If you’ve been following the blog lately, and I know you have, the Miku Comes to Los Angeles article has become inundated with updates, so many that it’s become completely impossible to get any information from it. So here’s a handy guide to the news, events, and guests of AnimeExpo 2011.
The dream team of Toyota Motor Sales, Crypton Future Media, and Sega have launched a campaign to bring Miku to the states. Toyota’s already put out commercials and sent flash mobs throughout New York, and now Miku is coming to AnimeExpo during their 20th Anniversary, The Year of the Fan. Miku has gotten an all new look for the event (as shown above) and for the first time, congoers can get a taste of what Miku looks like in person using the holographic technology used by the Thanks Giving Day concert at Zepp Tokyo, along with the original live band, and even Rin, Len, and Luka will be there. That must be one full plane.
The concert, titled Mikunopolis, has been booked for July 2nd at 8:30 PM at the Nokia Theatre. Within two weeks, the concert was completely sold out, stunning everyone that all 7100 seats were filled. However, only 3500 seats were reserved, the technicians that are bringing the feature didn’t take into account the balcony, as Zepp Tokyo doesn’t have one that worked for them. They’re trying to figure out if attendees would be able to see the stage properly, and if so, more tickets may be made available. Don’t lose hope everyone that didn’t get a ticket, we may still have some for you! The price of tickets is $15 per person, and you must have purchased a convention badge to be able to reserve or attend.
And if you don’t have a ticket, NicoNicoDouga is going to stream it live! The live stream costs 1,500 NicoPoints ($18 US) if you use WebMoney. If you need to learn how to use WebMoney, read this Vocaloidism Thread. The website states that for every online viewing ticket purchased, you will get a gift code to share with someone else, so they can watch the event for free. That’s two live-stream tickets for the price of one! A more accurate translation of the bonus service is pending.
Of course just being there to perform isn’t enough for Miku. She’s AX’s first ever Virtual Guest of Honor, and she’s bringing a ton of friends with her to take in the US air (actually she’s flying Tokyo Air, but whatever). Her “parents,” Crypton CEO Hiroyuki Itoh and Executive Producer Wataru Sasaki are also guests of honor. Toshihiro Fukuoka, Tokyo Kawaii Magazine Editor who gave Miku a huge boost in print media, will be helping MC Danny Choo at all the Vocaloid Panels. She also brought some of the P’s along! sunzriver (“Sakasama Rainbow”), Penguins Project (“Chocolate Train”), and even Onyx Koboyashi (“Saihate”) will be around to sign autographs and take questions. As if that wasn’t enough, the three ZANEEDS were invited too! They’ll be DJing a dance at the convention. Speaking of dancing, you can’t have music without dance, and who better to demonstrate than DANCEROID! Some of the hit Youtube dancing sensation group will be attending and judging contests! If there were a Vocaloid Price is Right, this would be the Good Showcase!
Here’s the list of events, to date, that will be occurring at AX, featuring Miku and her friends, with dates, times, locations, and some of the descriptions straight from the AX Website!
Friday, July 1st
- Miku Keynote (2:45 PM – 3:45 PM) [LACC Petree Hall]
- MikuMikuDance Workshop (5:00 PM – 6:00 PM) [LACC 501] – MikuMikuDance is often used as promotional video clips and short films, and is also becoming “the most used 3D animation tool in the world.” A popular MMD creator will teach you everything you need to know about the program from how to use it and the secret of its popularity.
- All Age Dance (12:00 AM – 1:00 AM) [Club Nokia] {ZANEEDS DJ Set}
Saturday, July 2nd
- Miku Conference (1:30 PM – 2:30 PM) [LACC Petree Hall]
- Vocaloid Cosplay Meetup (1:30 PM) [West Hall] – Unofficial Event made by the cosplayers for the cosplayers. Vocaloidism will have a big presence.
- Mikunopolis (8:30 PM – 10:00 PM) [Nokia Theatre]
Sunday, July 3rd
- The Vocaloid Fan Phenomenon (4:15 PM – 5:15 PM) [LACC 502]
- Mirai No Neiro – The Sound of the Future [LACC Petree Hall] – Watch and discuss Vocaloid (singing synthesizer application software) videos, and listen to a special lecture from one of the creators!
- Part 1: Introducing Promo Videos (5:45 PM – 7:15 PM)
- Part 2: Introducing Vocaloid Producers (7:15 PM – 8:45 PM)
- Miku Dance Competition with DANCEROID (9:00 PM – 10:00 PM) [LACC 515B] – Odottemita (I danced) has become a big hit around the world with the rise of Hatsune Miku. Open to the first 15 group and solo entries—join DANCEROID, the premier group of Odottemita, as they host a dance competition with a Hatsune Miku Nendoroid as the prize! Also featuring a special performance by DANCEROID!
We also get to see a huge batch of official merchandise at the convention. Visit the Exhibition Hall tables #1513, 1515, and 1614 to pick up some of this stuff!
Papercraft Miku Kit, complete with shipping tape. Scissors and real tape not included.
Vocaloid Coasters drawn by Kei. That’s a brand new image of Luka you’re staring at!
Vocaloid Rubber Keychains, comes in Miku, Rin, and Len editions.
Vocaloid Fan for Vocaloid fans, especially made with the Mikunopolis logo. Hey, isn’t that Miyuki Sawashiro modeling the fan? Hmmm….
The Nendoroid Support Miku is back, and GoodSmile will continue to donate for every one purchased. Limited supply. I’m getting two!
When we know more, we will update, but we’re not going to have that huge “update” list like we did before, so check back often. If this article is higher up on the page, then it probably has new info, so take a look! I hope to see everyone at AX! Go Vocaloid!
Sources: Samuel, Lindar, anime-expo.org, mikunopolis.com, animenewsnetwork.com, ASCII Weekly, and many more. Thank you!