Japan Expo 2011 - Doesn't look too rosy so far...
(I initially wrote this in French, then deleted it, realizing it's not just French fans who attend France's biggest J-event)
Despite its flaws (too much queuing outside, overpriced entry tickets, not enough J-food, terrible organization of autograph hours etc.), I greatly enjoyed the past JEs and was naturally hyped for this year's. I've also learned from my past mistakes and booked a hotel smack in front of the exhibition center months in advance (February).
And now... nothing seems to happen. Not many guests announced (4 to be precise, only one(!!) mangaka) so far, and no sight of a surprise guest (you can usually guess who it's gonna be according to the release schedules of the French publishers. Last year, Pandora Hearts was to be launched right on time for JE, 2 volumes at once, tons of advertisement etc. it was only natural that Jun Mochizuki would be invited. This year? No real "big" launch due for July (I wouldn't call "Strobe Edge" big). Best-seller authors like last year's Tsukasa Hojo are announced in advance.
This leaves only the possibility of someone mildly famous coming, someone who has landed 2-3 hits in France (like last year's Aya Kanno). At this point, this could be pretty much anyone (I'm praying for Midorikawa -god knows I'd queue 6 hours for her if need be, but let's face it with the upcoming 3rd season of Natsume Yuujinchou, I'm pretty sure she has her hands full already).
Is this the shadow of March 11 glooming? Not necessarily. For the past 2 years, guests (of honor) had been announced February/early March. Yet this year there was nothing announced yet when I booked my hotel. And that although the dates for JE had been confirmed and tickets started selling end 2010!
Now they even go as far as to offer reductions on the hotels nearby JE. I'm feeling slightly cheated since I'm paying full price for my early booked room (95€ / night) and last minute bookers will get theirs for 68€ / night -__- The website assured me to get the lowest possible price and "last minute" prices are not a common thing in much-sought afterlocations like Paris. So there was no way I could have known, but I'm still miffed.
Of course I'm still going. I want to see Paris, my mom and I already made plans for hours outside JE and on Thursday I'll meet up with friends. But it's not a necessity anymore (initially I went to JE on Thursday/Friday because I was flying to Japan on Saturday, the proverbial bird and 2 stones).
My room is booked until Saturday, but I haven't bought any tickets so far. If I can get everything I want from JE on Thursday, I might not go on Friday (aside from the autographs, JE is always a highlight for goodies and events, but so far not much has been announced either!) (and to ask questions to the publishers because they are most available at cons).
Tickets will be available until June 29th anyway. And who knows there might even be a last-minute reduction xD" (no not really)
This plus the cancellation/move of JE Brussels and the upcoming "JE Centre" (which will take place in ... Orléans. Geography fail. This is not the center of France -that would be Lyon). I'm not quite sure where JE is going these days, but it sure smells like downfall. Let's stay positive though.
I already know of 2 people on my Flist who are going, the rest of you, shout out if you're planning on going!
Despite its flaws (too much queuing outside, overpriced entry tickets, not enough J-food, terrible organization of autograph hours etc.), I greatly enjoyed the past JEs and was naturally hyped for this year's. I've also learned from my past mistakes and booked a hotel smack in front of the exhibition center months in advance (February).
And now... nothing seems to happen. Not many guests announced (4 to be precise, only one(!!) mangaka) so far, and no sight of a surprise guest (you can usually guess who it's gonna be according to the release schedules of the French publishers. Last year, Pandora Hearts was to be launched right on time for JE, 2 volumes at once, tons of advertisement etc. it was only natural that Jun Mochizuki would be invited. This year? No real "big" launch due for July (I wouldn't call "Strobe Edge" big). Best-seller authors like last year's Tsukasa Hojo are announced in advance.
This leaves only the possibility of someone mildly famous coming, someone who has landed 2-3 hits in France (like last year's Aya Kanno). At this point, this could be pretty much anyone (I'm praying for Midorikawa -god knows I'd queue 6 hours for her if need be, but let's face it with the upcoming 3rd season of Natsume Yuujinchou, I'm pretty sure she has her hands full already).
Is this the shadow of March 11 glooming? Not necessarily. For the past 2 years, guests (of honor) had been announced February/early March. Yet this year there was nothing announced yet when I booked my hotel. And that although the dates for JE had been confirmed and tickets started selling end 2010!
Now they even go as far as to offer reductions on the hotels nearby JE. I'm feeling slightly cheated since I'm paying full price for my early booked room (95€ / night) and last minute bookers will get theirs for 68€ / night -__- The website assured me to get the lowest possible price and "last minute" prices are not a common thing in much-sought afterlocations like Paris. So there was no way I could have known, but I'm still miffed.
Of course I'm still going. I want to see Paris, my mom and I already made plans for hours outside JE and on Thursday I'll meet up with friends. But it's not a necessity anymore (initially I went to JE on Thursday/Friday because I was flying to Japan on Saturday, the proverbial bird and 2 stones).
My room is booked until Saturday, but I haven't bought any tickets so far. If I can get everything I want from JE on Thursday, I might not go on Friday (aside from the autographs, JE is always a highlight for goodies and events, but so far not much has been announced either!) (and to ask questions to the publishers because they are most available at cons).
Tickets will be available until June 29th anyway. And who knows there might even be a last-minute reduction xD" (no not really)
This plus the cancellation/move of JE Brussels and the upcoming "JE Centre" (which will take place in ... Orléans. Geography fail. This is not the center of France -that would be Lyon). I'm not quite sure where JE is going these days, but it sure smells like downfall. Let's stay positive though.
I already know of 2 people on my Flist who are going, the rest of you, shout out if you're planning on going!