With another Sakura-Con behind us, it’s time to reflect and remember how many Japanese cartoons one can cram into a three day weekend. Quite a bit, actually. This time around, I selected a hotel closer to the Washington State Convention and Trade Center, the Seattle Sheraton, primarily because it was really close (across the street) and had a slightly cheaper room rate. So here it is, my fourth Sakura-Con. Photos, as always, are available on Gallery.

Our group made it into the Emerald City on Thursday, earlier than previous years and were able to get our hotel room sorted out, pre-reg badges picked up and an actual sit down meal. A few people were chilling out in costume at the convention centre. There’s not much to do on a Thursday at a convention.

Friday morning, isn’t as exciting either – the opening ceremonies didn’t occur until 10:00 am and not much else was going on (I think the gaming rooms are opened early, but I don’t recall). I suited up as Vyse from Skies of Arcadia while my friends opted to wear “regular” clothes. It’s always tradition for our group to hit up Pike Place Market and get some coffee from the first Starbucks as well as tasty treats from Piroshky Piroshky.

Up at the convention centre, our group split up and I pulled the camera out and started taking pictures (after politely asking of course). I made my way upstairs to the sixth floor where some of the panels were, and ended up staying for a Q&A session with Tiffany Grant, the English voice actress of Neon Genesis Evangelion‘s hot-headed Asuka Soryu. Tiffany was really great at responding to the questions and not shying away from the fact that she probably owns just about every single piece of Asuka-related merchandise ever conceived. It was entertaining!

In one of the open areas nestled between the panel rooms and the AMV room sat Artist’s Alley. The last few times I’ve been to Sakura-Con, Artist’s Alley has been in that covered walkway that straddles Pike Street between the gaming area and registration. There seemed to be much more tables but not enough room between them this year, but all the way in the back sat the ToonTwins, whom I first met last year at Realms Con in Corpus Christi, Texas. This was their first time at Sakura-Con and they seemed to enjoy the atmosphere and the size.

Back downstairs, I stopped in the gaming area after hearing an annoyingly familiar song. An In the Groove 3 machine was in one of the corners and somehow that non-stop nyan cat theme was blasting from the speakers and both players were furiously stomping their feet in tune to it. Jumping back into the crowd, I slowly marched my way into the exhibitor’s hall that had just recently opened up. As usual, Sakura-Con doesn’t disappoint with the wide selection of vendors and merchants offering DVDs, figures, costumes, Japanese snacks and sharp and pointy things. Somehow I ended up talking myself into buying a giant body pillow of Edward and Alphonse Elric from Fullmetal Alchemist.

I happened upon a Naruto photoshoot in the lobby of the convention centre – unfortunately enough, I was not cosplaying as blonde, orange-clad ninja yet (I was saving it for Saturday). I didn’t stay around long enough because I’d loaded my shoulder bag up with lots of goodies from the exhibitor’s hall and had to return to the hotel room to assist my friends suit up.

Outside, I took my friends, who were dressed from Assassin’s Creed, to spot of the park next to the convention centre so we could a bit of a photoshoot. We spent some good time outside and I even managed to get my own mini-photoshoot too!

After perusing the exhibitor’s hall again and coming back with more goodies, it was time for dinner. At the recommendation of the hotel concierge, we decided upon Il Fornaio, a few blocks down. It was a delicious and affordable meal (plus a free appetizer because we were staying at the Sheraton), with our friendly server actually helping our group out and retrieving a con badge that had fallen between the bench and the wall.

I didn’t attend any of the late night panels on Friday as I hadn’t gotten my arm stamped with the special stamp required for the more adult events. Apparently, the staff no longer check IDs at the door to the panels, but state that a special stamp on the left arm. I would have to get that on Saturday.

As part of my Saturday morning convention ritual, I get up early. Not work early, but early for a Saturday, which is about 8:00 am. Cosplaying Naruto isn’t that difficult — fighting with my hair and the wig cap always is. It’s probably a sign that I need to cut my hair. Once everything was in place, I went out to a nearby Starbucks for a small breakfast and a small chat with the baristas about the convention. That’s the thing I like about Seattle is that everyone is friendly – in costume or not.

Saturday was also the day that Chrono Crusade creator Daisuke Moriyama would be signing autographs. So, with volume one of Chrono Crusade in hand, I hung out around the space outside the rooms for the autographs and main stage. Fortunately, there was a Kuroshitsuji (Black Butler) photoshoot going on by the stairs, so I had something to occupy my time with.

When the doors opened, I got in line and waited. And waited. And waited. Waiting for autographs is probably the most painful thing at a convention, but I met a fellow Vancouverite who had done some work for the now defunct Anime Evolution along with some Calgary-area anime conventions. We had a good chat which made the time fly and before I knew it, I was standing in front of Daisuke Moriyama who did a double-take before exclaiming “Naruto!” Moriyama asked me who my favourite characters were what I liked best about them through his translator. I answered both Chrono and Sister Rosette and that I liked their personalities. Moriyama had a chuckle when he commented on Rosette’s impulsive attitude.

Back up on the sixth floor, I met up with the rest of our group and were deciding what to do for dinner when another awesome Naruto appeared. This Naruto also had a blue orb with him for use as the rasengan, so it didn’t take long for me to cup my hands around it and then have a crowd build around us taking pictures. Then Pain showed up. You can tell where this is going.
While wandering through the Artist’s Alley, I was stopped by a parent who had been looking around for me as her child was dressed up as Hinata and wanted a picture. I’m not a fantastic Naruto, but it’s always nice when something like this happens.

For dinner, we decided upon MOD Pizza just up from the convention centre. One of the guys making the pizza commented on my Naruto outfit saying that he’s served everyone from the series except for my character. I guess I made his day.

Following our meal, it was back upstairs to catch the AMV contest and a break with music. There were a lot of fantastic entries, including my personal favourite which had Death Note synchronized to Eduard Khil’s I Am Glad I’m Finally Going Home (better known as the Trolololo song).

I’ve never been to any of the raves held at Sakura-Con, so while my friends went to the panels, I went to the rave. Set in the main stage, the rave had a large open space for dancing along with seats for those who wanted take a break in between moves. And thankfully, plenty of water. Two giant screens featured Vocaloids dancing over colourful swirling backgrounds as the music shook the floor. Lots of fun, especially for the giant Kon bobbing back and forth in the crowd.

Sundays at a con are always depressing because it’s the last day and everything is starting to wind down. Much of the morning was spent cleaning up the hotel room and packing away our purchases before going back for one last sweep of the exhibitor’s hall and a few panels. As most of us had family dinners that night, we left Sakura-Con around 2:00 pm for the drive back home.

I love Sakura-Con. There’s lots of amazing people, guests, cosplay, a wide variety of vendors and things to do. The staff tried to cut down on people blocking the escalators in the main atrium when taking pictures (I’ve been guilty of doing that, I know better). I don’t think there was anything I found lacking this time. Sakura-Con staff know their stuff and put on a great show. I’m coming back next year.

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