#but you probably have to fight for it

[putschki1969]

AnimagiC: Worth it or not?

I received the following PM the other day regarding Yuki Kajiura’s upcoming appearance at the German anime convention “AnimagiC”. I thought I would make a proper response post since I’m sure other people will be interested in this as well.

Hello Sarah! I'd like to ask your educated opinion about something, if it's not too much of a bother. I saw your post about Yuki Kajiura being invited to AnimagiC. I consider attending as this may be my one chance to see her and her singers perform live. I have never attended to such events before, so I'm not quite sure how things work. My question would be: Is there a realistic chance that not everyone who is interested will be able to participate at the concert? Since there are no separate tickets for the concert alone, how is it decided who goes and who doesn't if the venue reaches its capacity limit? Is it on a first come, first served basis? I realize that there will be multiple events happening simultaneously, and most probably not everyone will be interested in Kajiura's concert. Still, if I had to trample over others just to get myself a spot (and as a result perhaps they wouldn't be able to participate), then such a place is not for me. Obviously, I'm asking in general as I cannot expect you to know the details about the upcoming convention. I don't know whether I was able to convey my thoughts properly. Thank you in advance!

Key facts

AnimagiC 2023 takes place from Aug 4th to 6th at the Congress Center Rosengarten in Germany (it’s a 15-minute walk from Mannheim central station). With roughly 25k-30k visitors each year, it is certainly not the biggest anime convention in Europe or even Germany but AnimagiC has always been able to impress with its fancy locations and big Japanese guests. The current venue offers space for about 9k participants (not counting the surrounding area), the main concert hall can accommodate around 2,4k people and the second largest hall can accommodate around 1,4k people. No matter how you look at it, it’s going to be a tight squeeze during particularly busy hours. The 3-day-ticket is quite reasonably priced at €118 and is probably the best option for everyone who is coming from a bit further away. Typically, big guest acts have a rather packed schedule for at least two if not all three days of the convention so if you have the means, it pays off to attend on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. One thing I would like to add here is that the convention is almost 100% geared towards a German speaking audience so if you don’t know any German, it might be a little tricky to navigate your way around the whole thing.

First come, first served

The tickets for AnimagiC pretty much cover every activity on the schedule which is both a blessing and a curse. When everything is included you avoid a lot of extra costs but obviously, it’s all on a first come, first served basis so there is always a chance that a specific part of the program will be over-crowded to a point where certain people won't be able to participate. There's no way to buy yourself into any of these activities via fast-passes or VIP tickets so it really is a matter of prioritising where you wanna be and getting there as early as possible. This can be quite tricky when multiple interesting activities happen simultaneously or back to back. As of right now, the announcement of YK's guest appearance has had the biggest response on the official AnimagiC Twitter account so she will probably be the most popular act there, attracting huge crowds. Many hardcore and even casual fans might camp-out at a certain location for the entire day to secure front-row-seats or good spots in a queue so you have to take that into account when you are planning your own schedule. I personally wouldn’t recommend such behaviour because it’s incredibly rude and you risk missing out on a lot of other cool stuff but of course many people would disagree with me. As far as the concerts are concerned, I would wager it is possible to get a seat if you get there about 2-3 hours in advance but there’s no way to know for sure. My best guess is that the majority of convention visitors will most likely be distracted by other convention activities and only start heading to the concert halls once a big event is about to start. As long as you can outrun those crowds, you might be fine. 

Possible program

The organisers of AnimagiC won’t be releasing the full program until July so it’s difficult to predict what awaits us. However, based on past events, a few things are very likely to happen. AnimagiC typically schedules a variety of fun activities for their honorary music guests which definitely justify the convention ticket prices. Among those activities you can expect at least two types of live performances on separate evenings (one live might be a joined act with other artists). As one of the bigger names on the line-up, YK and FJ will surely get to perform at prime time in the main hall with very few simultaneous events taking place to ensure that everyone will get a chance to attend. There will probably be one bigger (more general) panel with several Japanese guest acts and another one that’s dedicated to YK and FJ (most likely including interactive stuff such as a Q&A or game corner). One thing that’s also almost always guaranteed at AnimagiC is the chance to get your hands on a handwritten autograph from all the guests. Keep in mind though that there are many different ways in which that can happen. In order to participate in signing sessions, you might have to take part in some sort of lottery and in many cases you will be required to purchase official releases/merchandise. Big guests might not even show up to a proper signing session due to certain label/management restrictions, they will simply write the autographs in advance and then later during the event, staff members will hand them over (this happened with Aimer last year).  

Overall, I can recommend visiting this convention to everyone who 

is a big anime/manga fan 

is located in Europe 

won’t travel to Japan any time soon

wants a chance to see YK and the FJ girls up-close

doesn’t mind chaos and huge crowds

[poorly-drawn-mdzs]

It's just guys night talk! Don't worry about it!

(Read Tiger Tiger and shake this man awake so he can finish that thought!)

[okidraw]

i wanted to show them the stars.

[originalartblog]

Unforeseen learning opportunity!

(wikitionary to explain the scar)

(bonus)

[thatkoiboi]

Part 2

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This is a fan comic inspired by Cass' Apocalyptic Series and is just my own little fan art of how Donnie and Casey could have gotten closer!

The creator is @/somerandomdudelmao

hebehjeabaje I did a warm up doodle of Mikey on the canvas and liked it so much I wanted to incorporate Mikey somehow (literally made up an excuse just to drop a bunch of easter eggs for fun).

[just-null]

wrestling to be the first to greet you (they broke into your house)

[lazylittledragon]

they'll make it work

[symphonyofsilence]

Let the poor man rest.

[otaku553]

Quite frankly still obsessed with the three of them

A little procrastination doodle

[psymachine]

mac: bottom

dennis: eviler bottom who bullies and manipulates him into topping all the time

[darqx]

Upgrading the 'polaroid magnet' idea of 2019 for 2023's Xmas card trades, these ones are made from wood and use actual magnets! Luxurious! |D All the poses are also referenced from actual party photos i've taken of other people, to add to the candid vibe lol.

The dreamcatcher is kind of a gag gift (yes the craft project i reffed here) for some friends. Since they don't have the ability to fight their nightmares i have offered to [try and] do it for them XD

Made from: Wooden craft polaroid (plus some backing MDF pieces), magnet, misc decorating items (glitter, wooden shapes, gel pens, paint etc). The dreamcatcher is just a storebought one with laminated paper mes wired to it

[heynhay]

let's drive out

[radiance1]

Unintelligible chanting echoed in a warehouse. A perfect summoning circle drawn on the ground with one cultist standing before it with a group more standing behind them.

Even thought the chanting was unintelligible, it was perfect. Not a clipped word or uneven tone out of place as they all, in unison, chanted the words to summon an almighty being from beyond.

Even as interlopers broke in the warehouse, they didn't stop chanting, only the cultists who weren't chanting and were previously standing around the room, broke away in an attempt to stall.

The circle glowed a toxic, unnatural green before growing dark yet darker. A black, mist like substance spreading from its focal point and out into the bounds of the circle before twisting and twisting as the temperature rose and grew into a sweltering heat that could be felt all throughout the warehouse.

They did not stop chanting.

Even as the last of their guard fell.

They did not stop chanting.

Even as some of the cultists at the back of the group started to engage in combat.

They did not stop chanting.

Until finally, the black mist twisted into a brilliant, unnatural black flame as the heat soared and shaped itself in the giant form of a bird before larger than large wings snapped themselves open.

Black flame slide off of the being's form like water, small flickers of deceptively harmless looking flame trailed down the bounds of the summoning circle as the phoenix lowered itself.

"So we meet again." The being spoke, its very presence demanding attention and respect. Impossibly red eyes focused all of their intent on the cultist and the helm. "What do you want this time? I am quite busy, as I'm sure you should be aware."

"O'h' great one," The cultist fell to their knees, hands spreading up and out reminiscent of a prayer. "The deepest flame, the guardian of the blackest fire, rival of the-"

"Enough of that nonsense." The being snapped, scoffing as it turned its head in disdain. "I did not answer your pitiful call just to hear you praise me. Make your demand, now. I have an appointment to keep."

The cultist seemed to deflate, for but a mere moment, before lowering their hands and clasping them in front of their chest. "O' great one, I have sowed the seeds and cultivated a cult in your name through the ages, we are might in number and consistent in our worship."

"I do not need a recap." The Pheonix said, blandly. Looking utterly disinterested in the cultist's words. "Your demand."

"After all of this, surely you would not mind parting with but a bit of your power?" The cultist asked and finally, the Pheonix seemed to stare with something more than mere disinterest before snapping its head up. "Do not interfere, mere interlopers." It snapped.

The heroes froze as, suddenly, they felt held down in place.

It then disregarded them, staring back down at the cultist before him with some level of interest and clicked its tongue. "Already blessed with immortality yet you wish for more? How..." Its eyes seemed to smile. Amused. As it purred. "Ambitious."

"Please, O' great one. Just a bit. A mere fraction would be enough."

"Oh all alright," The Pheonix said, holding up a wing as it plucked off a feather with its beak. "I suppose you have done enough to be worthy of a bit of my power."

The feather flew down from its beak, encased within a ball of black flame that, as the cultist spread their arms, fused into their chest.

"Do try not to be consumed by it. As I do expect noteworthy things from you."

With that, the Pheonix disappeared in a puff of mist like fire. The circle instantly losing all vibrancy and the sweltering heat snuffing itself out.

And the heroes were free of whatever magic kept them bound in place.

The cultist slowly stood up, back facing them as something bubbled up under the back of their cloak before large, flaming wings burst through the cloth of their cloak. They slowly turned around, and the movement almost looked serene, and faced the heroes.

The cultist slowly spread their hands. "I would have thought the Justice League would have handled this matter themselves, not send their younglings after me." They spoke, calm and measured and holding no feeling whatsoever. Black flame spilled from their hands as they stretched their wings.

"Come. Young heroes. You would be the perfect steppingstone to test my new abilities."

[haikyuu-moments]

i love this art so much. daichi eating watermelon with eyes closed in pure bliss, is a sight that could cure world hunger. he looks so happy. suga's just sitting in the sand, clapping like a proud mama bird. my epitome of sunshine. and then there's asahi. dropping watermelon out of sheer tension? yupp. that's him alright. it's a chaotic and beautiful mess of a scene 🥹🫶

[blueskittlesart]

*sigh* thoughts on Nintendo's botw/totk timeline shenanigans and tomfoolery?

tbh. my maybe-unpopular opinion is that the timeline is only important when a game's place on the timeline seriously informs the way their narrative progresses. the problem is that before botw we almost NEVER got games where it didn't matter. it matters for skyward sword because it's the beginning, and it matters for tp/ww/alttp (and their respective sequels) because the choices the hero of time makes explicitly inform the narrative of those games in one way or another. it matters which timeline we're in for those games because these cycles we're seeing are close enough to oot's cycle that they're still feeling the effects of his choices. botw, however, takes place at minimum 10 thousand years after oot, so its place on the timeline actually functionally means nothing. botw is completely divorced from the hero of time & his story, so what he does is a nonissue in the context of botw link and zelda's story. thus, which timeline botw happens in is a nonissue. honestly I kind of liked the idea that it happened in all of them. i think there's a cool idea of inevitability that can be played with there. but the point is that the timeline exists to enhance and fill in the lore of games that need it, and botw/totk don't really need it because the devs finally realized they could make a game without the hero of time in it.

[littlefankingdom]

It's ironic how Batman is painted as irresponsible for having children fighting as his side (ignoring how said children would still fight without him), but never other heroes, HOWEVER the moment the Teen Titans/Young Justice wants to do something dangerous or comes back from doing something dangerous, he is literally the only responsible adult out of the Justice League. Like, the others are simply like "I'm so proud of you!" but Batman is lecturing his kids about how dangerous it was, how they didn't even told him where they were going, how they didn't contact him about their well-being enough, about how difficult it would have been for him to come help if they needed it... He's straight-up acting like a parent that found out his kid sneaked out, but they didn't came back until later the next day, and never called to tell them they were alive.

Bruce is portrayed as the "unfunny" one when one of his teenage kids is like "the team and I wants to do this dangerous thing unsupervised", because every other adult is fine with their own doing it, but like, he is being the responsible one. Yeah, a responsible parent would not be like "sure sweetie, go fight this dangerous thing with your teenage friends", they would be like "No, you could get hurt. Yes, I trust you, but this is not safe".

Sometimes, he isn't overprotective, he is normal-level-protective for when your kid is a "vigilante that fights people who will kill them without regret" as a hobby, and the others are being careless (no hate to them tho)