Lulz

I don’t really intend to repost what i report about in Shrine and if i do, it’s usually a copy-pasta of what i wrote in Shrine albeit with more personal views from me. I also tend to edit them less which makes me kind of lazy. So here it is, my “report” on Sunway UC’s Animangaki!

While i usually prefer to split my reviews into one per day, that is to say… one event day an article, i don’t really have the time now seeing as i’m still rushing around trying to finish my last college report before i end the term. So this Animangaki report will take only one article to summarize and review.  While i like would like to offer a more in-depth review, Animangaki has only debuted for the first time at Sunway UC and to be fair, there aren’t any comparable events that Ican benchmark it to.

More after the jump.

Granted, while there are inconsistencies and weaknesses with how the event was run, let’s face it, every event that I’ve been to has had it’s share of ups and downs.

From my point of view, even for a first-time event, SUAC(Sunway University Anime Club) did a rather splendid job of handling things. Kudos to them. Though there were moments of encounter(with who i shall not mention) which were rather unpleasant, overall, i give two thumbs up to the event organizers and crew. You guys are friendly and willing to help out. Especially the club president, Yvonne, who so graciously spent some of her time talking to me about how Animangaki was planned and executed.

The Good:

1. Very friendly staff and crew.
2. The bands playing at the end of the second day was a very sneaky touch. Nothing like ending your event on a bang(or the riffing  of a guitar, clash of cymbals, strokes of a keyboard, you get the idea).
3. Very good air-conditioning. Aside from ComicFiesta 2008, i’ve hardly remembered an event where i was not sweating buckets just standing still or sitting down. GACC08 comes to mind.
4. As for photographic opportunities go, one of the rare venues where i did not have to depend on my flash. I only used one pair of batteries throughout the entire Day 2 of Animangaki. Comparable events with good lighting condition include CF2008’s outer hall and ACGC 2009 at Tropicana City Mall.

The Bad

1. Better sound system(turn down the dials!). No event i’ve gone to has ever gotten this pat-down. Sound engineering is always complex and it’s hard to fit everyone’s preferences into one single system. Things took a turn for the bad when the bands came on-stage and started playing. IMHO, there isn’t a need to put a mic right next to the drummer’s kit as the drum kit itself generates enough decibels to wake even the dead. But seeing Thad’s explanation in Facebook, i fully understand the problem.
2. Trash collection(thanks to feedback from Dai on this issue). Small bins while being conveniently small, do not offer much trash space. Time to upgrade to larger bins.
3. Surprisingly enough… where were the rules? This is the first event i’ve attended that does not have a list of rules and regs the length of a roll of parchment the length of my arm. I certainly am not asking for more rules to be put into place that literally turns the entire event into an eunuch but i believe certain guidelines on do’s and dont’s should be issued.
4. Emcees that need more experience. Nothing beats experience. You guys did a good job but at times it left me cringing. Maybe take a leaf out of Alfred’s and Shaun’s book? Of course, they’ve done it or a long time so you guys have a long history to catch-up to.
5. Somewhat smaller crowd than expected. I anticipated a somewhat slightly larger crowd than already present especially during the second day and at the J-Rock mini-concert. Surprised to see that some were leaving as the bands started playing!

Now I’ve come across a number of complaints from the forumers over at ComicFiesta who’ve been posting in the Animangaki Feedback thread.  A number of these complaints were about the rudeness of photographers who were taking photographs without permission. While unavoidable, and to whose behalf i am certainly not going to and can’t say sorry for, SUAC committee… please take note!

Believe me when I tell you that some of the feedback i have collected includes how you guys have a passion for the event. I hope this continues to whatever other events you may organize or co-organize. Keep it up. This is exactly what we need in the ACG scene today. Certain events have lost their luster and kick, while others have gone on to be even greater as they mature like cheese(or wine!). Don’t be one of those events that have fallen by the wayside or forgotten why they were established in the first place.

You’ll excuse me for saying that I lost interest in the bands after the second band finished but the sound system was getting to me and i went home with my ears ringing. But overall, you guys are great. Hope to see you all again next year or at the next event you guys play at.

Overall score : 4.5/10

Personal Score: 5/10

There are a few glaring issues which prevent me from giving you guys a higher score but after taking into consideration what I’ve read at the feedback threads and after speaking to a few others, I’ve had to revise my overall score to be slightly lower. But as always, my personal feelings are that Animangaki is on a good track to a great event. Keep up the hard work, remember to take in all the feedback and views and to always keep improving.

Photo links are here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/33603133@N04/

You can find other links by forumers in ComicFiesta Forums here: http://forums.comicfiesta.org/viewtopic.php?f=16&t=2602