Hank Thornfeld の Weblog（仮称）: 3 Events in September (Eng.)

Three VOCALOID events are held in and near Tokyo in this September. I luckily could attend all events.

These events are kinds of sale of CDs, comics... etc. by the creators directly. Listeners can choose and by our favorite one from the creators hands. You may be able to shake their hands and to get their autographs. I know the "Artist Alley" in the AX11 as the very similar event in the US.

(1) THE VOC@LOID M@STER 17

- Sep.4 at Sunshine City in Ikebukuro, Tokyo.

"THE VOC@LOID M@STER" is the largest event only about Vocaloid in the World. I heard that 449 creator groups attended. (*1) How about the ordinary attendee? ...Many! This was the 17th since 2007, having the longest history.

When the V.M. 16, I felt that was dangerous because the hall was very crowded. I and other many attendee were stuck in the center of the hall and pushed by many other people from every direction. We almost fell over just like a file of dominoes.

However, this V.M. 17 was not extremely crowded, still a bit, though. Compared with 16, I suppose that people could find their favorite CDs and comics easily and walked corridors comfortably without severe traffic jam.

I bought these CDs and books in this event. The most remarkable one is a book that is put on the center. This is named "VOCALO CRITIQUE(*2)" that is (maybe) the first criticism about the world of Vocaloid. Many reviews are written by the president of AHS(*3), Vocaloid producers, listeners, a professor of a university...

The right top one is for my friend who live in Osaka. She couldn't come to Tokyo, so I bought it instead of her.

"THE VOC@LOID M@STER 18(*4)" will be held on Nov.19(Sat.). Attendee have to buy a catalog per person. Usually the catalog for V.M. are sold in advance at some book/magazine shop in Akihabara and other area. The way to buy the catalog (=brochure) will be announced soon.

Cos-Play were prohibited at this event. Sometimes happens because of condition of the hall, or other reason.

(2) VOCALOID FESTA 03(*5)

- Sep.11 at Tokyo Big Site in Ariake, Tokyo

It was small event, in contrast to "THE VOC@LOID M@STER 17" last week. The number of circle of creators were less than 60. Although the place was Tokyo Big Site, this event was held only a part of one of the halls. And others were occupied by 1500 booths of another event, Hakurei Shrine Reitaisai(Hakurei Shrine's Regular Grand Festival,*6).

As you imagine that, the Reitaisai gathered huge number of people. The line flowed to the station... 500 meter? It was very difficult to find our entrance behind the gigantic line.

This VOCALOID FESTA 03 was admission free. We didn't have to buy a catalog. (Catalog for this event was downloadable from the official website as a PDF file.)

I'm looking for the new Vocaloid3 "Ring Suzune" born from VOCALOID FESTA. I like her design and voice.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hGUldG3nG5k

(3) VOCALOID Fantasia 2

- Sep.18 at Yokohama Sambou(*7) Hall in Yokohama

It was also smaller than V.M.17. Around 100 booths were placed in the hall named "Marineria". This hall is located in front of Yamashita Park and Yokohama Bay. Yokohama city is less than 1 hour way from central Tokyo by frequently operated train.

In contrast to the other 2 events, there were many cos-players in that hall. I think that they should go out and be taken beautiful photos with the harbor... The second largest populated city in this country is well known as the picturesque international port.

But, usually, costume players are not permitted to go out of the hall. I was very surprised when I attended AX11 in LA this July. Because there were many cos-players in downtown LA!

Anyway, go into the hall.

In a part of the hall, A lecture was held to train Vocaloid to talk fluently. There were 30~40 listeners who were sitting on the floor and listening to the instructor.

Attendee have to buy a catalog for each(¥800).