#CRUNCHYROLL EXPO

[shannanigansart]

The highlight of my weekend tabling at CRX and now my most prized possession :,)

#omocat #omori #CRX #crunchyroll expo 2022 #CRX 2022 #crunchyroll expo

[zancorvid]

(Bridal) Ganyu - Genshin Impact @ Crunchyroll Expo 2022 (Sat 8/6)

(original design by _princess_ailish_ on instagram!)

#crx2022 #crx 2022 #genshin impact #ganyu #genshin cosplay #genshin #ganyu cosplay #crunchyroll expo 2022 #crunchyroll expo #crunchy roll expo #crunchy roll expo 2022

[doofazoid100]

THEYRE LIVING MY DREAM

#mob psycho 100 #crunchyroll expo

[pensamentsisomnis]

#yor forger #ami inu #crunchyroll expo #cosplay #cosplayer #cosplay girl #cosplay reddit #cosplay sexy #cosplay hot #cosplay babes #cosplay girls

[heidiblack]

Convention Artist Alley Review: Crunchyroll Expo

Convention: Crunchyroll Expo

Location: San Jose, CA

Date: August 5-7

Table cost: $323.75

Table size: 8’ 

Application: Juried

Fandom/audience: Anime

Items for sale: 11x17" posters (fanart and original), coloring book, zines (fanart and original), comics, pins (original), resin coasters and jewelry  (including primogems), leather keychains (by my sister)

Mask policy: Required in all areas

Previously attended? Yes, in 2017.

Pros: Visiting friends in California, back in the bay area! Large, well-known property (crunchyroll) that spares little expense and makes an outright huge show, convention artist alley staff were very friendly and checked in with us regularly, smoothly run.

Cons: California so everything is expensive, tables were crammed together, audience seemed to be guys more interested in ahoge/hentai/waifu bs, allows proxy selling (including the person next to me who was selling stuff by someone else already in the alley) and no policing of work (they say they encourage original art, but someone near me had essentially traced logos on shirts they were selling), requires event insurance (only event I’ve ever done that does)

Most popular item(s): Posters (59); Zines and pins (23 each), primogems (22)

Least popular item(s): Commissions (2)

Upon entering the venue we were accosted by many helpful staff directing us exactly where we needed to go (hooray!). Vaccine card checks and masks were mandatory. As soon as we checked in the artist alley liaisons introduced themselves to us and let us know they were happy to help with anything we may need.

My friend and I set up on the thursday before the show, giving us time to go have fun in San Jose afterwards (oh how I missed California, even if it did catch fire while I was there).

I have done crunchyroll expo before on its first year (2017?) when it was in the Santa Clara convention center.  I find that California shows tend to not be impressed with my work (they largely like the work of people like sakimi-chan and other digital artists). Unfortunately, the attendees were more impressed by the proxy seller to my one side and the seller on my other side who sold ahoge face masks and traced shirts.

The tables were 8’ each, which was nice, but they were also smooshed directly up to each other, making each row very packed.  With many artists creating booths that wall off their sides it made each table feel very claustrophobic, and assaulted attendees with just a constant sensory stream.  By the time they reached my table in the second to last row I could see their eyes glazed over - your work had to be incredibly different to entice them.

Additionally, the “guests” were these hololive AI v-tubers, which I had no merch of, and seem to attract the “stereotypical otaku guy,” who is not my audience in any way.

Crunchyroll also requires all artists to have their own event insurance (with coverage up to $2m) - they are the only show that requires this, which just adds an extra cost to an already expensive show.

I did make a commissioner cry (from happiness) when I handed her the commission I drew for her, which is always extra special.

Gross sales: ~$2000

Recommend/will attend again? It is such a big name show, but I can’t justify flying out for so little return. Had I still been local to San Jose it would have been much more affordable.

Other 2022 convention reviews:

Otakon

Gem City

Dokidokon

Anime Midwest

Anime Ohio

Huntington Toy & Comic Con

Momocon

SPACE

Causeacon

Indiana Comic Con

Ohayocon

Anime Zap (featuring 2021 review links)

These reviews take a lot of time and effort, but I think they are something the artist alley community needs! If you would like to support me so I can keep doing these, please consider donating or buying from my shops!

Help support Heidi Black by donating or sharing with your friends.

Storenvy

Etsy

#crunchyroll #crunchyroll expo #crx #artist alley #anime convention #convention #anime #artist alley review #convention review #con review #anime con

[draconli]

Sorry, Tumblr fans! I could not post anything much about Crunchyroll Expo, especially, since Tumblr still bars me from posting pictures directly from my phone! Hopefully, one day, it will change! 

Anyway, here are some commissions from this past weekend: Karin (Koihime Musou), Melia (Xenoblade), Yamato (One Piece), Saya (Saya no Uta), Goddess (Ar Tonelico Z), Roxy (Mushoku Tensei), and another goddess (Ar Tonelico Z)

#commission #art #crunchyroll expo #crunchyroll expo 2022 #sketch #ink #fanart #koihime musou #xenoblade #one piece #saya no uta #ar tonelico z #mushoku tensei

[snailglasses]

POV: You’re the Batter showing your true form to me and I forgot my sword at home so I’ll have to try my best :’)

#zacharie #cosplay #off game #zacharie off #zacharie cosplay #cosplayers #crx #crx 2022 #crunchyroll expo

[elektricangel]

🖊 Bungo Stray Dogs exhibit at Crunchyroll Expo 🖊

Fun fact! Chuuya and I are the same height, so if that's a life-sized Dazai, then the height difference is accurate 😅

#crunchyroll expo #crx #me #cosplay #bungo stray dogs #chuuya nakahara #nakahara chuuya #bsd #bsd chuuya

[boba-is-a-soup]

I just wanna show off how cute I am here that's all--

Look at me go I am so good also please don't mind the mask everyone forgot that it existed lol

#[six shapeshifts].img #crunchyroll expo #honey senpai #honey senpai cosplay #ouran hshc #ohshc honey #ohshc cosplay #cosplay #cosplayer

[ashleabechaz]

O Hi there frens here I am at CRX Melbs, I am booth no 18 in the Arts District!

Feel free to come say hi but also tickets are sold out and there are thousands of people still waiting in line 😂 uh oh

#artist alley #crunchyroll expo #crx #anime convention #illustrators #illustration #art #drawing #etsy #melbourne #illustrator #creative #ink #painting #design #handmade #artists on tumblr #enamelpin #fantasy art

[kingkanchome]

This year was my first time at a CRX. Had a pretty good time. The lack of anything Zatch Bell made me sad. Not even in artist alley.

#crx #crunchyroll #crunchyroll expo #zatch bell #thoughts #anime #manga

[zancorvid]

Pyro Abyss Mage, Hilichurl, Hydro Abyss Mage, & Kairagi: Dancing Thunder - Genshin Impact @ Crunchyroll Expo 2022 (Sat 8/6)

#crx2022 #crx 2022 #genshin impact #genshin cosplay #genshin #abyss mage #hilichurls #hilichurl #kairagi #kairagi dancing thunder #genshin enemies #genshin impact cosplay #crunchyroll expo #crunchyroll expo 2022 #crunchy roll expo #crunchy roll expo 2022

[doofazoid100]

the premiere is over

#mob psycho 100 #crunchyroll expo

[shannanigansart]

ITS DAY 2 OF CRX! I’m here at Arts District T103! Come stop by and say hi!! :D also check out Sterling’s side quest for a free vinyl sticker!

#crunchyroll expo #CRX #CRX 2022 #crunchyroll expo 2022

[beneaththetangles]

Crunchyroll Expo 2022: Interview with SHIHORI

SHIHORI is a Japanese pop singer/songwriter, best known for her collaborations with Yoko Kanno (Cowboy Bebop, Ghost in The Shell: Stand Alone Complex) and Kohei Tanaka (One Piece). She has written and composed for contemporary artists and anime series including Fairy Tail, Macross Frontier, and The Irregular at Magic High School. I had the pleasure of sitting down and talking with SHIHORI about her work and career at this year’s Crunchyroll Expo.

Note: This was a joint interview conducted with The Grand Geek Gathering Shukai.

-----

You’re well known for composing hundreds of songs of many different styles. You’ve composed many for Nana Mizuki and of course have collaborated with Yoko Kanno. I was wondering if you’ve had more difficulty with any particular music or anime genre in processing and creating that certain kind of atmosphere for the song or anime.

SHIHORI: Actually, any type of anime song is very natural for me to process because everything is very pop and I’m very good at pop, and I also have a classical education. So it’s always fun to explore any type of music based on classical or pop.

You moved to the US a few years ago, settling in New York and then recently moved to LA. How has this experience been for you these past few years and how have you felt your career has grown as a result of being in the U.S.?

SHIHORI: It’s actually been a lot harder and rougher than I expected. I didn’t expect it to be so hard to start over from scratch in another country. Everything was very meaningful with so many tough and good experiences that became a new treasure for me. It’s been a really early stage of building my career, but I think it’s been getting better every year and I’m enjoying it.

Ever since your move from Japan to the U.S., from New York and LA, you’ve been exposed to more and more styles of Western music. What were some of the major differences you noticed between the music composition in Japan versus the music composed here in the U.S?

SHIHORI: That’s a very good question. The most important thing in Japanese music is melodies. Most of the people start from melodies or the chorus. In the U.S., I’ve found that rhythm is more important. So like rhyming or flow is not an idea that we have in J-pop, so I didn’t realize that in the beginning and didn’t think it would be too hard to process this at first, but it was really hard. And those differences come from the language structure, and it became so interesting because of this. You need to understand the cultural background of the languages. As I understand more about the English structure, rhyming, and flow, it became more natural and fun to explore, although, I’m still struggling to understand the American music and English structure.

You’ve had a long career writing music, and I was wondering with so many songs that you’ve written, how do you keep up inspiration to write new music? Do you have anything specific you do to get new inspiration?

SHIHORI: Actually, this year I am aiming to have more collaborations with American artist creators. When I was in Japan, I would write some song for an anime and think, “I’m gonna fit in this word.” I was like that all the time. And now, while I don’t know exactly, I decided to enjoy what the universe brings me. So if a person wants a collaboration with me, then let’s try it! I’ll just see what happens. These people are my inspiration.

We had the pleasure of attending your concert last night. While the performance was very splendid, you also shared a very personal story about your dark thoughts, mental health, and disabilities. Is this something you wanted to share with your international fans from the beginning?

SHIHORI: Yes, of course. I didn’t do that in Japan that much but since I came here, I’ve been trying to find what my role could be here, and I found that the strongest message could be these things like, “be yourself” and “love yourself.” I thought it could be more powerful to talk about myself for U.S. fans, so I’m willing to share my story.

What were some of the factors that motivated you to share your story with the U.S. fans?

SHIHORI: My past motivates me the most because I had such a tough experience and memories. I’m trying to save my past self and that process is my music. Any of my fans or listeners, everybody has something like trauma or something relatable to that.

You recently announced your tour to Japan. Is that also something you’re interested in sharing or being more vocal about your past to your Japanese fans as well?

SHIHORI: Actually, I’ve been telling so many stories for my Japanese fans. They are very curious about my adventures in the U.S, so I think I would tell them more about my American stories.

To add to that, you performed “Perfect Imperfection” at the concert last night. I had a chance to listen to it prior to the concert, and there was a lot of meaning to the lyrics and a lot of personal meaning to it. It is a very uplifting song, and it tells the listeners to embrace themselves with flaws and all, which is a great message. Who or what helped you embrace those flaws for you to compose that song?

SHIHORI: That was actually during the lockdown times, so I didn’t meet anybody. That was during the toughest time since I came here. I lost all my confidence while I was struggling to adjust to U.S. culture. “Why can’t I do that?” “Why can’t I understand this?” I lost my confidence thinking of these things. I was actually close to giving up my career because I couldn’t write new songs, and I wasn’t motivated to create new things. “Maybe I can’t be a singer.” But I tried to start from loving myself—not because I did something great, but loving myself even though I can’t do anything and don’t have any confidence. While I was mentally going through this process, this message and melody came into my head like “…I got this song like a gift from God.”

To change topics a little, how are you enjoying your time here in San Jose and at Crunchyroll Expo?

SHIHORI: It’s so wonderful! It’s amazing! I love seeing people and everybody is so nice. The show was very exciting and enthusiastic, and that gave me so much power to become a better singer. I really appreciate that.

One of the songs you recently helped write was “DNA -Dance ‘n’ Amuse-.”

SHIHORI: Oh yes, Nana’s song!

That was a very different and unique song for Nana’s style, so I’m very curious how you approached that. Did you receive any different directions compared to normal?

SHIHORI: Oh yeah, I totally agree with you. That song is very unique and very attractive and very new to her. I really enjoy it as it’s very exotic. I was offered by them to write the lyrics, so I wasn’t involved in writing the song as the composer made this a Latin-flavored song. Nana Mizuki actually gives me the concept at the time. So she said, “We want like a love song where an older attractive lady seduces the younger boy.” So I was like “Okay, yeah! This sounds very sexy.” So I tried to write the sexiest lyrics in my life, and it really is the sexiest. Actually, Nana’s fans were like “…this is the sexiest song ever thank you SHIHORI for this sexy song! I’m so happy” (laughs)!

Just to conclude the interview, what’s next in SHIHORI’s career and do you have any message to your fans who will be looking forward to your next steps into your mix of western-style and Japanese-style music?

SHIHORI: Yeah, so I’m doing two lines—my original and also placements for things like game songs. Recently, I’ve been getting more game song gigs, which I’m very happy about. That was one of my goals in America. I’m going to do more American commercials and also collaborations, and hopefully expand my [audience]. I wanna see what’s going to happen, but I want to be an original existence as a Japanese singer/songwriter and a J-pop singer/songwriter in the U.S. I also want to be an existence that encourages people or listeners with my unique personality.

=====

You can find links to all SHIHORI related social media and music at https://linktr.ee/shihorimusic.

#Anime #Music #Interviews #Music Artists #SHIHORI #Crunchyroll Expo #The Grand Geek Gathering Shukai #Articles #Author: Kaze

[seihaiknife]

crunchyroll expo is lacking in fate figures 😔

#fgo #fate grand order #fate go #fate series #fate #crx2022 #crunchyroll expo