[event] Japan Expo Belgium

[kitsune_no_ame]

First edition, and last I will attend. It was Japan Expo, with all it's organization flaws multiplied: Not enough space in the alleys, too much noise from the gamer half of the hall, no karaoke (NO 1000 PARCENT RABU RABU D:), too much queuing for food, too many bootleg stores (outnumbering the legit ones), only one publisher on site, not notable

Comments

[bishieobsessed]

I've become paranoid over bootleg stores lately! >:O

But I'm glad there were still positive points to the experience! ♥

[kitsune_no_ame]

It's usually quite easy to spot book & DVD/CD bootlegs, but it's getting trickier with figures, since they are now getting really good at this, even to the point of copying the glittery-Bandai stickers D:

Best thing is to check with myfigurecollection.net, they have pics of bootlegs incl. pictures of the boxes, it's quite helpful.

[bishieobsessed]

Oh, man! Book bootlegs as well? D: Gotta watch out for everything!

Yeah, I saw some bootleg pics over at myfigurecollection that confirmed some of my figures as bootlegs. Like those terrible Hetalia ones, for example!

I'd thought there was something off about them, but had no idea figures were bootlegged back then. I gave them a nice, new paint job and I absolute love the way they look now, but I can't help but feel disappointed that they were being sold at the con like that.

I can only spot bootlegs if it's really obvious they are, so now I'm very paranoid over some other nicer looking figures I've bought at cons. I'm trying to buy figures directly from Japan now.

Thank you very much for the info~! :D

[kitsune_no_ame]

Especially art/fan books from what I've seen.

Not all bootlegs are horrible though, I've seen some very good quality ones, which makes it even worse (between not having the figure at all or having a pretty but fake one, what are you supposed to choose?)

I've heard about people buying cheap bootlegs on purpose, for spare parts or customizing them!

Yes buying them from online shops like AmiAmi or CDJapan is a guarantee that you'll get the real thing, which is what I always do for new figures. But older / sold out ones? So difficult to hunt them down outside Japan D:

[snoozy]

too many bootleg stores (outnumbering the legit ones)

Well, now that sucks.

But yeah, at least lol, good thing you saved some money I guess?;;

[kitsune_no_ame]

Yeah, it was a nice day, without spending much, that's always a good thing^^

[k_u_r_o_g_a_n_e]

(Hitsuzen. Just wanted to poke you in Twitter how JE was.)

That's why I never buy import stuff at cons because you can never be sure from which part of the Asian continent it actually is imported. xD But yeah, better for your bank account I guess.

I absolutely understand how you feel about con let-downs, but at least, it seems you made the best out of it. ^^

Karneval... Saw it in the new EMA-Shinkan and immediately got Loveless vibes. Just from the cover it looks promising. I'm so sold when it comes to Zero Sum titles because normally, they never disappoint me.

[kitsune_no_ame]

Hey I wrote this post the day after I came home, gimme a break xD (I came home late Monday)

That's why I never buy import stuff at cons because you can never be sure from which part of the Asian continent it actually is imported.
At least JE Paris has some legit stores, like the (small) Animate one.

Karneval is really nice, I read both volumes in an evening, I think you'd like it too. At least STUFF HAPPENS, unlike in Loveless.

[kanki_yamato]

I'm so sad to know that!D:
Lucky you didn't skip class for went there!!!O_o'

Oh!I'll wait for your tought on Karneval!It will be published here in italy but I don't know if I'll buy it or not...I need an advice!;)

[kitsune_no_ame]

I will post about Karneval this weekend.
Glad to hear it's available in Italian too (I know only of French and German releases)

[yumenonozomi]

A pity it wasn't such a good experience. What's with those bootleg-stores anyways, OTL.