Tokyo Game Show 2006
Well, it's been a eventful week.
Hmmm, I don't know where to start, so this entry might be a little bit out of order ^^'
遊び - Going out
Monday (September 18th) we went to eat some yakiniku (焼肉). Yakiniku is basically just slices of beef or pork you can cook out on a small grill on your table by yourself. It's really fun, actually AND it's the tastiest food I've tasted so far here in Japan!
At the Yakiniku restaurant.
On the left side from front to behind: Taka, André and Nao.
On the right are Matthias, Anne, Robert, Jana and Sebastian
We were so many people we had to sit at two different tables.
Left: Marie (from Finnland), Mayumi
Right: Me and Katja (from Finnland, I don't really know how her name is spelled properly...)
The meat (raw)
The grill. Yes, it can be quite dangerous. XD
After this, we went to a karaoke bar. My first time of real Japanese karaoke!!! *happy* They even had my favourite songs from Ellegarden (J-Rock band, which is somewhat unknown to the people I met despite being in the Top 30)! The Japanese students were impressed that I knew so many Japanese songs and even sang "Momoiro Kataomoi" from Matsuura Aya with me ^^
The most exciting thing that evening was Taka's rap. He only chose Japanese rap titles - and could rap faster than anyone else could even read the lyrics o.O
東京 - Tokyo
I've been in Tokyo several times now to buy some stuff. Akihabara (秋葉原) is absolutely stunning! It's propably even more impressive at night, though, when you can see all of those neon signs. Akihabara is not only a mecca for those who search electronic devices, but also an otaku paradise. Anyways, I bought an electronic dictionary (finally) and some artbooks at Gamers - you know, the store with Dejiko as a mascot.
Harajuku (原宿) was not yet that exciting. It's propably because I went there on a week day. I suppose on sundays it's really crowded and you can see more of those famous "Harajuku Girls". There's a big used book store near the station called "Book Off", where you can buy used manga for 100 Yen. I only bought the first Harry Potter volume and two photo books, though, because my bags were already fillied with heavy stuff I bought at Gamers, but I'll definitely come back again XD
A street in Akihabra right next to the station. Electronic goods sure are cheap here, and they even get cheaper around christmas, when the Sarariman (salary men) get their bonus.
Me in font of Harajuku station. Cute little building, isn't it? I always thought this place must be vivd and stylish, but it's was the complete opposite XD There's a street with numerous independend fashion stores nearby, though.
携帯電話 - Cell Phone
I wanted to make sure that I have a own cell when I go to the Tokyo Game Show. Thursday, we finally got our alien registration, so I had all I needed to buy some one. (The law concerning foreigners getting cell phone contracts is really strict since April) So, on Friday, we went to Ebina (海老名) and bought some. Well, we didn't acutally buy them, because there are some cells you can get for free when you make a contract.
This is my cell. Isn't it pretty? It lacks some individual detail, but I'm sure I'll be able to change that ^.~ As you can propably see, I put on a picture of my lovely, cuddly, beloved and dearly missed sister as wallpaper.
I usually don't depend on such things, but in Japan, you're basically inexistent as long as you don't have a cell email address. Furthermore, it's now our only means of communication, as we have neither phones on our rooms, nor a guaranteed internet connection.
If you want to know my cell phone number and/or email address, please comment.
Tokyo Game Show - 東京ゲームショウ
Finally the great day has come. *dundundun*
I was very nervous, because it was not only to be my first Japanese convention, but also my first cosplay experience in Japan.
Cosplay in Japan is so much different from cosplay in Germany! It starts with the rules of a convention: In Japan, you're usually not allowed to enter or to leave the convention area wearing a costume. The TGS was special, though: You even HAD to use the official changing area in the hall. For using this, you have to pay 500 Yen, but at least you can leave you baggage there for safekeeping.
There were only two big changing areas (one for women, one for men, of course! - by the way: Crossdressing was not allowed!). It all felt so strange. Being in that tent-like area together with so many other Japanese cosplayers dressing and undressing... I know some guys who would've given their right arm for seeing what I saw XD
Japanese cosplayers sure are amazing. They put so much effort in every single detail: Make up, wig, props, accessory, posing... Well, of course there were also some cosplays I have seen sewn better in Germany, but generally said, Japanese cosplay still is on a higher level.
Another difference was the huge number of Cameko (カメ子), photographers taking pictures of cosplayers. On German conventions, there're are usually the same number of photographers as cosplayers, so you're eventually asked for a picture, but can still move freely around the area. On TGS there were three times more Cameko than cosplayers, which means they actually queued up to take pictures. And when I write pictures, I'm not talking about two or three, but a hole series of photos in various poses.
cari_cosplay graciously lent me her Amy costume (for I do not own any game costume), which is pretty ... er... well, there's not that much fabric. I really had the impression that Cameko don't care much about well done cosplay, as long as it's either cute or sexy. There were so many breathtaking Kingdom Hearts and Final Fantasy cosplays, but the Camekos were more interested in school girl uniforms ... Pitty, really. Lucky for me though, because this way, I didn't have to wait long to take a picture of these costumes. The longest queue was in front of a female cosplayer who was basically wearing nothing but underwear...
Anyways, Cari's costume and my Gaijin-ness (...) drew a lot of attention towards me. Result: I couldn't move from the spot for about one hour. The Camekos propably would've have stopped taking pictures if I would've asked for it, but I just didn't notice the time flowing by ^.^' One Cameko took about 30 pictures (sitting, kneeling, standing, close ups...)! And there was this familiy who wanted to take a picture of us together, the little daughter seemed to be slightly frightened, though...
I also was interviewed three times by some people from gamespot.com and gametrailers.com. I was so nervous in front of the camera! I'm so used to speaking Japanese, I couldn't even answer their questions in proper English T.T
Because I spent so much time in the cosplay area, I didn't get to see any of the games. Pitty, I really wanted to play Kingdom Hearts 2 Final Mix. But thinking of the queues at the Square Enix Booth, I would've propably waited 1 hour... Does someone know why Japanese conventions close this early? TGS started at 10 am and ended at 5 pm (!). How could anyone possibly be able to see all the games he wants to??
On top of my frustration about not having been able to do the things I wanted, I was pulled by some nerd when I was on my way back to the station. At least I've learned a new vocabulary: Nanpa. This words describes weird guys pulling girls who are not interested in them.
As stated before, I didn't get to do much, so I didn't take many pictures as well. Nevertheless, you can visit my gallery at Animexx.de by clicking here.
Random stuff
What else has happened?
Hmmm, I don't know where to start, so this entry might be a little bit out of order ^^'
遊び - Going out
Monday (September 18th) we went to eat some yakiniku (焼肉). Yakiniku is basically just slices of beef or pork you can cook out on a small grill on your table by yourself. It's really fun, actually AND it's the tastiest food I've tasted so far here in Japan!
At the Yakiniku restaurant.
On the left side from front to behind: Taka, André and Nao.
On the right are Matthias, Anne, Robert, Jana and Sebastian
We were so many people we had to sit at two different tables.
Left: Marie (from Finnland), Mayumi
Right: Me and Katja (from Finnland, I don't really know how her name is spelled properly...)
The meat (raw)
The grill. Yes, it can be quite dangerous. XD
After this, we went to a karaoke bar. My first time of real Japanese karaoke!!! *happy* They even had my favourite songs from Ellegarden (J-Rock band, which is somewhat unknown to the people I met despite being in the Top 30)! The Japanese students were impressed that I knew so many Japanese songs and even sang "Momoiro Kataomoi" from Matsuura Aya with me ^^
The most exciting thing that evening was Taka's rap. He only chose Japanese rap titles - and could rap faster than anyone else could even read the lyrics o.O
東京 - Tokyo
I've been in Tokyo several times now to buy some stuff. Akihabara (秋葉原) is absolutely stunning! It's propably even more impressive at night, though, when you can see all of those neon signs. Akihabara is not only a mecca for those who search electronic devices, but also an otaku paradise. Anyways, I bought an electronic dictionary (finally) and some artbooks at Gamers - you know, the store with Dejiko as a mascot.
Harajuku (原宿) was not yet that exciting. It's propably because I went there on a week day. I suppose on sundays it's really crowded and you can see more of those famous "Harajuku Girls". There's a big used book store near the station called "Book Off", where you can buy used manga for 100 Yen. I only bought the first Harry Potter volume and two photo books, though, because my bags were already fillied with heavy stuff I bought at Gamers, but I'll definitely come back again XD
A street in Akihabra right next to the station. Electronic goods sure are cheap here, and they even get cheaper around christmas, when the Sarariman (salary men) get their bonus.
Me in font of Harajuku station. Cute little building, isn't it? I always thought this place must be vivd and stylish, but it's was the complete opposite XD There's a street with numerous independend fashion stores nearby, though.
携帯電話 - Cell Phone
I wanted to make sure that I have a own cell when I go to the Tokyo Game Show. Thursday, we finally got our alien registration, so I had all I needed to buy some one. (The law concerning foreigners getting cell phone contracts is really strict since April) So, on Friday, we went to Ebina (海老名) and bought some. Well, we didn't acutally buy them, because there are some cells you can get for free when you make a contract.
This is my cell. Isn't it pretty? It lacks some individual detail, but I'm sure I'll be able to change that ^.~ As you can propably see, I put on a picture of my lovely, cuddly, beloved and dearly missed sister as wallpaper.
I usually don't depend on such things, but in Japan, you're basically inexistent as long as you don't have a cell email address. Furthermore, it's now our only means of communication, as we have neither phones on our rooms, nor a guaranteed internet connection.
If you want to know my cell phone number and/or email address, please comment.
Tokyo Game Show - 東京ゲームショウ
Finally the great day has come. *dundundun*
I was very nervous, because it was not only to be my first Japanese convention, but also my first cosplay experience in Japan.
Cosplay in Japan is so much different from cosplay in Germany! It starts with the rules of a convention: In Japan, you're usually not allowed to enter or to leave the convention area wearing a costume. The TGS was special, though: You even HAD to use the official changing area in the hall. For using this, you have to pay 500 Yen, but at least you can leave you baggage there for safekeeping.
There were only two big changing areas (one for women, one for men, of course! - by the way: Crossdressing was not allowed!). It all felt so strange. Being in that tent-like area together with so many other Japanese cosplayers dressing and undressing... I know some guys who would've given their right arm for seeing what I saw XD
Japanese cosplayers sure are amazing. They put so much effort in every single detail: Make up, wig, props, accessory, posing... Well, of course there were also some cosplays I have seen sewn better in Germany, but generally said, Japanese cosplay still is on a higher level.
Another difference was the huge number of Cameko (カメ子), photographers taking pictures of cosplayers. On German conventions, there're are usually the same number of photographers as cosplayers, so you're eventually asked for a picture, but can still move freely around the area. On TGS there were three times more Cameko than cosplayers, which means they actually queued up to take pictures. And when I write pictures, I'm not talking about two or three, but a hole series of photos in various poses.
cari_cosplay graciously lent me her Amy costume (for I do not own any game costume), which is pretty ... er... well, there's not that much fabric. I really had the impression that Cameko don't care much about well done cosplay, as long as it's either cute or sexy. There were so many breathtaking Kingdom Hearts and Final Fantasy cosplays, but the Camekos were more interested in school girl uniforms ... Pitty, really. Lucky for me though, because this way, I didn't have to wait long to take a picture of these costumes. The longest queue was in front of a female cosplayer who was basically wearing nothing but underwear...
Anyways, Cari's costume and my Gaijin-ness (...) drew a lot of attention towards me. Result: I couldn't move from the spot for about one hour. The Camekos propably would've have stopped taking pictures if I would've asked for it, but I just didn't notice the time flowing by ^.^' One Cameko took about 30 pictures (sitting, kneeling, standing, close ups...)! And there was this familiy who wanted to take a picture of us together, the little daughter seemed to be slightly frightened, though...
I also was interviewed three times by some people from gamespot.com and gametrailers.com. I was so nervous in front of the camera! I'm so used to speaking Japanese, I couldn't even answer their questions in proper English T.T
Because I spent so much time in the cosplay area, I didn't get to see any of the games. Pitty, I really wanted to play Kingdom Hearts 2 Final Mix. But thinking of the queues at the Square Enix Booth, I would've propably waited 1 hour... Does someone know why Japanese conventions close this early? TGS started at 10 am and ended at 5 pm (!). How could anyone possibly be able to see all the games he wants to??
On top of my frustration about not having been able to do the things I wanted, I was pulled by some nerd when I was on my way back to the station. At least I've learned a new vocabulary: Nanpa. This words describes weird guys pulling girls who are not interested in them.
As stated before, I didn't get to do much, so I didn't take many pictures as well. Nevertheless, you can visit my gallery at Animexx.de by clicking here.
Random stuff
What else has happened?
- Sunday, we went to a traditional street festival (Matsuri - お祭り) in Hadano (秦野). The Firework at the end of it was absolutely beautiful.
- I ate Takoyaki (たこ焼 - octopus fritters) ... Octopus has no destinguishing flavour, but gives you the feeling of chewing rubber...
- I somehow managed to succeed in our placement test (don't know how, though), so I'm in the second class now and have my Saturdays free.
- Yuuko, one staff member in our dorm turned out be be a ex-cosplayer and promised me to take me to the Fuyucomi convention in December.
- pichpi sent me some Milka chocolate today. I was both surprised and moved by this. Thanks so much, Pi!!