejournal.com]

I think if you put your fan report and my report together and then add someone who went to the movie we'd have Sho's whole day in New York lol

I love how you added Neal Adams. I used to have a friend (were not in contact anymore) who's Uncle works at DC and I got a tour of DC if you can try and go in that building is freaking awesomeness. Although I'm more of a manga fan but still that building is awesomeness!

[guingel.livejournal.com]

Hahaha, very true! There was a press event early on as well, right? I'm sure I've seen reports of that. What time did you see him?

Someone else saw him in Times Square - I think on Thursday night?

I'm not sure what you mean by "added Neal Adams," but thanks? And oh man, I'm so jealous that you got to get a tour of DC!! I want to so bad! My dad used to be friends with Paul Levitz's cousin, but I don't think they're close anymore. ::sigh::

[yuniesan.livejournal.com]

I was in the convention center @ 11AM the first day and I didn't see him at all then again I wanted all the freebies so I wasn't looking.

Yeah I saw that post too! It's Sho all over NYC

I mean how you added him to your report! I love when people talk about things they like outside of JE. OMG I think you should e-mail them and ask if it's possible. I wish I had my camera that day too.

[guingel.livejournal.com]

Yeah, I know you didn't see him at the con. I was wondering about when you DID see him.

I just don't know why you're saying "added" as if it was an afterthought when more than half of the report is about the rest of the con - NOT Sho. It's. . . really not remarkable for me to talk about things that are not JE. I was at the con for the comic books.