AFA09 Day Two Highlight: Hibiki Reine

Seeing Hibiki-sensei at AFA09 Day One was a most pleasant surprise - I hadn't noticed this in the map/program sheet or on the website. She kindly signed an autograph towards the end of the first day but the main event was announced on this makeshift sign which indicated she would have an autograph session the next day (Sunday) from 1pm.

Given that she was based in the Inoue booth, I assume that this Singapore-based school which offers Japanese language and manga drawing classes was her sponsor. I've heard of Inoue before but did not know anyone personally who attended it (most of my friends either went to Bunka or JCS).

Close up of Hibiki-sensei sketching Yumi on Day Two.

Just after 12 noon, Hibiki-sensei sketched and autographed three pieces - Sachiko, Yumi and Sei. The choice was based on the requests from the steadily increasing crowd; I felt sorely tempted to ask for a non-Yamayurikai member like Shizuka or Tsutako. One of the pieces was given away based on a jankenpon game that was won the guy in front of me - who promptly left after that, giving up unto me a slot right next to Hibiki-sensei's table.

The third and final Sei piece was given to a lady who already had the first piece. Ah well, lightning does strike twice. Hibiki-sensei had taken about 15 minutes to do each piece and I'm sure there were disappointed fans in the crowd. Well, win some lose some - though the people in charge of the Inoue booth should have applied to janken distro to all three pieces or used some kind of lucky draw tied in with promoting their company. In general while I'm megas-pleased that Inoue brought Hibiki-sensei to AFA09, I can't help but feel that they could have promoted and leveraged on her presence much more effectively.

Of course I didn't go away empty-handed; I got Hibiki-sensei to autograph the cover of Yuri Hime Vol.2 - she's the cover illustrator (credit is in white font right under the main title block). And she was, I take it, pleasantly surprised to see her work from 2005 and for Yuri Hime (most of the sample not-for-sale items on display were from Cobalt).

At the time I was just so excited that I completely forgot to photograph her in the act of autographing said cover. *pounds head with fists* Baka baka baka baka baka baka Zyl no baka!! But like I said before, win some lose some, though with the autographed piece having a place of pride on my shelf, it definitely feels like more win.

Related posts:

1. AFA09 Cosplay Highlight: The Helping Hands
2. AFA09 Highlight: Moe Moe Kyun Maid Cafe
3. AFA09 Highlight: Three Beautiful Ladies

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