SpicyOtaku

Where to begin?
I’ll sort this out into various segments. Some will be rants and moans so feel free to skip! Any pics or movies made by myself, please forgive the shakes. It comes with the illness. Very hard to control.

12 hour coach journey to london. Need I say more? Constantly fighting over legroom with some random guy whilst trying to get some fleep in a dark and smelly coach is not fun. I’d advise against it.
Even after that I had to use the underground. Normally I’ve never had an issue but as most of you know, I’ve come down with a weird illness. Trying to navigate the crowded subways and control your gag reflex was quite the task. Had to stop multiple times, one time of which involved evacuating all food and liquid I’d managed to consume. Charming! Embarrassment factor went through the roof as I had first aiders fighting over who can test my blood pressure first as I try to at least clean up after myself. Somehow managed to stop one of them calling for an ambulance. Probably a gross embellishment there but if I got sent to hospital again I’d never get out in time.
After a while i was able to continue on my way with only a few dizzy spells. 2 trains later, an hour walking and expelling much wanted nutrients into the local fauna, I made it to the hotel. I really did feel like crap. It was so bad I just went straight to bed and didn’t even bother with the expo that day.
Welcome to london Scouse!

Awake early and straight on the pills. Should have known the day wouldn’t be completely amazing when the bathroom light blew. Halfway through shaving I might add. Insert me with random tufts of facial hair and nails that krugar or scissorhands would admire as I lost my routine.
After 2 trains I make it to the Excel building. While there might have been some slight confusion with the routes, all I had to do was follow Kakashi! Masses of cosplayers piled into the trains and what can only be described as a total riot of excitement ensued. Complete strangers come together to comment on each other attire as if they are long lost friends. Signs everywhere for “free hugs” and sword hilts stood out from the crowds like a city’s skyscrapers.

I couldn’t help but laugh, out loud and high pitched as I tried to stiffle it. It was like I was free. Free to be as geeky as I wanted. I could in no way be as bad as these cosplayers so even at my geeky worst I’d pale in comparison and appear relatively normal! SWEET!

At reaching the entrance, a call to Durial was in order to see how long he might be. Apparently about 30 seconds…..
One thing i will say about Chris (Durial) is that he’s kinda cool. He knows what he talks about but isn’t overpowering. He’s happy to discuss his personal opinions and finds it amusing when they differ to your own..providing I told him I’d re-watch Love Hina. He does however have some weird “relationships” with other expo visitors! I’m sure he’ll comment below to call me every name under the sun and explain. Here he is trying out “Blade kitten”.

The game was very generic. Only aspects that stood out where that the character was half cat and could use a cats abilities to traverse the various platforms in-game. I’d give it a miss if I were you.

The queue was pretty much none existing as we just flew right through. We had out wrist bands and inside within 5 minutes while laughing inside at those who hadn’t bought early entry tickets. lol.

The venue wasn’t as large as I expected. I’d have to say roughly the size of a football field. Not as long but slightly wider. Same area with an adjacent room for the special appearances. Inside the main room where numerous stalls and stands selling products. It was a mess. The expo was the only place i ever heard of that had traditional japanese music right next to British Wrestling. It was quite the eyesore.

I must point out however that the presentation of the expo didn’t retract from the quality of the day.
Of the stalls that were there, there was a Yaoi stall, various DVD stalls (some even for £1 each!), memorabelia, figurines, food products and various art stalls and booths for drawing your own anime characters or having yourself made into one.
However the most entertaining of it all were the cosplayers

I did want my pic taken with Pedobear but never got the opportunity! Never seen so many guys dressed as women either and I’ve been in a few gay bars lol. They play the best music.

Durial shown me around the DVD stands and the special offers. Thanks to him I spent money on legit merchandise. SHOCKING ISN’T IT! Fact is I do firmly believe is aiding the anime scene. I’d just never come across any anime DVD’s that were worth buying in HMV’s miniscule collection. Only manga in book shops and everyone knows I don’t even touch free online manga! So with a slight grin I felt obliged to focus blame of him for my purchases regardless of joy at having done so. He took part in a survey and was given free DVD’s for doing so. Rather than have duplicates, Chris decided to give to me what he already had, which was most. Very sweet of him some of you may think…so did I but maybe not in such a feminine term

Overall it was an enjoyable day out and, health permitting, I intend to go again next year!