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[Yamaguchi Yuriko]

I know he came already, but I would like Ishikawa Hideo back. I would also like to suggest the following:

Paku Romi, Irino Miyu, Miyano Mamoru, Nakai Kazuya, Takahashi Hiroki, Takeuchi Junko, Minagawa Junko, Moriyama Eiji, KENN, Kaida Yuki, Namikawa Daisuke, Suwabe Junichi, Kamiya Hiroshi, Ishida Akira, Fujiwara Keiji, Miki Shinichirou, Yuuki Hiro, Koyasu Takehito, Seki Tomokazu, Seki Toshihiko, Yusa Kouji, Suzumura Kenichi, Hoshi Souichirou, Orikasa Ai, Onosaka Masaya, Sugiyama Noriaki, Kugimiya Rie, Outsuka Houchuu, Uchiyama Kouki, Outani Ikue, Yamaguchi Yuriko, Nozawa Masako, Tanaka Mayumi, Kusao Takeshi, Morita Masakazu, Inoue Kazuhiko, Yamaguchi Kappei, Hayashibara Megumi, Furukawa Toshio, Furuya Toru, Orikasa Fumiko, Hirata Hiroaki, Konishi Katsuyuki, Morikawa Toshiyuki, Morikubo Showtaro, Sakurai Takahiro, Midorikawa Hikaru

You got your wish!

I can see from your requests that you're a big Tenipuri and ONE PIECE fan LoL.

Hi!  I can't seem to find any artist alley information on Fanime's website, but I really want to try to get a table!  Anyone know how to do it?

Hi. AA registration has yet to open. Keep an eye on the website and our Facebook/Twitter for any new information.

FanimeCon housing is taken care of by CMR, and they only have authority regarding housing. I suggest keeping an eye on the FanimeCon website, Twitter, and Facebook accounts for official information about other aspects of the con.

yea they are charging Anime Expo prices

But all events, including MusicFest, are included in that badge price. ;D

Oh ok thank you for the link and clarification, and then what's the thread for the music guests then?

Music Fest falls under "Big Event Showcase." The (suggestion) thread is here. You can also create your own threads as necessary.

So the music group that's coming this year, who are they this is the first time I have ever heard of them and I can't find a music video of them on youtube

There's some info about them on the guest page.
Matsushita Yuuya was here a few years ago as a solo artist but this is the first time X4 is coming. I believe Sony blocks their videos outside Japan on YouTube so you'll have to try to find them using either a proxy server or other means. If you use a proxy, this is their official YouTube channel.

(I also recommend you post questions in a different thread since this is a thread for guest suggestions. :) )

Wow, don't think we've ever had a thread started for the next year before the current year's con was over!

Thank you for all your excellent suggestions, everyone! While it's unfortunately not possible to act upon all suggestions, we do (read: Evan does) keep track of each and every one of them so keep 'em coming!

Hi everyone!

For the past few years we've had some how-to panels with our guests of honor, including:
-General Anime Production (Yumi Sato, Animation Producer / Takahiro Omori, Director / Hiroyuki Kanbe, Director)
-Storyboarding (Kazuhiro Soeta, Storyboarder/Animator)
-Character Designing (Yoshihiro Watanabe, Character Designer/Animator)

These panels have proved to be quite popular with attendees. What other aspects of (Japanese) anime production would you guys be interesting in learning more about? We've hosted several Japanese voice actors in the past, but would people be interested in procedures such as how voices are cast or the actual recording process? What other topics related to the creation of Japanese anime would people want to learn about?

I can't guarantee that we will be able to get guests who can host these types of panels, but I would like to gauge the interest to see if it's worth looking into. Also, would people be satisfied with someone who can explain the processes but doesn't have a long list of popular credits? Or would the guest's credits (or lack thereof) sway a person's decision on whether or not to attend their panel?

Thanks in advance!

Hey there, just wanted to make it clear that I did NOT impersonate nor did I state I was a staff member or in anyway involved with staff. She clearly understood in her reply, saying that she would if she were invited by staff. I simply did what DankLordPopo did (ask if mangosirene might come) or what P4ranoia mentioned about akidearest. Please don't misread my words; I did NOT extend an invitation to her. Please don't think that lowly of me to do something so stupid or disrespectful. And thank you staff, for all the work you do.

Hi. First off-- I do not think lowly of you. Please don't think that I am harshly scolding you. It's good that you did not impersonate staff, but gauging a potential guest's interest is still something that would be best left to GR staff. Thanks for your understanding.

So does this also mean that I shouldn't have asked TeamFourStar to come to Fanime, since I already have done that :-\

I assume that TeamFourStar understood that you were not inviting them in an official capacity and were merely stating your desire that they attend. "I hope you can come to FanimeCon" is fine, but it's when people start trying to sound official when contacting potential guests that it could become a problem for us.

Messaged Nina (mangosirene) to see what hear what she might say after seeing other people request/wish her as a guest at Fanime this year. She told me she'd be totally up for attending Fanime, and especially in a guest capacity to host panels or help out with (maybe judge) the masquerade. Can we make this happen, Staff?

Hi there. We're happy to see that people like you are eager to contribute to FanimeCon, but please kindly do not reach out to potential guests. We understand that you only asked what her reply might be "if" she were invited, but we do not wish to have people get their hopes up only to be let down should they not be extended an invitation to attend as a guest. While we cannot divulge all the details, there are many factors that play a role when considering guests for FanimeCon, not just number of requests. To make sure there are no misunderstandings or disappointments on either side, we kindly ask that attendees please leave the gauging of interest and inviting to Guest Relations staff. Know that we do read all suggestions posted in these threads, and Evan has mentioned before that he keeps a spreadsheet of all the requests. (He really does!)

Should anyone want to come to FanimeCon to host a panel, we offer partial and full badge refunds to panelists who contribute a certain number of hours to con programming. More information can be found here.

Thank you for your understanding.

Awesome topic! I agree 100% Something I would love to see is a panel about the history and evolution of anime. There are always some hidden gems when you dig into that sort of topic.

Sounds like a panel Gilles might be able to pull off. :)

Hi.

Try the following tag:

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The image URL goes in between the tags. There's also an icon to insert images in the toolbar above the text area where you write your post. It's under the Bold icon, first icon on the second row.

As for sellers re-selling merch; that always has happened with swap meet. It is normal. Just because it is swap meet doesn't mean that the items have to be old or used. The items can be newer items. Though, I think sellers that also have a booth in dealer's hall shouldn't be allowed.

It always happens because it's difficult to police. Swap meet isn't meant to be a cheap alternative to a dealer's booth. There's no issue with selling items you no longer have use for that just happen to be new/unopened, but people technically are not supposed to be selling items that they originally purchased for the sole purpose of reselling. The person I mentioned clearly fell into this category, and that activity, afaik, is against swap meet rules.

We have opening ceremonies starting around 1PM on the first day of con at Stage Zero.

Just FYI that I saw a guy who was obviously a reseller. He was selling card sleeves and other TCG goods and had multiples of all items. Clearly reselling stuff he bought from AmiAmi. Probably impossible to restrict this activity but just putting this out there.

[How early do people usually start (or are allowed to start) lining up for the autograph sessions?]

Hi everyone! I have three quick questions about the autograph sessions at Fanime this year. I've never been to one, but I really want to get Masaya Matsukaze's. :D

Glad you're looking forward to seeing him. :)

1. How early do people usually start (or are allowed to start) lining up for the autograph sessions?
According to this Guest of Honor page: http://www.fanime.com/guests-of-honor/ , you're supposed to ask where to line up if you arrive early. For those of you who have experience with autograph sessions, when would you recommend starting to line up?

If it's similar to how we've done it in previous years (sorry I'm not Autographs staff), there'll be a separate waiting room and we'll bring in a group of people at a time. If someone comes in really really early, they'll likely be put in a new line that is separate from the current line. I think most people start lining up an hour early. Depending on how desperate people are, perhaps earlier. There will be two sessions, one on Saturday and another on Sunday so if you miss out on Saturday's, you'll probably have a good idea of when you should line up for Sunday.

2. Is there a limit to how many people can attend each autograph session?
Since each autograph session is an hour long, I imagine there's a cut-off to how many people staff will allow in line. Have any of you ever been turned away from getting an autograph, and why? Is it usually just a "stay in the line and hope for the best" situation?

Yes. We try to get through as many people as we can in the allotted time but may have to cut off the line if there are too many people waiting when the hour is almost up.

One thing to remember is that the number of people we can get through depends on the attendees.
Please have your item ready to be signed by the time it is your turn. This includes deciding where you want the item signed ahead of time, having the item opened to the page you want signed, etc. Please take your item and move away after you are done so the next person can have their turn. Too often attendees will stand there after their item has been signed and we have to ask them to please leave. This slows down the line and can cause people to miss out. Please also do not try to engage in conversations with the guest. A short comment or two is fine, but there is not enough time to go back and forth. Needless to say, we cannot entertain requests for posed pictures with guests. A staffer can take a picture of you and the guest as your item is being signed, but we can't stop the line from moving along.

Please don't take offense if you're asked to move or leave. We are just trying to get through as many people as possible. And sorry but no, you cannot have more than one item signed.

**Generic "you"s and "your"s.

3. Is it considered taboo to ask voice actors to sign a Death Note?
Since one of Masaya Matsukaze's most recognized roles is Teru Mikami from Death Note (who also happens to be one of my favorite characters from the series), I was considering bringing a Death Note prop to ask him to sign. Has anyone tried this before, or seen this happen before, and how did it go? For what it's worth, I had a friend who asked Takeshi Obata to sign a Death Note at New York Comic Con two years back, and he was fine with it, but I don't know if it's something that's discouraged in autograph sessions...?

We've allowed fan items such as art and cosplay props signed in the past. It's no problem. ...Though perhaps it would be nice if he can sign on the cover instead of inside the book. ;) (You can have it signed wherever you want.)

There's really only an issue with licensed goods when it comes to things like CDs or DVDs. We might not turn away unofficial merchandise such as playing cards, but officially licensed goods are definitely preferred.

Unfortunately I already have plans to go to the gathering, so I don't think I can go to Daisuke's panel. T_T There's always autographs, though! ^^ I will try to go to Matsukaze's panel. C:

Sorry for going OT but Sakaguchi has another panel on Sunday at 3PM if you can make it to that. :)

Hi you guys.

Panels just announced the times of the guest panels for Saturday. Matsukaze's panel is going to be at 2PM, but Sakaguchi Daisuke's is at 12. Because the two will be traveling together during the con, this unfortunately means that Matsukaze will not be able to stop by the tokusatsu cosplay gathering. Sorry. :'(

Please do stop by Matsukaze's panel (in cosplay of course ;)) if you have the time though!

Those who do want to communicate aren't allowed to, and those that can communicate, don't for whatever reason. If I can't know information at a given time, that's fine...I would just like to hear something other than silence. Marketing and social media should be stepping their game up, in my opinion.

Put me in the former group, but in Marketing's defense, they probably don't want to be posting different ways of saying "we're working on it" every week/month. While it may be some form of communication that people seek, at some point, those people are just going to be like, "Yeah, right......" Seems pretty lose-lose to me if they're going to get backlash regardless of whether they post or not, so they probably choose to only post when there's something worth posting about rather than bombarding people's TLs with what will most certainly be misunderstood for excuses. While they do not always respond, staff do read the forums (you may notice that "ewu" is almost always online) and take everyone's feedback into consideration. You guys have made it clear that you would like better communication. I think it would be best now for people to refrain from theorizing why something may have gone awry since it just puts people, both staff and other attendees, on edge. I would recommend directly contacting the department you have an inquiry with instead of airing grievances on the forum. I'm sorry if you did not get a response if you have already done so, but concerns aren't more likely to be addressed just because they're taken to the forum. If you must write on the forums, constructive comments that don't sound entitled or aggressive are appreciated.

It has already been mentioned that this is an unpaid, thankless job that requires tons of work. There can be a lot of negativity thrown in your face by the very people you are trying to please, and it really does hurt when you do your best but people tell you that your best isn't good enough to satisfy them. Each convention is different so please don't go saying things like "so and so con could get *insert famous guest* so why can't you?" and claim that it's because the staff don't work hard enough or whatever. We work with what we have and try to make the best of it. There isn't a single person on staff whose goal is to displease attendees, and especially regarding guests, there are many, many factors that come into play when booking them which cannot be discussed in public. We don't expect people to excuse any faults just because this is a fan-organized event, but we do wish for people to understand (and perhaps even appreciate) how much work and personal time we put into this year-round. Unfortunately I can't address all the topics brought up in this thread since I don't know the goings-on of all departments and don't want to give any misinformation, but I can say with confidence that while things may not always work out, it's certainly never because anyone was "lazy" or purposefully made things difficult.

Why do we the staff continue to dedicate our time and effort despite the negative comments we may receive? The answer is quite simple: We do it all for you. "By fans, for fans."