Pacific Media Expo Nov 11-13

Hello there readers, it’s Bibi with a summary of Pacific Media Expo (PMX for short).  I just got back late last night and I am hoping to the con gods that my sore throat does not turn into con plague. For those new to cons or unfimilar with con plague, it’s basically a cold/flu but ten times worse.

 

PMX was con number nine for me. I’ve been wanting to go since 2008 and being able to finally go was very exciting.

I use to just go to cons, got bored of that and then started volunteering/staffing.  But for PMX, my boss suggested I do press. Thankfully my minimum staffing/volunteering experience helped me in a way prepare for taking up press.  I know some people think that going to a  con that you’ve never been to before for the first time as press was either not smart or it was a 1 up move.

 

To start off, after getting my badge that Friday I went and did some massive promoting of Visual KEIOS. I gave most of the gifts my boss made for certain guests and did some networking. PMX  is my kind of con, it felt like the right amount of people in the location. Not overflowing and causing problems or too little.

The guest everyone wanted to see mostly was D. Fans had traveled far and wide just to see D, even for the second time. D is a amazing visual kei band who truly deliver a live performance you will never forget. And the members are equally sweet guys. They did two perfomances at PMX. One Friday and the other Saturday.  There was also a chance to get a VIP bundle for the concert as well. First in line for concert and autograph sessions were the main perks.

Some D Q&A tidbits/Autograph session surprise

-Tsune singing a bit of the Ghostbusters theme FTW! Apperently HIDE-ZOU has seen ghosts and it has prompted him and Tsune to get more into them.

-Afterward someone asked them to mimic the member next to them. HIDE-ZOU did Tsune and it did not go well.  Tsune was like “That’s not me at all!”

-There were a lot of shounen-ai moments between Asagi and Ruiza. The band was asked what would they do if the member next to them forgot who they were and Asagi said he would serenade Ruiza so he would remember him and he then proceded to sing a little of Yami Youri to him and Ruiza joined in. And later Asagi embraced him so sweetly.

-At the last autograph session, I think one of the translators or even staffer jumped on the table. The band was going to sign his back and of course Asagi made it extra special by giving the guy a good smack on his butt. Of course we couldn’t take pics of this happening though.

 

Another guest I was delighted to see was Yuko Ashizawa of ATELIER-PIERROT (a gothic lolita brand). I love jfashion and getting to meet designers is always a plus. I was able to meet her Saturday and give her the gift my boss made for her. She seemed so very happy to get it and was really nice to meet her. ATELIER-PIERROT had a stunning fashion show that Sunday too.

 

In the dealers room, the first thing everybody saw when they walked in was the S-inc booth.  The booth had sections from all the lines (Hangry&Angry, Sixh and the many branches from h.NAOTO). The workers are always so nice and helpful. They will even pick out accessories to match what you picked out. Personally, my favorite line is Hangry&Angry. A little tidbit about the S-inc booth is a neat card system they have. For every $100 you spend, you get a stamp. Once you spend x amount, you get a gift. What is the gift depends on how much you spend. There are a total of three gifts before you reach the special.

I do recommend everyone check out the S-inc booth if you haven’t already, they attend cons quite often and you won’t be disappointed. The designers might even be there too, another oppurtunity you do not want to pass up.

 

I also had the chance to go to a back to back panel by Synchro Multimedia Group. They work with Tensei Sugahara who is a Tokyo based artist who is beyond a triple threat. He is a photographer, model, musician, fashion designer and the list goes on. He is always stylish and discussed his jewelry at the second panel. The first panel was discussing the hottest stores in Japan along with a few pics from each store.

 

Overall, I enjoyed myself. If you are heavily into jfashion and jmusic, PMX will be right up your alley. Of course they still have the anime events there too for all you anime lovers. Thanks PMX for making my first time not only enjoyable, but unforgetable.