#ax2018

Ok here is a fan report of my AX2018.

First day in Cybird booth was not as hectic to me as last year’s. Since the freebie postcards were all the same, people weren’t so quick to grab them like last year’s. They actually had enough postcards throughout the whole day, so that was nice and made it less stressful. :3 My friends and I had originally wanted to go to an event first thing, so we just went to Cybird to get the freebies, then went out. I wasn’t planning on buying any merch at this time. 

Later, we returned to the booth to take pictures of the standees, since we weren’t able to earlier. At this time, I had the pleasure and honor to finally meet three lovelies from the fandom: @lustfullyleocrawford, @emigotchi, and @spyroeden. Hiroto-kun was cosplayed as Ikemen Revolution’s Edgar on this day, and since my friends and I had other plans, we skipped out on the kabedon/backhug. 

At around 6pm, we were at the Ikémen Series panel (yes, I researched Beyoncé just to get that é, like Hiroto-kun does lol)! :D It was fun, we all got Ikerev pins upon entry~ I got Luka, and my friend got Blanc. Since she doesn’t play this series (yet), she just gave him to me so YAY! I like them both :D

The panel was fun and interesting. They talked about the history of the company, the timeline of games released, the process of creating the game, and they also answered some questions (from twitter and a few live). It felt like an intimate gathering with lots of jokes and closeness, and I enjoyed the ambiance. We even played a giant game of jankenpon (rock, paper, scissors). 6 winners won Hiroto-kun’s cosplay photos…but like not the flimsy photos, it was maybe an A4-sized…foam board? I would lose the first round tho hahaha. It felt more like a fanmeet than a panel, and I enjoyed that. 

I love all the cosplays I’ve seen for this game. I have seen MC’s from the different series, Hideoyshi, and Masamune. I may have missed a few because I wasn’t there the whole day. It was a chill, first Day. :3

Day 2 was a bit more exhilarating because I mainly stayed in the booth this time around. Got the freebies, took photos per usual, and I actually stayed for the kabedon~! He was dressed as Mitsunari this time and I got excited because I like Mitsunari and I never got to see him cosplay as him in person before :P So my friend and I had lined up excitedly. I met this person who stood in front of me and we gushed about Nobunaga bc he is our main IkeSen bae lol. When the line started moving, I was exchanging LINE chats with Mandi and found out that the three of them didn’t make it to the line before they capped it. O: I felt bad bc well Emi really loves Mitsunari, so I offered to give my spot away for her. They asked the staff if it was fine, so they had me switch out for Emi. I watched in the sideline and recorded her and my friend get their kabedons ehehehe.

Mandi and Spyro suddenly offered me their autograph ticket for Yamada Shiro’s signing, and idk what to say…they said it was because they had an event to go to and didn’t want the ticket to go to waste. I graciously accepted and was screaming internally bc is this instant good karma??? After the kabedon event ended and after a quick rest nearby, I went back to the booth and saw there was a photo-op with Hiroto-kun while he was still in Mitsunari cosplay >w< So I happily went in the short line and got a photo with him ehehehe. Soon after that was the autograph signing and jdnsjfdg I finally get to see the Ikesen artist! She was so cute ;w; There was an interview portion where Hiroto-kun asked her questions about her works, process, tools, and the game, while Yasmin translated it for us. I was proud of myself bc I understood 90% of what was being said in Japanese (which I will regret later**). After Q&A from the audience, it was time for the signing! We got a lot of goodies along with the chance to have a short exchange with Yamada-san. ;w; I was nearly the last person in line and I was just having mini panic attacks because I had no idea what to say or do. 

By the time it was my turn, I was even more flustered because, well…Hiroto-kun is right by your face since he is willing to translate your message for Yamada-san and my brain stopped functioning lmao. I pretty much stuttered out a message, like how I love her character designs, that my favorites are Nobunaga and Ieyasu, and that as an artist myself, I find her an inspiration (which I said twice bc my brain was fried and I’m a very very awkward person).

She asked me if I draw fanart of Nobunaga and Ieyasu, and when I said yes, Hiroto-kun urged me to show her my works. CJSKFKDFB THIS CAME OUT OF NOWHERE AND I WASNT PREPARED AND I PANICKED AS I SCRAMBLED FOR MY pHONE AND I WAS kcjsf SJK. I opened up my tumblr and started madly scrolling down, FEELING HORRIFIED bc I HAVENT DRAWN THEM IN SO LONG and everyone was kinda waiting on me aND the internet sucked and wouldnt load my images and aaaND AND I felt my face redden, and my ears burn this whole time. I stuttered out a “chotto matte kudasai” in a panic and she looked surprised and asked Hiroto-kun to ask me if I knew Japanese. When he translated it to me, I was so nervous bc His FACE WAS RIGHT THERE and I was still flustered about my ART anD MAKING THEM WAIT That I was like “Chotto mat-sukoshi, chotto sukoshi.” /dies on the spot I wanted the floor to so badly open up and swallow me WHOLE. Plus it’s been so long since I’ve taken Japanese that I am very rusty and a failure hahaha–this is what I meant when I said I would regret feeling proud of my Japanese earlier) Hiroto-kun had to tell her that the wifi is slow, and that I’m looking for them, and it made me so nervous like I AM SO SORRY HAHDB AHD Bsf . My friends said that they were watching the staff and everyone’s faces look at me in confusion while waiting i am so sorry i am jsut not prepared

So I quickly told them ah–I have some on Twitter, so I opened that app and while waiting for it to load, she was like I cAN JUST @ HER ON TWITTER WITH MY DRAWINGS AND I WAS liKE AHH HERE IS ONE, and I showed her a picture of my bday Ieyasu fanart and she liked it and ahhh. I still mentioned her on twitter with some fanart anyways (even though I highly doubt she will see but it’s ok lol). So ah, after that hot mess was over, I staggered over to choose my free pin, and I love that Yasmin already knew and was like “Nobunaga,” lmao. Yes, yes pls gimme Nobunaga’s pin ;w; We both share a love for Nobabu.

I staggered over to my friends and they were all happy and also chuckling bc they watched my whole nervous and awkward self up there. They told me they watched me panic up there and were wondering what took me so long and why I was madly swiping up and down my phone HAHAHA. When they noticed I was still shaking, I got some hugs and back/shoulder rubbing until I was calm lmao.

Later that night, I met up with my trio of lovely tumblr ladies again and we chatted, took some photos together and I was shown some of Emi’s lovely fanart of Rayvis that she made for Spyro. :D Emi then surprised with with a Ray charm/acrylic stand kdnfkjsgbdfjbh TT A TT So happy bc he is my Ikerev bae. I’m so thankful, so so thankful—for the signing opportunity they had given me and the Ray acrylic charm/stand.

It was a really nice way to end my Day 2 at AX. <3

Day 3 was a sad day lol. Well, I was at a Sailormoon panel with my friends early in the morning, and it ran waaaay too long that it hit the kabedon time. I went to get my friend from somewhere, and my 2 other friends rushed to the exhibit hall first to hopefully get in line for us. While we were on the way there, I got a snapchat, missed calls, and a text message telling me that he was dressed as Ray today. I freaked and panicked as I found myself rushing to the exhibit hall, my heart feeling a bit heavy. I didn’t expect him to be another character from Ikerev, since he was already Edgar on Day 1. And since he was a Sengoku character in Day 2, I honestly assumed he was going to be in a Midcin cosplay on Day 3. 

I finally made it there only to find that the line was capped, and my friends wasn’t able to hold a place for us. I was so heartbroken as I watched the people get their kabedon and backhugs from Ray ;w; </3 I told myself it’s ok and that I would just line up for his photo-op. Which I was able to do! >w< And he put his cape back on so yaaaaay, I got a picture with Ray. They cancelled the Dice event thing because Hiroto-kun wasn’t feeling well, so I hope he would rest easy for the rest of the day and get better soon~

And also~ While I was being all :C at the kabedon line, Mandi surprised me with a gift!! She got me a Nobunaga acrylic stand/charm TTuTT Was so happy and grateful~!

The rest of the day was slightly overwhelming for me because it was a Saturday and the whole convention was more flooded and congested than ever. I just quickly got the freebie postcard from Cybird and I wandered around exhibit hall for a bit before being all NAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH I WANNA SIT. Giant crowds wear me out, and I was so tired of weaving through and getting pushed/shoved, accidentally getting hit by items.

I did go back to the Cybird booth just to watch the Quiz/Trivia game they were having. I wasn’t a part of it, but I just wanted to watch. :) That’s all I did with Cybird that day lol. After that, I just kinda took photos with friends at the photoshoot area in the Entertainment hall. Though I didn’t do much, this day was the most exhausting day for me. I came home and knocked tf out right away lol.

LAAASTTT DAYYYYYYY

Today was a short day, but it was one of the most exciting ones with lots of things to look forward to. First, the freebie postcard was a complete mystery, so I had to go grab that one asap! It was an IkeSen postcard that featured Nobunaga, Ieyasu, Masamune, Yukimura, aaaand Nobunaga yaoi hand lmao.

Next, the Kabedon was at 11am, so you bet I lined up an hour before lmao. Saw Mandi, Emi, and Spyro in line and so we exchanged Hi’s hehe. I also finally got to meet another tumblr user, @tykira45! We had a short conversation, and I was happy to meet another friend I know from tumblr! :D 

Anyways, despite being there first, my friends and I formed a line in the wrong spot, so when we were moved, we somehow ended up on the 4th row lol. Well, I didn’t mind too much because we were still in line and were going to get our Kabedon~ When it was revealed that he was in cosplay as a character he had cosplayed already (and that it was IkeRev), my heart soared bc there was a 50-50 chance it could be Ray!!! I was sad that it was Edgar but I will take it lmfao. I haven’t done any kabedons/backhugs at all yet, and as this is the last day, I wanted to take advantage of that~

Wow, I look like I was really happy on there hahahaha (I was xjsfdbg). So he said something along the lines of (I don’t remember anymore haha), “This is the last time, isn’t it? Don’t forget I love you (or something I dont remember the second line bc I was freaking out when he started speaking)” then like a made a kissy noise and I flat-lined. My friend was also recording this moment from far away gaaah

After this, they had the raffle for the cardboard cutouts. It was funny because my friend had 2 raffle tickets, but forgot them at home, so I had to have my lil bro go through her stuff to take a picture of the numbers for us. She had one for Nobu to give to me if she won it, and one for Masamune to give to another friend if she won it. We didn’t win, but hahaha, it was a good laugh when she started planning on what to do if she won (like driving all the way back home and back for the tickets or to see if the picture would work lol). It was nice seeing the people take the cardboard cutouts home. Pls be gentle with them hahaah. Also the staff were so cute when it came to Nobunaga. 2 of them were hugging him, and one patted his head, and Yasmin was too sad to part with her husband. I feel you all, tbh. hahaha.

Thennnn, at 1:30pm, it was time for the announcements!!! I caught my friend at the register and discovered she was buying me the Ray stand lmfao. It was meant to be a surprise, so she had to hand it to me there bc I suddenly came up behind her. I thought she was buying something for herself oops im sorry, but thank you so so much! I went to AX only expecting to buy the Ray acrylic, but since Emi got me one, I bought myself the Ray bunny pin. So I actually came home with 3 Ray things! Lol. 

Anyways, most of you already know, but they announced the English release of Ikèmen Vampire in 2019! And the secret cosplay was Isaac Newton! Hiroto-kun looked soooo adorable as him. Pinkish hair really suit him tbh. Everyone was very hyped about the game, and then there was me, slightly freaking out. I’m sure I’ve said it in one of the things I was tagged on before, but I dislike vampires. I used to be so scared of them when I was a kid, and would pull blankets up to my neck everytime I sleep lol. Esp when they showed the CGs of the boys with their fangs out and near the MC’s neck, I got goosebumps. I think I was the only one with a “D:” face during the trailer of it hahaha. I’d…probly still play it but hahaa…./weeps

The other announcement..I don’t understand hahaha. I’m not into the whole idol world I guess. XD But it looked exciting enough~ Hiroto-kun had 50 postcards of his Isaac Newton cosplay to giveaway, but since he only had 50, we played another game of janken. During the practice round, I won, bUT OFCOURSEEEE I lost the actual round lmao. Myluuuckkklol. But anyways…

Tbh, I brought some blank cards and prisma markers because I wanted to give Hiroto-kun and Yasmin something for this year (I gave them some artworks last year, and I wanted to gift them again this year), but sadly I forgot to bring a pencil/pen lol. Also since it was a short day, I didn’t have much downtime to work on any. /sadsadsad I normally woulda had something prepared weeks before, but my current schedule really prevents me from any free time lol. (Tom I go back to work)

On the way to the parking lot, Tykira bumped into me and so we had a short convo about AX and how it was for us. :D I hope you make it home safe my dear!

Overall, it was tiring, but enjoyable. I am happy to have shared AX with them since their first booth in 2016 and I hope I can come visit their booth again next year!

My haul ^-^v

Screams bc Hiroto-kun is Ray today and line is capped

Mitsunari was the cosplay for today, yesterday it was Edgar. I wonder if Nico or Yuki will make an appearance tomorrow~