Okaies, so the great adventure to and from Anime North...
We took transit over and arrive at 8:20am but that time, the lineup was already fairly long but didn't got behind the convention centre. Still, even at that point, it still took about 30 to 40 minutes to register and then we got to wait for the Dealer Room. So, by the time 10:10am roller around, we finally got to do something. XP (This is mostly getting noted for future reference)
So, yes. Dealer Room. Some different people there now than in 2006. Didn't see Bayshore hobbies at all and some dealers looked like they'd better suited to the Artist Alley and ended up in the Dealer Room on some technicality.
Anyway, when we first got in there, I had a mission to locate figures from the Haruhi figma or a Higurashi figure. I found my lovely Mion figure first and bought it on the spot. I've wanted it for the past few months and while the figure was available for a decent price at many places late last year, it's almost impossible to locate now. I won't mention how much I put down for it, other than it was in my budget for the weekend. :P
That said, I'm very, very happy with my figure. I could I have left the con right then and considered it a day well spent. I guess it's kinda strange for a girl to be collecting anime figures like that. I used to collect capsule toys and I still like those. I guess it's an "older fan thing" but I won't flinch to invest in a nice figure of a character I like if it's something I can display, so no "Boobs of DOOM!" The reactions I get are a bit extreme, like one of my friends who commented "See, you're lucky to get to collect the cute figures. My wife won't let me bring them in the house!". That makes me wonder about any future husband's reaction, but we cross that road when we get there, no?
Moving along...
Kate had some on again, off again luck with the Dealer Room. Her favourite series at the moment is one of those action shows that goes on forever Problem is that it was only licensed for North America last week or so and doesn't have the stranglehold grip on the market that shows like Naruto and Bleach have, so finding merch is a headache. She did walk out with some pins and a couple of books, including a novel she's been searching for forever because nobody carries it.
Best part of the dealer room was one of the doujin vendors. Or the only one, really. The place where Laura spent way too much money. One of the guys at the table was doing the carnival barker act, referencing series based on characters being cosplayed nearby. Most people brushed it off, while one Miles Edgeworth cosplayer played along in character, having a mini freakout as he took off down. I hope that was just in character...
For the rest of the day, we hung out outside and watched some anime. This makes it two years that we've ended up in the shoujo screening room. Saw this completely AWFUL show that I can't remember the name of, but should really be called "This One Time at Band Camp - THE ANIME!". A girl goes to a camp or something to study music and, I swear, very time she rounds a corner there's another pretty boy commenting that she effects how they play music. Yeah, it's more or less the plot from Mr B Natural. That's the creepy part. I wish I could remember the name of it so I could resub it with quotes from Mr B Natural. It would improve it GREATLY.
Thank you!
Kate found it.
"The fairy that lives on the campus of Seisou and is the one who gives Kahoko the magical violin. Lili is the same fairy that promised the creator of the Academy that he will bless the school with music. He flies around the school waiting for people to notice him, and if they respond, he blesses them with a "magical" musical talent or whim. IT IS MR B NATURAL. HOLY CRAP. @_@
Kate and I stayed for Anime Hell. It was a mix of some really funny retro material, which is the main reason I go to it. ;P