I haven't updated anything in a while as I'm busy with doujinshis and video games.
I wish to get back to reviewing anime but it's nothing more than a pipe dream i guess?
But today I'd like to talk about Comic Fiesta, and how it has evolved since I first set foot into the event. 17 days left until the big day, it's like an anniversary celebration for Malaysian Otakus so I feel like it's an obligation to come every year. I've been attending the event for 9 years, and this year will be my 10th anniversary as a doujinka (unless I count the years that I've been on hiatus)
art work does not belong to me http://comicfiesta.org/
Rather than going down memory lane, let me just get straight to the point. Since a few years back some attendees have been complaining about the true objective of Comic Fiesta; that it's no longer faithful to its name and glorifying cosplays instead. I noticed this changed but I didn't have problems with it, because I enjoy looking at cosplays as well as I love looking at comics (be it original or fanbooks).
I think people expect Comic Fiesta to be just about comics; selling independent comics, having a meet and greet session with comic artists or so. But for me, as I watched how CF evolved since 2004, I see the cosplay culture as a derivation of the event's name.
Should Comic Fiesta be only about comics? What about passion that is evolved from the love of comics? Cosplayers don in costume of comic characters, so how does it stray too much from the namesake? Back in 2004, I saw Kingdom Hearts cosplays in Comic Fiesta but nobody ranted against it, nobody said it's NOT "Video Games Fiesta". Most comic lovers are into video games as well, hence some artists decided to make fancomics based on video games they love. All of these are related to each other, so I disagree that 'Comic Fiesta' should be taken too literally.
I'm just baffled by how people complain cosplay is overshadowing the doujin industry, when every year there are always art booths. The number of art groups are multiplying, to the point we had to fight to get a booth for CF. We rush towards deadlines, we work hard, we make ads... yet some people think we didn't exist. Aren't you the ones allowing this to happen? I wonder if you guys even bother checking out the doujin booths and review each one of the comics.
Also must I remind you that there are cosplayers among the doujin community too?
I was told that CF stopped having awards for best doujin booth display or making art competitions, but those are already replaced by pre-event event called 100 Days Countdown, as well as CHAM2, which I think only those who can appreciate art and other artists pay attention to them. See, it's not like the artist community is totally underrated, it's just that these complainers (I'm amused that some of the are among the photographers community) probably don't give a fuck about them anyway.
Another problem with the lack of love towards the art community is that not many people are into doujin-reading culture. In 2004 almost every doujin booths sold their own original comics. As time passes, I was hoping to find more comic books on every booth. But recently it's all about badges badges and badges. Nowadays it's harder to sell comic books compared to mini merchandise (don't get me wrong I don't hate them, just that there are over-abundance of them that it's hard to choose). There was one particular year, my previous group had ours sold out, but last year we no longer had that magic. I'm not bitter about it though, I'm just stating what I observed throughout the years, and I can safely conclude that there are fans not nurtured to love elaborated ideas on stories or alternate interpretations of the series that they love.
I don't really have any problems with celebrity cosplayers being invited as guests in any event. I may not care about them, but it makes other people happy so I kind of feel happy for them. There are a few celebrity cosplayers that I like too, and their appearance make me happy - and I'm speaking as a non-cosplayer, as a regular guest and as a doujinka.
Of course it would be better if the committee invite anime/manga artists or staff from the animation studio, but I'm sure that's gonna cost a lot. Think about it, if you want the 'real' stars of comic and animation kingdom to come, you might need to sacrifice more money.
And I understand that you're already complaining about the ticket price too.
In the end, I don't really care much about what CF has in store for us. All these years I attend just for one reason; to have fun with friends.
We've been waiting for any Final Fantasy Orchestra to come to Malaysia. And finally, when Distant Worlds was announced that they will be performing in Kuala Lumpur, we immediately bought the tickets the moment the sales are open! The tickets sold like hot cakes. And the seats we got are the cheapest, and three rows in front of the stage. But that doesn't matter because what's important is to enjoy the live performance of our favourite tracks!
Venue: KLCC Philharmonic Hall, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Date: 17th November 2012 Time: 8.30pm
no pictures allowed at all times. But sorry, we are Malaysians, we don't give a f*ck. Photo by Reppu_kiri
Just for this concert, suddenly all the nerds/gamers/otakus look like a sir.
Oyeah, before the concert started, we bought some merchandise.
The show started with the Final Fantasy Prelude, the song you hear in most FF intros especially the classic ones. While it was played it brings me back to the days I started playing the games, the times we watch the opening FMVs, holding on to the controller getting all excited about beginning the adventures. Damn you, you made me wanna play all the games again!!
Next was Liberi Fatali. The local choir did a great job imitating the eerieness of the original song. Though FF8 was my least favourite game, it's one of my faves. Well, don't we all love Liberi Fatali? Thank you Dithyrambic Singers! Right after that the conductor, Arnie Roth did a bit of introduction, and relayed a message that Nobuo Uematsu feels bad for not able to come here. I think if he did we'd totally go wild.
you can see Sephiroth's face peeking at the side
Suddenly Victory Fanfare *Victory pose* (they could have played the longer version, you know the part where we see how much we level up and what battle spoils we get? yeah that)
Followed by Final Fantasy III Medley. I don't remember if it's similar from the one in the CD, but of course there's the world map song (OMG THE JALAN2 SONG IS SO BEAUTIFUL), Matoya's Cave - slow version (honestly i prefer the original catchy one xD), and then there's probably an FFIII song that I didn't recognize (cos it's the only classic I have not played), then comes the epic 'Final Fantasy', which is often played at the end of the ending credits. Lastly, FFII's Castle Theme. Wondeful medley ;__; but I really wish to hear FF1's battle theme and Mount Gulug.
Edit: I forgot to talk about To Zanarkand. To me it's one of the songs that really sent shivers down my spine and got me almost teary eyed. I think I was too focused on the video behind the orchestra, and I started recalling the whole gameplay and the story. It was beautiful indeed.
Next was Memoria De La Stono - Distant Worlds, a music from Final Fantasy XI, sung by a guest artist; Stephanie Van Driesen. I believe I've heard this before, but nonetheless, it was still awesome. And then, FFVIII's Man With the Machine Gun - however, I still cannot brain any orchestra versions of Laguna's theme no matter how many times I listen to it. Cos the song suits as techno, if not, The Black Mage's rock rendition of it could bring the whole machine gun guy image in my mind. And then there's Final Fantasy IV's Theme of Love! Again all those video cutscenes makes you wanna play the game all over again.
Prior to the concert, the Friday show attendees spoiled us with the programme list. I'm very much excited the moment I saw You're Not Alone, from FFIX. I mean, really. Only several weeks ago I was all over that song after something bad happened. I'm really surprised to see that particular song in the list, cos it was only played once in the game, and near the ending, I never thought it was so popular. Though it was only played once, it remains in my memory (and heart) for so long... because Nobuo Uematsu is just amazing. I guess that's the thing? So being able to hear it live, words can't describe how I really felt at that moment.
Then, as the conductor said, the concert is incomplete without the infamous Chocobo song, much to my friend Choco-tan's delight XD. First, he introduced us to FFXIV's version of Chocobo theme, the way Uematsu wanted it. And then the ever popular Swing de Chocobo. I'm sure we all felt like dancing, but we could only tap our feet.
Then there's the intermission. Fan-talk about the games.
ninja snapshot
And then we had the FFVII: Opening Theme. We never get tired of this. How it began with slow music and later with something more catchy. Then Az Samad, another guest artist went up the stage to play something from FFV, Dear Friends and also another favourite, FFIX's Vamo' alla Flamenco! And there's the one and only song from a different composer, from FFXIII, Blinded by Light. Probably the only best song from the game, and a little disappointed that the specific violin part wasn't apparent enough to feel its epicness.
Suddenly there's the cutscene from FFVIII, where the problem team; Squall, Zell and Seifer was about to start a mission. The video shows the battle scenes while the orchestra plays Don't Be Afraid. I guess this is one of the favourite battle themes, but in fact I love ALL the FF battle themes, that I wish for a show that only plays the battle themes XD. And then, comes another one of my favourites, Clash on the Big Bridge from FFV. Though it's sad that I couldn't hear the beginning of the melody, but still... HELL YEAH GILGAMESH!!! (although he is the enemy) Just so you know this theme is also present in FFXII :3
And then Aerith theme. I'm not sure how many people got emotional, but, in spite of not being my favourite character, it's sad when you recall that cutscene. I dreaded the video showing the stabbing part, but I'm glad it didn't. But when the video shows the part where Aerith is saying goodbye to Cloud... that's just... well... in memory of Aerith.
Near the end of the show, we have two of the greatest FFVI songs; firstly the OPERA "Maria and Draco" (which consists of Opening, Aria di Mezzo Carattere,The Wedding, and Grand Finale?.). The conductor summoned Ho Chi Mei, James Leong Cai Hunt and Mok Chi Hoe to sing as Maria, Draco and Ralse. I think they did a great job with it, they didn't sound too creepy with their singing. The thing I love about the mission in the opera -in the game- was the story behind it. It wasn't even about that love triangle *coughlockexcelescough*. Secondly, the sad and full of pride... Terra's theme. It really made me want to play FFVI all over again.
why did they not show this? It's not even a spoiler....
The end?
or not...
Arnie Roth said, "we decided to do something a little different for the Malaysian fans"
And different is different indeed. Because he called upon Stephanie again, to sing Suteki Da Ne (FFX)... in ENGLISH! oh wow all the Japanese lyrics disappeared from my head, I couldn't sing a long. It was if i'm not mistaken, a literal translation of the original song. Also the video shows us the FFX FMVs.. and lastly Tidus and Yuna's underwater sex romance. Anyway the dude in front of me hugged his girlfriend cos he was excited to have this performed lol.
Then we have the epic grand finale, the song that initates the existence of many other creepy choir battle themes, and also the song which we've all been waiting for... the MUST HAVE song in every Final Fantasy concerts... the One Winged Angel. It is my second tie hearing it live, but that night felt like we were literally chanting for Sephiroth to descend into the theatre. Yeah the creepiness was there, it was like some kind of ritual I almost felt like an infedel (owait-). I'm not even a fan of Sephiroth but it doesn't hurt to sing along to your favourite final battle theme :3
After the concert, we camwhored a lot we had an autograph session with the artists. Long before the concert, I got the Japanese version of Distant World's volume 1 MWAHAHAHA man I wish Nobuo Uematsu was there to sign that one.
autograph session
note that, my friends sang something special for Arnie Roth likeaboss.jpg before we left. I pretended not to know them wwww
In spite of a few weaknesses, it was a dream come true to attend a concert of your favourite game series. Will definitely hope and pray that they'd come next year. New tracks, new arrangement please! Especially battle music! And Nobuo Uematsu MUST come next time!
le spoils
Edit: For the younger players, I know most of you started becoming a fan since at least Final Fantasy 7. I'm the same too, but I'd like to recommend the classics. You could start with the first installment, where everything was goddamn simple and straightfoward - you get to at least feel what the original FF is actually like, and that was the game that saved Square from closing down. Hence, the name "FINAL FANTASY", as they thought that would be their final game that they'd release. And especially FFVI, where there are wide range of characters which I think have more depth and have much much more interesting backstory. You can hear more wonderful music than just Terra's Theme. Forget the lack of fabulous graphics, in the end it's basically the same. Where there's a slope, be it 2D or 3D you still cannot climb it. When you're hit the random encounter, you're still teleport into a different stage. What makes the classic games great is how the prioritize the gameplay and story more than eyecandy CGI.
As I mentioned in my previous post, it was last minute plan. But thanks to Kiru for helping me buy the tickets and booking the hotel. And I took the train all the way to Singapore, alone. Coincidentally I was in the same coach as a bunch of cosplayers but I didn’t actually talk to them.// You know, they have their own circle.
6 am: Kiru woke me up lol but I was already awake. But it’s hard to hop of the bunk bed since I had to sleep on the top.
7 am: Breakfast, before taking the MRT with Kiru and Kazami. When we reach the venue, there were many people already. Wow otakus and their dedication. I bet when it comes to 8 am class, we’d still be sleeping at 7.30
wakuwaku!!
8 am: already lined up in front of the entrance. It was hot. And crowded. Now we don't get to see these early birds coming to class, do we? The ticket booth was outside the hall, unlike in AFAMY and previous AFASG where everything is indoors.
9 am: We can go inside! Otakus were like wild animals released from a cage, but instead we’re going inside a closed area. And by the time me and the two guys were in, so many people were lining up at the SAO booth that Kiru gave up on it. Instead he and Kazami went lining up in front of the booth with Scandal stuff. So I separated myself from them and wander around by myself. There's a Rurouni Kenshin booth, where there's a life sized cardboard of Takeru Satou as Himura Kenshin, plus they bought the costumes used in the movie. I'm also heartbroken that Singapore will have the live action movie in their cinemas.... MALAYSIA Y U NO HAVE DISTRIBUTOR TO BUY THIS AWESOME MOVIE? And I found the K-project booth! It’s the first place I bought stuff (ironic that I once said I don’t plan to buy any merchandise!!) which costed over RM150. Also took a picture of 2D Isana, Neko and Kuroh…
10 am: I think I went to the doujin booth and got some KuroBasu badges. And later that time I went back near the K booth… where I noticed that the butler café was open, and there aren’t many people lining up. At that moment I already felt ronery cos I was bored… it’s not like I want to enter but well I went on ahead. For such a small cake it costs a LOT pfffftttt- but at least I got a nice butler to serve me. And guess what he is a fan of Fairy Tail too! Then we started fangirl/boy-ing about it XD
11 am: I went back to the K-project booth cos I was informed that there will be a cosplay session. So Kaname was there! I think I spent a lot of time there, lining up and waiting for my turn to take a photo of him. Unfortunately if you want to take a photo with him you have to pay like 50 dollars. Well, that’s one way to rake money.
12 pm: later at this hour I went into the stage. Amuse was presenting its segment, introducing their singers and actors. Plus, FLOW and Baby Metal came on stage as a teaser for tonight’s show. Seems there are quite a number of Baby Metal fans. Right, they’re cute and all, their songs sounds nice but the thing is they don’t play the instrument. So… nope! Anyway, most of the seats are empty. Even the ones in front row. i kept moving towards the front, and all the way to the middle. But still it was too far to get a close up snapshot. My camera ran out of battery, and i left the spare battery in the hostel =__=. At the end, there's Rurouni Kenshin stuff and also an extended trailer of the live action movie ksakhdskjhfskjdf aparrently it became a no.1 blockbuster movie in Japan, after the Avengers!!
waiting to be stolen by fangirls
1 pm: The moment I’ve been waiting for… it’s k-project segment! The director of K was there, and he talked about basically what we already know about the anime. But the best part of the event is the K Radio video, which is presented by Tsuda Kenjirou and Komatsu Mikako (seiyuus of the anime). Who talked about the terms found in K, which are “Battou!”,“Zugatakai”,“Seibai” and “Kizuna”. Then there was a K cosplay competition, where I think the ‘performance’ was quite interesting. I wish I had a good video for that. They were surprised that there were quite a number of K cosplayers, and there was only one neko who won the grand prize.
2 pm: I went outside for a bit, then came back in and… I dunno wander around?
3 pm: it was time for K’s T-shirt signing session with Go Nakanishi… unfortunately I don’t have the redeem ticket so I only watch the lucky 100 people line up. I was boiling with envy indeed. Rather than staying there I went walking around again…
4pm and 5pm: I seriously can’t remember what I’ve been doing at this hour. I know there was one time I was sitting on the floor watching people walk about lol. Yes I was alone goddammit. I went inside MUSE’s store, only to find that the Tiger & Bunny towel I’ve been eye-ing is sold out!! SERIOUSLY?? HOW MANY FANGIRLS ARE THERE!? Oh yeah I also met Volvagia356 while lining up to enter the store.
6 pm: Went back inside the stage area, just to watch the solo cosplay competition. I like the way they select the cosplayers, they were selected on the spot by judges. The judges were pro cosplayers from different parts of Asia. But I don’t actually like the way they select the winners. I was hoping for some… you know, solo performance where the cosplayers act in character as often seen in ComicFiesta. But the intermission of the competition was gold. Team Shikon (champion of WCS 2012) and Lunar Asterisk (from Indonesia) had a game of Janken. It was really entertaining watching them fighting to become the most kakkoi man ever lol.
7 pm: I think that was the end of it. I had dinner with some old friends after that.
Overall the event was great. Just that I wish I had my fellow fangirl friends to come along with me. I mean, imagine fangirling about K alone and seeing your fave characters in doujin/fan merchandise or someone cosplaying at them…. And you need to express yourself, but instead the friends pop up in your head whenever you see their fave character :(
But then my main reason of coming all the way here is to watch T.M. Revolution’s concert. Or else I wouldn’t have come. I don’t think I’ll be coming to next year’s AFA in Singapore. I’m hoping that more great artists would come to next year's AFAMY.
And during the stage event I was disappointed by the lack of screaming… or just during certain stuff, only a group of fangirls or fanboys would get excited. But during K, even with the person next to me who seem to be liking K doesn’t get super excited. Well, there’s CF to look forward to :3
Also, during AFAMY (in the middle of the year) I thought Danny Choo makes a dull host but he seems more entertaining this time. Well, not that I attended AFA many times.
I like the spaciousness of the hall. If I’m not mistaken 1/3 of the hall is totally empty, and attendees can rest on the floor while cosplayers can do some preparations, touch ups and also take photos. One thing that could be improvised is uh… put some carpets or more seats so we can rest comfortably? I guess it’s too much to ask lol. Oh and there’s also food stalls and tables WITHIN the hall, so you don’t have to get out when you’re hungry. Except that you need to queue up. It’s not something easy to get in our homeland.
really large loitering area
There were times where I feel like going back to Malaysia that very moment. But I already bought a train ticket back next morning. No offense but whenever I come to Singapore I feel homesick the moment I set my foot on the soil. But I do like the country; people are so disciplined and the streets are clean and the MRT is super convenient! I guess it’s much easier to run a small country to set things straight…
so that means I don't have any report on the next day. I don't plan to see anything else, but I did wish I could stay for Fairy Tail's movie. But then i was running out of money.
