Kouraku and Canine & Feline Charity Art Show [2016]

Went to Kouraku for dinner then wound up checking out Q Pop‘s Canine & Feline Charity Art Show, where 10% of the proceeds went to benefit North Central Animal Shelter.

Tonkatsu (breaded, deep-fried pork cutlet) is one of my favorite Japanese dishes.

Here’s a look at some of the puppies and kitties your purchases helped.

Didn’t realize that “purrmaids” (cat mermaids) were a thing.

The colors are different, but the blockiness of this unicorn cat reminds me of Unikitty from The Lego Movie!

This Mazinger is pretty impressive even when you don’t consider the fact that a large amount of it is cardboard.

Heroes reference?

Animals driving vehicles — they’re just like us!

You can buy prints from Dreamworks background painter Ji Soo Kim along with the second Cosplay in America book.

There’s always something new to check out in Little Tokyo!

See the full album on my Fan Page on Facebook and be sure to Like The Vault on Facebook, where I’m finally caught up through 2010! 😀

2016 09 10 Sat: Kouraku and Canine & Feline Charity Art Show

East Meets West [2016]

Actually got up early on a weekend (wut?) and decided to run around to some spots I hadn’t been to in ages on the west side (west of me, anyway)! I really need to do a better job of taking pictures of the outsides of these places, lol. (Sorry for the crap cell phone quality. OTL)

First stop on my adventure was Big Lou’s, a consignment shop/slot car raceway on Sepulveda, where you can find all sorts of interesting things for sale.

From plushies to ornaments and from Hot Wheels to Transformers, there’s something for everyone here!

I’m pretty sure all those comic book standees are handmade. :O

Afterwards, made it over to Gardena’s Tokyo Central & Main supermarket, which used to be a Marukai.

Another reason to quit this hobby. DX

Here’s an entire section dedicated to Dragon Ball.

If Dollfies aren’t your thing, you can still invest in an Evangelion action figure that costs more than your car payment!

It’s a good thing I haven’t gotten into Gundam (yet)!

The Pokemon saw me coming, haha.

While I didn’t buy anything at Big Lou’s or Tokyo Central & Main, I did buy stuff at second-hand bookstore Book Off’s Del Amo and Gardena locations. I impulse bought the Nono action figure since I actually wound up liking Gunbuster 2: Diebuster the second time around and finally completed my (regular version) collection of the Japanese version of Your Lie in April — for much cheaper than what Kinokuniya was charging in-store or even at AX!

See the full album on my Fan Page on Facebook and be sure to Like The Vault on Facebook, where I’m finally caught up through 2010! 😀

2016 09 03 Sat: East Meets West

TOM LA SALE! [2016]

When I heard that the Tokyo Otaku Mode (TOM) Shop was pulling up stakes and heading up north, I cut out of work early to check out their moving sale! Not sure if they’ve ever opened their doors to the public before, but I order from them all the time online. They usually have some great promos and their loyalty program (in the form of TOM Points) is an added bonus — even though they’ve reworked some of their rules regarding the program.

Most of the items were unmarked so you had to bring them up for them to check the price online. What wasn’t so cool was that the Aniplex+ items were full price (as noted) — which meant they were actually more expensive than buying them on their site!

I’m not a gamer, but all non-figure merchandise was 40%!

Happened to run into Sojian-senpai while I was down there so we did some exploring and wound up grabbing noms at Hakata Ikkousha Ramen.

This was the only loot I wound up getting — a Nendoroid of Best Girl Funami Yui from YuruYuri and a free bag of a Japanese snack that wound up being pretty meh, lol. There were a few things that caught my eye but they seemed to be a bit on the pricey side, even with the discount.

These were taken on my fixed focus cell phone, so excuse the terrible quality. ^^;

See the full album on my Fan Page on Facebook and be sure to Like The Vault on Facebook, where I’m finally caught up through 2010! 😀

2016 08 22 Mon: Tokyo Otaku Mode LA Warehouse Garage SALE!

Little Tokyo Adventures III [2016]

Happy new year! Granted, January’s pretty much over, but the Lunar New Year began a few days ago so I’m well within the range. 😉

Even though these pictures were ready before the break, I’ve been too busy and lazy (mostly lazy) to put them up. Anyway, here’s a quick trip we made out to Little Tokyo back in August!

The fried rice and ramen at Orochon Ramen are always good!

HoneyMee had just at the Japanese Village Plaza so we went to check it out. It’s Kosher and organic!

See the full album on my Fan Page on Facebook and be sure to Like The Vault on Facebook, where I’m finally caught up through 2010! 😀

2016 08 05 Fri: Little Tokyo Adventures III

Anime Expo 2016 Goodsmile Racing

The final post of 2016 is the final post from Anime Expo! This supplement features the Goodsmile Racing exhibit and related itasha!

Good Smile Company introduced Goodsmile Racing in 2008. With Crypton Future Media’s Hatsune Miku as its Race Queen mascot and fans as its sponsors, GSR won Japan’s 2011 Super GT GT300 class series race and continues to churn out new mascot designs and merchandise every year.

The first Racing Miku was illustrated by redjuice, an artist I actually have an artbook by (although I don’t think this Miku is really indicative of his style).

The only Racing Miku figure I have is the 2012 version, which features in my film Looking for Miku!

Not much on display for 2016’s season but you could buy Nendoroid and figma (not pictured) versions of Racing Miku along with other GSR goods.

Here are 3D versions of Racing Miku’s outfits!

Of course, there were a few GSR and Vocaloid-inspired itasha on display as well!

Someone with good taste decided to go with Racing Luka instead!

Hey, it’s peppymiint cosplay!

See the full album on my Fan Page on Facebook and be sure to Like The Vault on Facebook, where I’m finally caught up through 2010! 😀

Have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

2016 07 04 Mon: Anime Expo 2016 Goodsmile Racing

Full Coverage of Anime Expo 2016:

2016 07 01 Fri: Anime Expo 2016, Day 1: KimiUso Ver.
2016 07 01 Fri: Anime Expo 2016, Day 1: Standard Ver.
2016 07 02 Sat: Anime Expo 2016, Day 2
2016 07 03 Sun: Anime Expo 2016, Day 3
2016 07 04 Mon: Anime Expo 2016, Day 4
2016 07 04 Mon: Anime Expo 2016 Anniversaries
2016 07 04 Mon: Anime Expo 2016 Itasha
2016 07 04 Mon: Anime Expo 2016 GSC Racing

Anime Expo 2016 Itasha

The second supplemental album from AX2016 is the first of two featuring itasha (cars decorated with anime, manga, and video game characters)!

Danny Choo‘s Suenaga Mirai featured on this itasha and itachari (decorated bicycle).

This Angel Beats! fan also loves In-N-Out, as we all should!

Still haven’t seen this Kantai Collection (Kancolle) that’s everywhere.

I had no idea what this was from until I looked up Kagerou. I will say, though, that my Haruhi-inspired “Obey” logo is better. 😉

Here’s another Vocaloid-inspired itasha. This owner must really love Black Rock Shooter since the license plate says “BRS” and there was a cosplay jacket on display along with some other props.

Don’t know too much about To Love-Ru, but when this Yami cosplayer showed up I had to get her with the car!

Itasha featuring Race Queen versions of the pilots from Evangelion!

Fan-owned itansha (motorcycles) like this Sailor Moon bike were also on display in the Entertainment Hall.

See the full album on my Fan Page on Facebook and be sure to Like The Vault on Facebook, where I’m finally caught up through 2010! 😀

2016 07 04 Mon: Anime Expo 2016 Itasha

Full Coverage of Anime Expo 2016:

2016 07 01 Fri: Anime Expo 2016, Day 1: KimiUso Ver.
2016 07 01 Fri: Anime Expo 2016, Day 1: Standard Ver.
2016 07 02 Sat: Anime Expo 2016, Day 2
2016 07 03 Sun: Anime Expo 2016, Day 3
2016 07 04 Mon: Anime Expo 2016, Day 4
2016 07 04 Mon: Anime Expo 2016 Anniversaries
2016 07 04 Mon: Anime Expo 2016 Itasha
2016 07 04 Mon: Anime Expo 2016 GSC Racing

Anime Expo 2016 Anniversaries

The first of three(!) supplemental Anime Expo albums, since I took a bunch of pictures and am too lazy to post them all at once. ^^;

There were two big anniversaries being celebrated at this year’s AX; AX’s 25th and P.A.Works‘ 15th! Both had sizable exhibits in the Entertainment Hall that allowed attendees to check out the historical artifacts related to each.

This wall at the AX 25th Anniversary Exhibit contained Program Guides from every AX! How many do you have?

Anime Expo used to be known as AnimeCon. I actually grabbed a couple of those Anime Reference Guides at PMX many years later!

Evangelion and British stoicism obviously influenced some of these shirt designs.

What are the chances that some artwork destined for Charity Auction made it into the AX archives?

P.A.Works also had an Anniversary Exhibit!

Big banners of Tenshi and Yuri from Angel Beats!

Huge row of standups! Which one is your waifu?

Wait, Noizi Ito worked on Another? Guess that’s going to the top of the list!

Enjoy these trips down Memory Lane, especially if it’s your first!

See the full album on my Fan Page on Facebook and be sure to Like The Vault on Facebook, where I’m finally caught up through 2010! 😀

2016 07 04 Mon: Anime Expo 2016 Anniversaries

Full Coverage of Anime Expo 2016:

2016 07 01 Fri: Anime Expo 2016, Day 1: KimiUso Ver.
2016 07 01 Fri: Anime Expo 2016, Day 1: Standard Ver.
2016 07 02 Sat: Anime Expo 2016, Day 2
2016 07 03 Sun: Anime Expo 2016, Day 3
2016 07 04 Mon: Anime Expo 2016, Day 4
2016 07 04 Mon: Anime Expo 2016 Anniversaries
2016 07 04 Mon: Anime Expo 2016 Itasha
2016 07 04 Mon: Anime Expo 2016 GSC Racing

Anime Expo 2016, Day 4

The last day of any AX is usually pretty hectic, but this time — since there were some pretty weak offerings at the Charity Auction — I was able to finally take a closer look at the things in the Entertainment Hall (albums linked below), finish my run through the Exhibit Hall, and also score some sweet loot!

First order of the day (after checking out of the hotel) was to stop by the Charity Auction. Here’s a pair of clear files signed by voice actor Suwabe Junichi.

Sushio contributed some cool little Kill la Kill sketches.

I was prepared to spend some money on an original sketch (or even the one this signboard is based on, which was displayed at the Kodansha HUB), but unfortunately this was all there was from Arakawa-sensei. So, so disappoint.

Since Charity Auction was a bust, headed to the Entertainment Hall. I think this chalk painting by the Chalk Twins is of Guts from Berserk.

Found a Kao-chan! Tried to get her to pose like that Aniplex+ figure but it was too crowded, lol.

I still have yet to watch a single episode of Dragonball Z.

This Saber Bride (and sword) was awesome!

These skate decks are too pretty to stomp on!

Line art for an upcoming deck design featuring everyone’s favorite Vocaloid, Hatsune Miku.

There were definitely some highs and lows, as with every AX, but Kao-chan helped me through it this year! 😀

See the full album on my Fan Page on Facebook and be sure to Like The Vault on Facebook, where I’m finally caught up through 2010! 😀

2016 07 04 Mon: Anime Expo 2016, Day 4

Full Coverage of Anime Expo 2016:

2016 07 01 Fri: Anime Expo 2016, Day 1: KimiUso Ver.
2016 07 01 Fri: Anime Expo 2016, Day 1: Standard Ver.
2016 07 02 Sat: Anime Expo 2016, Day 2
2016 07 03 Sun: Anime Expo 2016, Day 3
2016 07 04 Mon: Anime Expo 2016, Day 4
2016 07 04 Mon: Anime Expo 2016 Anniversaries
2016 07 04 Mon: Anime Expo 2016 Itasha
2016 07 04 Mon: Anime Expo 2016 GSC Racing

Anime Expo 2016, Day 3

Day 3 was a pretty lazy day; finally got to check out the Dealers Hall in earnest with my friends, looking at drool-worthy goods and double-dipping on, of course, Your Lie in April stuff. xD;

I think this is D.Va from Overwatch, no?

I’m waiting for One Piece to finish before I start it, but I have a feeling it’ll be a very, very long time.

Awesome Ryuuko (Kill la Kill) cosplayer.

I’ve only been able to watch a couple of episodes of Kabaneri, but it’s awesome, just like this Mumei cosplayer! (Incidentally, the character designs for that show were done by none other than Mikimoto Haruhiko, who designed characters for the original Macross and Gunbuster, including waifu Takaya Noriko.)

Having finally finished reading Sailor Moon, I can actually recognize most of these Sailor Scouts! (The manga wasn’t in color so I’m still not 100% sure on of some of them.)

I’ve always liked this Sakura Taisen kit despite not knowing anything about the show, but there’s no way I’d be able to put one together even though it’s already in color!

Some Snow Miku and default Miku Dollfies on display with Senbonzakura Miku!

I don’t usually go for third-party (ie, unofficial) merch, but I was very severely tempted by these epic versions of G1 Transformers Scorponok and the Dinobots! (I’m not really sure how Scorponok would look in his alt modes, though.)

I’ve only seen a couple of episodes of One Punch Man, but it was pretty funny! They had special events at the con but I only really saw a couple of cosplayers from the series.

Day 3 loot, where I finished my sets of three, lol. Why three? Why, one to keep, one to use, and one as backup, of course! Details in the Facebook album!

See the full album on my Fan Page on Facebook and be sure to Like The Vault on Facebook, where I’m finally caught up through 2010! 😀

2016 07 03 Sun: Anime Expo 2016, Day 3

Full Coverage of Anime Expo 2016:

2016 07 01 Fri: Anime Expo 2016, Day 1: KimiUso Ver.
2016 07 01 Fri: Anime Expo 2016, Day 1: Standard Ver.
2016 07 02 Sat: Anime Expo 2016, Day 2
2016 07 03 Sun: Anime Expo 2016, Day 3
2016 07 04 Mon: Anime Expo 2016, Day 4
2016 07 04 Mon: Anime Expo 2016 Anniversaries
2016 07 04 Mon: Anime Expo 2016 Itasha
2016 07 04 Mon: Anime Expo 2016 GSC Racing

Anime Expo 2016, Day 2

I saw on Day 1 that Aniplex would be selling some of the Aniplex+ exclusive Kaori figures starting on Day 2 and my friend managed to get me the last one (like, the very last — it was the display copy!). They didn’t sell any of the other displays when they sold out, so I’m assuming this was their last batch of Kao-chans. Very happy to get one, especially since they sell for three-times MSRP now!

Was lucky my friend was already in line for Naoshi Arakawa-sensei’s panel because I had some problems finding it (thanks, AX! :p ). The panel was already underway by the time they let us in and we wound up in the very last row, but at least we got to see it! No pictures were allowed, but I still managed to sneak a couple of shots and also recorded audio of it. ^^

Later in the evening, I made my way back to con to complete a figure sale and managed to take some photos in the South Hall. I’m told this is from Monster Hunter. Would’ve been nice to get close enough to take pictures with it, but the whole area was cordoned off.

GSC didn’t allow photos of their upcoming Cardcaptor Sakura figure, but here’s one of the banner advertising it.

The Anisong World Matsuri ~Japan Super Live~ was actually this evening. Some of my friends went and enjoyed it.

West Hall had this banner for the free-to-play tactical RPG Phantom of the Kill. Apparently there was a special event for it that night also.

Day 2 loots! I got the Aniplex+ exclusive Kaori figure; three YLiA posters that came free with each purchase; and two sets of YLiA keychains.

See the full album on my Fan Page on Facebook and be sure to Like The Vault on Facebook, where I’m finally caught up through 2010! 😀

2016 07 02 Sat: Anime Expo 2016, Day 2

Full Coverage of Anime Expo 2016:

2016 07 01 Fri: Anime Expo 2016, Day 1: KimiUso Ver.
2016 07 01 Fri: Anime Expo 2016, Day 1: Standard Ver.
2016 07 02 Sat: Anime Expo 2016, Day 2
2016 07 03 Sun: Anime Expo 2016, Day 3
2016 07 04 Mon: Anime Expo 2016, Day 4
2016 07 04 Mon: Anime Expo 2016 Anniversaries
2016 07 04 Mon: Anime Expo 2016 Itasha
2016 07 04 Mon: Anime Expo 2016 GSC Racing