Anime Festival Asia 08 – The tanuki’s experience
Despite two weddings and some heavier-than-normal weekend commitments, I managed to nip into AFA 08 for a couple of hours to thoroughly enjoy myself. Since I arrived at 7pm on Day 1, there was none of that legendary queue so very graphically described on the other blogs. I waltzed through the ticketing booth to meet with my very personal guide of the convention - Zyl. He promptly gave me a whirlwind tour, highlighting exhibits/booths tailored to tanuki tastes. (This must be what true anime comaraderie looks like. Thanks again bro!). Even though the day was winding down for the Festival, I like what I saw/heard. Here's some random thoughts.
KKnM (Kareshi Kanojyo no mise)
As a relatively long time patron of KKnM, their booth was my first stop although when by the time of my arrival, they were wrapping up for the day. Zyl filled me in on how long queues persisted throughout the day to earn media attention and it warms my otaku heart to learn that they are finally receiving the spotlight they so rightly deserve as a pillar of The Passion in the Singapore 2D scene.
Local 2D artists
AFA opened my eyes to the home-grown pool of 2D talent as I browse through the most excellent artworks featured in the Mangaka zone. Was also very impressed with Collateral Damage Studio and have resolved to steal Zyl's CDS purchase featuring a very very lolicious Fate.
PVC beauties
Toyntoys' PVC exhibition was one of my personal highlights of the Festival. Even though the range displayed was limited, it was great to have caught a glimpse of numerous plastic beauties I've yet to see in flesh (I want Hatsune Miku!!). The exhibition also further affirmed my resolution to stay with the Big Four PVC makers (Alter, Goodsmile Coy, Max Factory and Kotobukiya) although MaxFac seems to be losing their true calling a little by dabbling too much in the abominable Figmas.
Odex
I probably don't hate Odex as much as the next Sg anime fan despite the anime holocaust they wrought last year with repercussions still resounding as recent as last week. My main gripe with them had mostly been with the quality of their DVDs and the stubborn refusal to ditch their VCD production. So I was glad to see their Code Geass DVD Boxset released at a very competitive price of S$15 per DVD (at the Festival). Despite having 5 eps on a D9, the disc showed none of the grainy feel that was present in their previous releases. (I own Odex's Shakugan no Shana and Samurai Champloo.) The DVD specials (creditless OPs and interviews) are very much welcome. Surely a small but important step in the right direction. Keeping my fingers crossed that Odex would turn from a fiend to a friend of Singaporean anime fan.
Anime comaraderie
One of the biggest reason why I enjoyed AFA must be the anime fellowship with Zyl as we darted from booth to booth in search of our next anime perk and also the infectious 2D passion from the good people of KKnM as we excitedly recounted the day's events. Indeed I read with much envy on the many Sg aniblogs how AFA has become a platform to connect RL with fellow fans whom they have only previously touched digitally. My apologies to Kurogane whom I was unable to meet up with this AFA. Give me a holler if you ever dropped by our island Republic again. I'll run a personal tour for you hitting all the otaku spots and the best local delights on the island. (Better than Tony Romas and hundred times cheaper XD). (Oh yes, you too, Usa chan if you ever drop by Sg again. 
)
I probably didn't get the most out of AFA but surely enough for me to want to come back next year. Looking forward to a bigger and better event in 2009!
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November 24th, 2008 - 10:02
Are you still in the UK? How come you’re taking so long?
November 24th, 2008 - 18:33
Steal what steal? You could have just bought the print set too, you know? :3
@tj_han, the one who goes UK a lot is me, not Stripey. *sigh*
November 24th, 2008 - 20:43
CDS’s offerings were great. Sad that I didn’t get a Strike Witches Mini-print of Sanya…
November 24th, 2008 - 21:56
“Oh yes, you too, Usa chan if you ever drop by Sg again.”
D’AWWW TT___TT *clings to Stripey-nii*
Would be great if my next SG Trip coincides with the next AFA XD
November 25th, 2008 - 06:29
tj han: Heh, I shall take it as a compliment to be mistaken for Zyl XD
Zyl: This tanuki poor you also know XD I would have bought the A3 ones without batting a lid though
C.I.: It’s a pity the A3 prints for the Nanoha ones went out so fast. Would have gotten those
usagijen: I’ve resolved to take leave for the event next time so that I can fully immerse myself and maybe finally meet up with fellow anibloggers.
November 26th, 2008 - 09:48
Wait, ODEX finally realised the existence of DVDs? An interesting turn of events. I may actually consider monitoring their releases again.
Heh.
November 27th, 2008 - 08:02
Their Code Geass is gives a sliver of hope for the local DVD market. Packaging, specials and visual quality wise, they are comparable to the R3s and R1s in my hoard. The price is extremely competitive too, given that the CG R3s (2 eps) are going for 20 plus per piece.
I may even consider getting their Gundam 00 boxset
November 28th, 2008 - 21:39
Yup. Someone told me to “hate the act and not the person” so it is not really impossible to view ODEX in a positive light if change is on its way.