Lets be frank: this is the main event of DaiCon. I know people who came from East Malaysia just to catch her concert, and there were even some fans who travelled all the way from Japan. They were so dedicated to Minorin they prepared flags and lightsticks for concert goers, and had the DaiCon committee teach the people gathered in the hall how to wave them. Slow motions for slow songs, fast motions for fast songs… ok, nothing too hard – until you see them waving the sticks non stop for an hour and a half. They must be weight lifters one and all.

I missed the start of the concert, but I can tell you that from beyond the barrier, the cheers and whoops as the first beats of Contact ~ 詩人の旅 started playing, was amazingly loud. Contact is the title track of Minorin’s 2nd album, and one of my favorites, so you can imagine how hurriedly I made my way into the concert area. I found Minorin on stage, in a shirt and a silver knee length dress, singing her heart outs, while the fans waved the lightsticks to the beat of the song, jumping up an down all the while. It was awesome – I’ve been to concerts by big name bands where the crowds were far less enthusiastic, and trust me when I say the crowd plays a huge part in a concert’s success. Already Minorin’s ‘mini concert’ looked to be not so mini in spirit.

In between songs, Minorin too the chance to talk to the crowd. Unfortunately most of what she said was lost to me, but she did ask us if we were having fun (tanoshi?), to which the crowd replied with an enthusiastic yes. I think having the Japanese fans around helped a lot – they were there to bail out the Malaysian fans on one or two occasions when the Japanese got too complex for most to understand.

The songs that really got the crowd going were the expected few: Nagato Yuki’s character song 雪、無音、窓辺にて, 純白サンクチュアリィ(Junpaku Sanctuary, my favorite Minorin song!) and Paradise Lost. She also performed her newest single, Tomorrow’s Chance – I believe she said it was the first time she would be performing it live and she was nervous? Someone tell her she performed the song perfectly.

Throughout the 10 song set, Minorin kept up the rapport with the fans, and said ‘arigato’ so many times I started feeling embarrassed. If anyone should be saying ‘thank you’, it should be us in the hall, because Minorin was seriously performing for us. The crowd was probably far from her biggest, but she was so friendly and made the concert so personal that I seriously regretted not paying for AWSM tickets.

In almost no time at all we were at the last track, everlasting…, also the final track off Minorin’s latest album. Before she had even had the chance to sing that song, there were already cries of ‘en-co-ru’, which she laughed off. When she finally finished the song and left the stage, the chanting of ‘en-co-ru’ started in earnest. I’m not sure how long this went on for, but it felt like ages to me. I was half expecting no encore but the fog machine started up, and pretty soon we had Minorin back on stage, dressed in a Kebaya (and looking stunning!).

For her encore, Minorin performed 3 more songs. The crowd lapped up every minute of it, and when she finally left for real, I think everyone was satisfied and happy. Dear miss Chihara Minori, you said the best part of working abroad was the fan’s smiles? Then you’ll be glad to know that we enjoyed your concert so much we were smiling right from the bottom of our hearts. Thank you so much!

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Now before we go into the Q&A session proper, just let me say that Miss Chihara was simply gorgeous in person, even more so than in any of her photobooks I’ve seen. Dressed in a orange and blue number, she was the epitome of charisma as she stepped onto the stage, covered her mouth with both palms in a show of amazement (at the greeting she had just recieved), and finally said ‘konichiwa’ to the hall. If she had ordered us all to fall on katanas then, I think we’d all have done so.

After a 5 minute photography frenzy, Miss Chihara finally got settled down and we started the Q&A session in earnest. Ticket buyers had earlier on been told to submit questions they wanted Minorin to answer, and the lucky few were now picked to pose their questions personally to her.

If it was at all possible, I would give you an actual transcription of the Q&A. However, due to the usage of Japanese, this isn’t very feasible, so the below will be my interpretation of events.

The first question asked was ‘What is the most enjoyable, and the hardest thing, about performing outside of Japan’. Minorin said that for her, the most enjoyable aspect was seeing ‘us’, as in the fans, smile. This got the crowd cheering. Her answer to the 2nd part of the question was that due to how rushed the event was, she hasn’t had enough sleep. This of course had the crowd going ‘awwww’ with sympathy.

The second question: would Minorin come again to Malaysia, if there was another event such as this. Minorin answered that Malaysia was a beautiful country, and asked us to invite her if back again for events, and added that indeed, she would love to come, even if it wasn’t work related.

The third question was posed in Japanese, so I’m not sure what was asked, but Minorin’s reply was that she would love to come back after retirement, and perhaps stay for life.

Question four (in Japanese): What has been the most challenging role for her so far? To which Minorin answered: Nagato Yuki from Suzumiya Haruhi no Yuutsu, because she is so demure and quiet, and expressionless. She further added that she would practice Yuki’s lines with the script after recording sessions, even though all she had was one or two words (if you have seen Haruhi, you’ll know this for a fact).

Question five (also in Japanese): What has been the role that she found most similar to her own nature? Minorin said that it was Shirakawa Nanaka (from Da Capo II). Nanaka is an active girl who loves to sing, much like herself. Also, Nanaka was always true to herself.

Question six (again in Japanese): Which seiyuu does she look up to as a role model. Minorin picked Hisakawa Aya, who voiced Natsume Maya alongside her own Natsume Aya in Tenjou Tenge (note: Natsume Aya was Minorin’s first ever seiyuu performance). Minorin further elaborated that when she was starting out, Hisakawa Aya would take care of her and give her guidance in voice acting, and that she was very impressed with Hisakawa san. Indeed, Hisakawa san became almost like an older sister to her.

The next question was actually asked by a Japanese, who had an exchange with Minorin in their native language. All I can tell you from this exchange is that Minorin likes ‘Sambal Udang’.

At this point, the committee opened the session to the hall. The first guy picked was ‘Chiaka’ (he had a huge Chiaki mask). His question was quite simple, but strange in a way. He asked if Minorin was married. There was a slight problem in communication due to Chiaki being soft spoken, but when Minorin finally got the question she actually giggled til she bent over. She asked back ‘what do you like about me’, and seemed to be having a good time, but Chiaki being Chiaki, had trouble answering. His final answer was a simple ‘moe’, to which Minorin said thank you, and answered that she wasn’t thinking of marriage yet, and would like to focus on her career first.

The penultimate question of the session was what got Minorin into the seiyuu business. She replied that her initial interest was singing, and that she attended music school. There, due to her soft voice, the teachers suggested a career as a voice actress. She took them up on that advice and thus here she is today. This question was also asked in Japanese, which resulted in Minorin praising the level of Japanese fluency amongst Malaysians.

The final question of the day went to a very brave 15 year old girl, who asked ‘what was the most memorable/funniest moment so far in your career’. Minorin said that it was when Sugita Tomokazu, who voices Kyon in Haruhi, ad libbed a scene with her. The end result of that was so good that the producers decided to go with it. The nature of the scene wasn’t explained, so don’t ask me. I’d like to know as well.

That ended the Q&A session, and holders of AWSM tickets were herded onto the stage in groups to get their items autographed. This part of the event was quite personal, with Minorin signing items on the spot and shaking hands. Someone (e-jump) managed to hand Minorin a teddy bear (a Minami-ke reference. Minorin voiced Chiaki who has a bear named Fujioka). The autographing itself lasted past 7pm, after which Minorin said ‘Malaysia something something, bakayaro (no, she wasn’t being rude. I couldn’t really catch what she said though. If you did do comment and I’ll edit it in)’ in Chiaki’s voice and left the hall.

All in all, a very satisfying event. Minorin was down-to-earth, humble, and friendly, and the DaiCon committee did a good job handling things. Some minor gripes about the way translation was handled – I would have preferred  a more professional translator – but overall, the fans left satisfied and eager for day 2’s concert.

With that, I end day 1’s coverage. Its 1.30am and I have to be up pretty soon for day 2, so good night and see you tomorrow!

p.s. Again, this post is incomplete without pictures. You will have to wait for Quaz to go through the 300+ pictures he took and sort them, but he does have photos of Minorin, so don’t worry. They’ll be up soon.

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Not one, but TWO updates for the coming Daicon 2009 – Doujin booths registration, and Chihara Minori ticket online sales are now up!

In short, doujin booth registration for DaiCon is now open for local and international groups! Grab the form at http://www.daiconnews.com/e_doujin.php, fill it up and send it back to Daicon to grab a space at DaiCon.

Simply follow the instructions on the page linked above, make the payment, and thats it

As far as i know, spots are limited so be sure to register as soon as possible!

As what i would like to see in the coming doujin sections? Horo. S&W Season 2 OVA was out some time ago, and the TV series should start around june/july as well just in time for Daicon. So yeah, nuff said. Also, lets see if we can get more goodies like the Sheryl/Ranka badges i have for my Laptop/DSLR bag which you can refer to:  http://www.quazacolt.com/personally-quazacolt/2009/04/cyberfusion-2009-guinness-world-records/

Kinda wanna decorate my new Kata bag moar XD XD

Did i mention Horo? oh yes i did.

Last but certainly not the least of the coming updates, Chihara Minori AWSM and ELITE tickets are now UP FOR SALE ONLINE.

Just head over to http://www.daiconnews.com/cm_ticketing.php and follow the instructions and thats it. Tickets are running out FAST so if you are a fan of Chihara Minori, or simply just want her autograph for the lulz (like me, lol), do HURRY and make your purchase as soon as possible. Time will not wait!

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DaiCon’s news page has been updated with some news regarding Minorin’s appearance. Of note is the fact that there are 2 types of tickets you can buy.

AWSM tix, priced at RM250, entitles you to special seats at Minorin’s Q&A, concert, and ONE autograph pass.

ELITE tix, priced at RM150, entitles you to slightly less special seats, and no autograph session. Unless you get lucky lar, with a lucky-draw.

Tickets are going on sale over a 3 day period at OneUtama, from the 1st til 3rd of May. That’s this weekend! Ticket sales are in conjunction with a road show EMiNA is taking part in – OneUtama Haha no Hi (Mother’s Day, not to be confused with ClownFest) event.

Currently, details are scarce. What we do know is that there will be a 2 hour long Q&A session on day 1, and a mini concert on day 2. Whether you will be allowed to ask Minorin to autograph personal items remains unknown.

Both Quazacolt and I will be at OneUtama on Friday, and we will strive to bring you more details ASAP. Until then, I leave you with the TFM motto: BUY FIRST THINK LATER!

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Here is another update for Daicon 2009, and it will be a pretty BIG one. Assuming you’ve already noticed the title and started going crazy with all the excitement (or in doubt for potential rick roll), yes, this is no April’s fool joke, the dates doesn’t show “1st April” – That’s right, popular Japanese seiyu (voice actor) and singer, Chihara Minori is visiting Malaysia to grace us at Daicon 2009!

Just in case if you’re still not familiar with this seiyu/singer, fear not, we will definitely provide as much info as possible, so here goes!

Straight from Daicon’s official website:
http://www.daiconnews.com/cm_profile.php 

Artist Name: Chihara Minori
Birthday: 18th November
Blood-type: B

Representative works:
Suzumiya Haruhi no Yuutsu (Nagato Yuki),
Minami-ke (Minami Chiaki),
Ga-Rei -Zero- (Tsuchimiya Kagura).

Debuted as a voice actress in 2004 as the role of Natsume Aya in Tenjou Tenge. Her role as Nagato Yuki in Suzumiya Haruhi no Yuutsu sparked a boom in her popularity. Since then, she has taken part in many popular works such as Minami-ke and D.C. II: Da Capo II as well as excelling as a singer.

A recorded video of Chihara Minori greeting us (English subtitles also provided) is also available from the Daicon Official Chihara Minori page. (http://www.daiconnews.com/cm_profile.php)

On her tour to South East Asia for the first time, Miss Chihara Minori will be holding a Q&A panel with the fans on Saturday, 11th July 2009 and a special performance on Sunday, 12th July. Be sure to witness this historic event at DaiCon!

again, Saturday Q&A Panel, Sunday special performance, DONT MISS IT!

Some links of interest regarding Chihara Minori

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chihara_Minori Wikipedia page
http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/encyclopedia/people.php?id=22271 ANN Page
http://chiharaminori.jp/ Chihara Minori Official page (Japanese language)
http://minorhythm.jugem.jp/ Chihara Minori Official blog (Japanese language)

In addition to the above, Daicon also released their trailer which you may view it from here:

Click here to view the embedded video.

 Looks pretty damn awesome if you ask me. Heck, so awesome, should you want to keep a copy of it, you get to do so via:
http://www.daiconnews.com/downloads/DaiCon_Teaser(1280×720).mkv
http://www.daiconnews.com/downloads/DaiCon_Teaser(704×400).mkv 

Lastly, do take a look at Aoshi’s write up for this update, which includes a nice jab at our Singaporean neighbours down south:
http://aoshi.wakarimasenlol.com/chihara-minori-live-at-daicon/  :P

Again, hope to see you guys this coming Daicon 2009, 11th – 12th July, MMU Cyberjaya, Malaysia.

=edit again=
Embedded Chihara Minori greeting video to the post itself. Much thanks to Uncle-Valho for the codes  godai uncle
Removed Chihara Minori greeting video as per requested by Daicon folks due to agreements with the manager, the video is only allowed on the DaiCon webpage.  Sorry everyone~

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