Japan Expo 2nd Impact Review

Greetings everyone! We here at Neko’s Shiritori had the wonderful opportunity of experiencing Japan Expo Second Impact. The convention moved to San Mateo, in a location that is more central to the Bay Area Peninsula.

At first glance, clearly Japan Expo was adjusted from last year’s feedback. As usual, we felt like Japan Expo had a clean template as the schedule was segmented clearly and not overwhelming. The venue was half outdoors, making use of an open environment in which Japan Expo felt more like a festival rather than a convention. This was perfect for the performance exhibitions that were displayed during the weekend.

We were mainly looking for a few things: more attendees in the second year, improvements over the first year, and content at Japan Expo that differentiates itself from other local conventions. All of these were very clearly seen.

Interview with Gen Urobuchi at JX 2014

At Japan Expo, we are very honored to interview Gen Urobuchi and also be graced with the presence of Nitro+ president Takaki Kosaka. Let’s begin.

Translated by Emmanuel Bochew.

How has your trip to the US so far this summer?

It is the first time I have been to San Francisco. It is a very beautiful city. On the first day of our visit we went to the Golden Gate Bridge. Seeing the bay view was really pleasant.

Every time I am watching movies in Japan, the city and the bridge always seem to get destroyed. I didn’t know the city was so beautiful in person.

The bridge might not be around next time I visit so I’m glad I got to see it.

How you think about your work being very popular in the west?

Some of my work has been set in America, so I am very pleased and honored that my work is loved here.

Interview with Akira Yamaoka at JX 2014

At Japan Expo, we had the honor of interviewing Akira Yamaoka, known for creating the Silent Hill Original Soundtracks.

First thing’s first: How has your time been in the US been?

I’ve been to America a couple of times. I feel like I’m getting on the train to go to the next town over and the next one after that.

Do you compose music in your free time?

I don’t do it at my free time. It’s actually quite hard when you think about it, it’s like okay I have free time I’ll make music. No I must tell myself “I need to focus to make music” then go and do it.

Japan Expo Preliminary Phase

Greetings from Neko’s Shiritori! Amoirsp here looking forward to Japan Expo 2014. I will be going to Japan Expo with Keoicorp, our photographer. Given how Japan Expo 2013 had gone, we saw a convention that had a reasonable first year and good potential of growth going forward. Japan Expo had been in France for the past 15 years, and that experience carried over into the newer US version.

 

While there’s loads of news floating around, convention information can be quite overwhelming, so we’re going to use a more simplified approach. Japan Expo will be at San Mateo Event Center starting August 22nd. The location should be more favorable for people to come to.