#comiclive

[soluzsculpt]

🌞 Volvemos a Expo!!! Y esta vez nos vamos Chaco, a la @comicliveok el próximo 6 y 7 de Noviembre a compartir con grandes artistas y disfrutar del arte! Los Esperamos!!! . . . #comiclive #expo #expocomic #escultura #arte #dibujo https://www.instagram.com/p/CVgakIvPkAP/?utm_medium=tumblr

[yorune]

#3 ComicLive / Cos-Day

Part two of my Japanese Convention adventure. Part 1

One of the events happening near my area while i'm in Japan is ComicLive. It's an event that happens every month. It was a joint event with Cos-Day, Fate/Zero only event and World Cosplay Summit Japan Preliminary round.

Waiting for the train to come.

I basically followed the crowd to the venue, cosplayers are pretty easy to tell apart since they carry luggage around. I paid 900 yen to get in (also my sister's) and an extra 500 yen to get a Cos-Day pass, which enable me to access the changing room and go to a different hall where photography is allowed.

The change room is very different from what I expected. It was just a space where everyone can camp and do their own business. A lot of the cosplayers where just changing in front of everyone LOL, I wished I took a photo of the scene LOL. I changed into Roromiya Karuta from Inu X Boku SS a went shopping, I don't have a photo of myself from that day so here's a picture from before.

Super cute Chibitalia and Canada dollfie! I want one ;;______;;;

I can't take any photo outside of the cosplay-zone, so I don't have any photo of the venue to show. It's a mid-sized convention with about 200 seller. About 50 of them is Fate/Zero based merchandise, the rest of the artists are organized by the series they focus on. Everything is very well organized, there's plenty of space between each row so it wasn't crowed at all. There was space along the wall where people sit and hangout together.

The artists are all very nice people and have great customer services (typical of Japan). Art wise, there was a few that really stood out from the rest (my opinion) and I ended up spending a whole lot on them LOL. But everything is fairly cheap compare to Canada's standard. An B3 print is around 500 yen each and smaller prints are about 100 yen.

Gintama cosplayers!

Around 3 I finished shopping and decided to check out the Cos-Day hall. But by the time I went in they started to clear everyone out to prepare for the WCS show ;__; I couldn't take a lot of photos ;A;;; 

Setsugetsuka~!

Where are they from? They are super cute and nice~

Fate/Zero ;w;;;;/

Cos-Day hall

There was a lot of Touhou (especially Touhouvaina) cosplayers and most of them where guys LOOOL. I wanted to take a photo but I miss my chance ;q;

There was a lot a group of really hot Uta Pri cosplayers, but I didn't see them in the Cosplay-zone so no photo ;_;

Ticket back to the Nagoya Station.

We left around 4, which is pretty early for my convention standard but I'm sure my sister was dying to get out by then LOOL. Next time I'll take photo first, then shopping!

In general, the event were much better than Canadian conventions. I'm sure if my friends where here it would have been 10X more fun TT_TT

In the end is was a pretty fulfilling day and it was a really good experience. In total, I spend 2060 yen on travel and entrance fee and exactly 5000 yen on buying stuffs. I'll make a post with all the spoils later.

[yorune]

#2 Japanese doujin event

Japan's event is really different from North American Conventions. I've been to Hong Kong's ComicWorld before so I do sorta know how Asian cons goes. I did a tons of research before hand to made sure I don't completely embarrass myself LOL This post is going to focus on the basic of going to a Japanese doujin event.

Conventions are called '同人誌即売会' 'doujinshi sokubaikai' or what most people call, 'event'. These event's sellers are mostly fans. Keep this in mind. Unless it's a big event like comiket, you usual don't see stuff like actual manga, games and figurine. There are actual stores to buy anime merchandise.  What you will find in a typical event are doujins (fan comic), fan made games, prints, keychains, bookmarks, craft etc.

Some times, there are a few events going on at the same time. For example, the event I just went to is a combination of ComicLive (Selling Soujin), Cos-Day (cosplayer event), and World Cosplay Summit Japan preliminary round. Some times, it can be a few Only Events (events that are focused on one anime/manga) combined into one.

Now, Japan's events have a shit tons of rules for both con-goers and cosplayers. Make sure you read the event's site properly before you go. I'm only going to list some of the important rules.

For Cosplayers:

Depending on the event, there might be an extra charge to cosplay. 

You cannot wear your costume to the event, and you cannot leave in it. You must change at the event.

Changing rooms are provided so do not use the washroom to change.

Prop rules differ between different events, each event have a different size they allow, please check the site for more information.

Realistic looking weapons (eg. guns) are not allowed.

Cosplay photography are only allowed in the cosplay-zone.

Music, or any actions that will cause disturbance to the general public are not welcomed.

Highly revealing costumes are not allowed, you will be asked to cover up or leave the event.

The change room from my last event is pretty much just a secure space with nothing in it. No chairs, no mirror, no actual changing space. Everyone sits in group or in front of walls and mind their own business. Make sure you wear something underneath if you don't feel comfortable with changing in front of everyone. 

Cosplay namecards are very common over there, if you are planning to talk to some people, go make some cards. (I didn't, and I didn't talk to anyone too so...)

Japanese cosplayers use luggage to carry their stuff around. (It's like a mini work station, it's actually really convenient) If you get lost, just follow the people with luggage! There's also a space where you can store your luggage for a small charge.

For con-goers (planning to take photos)

Depending on the event, there might be an extra charge to photograph

For most events, NO PHOTO OUTSIDE OF COSPLAY ZONE.

Video taking is strictly prohibited.

Digital cameras or cell phone that can take videos are required to register with an photo ID, still you cannot take video. (I got away with not showing my ID for my digital camera last event. but I'll see how it goes with my next event)

Tripod and other photography tools are not allowed (Check the websites for more info, I believe certain lens are not allowed too)

You must ask the cosplayer politely for a photo, they have the right to refuse you.

Don't take photo of people when you don't have permission, or when they are not ready.

Don't take indecent photos. You know what I mean.

One of the ways to ask for a photo is 'お写真いいですか？' 'O sashin ii desu ka?', or they will probably understand if you point at you camera LOL. Afterward, make sure to say thank you or bow your head, even if they are still posing for other people.

I found out about my event through http://www.youyou.co.jp/, it is a company that runs dojin events. There are a few more wedsites like youyou, and Cosplayer Archive also have a list of events going on. If you are planning to go to Japan, check if will be a event going on at that time!

Just use your common sense and manners as to what to do and what not to do. And most importantly, have fun!

Part 2, my actual experience at a Japanese convention is here: ComicLive