To Live and Eat in L.A.

Yeah, that's right, I took that title from a movie, To Live and Die in L.A. You got a problem with that? :P Anyhoo... This post is mostly photos from outside of Anime Expo which consists of scenery and food. That's right, food pictures, so if you're hungry, you may want to look at this post and lick the monitor...


Anyway, the four of us, myself, a friend from Vancouver, Tsubasa and soulfringe, stayed at the JW Mariott this year in hopes of staying somewhere close but split the cost small enough for us to stay. It was nice and convenient, but we had all sorts of trouble. For one, the bathroom in each suite didn't have a lock on the door... Then the second day, we had trouble with keycards and credit cards. And apparently there was a prank fire alarm being set off. I was in the hotel when that happened, but I didn't hear it from where I was at the time... Very strange. I'll have to give this hotel another thought next time...

Nice view from the window seat, but I don't even know where this is...

Anyway... Let's start fresh from the beginning. We originally drove from Vancouver to Bellingham and from there we'd take Horizon Air to fly to Seattle. And then finally fly from Seattle to L.A. Very convoluted, I know, but it was cheaper than direct from Van to L.A. and from Seattle to L.A.

No trouble with the flights at all. Maybe a little late, maybe a little early, but it was all perfectly timed. Nothing wrong with our luggage too, though I did worry a bit since I brought Helen and Mugi along ^^;

Arriving at the LAX gate were these Samsung charging stations. It was free if you got your charger around. There was one in Seattle that had all the hookups, but it was charging something like $5 for 30 minutes if you didn't have a charger.

On the first night we had dinner at Matsui. I had an Oyakodon set with tanuki udon. Very filling... But I still prefer soba over udon.

And here's the others' meals. We all had the set, but it was quite a bit that we didn't finish everything, though I tried...

After this I keep forgetting to take pictures of our meals. I mean there was a time where we all had some pizza at California Pizza Kitchen and the numerous Starbucks breakfast sandwich and the overpriced food at the Convention Center cafe... Oh and also the one time I had ice cream for my late lunch/early dinner. That was an awesome lunner! And to be honest there weren't much cheap food around the convention... The fast food were a bit of a walk away and us Vancouverites didn't know where they were.

This was soulfringe's free appetizer because he's got a Premier Fan badge. Very large portion. We didn't finish it and the spicy jalapeno messed with my stomach ^^;

This is his lunch, lol. I didn't take pictures of mine, hahaha. We both thought this looked like a dessert when it came. A brownie on top of vanilla ice cream with donuts on the side ^^; It's actually beef ribs on a bed of mashed potatoes and onion rings.

Finally remembered to bring someone to accompany me to dinner.

On the last night, we went out for dinner and I asked for something easy and something unique to US or California. In-N-Out was the answer. It was very busy when we came. But the food was good. I didn't get around to try out the secret menu items though. The bun was grilled so it was actually really crispy. I had a lot of fries too!

Afterwards Tsubasa drove us through Hollywood and we got to see some of the famous buildings like Madame Tussauds Wax Museum and the Grauman's Chinese Theater. It was hard to get photos though since we were moving and it was at night.

The one time we had a red light, it had to stop at this building called "Playmates"... I wonder what's in there, especially since it's got a Grand Opening on the side :P

Pantages is famous for having all the musicals and plays going on in there. Right now they have Shrek The Musical playing...

After checking out of the hotel but before heading to the airport, we were able to visit a Cheesecake Factory at The Grove in Beverly Hills. This one is my lunch. Orange chicken which was mucho delicioso! Tsubasa had the Miso Salmon which was really good too. It melted in your mouth! This was the smaller portion but I was already full when I finished it!

But since it's called "Cheesecake Factory", I had to get one before we went. I got the Ultimate Red Velvet just to show Chun :P But it was my undoing... It was so big that I almost got sick trying to finish it ^^;;; It was good, but it was just too much.

Let the red velvet suck you in closer... Closer... CLOSER!!!

The last view from the fancy Grove in Beverly Hills.

And then it was pretty much a rinse and repeat process where we flew from L.A. to Seattle, then to Bellingham and drive back to Vancouver. One of the most interesting thing that I saw and wished I took a photo of was the TSA agents in the airport checking my bag in the X-ray with 2 dolls inside, Helen and Mugi.

Also a big big big thank you to Tsubasa who picked us up at the airport and drove us around when he could and drove us to the airport when we had to depart. I am very grateful for your help and definitely return the favour if you come to Vancouver ;)

AX 2011: Consolidated Edition

For some reason I've been hearing the word "consolidate" a lot... So I'll use it too for my main Anime Expo post. Last year I wrote up everything in one post and it was looooonnngggg! This year there weren't as much events to describe, so maybe it'll be shorter if I do it in one post. There were some panels that I wasn't allowed to take pictures of and others that I was too lazy to take pictures of... So I'll have some photos that are not related while I'm telling my story... ^^;

Ah and that Gundam Unicorn is human-size. I thought it's a good start since the abbreviation on the shoulder spells out "Anime Expo" :P

Lots of Miku itasha. These ones are the Toyota Corolla ones and inside the Convention Center.

Let's see... Where to begin? The first day, 2 of my roommates at the hotel lined up to get our badges. We were afraid of 3 hour lines, so we got up at 5:30 in the morning and lined up by 6:30. The registration doesn't open until 8 am, but we got our badges by 8:30. Then it's another line to get concert tickets. I missed my chance to get Miku concert tickets, but with slightly overpriced ticket, I was able to sit with my friends.

First up was the Kalafina panel. The line was so long, that they had to move us downstairs and then lined up so we can go back upstairs... How silly... I've already seen Kalafina back in 2009 at Anime Boston, so I knew who they were and wasn't expecting to get an autograph again (though it would've been nice). Unfortunately I had to get to Sawashiro Miyuki panel line right after.

Danny Choo hosted the Sawashiro Miyuki panel and was trying hard to do translations for her ^^; Thankfully Miyuki also knows some English. She was awesome! I was glad to hear about her Puchiko role, how it was her first and she was only 13 years old (if I heard this correctly) when she did it. Afterwards we chased to the Exhibit Hall to get her autograph. A long line already started at the NIS America booth. Fortunately there was a bonus when you buy Arakawa Under the Bridge BD/DVD... Which is a priority ticket to get Miyuki's autograph! So I bought my way in :P I'll tell you this story in another post when I show off what I got signed.

This QAN-T Gundam look really good. Looks much better in person.

After that I had some free time and browsed the Exhibit Hall. So many things that I don't think I've seen every single booth due to the sheer number of them around there. I bought too many things on the first day. I've pretty much found everything I wanted on my wish list. Well, except for a new wallet...

ANA x Gundam

Later on we went to the Funimation panel where I was mostly bored and played with my 3DS because the amount of StreetPass there was unbelievable! I had over 250 StreetPasses over the weekend! StreetPass is basically exchanging Mii information with people who has 3DS. All the trailers for Funimation were dubs, so I pretty much ignored everything. It was nice to hear that B Gata H Kei has been licensed, though with an unfortunate title, "Yamada's First Time"... -_-

A really cool Gundam! Someone PLEASE tell me what this is and maybe I'll get it XD

And right after was the Danny Choo panel. I had to line up again for the panel. Though it was fine since I met Lene there along with Tsundelicious and Kurotsuki while I was there and also got Vince "Lionheart" to get ahead with us in line.

Danny's panel mirrored his recent post with additional examples. Not sure if I'll be changing everything I'm doing, but I am going to try... I still haven't really found my focus, which is still fine. My lack of focus is my focus. Which means I can try everything under the sun without losing focus... Right?

I missed these Mirai itasha the first time... Tsubasa had to tell me where they were XD

I met a lot more people before and after the panel. Ragnablade and CosplayShots introduced themselves to me after Soulfringe pointed me out to them before the panel started ^^; After the panel I immediately met Nekoconeco, PikaChika (whom I met last year but didn't properly introduce each other, lol), Ms. Geek, Gibson, Dancing Queen, and sorta briefly talked with Maridah. And also the ever present Jun aka TofuProd, lol.

And this is apparently Jun's car?

On the Saturday, it seemed strange that there wasn't much that I wanted to do during the day. So I ventured out to the Exhibit Hall again. This time I brought Helen along so I can show them to the people in the Obitsu booth ^^ I have to say that it was one of the most memorable moments this year at AX, even though it was brief. I also discovered Lene's Artist Alley booth and met the 2 Lesters, the Black Hole Stormtrooper variety and the Yuuichikun variety :P

And then finally it was time for the Kalafina concert at the Club Nokia... A much smaller venue this year compared to last year's concerts in Nokia Theater... And it was standing room only -_-  But it was still a great show! And get to hang out at the concert with Yakuri as well ^^

So many people... 50,000 over the weekend is the number I heard.

And then it was time for the Miku concert. There were people packing in the front way before the concert... We waited in the room for a bit, where I met Kitty_Pounce and Simply_Aroused ^_^ Then when we entered through the front of the stage, I saw the size of the screen that Miku was going to be on... So small... It did make look Miku more human size, but still we were far away and towards the left. So when Miku goes to the right of the screen, she fades away... Thankfully her playlist was different than the one from the Blu-Ray ^^ There were some new costumes as well. Unfortunately she didn't sing Melt nor Magnet... I was just a little bit disappointed even though it was a great concert.

Big crowd in front of the Nokia Theater before Mikunopolis

After the concert I met up with a few people and kinda drank a little ^^; I was really red, lol. I would say more, but what happens at Anime Expo on Saturday night stays at Anime Expo XD Ok, I can at least tell you that I met up with SouthernBelleCA to give her the order from Chun, courtesy of Lightning Sabre Courier (LOL). I also met Jeromaru again because apparently he's neighbours with SouthernBelle :D

On the Sunday was the L.A. CGM Nigh... Well Morning actually. It started at 11 AM... So off I go with Helen again and dropped her off with Mugi sitting on her lap beside Tsubasa's Sasara and CrimsonYukikaze's girl... whose name I forgot atm... Sorry!

So then I get to meet the DD group from CA as well... I met BerserkFuryZero again and someone that I've only met the first time there prior to talking on Twitter, MiuofStars.

There were just lines and lines of people waiting to meet with Danny, so I just hung out with Vince and Soulfringe, but later on we meet up with Lene's group as well. I also met someone new, Kupomatic, who was also at Lene's Artist Alley booth ^^ And I had to take a photo of the Black Hole Stormtrooper! Alas, the flash made the picture look a bit bad... I know where to find him. Is ok :P

I also met and got approached by a few new people too ^^ Let's see, I know I saw CoolMikeol because he said he'll be wearing Eiji cosplay. Then I also met ObiWanIvan with a Saber Lily DD and also JRenteria who's got an awesome hair! I thought it was a wig ^^; It was almost hard to keep track of everyone I met... I see why Danny encouraged business cards!

After the Culture Japan x Fakku Meet and Greet was the Maon Kurosaki concert. Which I did enjoy even though it was last minute choice for me. Unfortunately her song list was still too small, so even though everyone called for an encore, she came out again and apologized that (I assume) she doesn't have anything else to sing. Very short concert... And then later that night I went and watched The Disappearance of Haruhi Suzumiya for the 5th time, but the first time for my friend. It was fun and annoying at the same time watching with the crowd. The one part where it was supposed to be a *gasp* moment ended up with people laughing because they didn't know what it meant... Time to rewatch Bamboo Leaf Rhapsody people! ANYHOO... Don't mind my ranting. I'm just a Suzumiya nut ^^;

On the last day was the Good Smile Company X NitroPlus+ panel. It was a lot of fun hearing about the beginnings of GSC and NitroPlus+. Lots of goodies were given away. We saw some gameplay video for the BRS game. Takanori Aki (GSC) and Kosaka Taiki (NitroPlus+) were great sport. They were surprised that we knew a lot of the stuff they were talking about. I am glad I owned the first NitroPlus+ game ever, Phantom of the Inferno. I was going to bring it to get it signed, but I forgot... It was also interesting that GSC started as a talent agency for seiyuu before. They didn't work out, but they found Max Factory and decided to represent them as a "talent agency". Great beginnings ^^

After that panel, I got autographs from both heads of the company and made my way to find special deals at the Exhibit room before it closes for the last time this year. I didn't go to the closing ceremony unfortunately... So after that it was just done ^^; Anyway... Here's a few more pics...

This one's for Chun. Something she created (the shirt) with Maridah Mirai ^^

Anime Expo 2011 Cosplay

Another Anime Expo is finished and somehow the easiest thing to sort out were the cosplay photos. I don't even know how to sort out the other ones yet... So anyway, don't mind my whining. For now here are the cosplay photos. It was another hot weekend in L.A. and I applaud each and everyone of these cosplayers (well except maybe people wearing skimpy outfits :P) for going out there to brave the hot summer in L.A.!

There are about 56 photos here, so you might be scrolling for a while ^^; In case I miss some names or labeled the cosplay by mistake, please let me know and I'll edit. Thanks! Cosplayers who see their photo here and want the original photos or maybe you don't want me to post it here, please email me and we can arrange something :)

This is Scanty of Panty and Stocking with Garterbelt, I believe. I can never get Kneesocks or Scanty right ^^;

I had to stop these Nia and Yoko because of what Nia's wearing. Awesome!

Kagura from Gintama

Stocking... I believe this is someone from the Funimation booth ^^

Tomoe Mami being rescued by Morning Rescue ^^;

Black AND White Rock Shooter

Two Princess, one... crowd :P Zelda and Peach

Holo that I stopped on the stairway ^^; I just noticed her bag now... AWESOME!

Gender Bender Squall!

Sailor Pluto, Neptune and Saturn! Thanks for looking at my camera, Pluto ^_^

Akiyama Mio, Listen version. Maybe I should've gone with my gender bender Mugi again?

Miko Trooper ^^;;; This is the same SOS Brigade Leader Trooper as last year, lol.

A complete Panty and Stocking pair!

I was running late, but I HAD TO TAKE THIS PHOTO!!! Unagi from Popotan is so rare, especially since Unagi is voiced by one of my favourite seiyuu, Kawasumi Ayako.

Maridah's Suenaga Mirai along with Dancing Queen as Rei in the background... And I also see my roommate soulfringe in the background, lol.

I see someone was doing a Rei & Asuka photoshoot... Now that I think about it, I wonder if that's Dancing Queen again ^^;

Random meido... Unless someone knows this is from a certain series ^^;

Starscream and ... Megatron, I guess ^^

A Puella Magi Madoka Magica cosplay gathering at the Aniplex booth. Lots of Mamis!

Some kind of time convergence! 4 Mami vs Charlotte...

Two Kaname Madokas ^_^

Sayaka and Mami

Makinami Mari Illustrious! Probably the only one at AX ^^;

Guu and Hare! So nice to see something from Jungle wa Itsumo Hale nochi Guu ^^

Crono (Chrono?) and Lucca from Chrono Trigger

Normally I don't take much photos of crossplayer, but this is not one of them, lol. An accurate Ayumu from Kore wa Zombie Desu ka ^^;

Neliel, Grimmjow and Urahara from Bleach

The possessor of the Tri-Force of Power, Gannondorf!

Link and an oversized Midna :P

Sheik and Link... From different universes/timeline ^^;

A Queen's Blade group: Erina, Nanael, Melpha, Claudette & Ymir... When will I see Echidna and Aldra cosplay?

Maridah's Saber! Too bad I missed her Saber Lion, gao...

Usopp from One Piece. The nose looks great!

Adel, Ultimecia and Edea from Final Fantasy VIII. Thanks Soth for the naming help!

Misaka Mikoto! Maybe the only one this year...

Lacus Clyne from Gundam Seed

Need another help here... I know it's Kallen on the right, but dunno about the one on the left ^^;

Elsie from KamiNomi :)

Tiger and Bunny

And another bunny! Buruma in bunny outfit surrounded by... Dragonballs ^^;

Oh no, she spotted me! LoL I was hijacking someone else's photoshoot ^^;

Panty and Brief? I don't remember that Brief outfit ^^;

Meiko and Kaito! I was happy to see more Meiko around AX this year ^_^

And another Meiko! This is the same Meiko I used as the top photo, but in this one she saw my Shiteyanyo shirt and had a good laugh out of it ^w^

More Madoka! That bow is awesome!

Madoka and her friend, Stardust Witch Meruru from OreImo. Thanks Anonymous & Darky-sama!

Kyoko and Mami! Mami seems to be very popular choice for everyone.

Haqua and Elsie wants your lost soul :P

Rare to find a Kigurumi cosplay in N. America... Don't even know the character, lol, just wanted a photo of one. 

More Transformers... Bumblebee, Ironhide and Megatronko.

Cheergirl Bayonetta and Rodin

Fran from FFXII

There's a reason why I wanted to take a photo of this Nagato... Not just because of the mean stare there ^^;

It's because she's holding a video camera when I first seen her... Which reminds me of this 4koma below:

And that's it this year... I should've taken more photos. So many Touwa Erios too! But I just couldn't take much photos this year for some reason ^^; Oh well... More AX 2011 posts soon!