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Yaoi-Con Report, Part 1.
Nov. 6th, 2010 04:17 pmOn the whole, Yaoi-Con 2010 was great, and I am glad I went. There were some many moments when it reminded me of the years Fanime was too big for it to know how to deal -- long lines with nowhere to go; stupid, unfair policies for how to deal with people in those lines; panels falling behind because of the time it took to empty the room and re-seat people... But, I went there for the guests (which Fanime can never deliver), and I got plenty of guests.
I think I've said before, but I'm not a star-chasing, "omg he shook my hand now I'll never wash it" type, and this is probably the first time I've really done something like this. But even for people like me, I think it's worth it. It was great to just bask in their presence, hear them share little tidbits about their work and lives. I guess it's much like what you would get from listening to a seiyuu free talk or reading a mangaka's little notes -- without challenging my Japanese reading skills like the latter -- but those tend to be more focused on the particular series, while the panels were more about the person. And, I guess, even for the huge number of people packed into the room for Yamane-sensei, there is still a sort of intimacy to be sitting there in the same room with the person, hearing their voices first-hand (and being really glad you know Japanese so you don't have to rely on the horrible translations). The seiyuu mentioned how fans don't get to get that close in Japan, and I was glad that we did.
In the end, I didn't get to go to any of the fan panels because all of the guest events ran over into any time I had marked off as, "Hm, spare time, I think I will check out panel X." Not that I really care, since the panels I was more interested in were scheduled at the same time as guest events in the first place. Maybe next time. But then, next time will also happen mainly because they bring in amazing guests again, so... maybe not.
I did go to main events -- including the Bishounen Auction, which I'm glad I didn't miss -- and those were fun. I think there is a dichotomy in Yaoi-Con attendees. There are the ones that are more like me, there to see the guests and love the series and cosplay and all that. Then there are these creepy people who seem to be there to drool over the bishounen and grope and spank them. (Which I still don't understand. I thought we are there to celebrate BL...) Sometimes the main events became a little too suffused with the latter. Especially closing ceremonies. I'm not sure I want to go to that again... especially if they don't teach people how to properly spank. It's like how they were saying at the fantasy writers panel that you have to actually try punching or stabbing someone (or a chicken) to write it... I had the feeling most of the people there did not really know what spanking is supposed to sound or feel like (whether you're the spanker or spankee). On the other hand, I did think the bishies were hot and well-selected, and it was fun to see more of them.
Anyway, so I guess we will go in chronological order now.
( Friday )
( Saturday )
But that was Sunday, and this post has become ridiculously long, so I think I should stop and pick up with Sunday and pictures another time. ^^;;
I think I've said before, but I'm not a star-chasing, "omg he shook my hand now I'll never wash it" type, and this is probably the first time I've really done something like this. But even for people like me, I think it's worth it. It was great to just bask in their presence, hear them share little tidbits about their work and lives. I guess it's much like what you would get from listening to a seiyuu free talk or reading a mangaka's little notes -- without challenging my Japanese reading skills like the latter -- but those tend to be more focused on the particular series, while the panels were more about the person. And, I guess, even for the huge number of people packed into the room for Yamane-sensei, there is still a sort of intimacy to be sitting there in the same room with the person, hearing their voices first-hand (and being really glad you know Japanese so you don't have to rely on the horrible translations). The seiyuu mentioned how fans don't get to get that close in Japan, and I was glad that we did.
In the end, I didn't get to go to any of the fan panels because all of the guest events ran over into any time I had marked off as, "Hm, spare time, I think I will check out panel X." Not that I really care, since the panels I was more interested in were scheduled at the same time as guest events in the first place. Maybe next time. But then, next time will also happen mainly because they bring in amazing guests again, so... maybe not.
I did go to main events -- including the Bishounen Auction, which I'm glad I didn't miss -- and those were fun. I think there is a dichotomy in Yaoi-Con attendees. There are the ones that are more like me, there to see the guests and love the series and cosplay and all that. Then there are these creepy people who seem to be there to drool over the bishounen and grope and spank them. (Which I still don't understand. I thought we are there to celebrate BL...) Sometimes the main events became a little too suffused with the latter. Especially closing ceremonies. I'm not sure I want to go to that again... especially if they don't teach people how to properly spank. It's like how they were saying at the fantasy writers panel that you have to actually try punching or stabbing someone (or a chicken) to write it... I had the feeling most of the people there did not really know what spanking is supposed to sound or feel like (whether you're the spanker or spankee). On the other hand, I did think the bishies were hot and well-selected, and it was fun to see more of them.
Anyway, so I guess we will go in chronological order now.
( Friday )
( Saturday )
But that was Sunday, and this post has become ridiculously long, so I think I should stop and pick up with Sunday and pictures another time. ^^;;
