Today’s events consisted of Tsunku’s panel and two autograph sessions with Morning Musume. maiZe will post the Q&A with Tsunku so stay tuned for that!
As for the autograph sessions, the first was on a first-come-first-served basis with the exception of those who attended the Morning Musume Q&A panel and received an autograph ticket: they received priority in the line. At the momusu Q&A on Day 1, approximately 500 tickets were handed out, each of them with the warning that they did not guarantee anything in return. At the post-Q&A autograph session, around 150 of those with tickets were treated to autographs, leaving the remaining 350 souls (and those gambling to get an autograph without a ticket) high and dry and were told that those with tickets would receive priority for the autograph session on Saturday. Today, approximately 160 of those with tickets received autographs leaving a total of around 190 Q&A attendees and anyone in the standby lines with no autograph. Handshakes were allowed at the post-Q&A and today’s autograph signings
The second autograph session was for the 300 guaranteed autograph tickets being distributed upon purchase of CDs or merchandise at the Japanfiles and JPopHouse booths in the Exhibitors’ Hall. How they managed to give 300 signatures in 2 hours boggles my mind, especially with the size and complexity of Reina’s autograph. Handshakes were not allowed at this autograph event due to time constraints.
Between the two autograph sessions, the IW crew had a bit of an autograph session of their own. IW staff, #wotachat-ers, and bloggers alike gathered for a quick photo and exchanged business cards and little notes to each other. We were even surprised with the appearance of SacredCultivator of Hello!Fansubs!
Then, we took a quick IW staff shot for those of us present.
As for scheduled Morning Musume and Tsunku events, that’s everything, which means that IW coverage of AnimeExpo 2009 is complete with the exception of the Q&A sessions that still need transcribing. Please keep an eye out for those coming soon!
We’re not completely sure if we’ll be attending the closing ceremonies since the word going around is that that girls are heading out tomorrow and their presence is highly unlikely.
Until next time!
Comment by SacredCultivator — 2009/07/05 @ 3:23 am
Definitely was a fun experience and getting to meet you all ^^
Comment by SacredCultivator — 2009/07/05 @ 3:26 am
^Ahh forgot to add, lol, add me on FB:
http://www.facebook.com/SacredCultivator
Comment by Ray — 2009/07/05 @ 6:52 am
Seeing these two photos is really heartwarming for me, and you’ve all done a wonderful job with the AX coverage.
Comment by tezukakunimitsu — 2009/07/05 @ 1:50 pm
my friend asked one of the staff members and apparently only 200 tickets were given out
Comment by maiZe — 2009/07/05 @ 4:12 pm
@ tezukakunimitsu: At the Q&A panel, it was announced that 500 tickets would be handed out, but having a ticket would not guarantee an autograph.
JapanFiles posted on their site that there would be 300 guaranteed autograph tickets for Morning Musume.
Comment by Langdon Alger — 2009/07/05 @ 7:03 pm
didn’t get a chance to meet or hang with any of the Intlwota crew, I really should’ve planned and went out of my way to do so, but it was a pleasure meeting CK at the momosu concert
Comment by CK♂ — 2009/07/06 @ 5:14 am
Langdon, the pleasure was all mine. I got so excited when I saw the YODC shirt! Oh, and I would have loved to know that Pata from Hello Island was sitting next to me during the entire show! Bwahahaha!
Pingback by Anime Expo Day 3 | — 2009/07/09 @ 6:01 am
[...] eventually Bryan joined us & we were ready for the picture. You can find the pics on this International Wota post. I’m in the first group pic. If you spot my logo then that’s me, otherwise [...]
Pingback by International Wota @ AnimeExpo 2009 « International Wota — 2009/07/09 @ 7:16 pm
[...] Day 3 TSUNKU Q&A Panel – July 4th, 9AM PST [...]