When I look back at my first Anime Expo, which is already over a month ago. I can’t help but feel that it planted something inside me. Taking someone’s word, it is about “being yourself”, being “unapolegitically into something”. I have always been reserved when I show my interests, especially when there is someone that obviously dislike, or ridicule it. I will fix the grammars later.
It was when Fanimecon 2024 ended. I got to know there is another even bigger convention in Los Angeles. It was called AX. Imaigne axing. It made a bent in my mind, and I was having ideas of going there. Originally I was plannig to go even on myself, but I was lucky enough to find someone to go with.
We came to know that last year’s AX was a complete disaster in terms of the crowd. So we did some preparation. Bought a fan. And we reserved a hotel. Planned to go by car but took the plane in the end. Such a wacky journey. But I am glad we did it.
To jump to the end. I still feel a sense of being lost. There was some energy inside me, and I was not sure what direction I am going with it. I came to know about Vshojo, which before I only knew about Melody. Not even Ironmouse. I grew fond of HIMEHINA, and I am kind of picking up my headphones again – before I was like not listening to music at all. I wore my headphones, but played nothing.
Later I watched HIMEHINA’s live, and also Isekaijoucho’s live.
I am still going over myself. Over the fear of being judged. Maybe people will think “the dude’s just listened to some songs and called himself a fan”. But fuck you. Genuinely. Honestly. What is wrong with being a fan of someone or something? What is wrong with loving a catchy song? Being unapolegitical. Serving cunt. That’s it. Haters can go fuck themselves. That’s what I’ve learned from Fujikura Uruka, whose sang her original song in AX, with her initals as the title, F.U.
Recall
Due to procrastination, the rest is written a year later, on Oct. 12, 2025.
I missed the 2025 AX because of visa delays, but got to attend CCG, Bilibili World and ChinaJoy. It was a shame that I missed Togenashitogeari’s first musical appearance in the US. But on the other hand I got to see Wuthering Waves’ booths, got to play some new games’ demo. Games are not really a thing in AX on the other hand. I should put them down in another blog post.
