Otakon 2008 Wrap-Up: JAM Project
Epic con write up is in parts. Also because it’s TL;DR. And it’s something to do differently each time…
I’m just going to make a series of posts, each focusing on a defining aspect of the Otakon experience in 2008 for me. Today it is, well, JAM PROJECT.
JAM Project, for the uninitiated, is a supergroup made of several anime music musicians who has been in the business for a while. Many of them had a long career solo or otherwise apart from their JAM Project endeavors. Masami Okui, for example, has her own record label.
JAM Project also goes way back in a sense. While their formation in 2000-2001 hinged on some very old school folks like Enzo Sakamoto and Ichiro Mizuki, today the band carries on with the likes of Hironobu Kageyama (and…he’s also old school I guess) and Yoshiki Fukuyama.
Otakon this year was able to host their US stop on their NO BORDER world tour. For this event they practiced the English version of the song for the tour (the single came out this past Tuesday) so that was a special treat. However like their other non-Asian stops on the tour, they sang to a background track and there was no live band besides a few tracks they performed themselves. The five active JAM Project members are all handy with at least one instrument, if you didn’t know.
Aside from the concert, JAM Project participated in several other Otakon events. They made a brief appearance at the Opening Ceremony (which also showed a special video from Takanori Nishikawa saying cryptic and vague things about coming back to the US), a brief introduction panel with Lantis folks on Friday (the producer for Lucky Star was there…), their proper panel (for 90 minutes) and autograph session, a Bandai-sponsored autograph session, and finally a special visit at another Bandai panel later on, all Saturday.
Needless to say, a bulk of my Otakon time was consumed by such activities…
And it was a dream come true. Literally. I have to take off my hat for Otakon and its guest department and everyone who helped to make this happen. It’s kind of how a Jrock fangirl feels after seeing Yoshiki or the new X-Japan. To be fair I never was dying to go to a con to see Makkun or JAM Project, even if I’d love to do either of those things. But having seen a scene in your dream replayed in reality is a trippy experience–and that’s how it felt when I saw Makkun walked up the stage in file with the others.
Because the old-school nature of this kind of “burning passion full-metal spirit,” it means the neophyte fans at today’s anime con tend to not know about what JAM Project is really about. As a result, the turnout for JAM Project’s programming is comparatively lackluster even to standard draws like the AMV or the convention Masquerade. Not that was a big deal to be honest, but I wish more people can come to enjoy their epic goodness.
There is a “world peace” theme to JAM Project’s tour this year, as well as a plea that even something like anime songs can overcome barriers that divides nations and people groups. It’s a fair thing to say, I suppose. And while I think many of us may not care a lot for the message, it lends some credibility to their mission. Being accomplished musicians they are doing something that brings people together in a way that is relevant to what they love about life. Too bad no one really asked them questions along those lines at the con. I don’t blame them either–it was freaking ecstasy for the fangirls and fanboys…
And it was about the fanboys and fangirls. This is Otakon! Not AX nor AnimeNext or NYAF! There were definitely more fangirls than I expected (and that is a great thing), but people like Fukuyama is just AWESOME in real life and I think when I did the grip shake with Endo I was like LOOOOL and I just got way too giddy to think rationally.
It made me want to go around and hug random people! Nooooo.
It was AWESOME. AWESOME. +5 to hands shook, TWICE. These veterans know what their fans love.
I think I need to take a break from reminiscing. It’s too much for my weakened mind.
If the picture up top didn’t clue you in, this Otakon, while light on the loot, was big on emotional impact. I got Makkun to autograph a poster, Endo-san autographed Enson, and the entire gang signed a Sutepri poster (curtesy of Bandai Entertainment) and SKILL single…the same single that I got Rica Matsumoto to sign back in 2003. That’s besides the usual concert loot, which is their tour CD and a concert T-shirt.
I’ll end with some pictures and a MasterCard joke. You can get a close look at my loot here, too, on flickr.
Food for 3 days: $110
Admission: $55
Hotel (with 5 other people): $105
Learning that WE CAN FLY: Priceless
LOL!!! I made almost the same Mastercard joke last night wherein ‘MOTTO MOTTO’ was priceless XD
Indeed, awesome is pretty much the only word for this.
It was seriously one of the greatest concerts I’ve been to, despite having almost zero knowledge of their SRW work. Most musicians have the stage presence of a rock during concerts, but JAM Project were jumping and sliding around all over the place and sticking their tongues at the camera and it was just so \m/. I do wish they had a live backing band but I guess the logistics for that were too much.
They really do need a live band, I agree with that. All 5 of them are veteran live performers, too, and it shows.
Ah well. According to Masaki Endoh’s blog there were just over 3000 people at the show. That’s just sad…
Just 3000!?!?!? >:O I bet the no-name Visual Kei band that actually *paid to be at Otakon* had a full house. -.- C’mon girls! Fuku-Kage-Endo-Dani-sama is a giant ball of rocking awesome!!!
I’ve (quite literally) dreamed about seeing Makkun perform live, ever since I first saw one of her concerts on DVD (Do-Can Diary ‘98).
… In the autograph line, I told her that I read her blog and asked if she’d thought of a new title for her upcoming solo album. She’s mentioned she was having trouble with it several times. In the entry she posted on the 10th, she wrote:
ブログなんかも観てくれてて、
今日サイン会の時に「(ソロの)新しいアルバムのタイトルは？（決まったんでしょう？）」
と尋ねられた。
ちょっと感動した。
(My blog is being read. Today, at the autograph session, someone asked me “And the title of your new (solo) album is? (Have you chosen one)?” … I was a bit impressed.)
Dude … DUDE. When I read that, I cried. XD Seriously. I never thought I’d get to be within 10 feet of her, but … I talked to her, I got her autograph, and I … *impressed* her. SHE WROTE ABOUT ME IN HER BLOG! WAAAAAA!!! *bursts into fangirl tears*
BTW, Omo, do you have AIM? If so, ping me at LtJHavoc sometime. That goes for the rest of yous guys, too. ;)
Holy Fangirl Moly, I am impressed. Way to go…
It’s a giant bucket of ‘Myaaaaa’ o_o;
I don’t think I’m anything special, in fact I think I’m a loser that has no talent in any of the areas I put energy into and I wonder why I even bother. Yet, I made an impression on the person that has inspired me and I’ve idolized for .. Jebus … 8 years, now. A friend of mine said I must feel “validated” (or was it “vindicated”…) by her, but really … it actually makes me feel kinda weird. And fangirlish. Not too much makes me feel that way anymore. ^^;; I try and conduct myself with some semblance of grace and self-control, but I can’t hold myself back.
… I feel kinda guilty for feeling proud or pleased with myself. -.- Yet, I’m still very proud and pleased with myself. A paradox. ^^;;;
Aww… well at least you got to tell her something. At the autograph line I was just way too excited to make myself helpful or entertaining. Moving down the line was all I can do after shaking her hand.
Hey, at least you didn’t start crying as soon as you left the room. XD
Singing along to Angel Voice live. Fukuyama has made my entire year.
Ai Yueni was pretty damn fun too.
Next year we need to pull off a Subete ha Umi e, finding a karaoke version will be difficult…
Some more epic pictures
http://www.flickr.com/photos/29658136@N06/page5/