The Neko Nation owners recently went to Japan to get started on our next business project Tokyo Hardcore, a Japanese lolita, gothic and cyber fashion store featuring the best brands from Japan. We had a blast meeting a lot of the brands in person and went really well with the meetings, we will have more details and a proper blog for this soon as well. We're working on getting a stall at AV-Con as well too!
This is more a light hearted look into some of the things we did and saw in Japan that I personally thought was quite amusing. XD
The JR (Japanese Rail), system. Might be a good idea to start learning this before you go, to say it's a bit confusing is an understatement. Choose to not learn it at your own peril or you'll never get to anywhere you want to go in Japan!
Found outside a hotel in Osaka. It's just to freakish to properly caption. :S
McDonalds are never far away in Japan! XD
Naomi (our translator), took us to this really awesome gothic restaurant located in Shinjuku, the menu is written in a big chunky gothic bible, this place looks amazing! Also holds the Tokyo Decadence events as well. ^^
Found at a temple in Shinjuku, notice how the wooden part at the top looks exactly like a giant penis. XD
The one game everyone wanted to play in the Sega Arcade, the Vocaloid game, I totally did not try to glomp the poster here. XD
Reasons why Japan is awesome, you're discouraged from wearing Crocs as soon as you get to the airport. XD
DOS compatible floppy discs. Japan is so far ahead in technology that you can't possibly fathom the amount of power these discs can hold!
Shinjuku, very clean thanks to their anti-elephant policy.
This is what the ads for the new Zelda game look like, seriously.
Cubic Mouth, as Naomi quoted, "it looks like clown porn". Somehow Disney gave approval for this brand to exist. Click on the picture to see it zoomed in, we saw this merchandise everywhere around Japan, seriously, wtf?!
Cat relaxing cafe, think catgirls serving free sushi is awesome, what about cats serving coffee! Ok, that's probably not what this place was about but the sign is somewhat quite misleading. XP
Edward Cullen is so last decade, Nyanpire is the new vampire for the new decade. Does Edward Cullen drive in a cat shaped car that looks exactly like himself? Didn't think so, hence why Nyanpire is just too damn awesome.
Last but not least an ad for phone company SoftBank, they're the only phone network you can get iPhone in Japan. They've got a bizarre advertising commercial involving a family, I originally thought the family didn't have a dad but our translator actually pointed out that the dog is the dad! There are kids in the family and to be honest it's all sounding a bit Azu Manga Diaoh (think Chiyo-Chan's father). The ads lead to some very interesting merchandise for this character and this is just another case of whacky advertising in Japan and why we love how strange Japan really is. ^^
We'll also be doing a special promotional panel which includes talks on a variety of topics:
First of all, putting on an 18+ event anywhere in Australia isn't too tricky well at least for experienced event promoters, however an all ages event varies not just from city to city but from council to council. According to governments there's a whole stigma against the under 18 crowd, apparently they're seen as dangerous, irresponsible and shouldn't be out late. Then we've got the problem of venues, there's few venues that like the idea of having teenagers partying and on the other end, venues aren't really keen on putting on events when they can't make their money on alcohol.
If you applied for the staff search, we're getting back in contact with as many of you as soon as possible, I haven't been able to properly get back to you all until the venue has been booked, things such as venue size, closing times have a huge effect on the numbers we need staffing wise. We have got a good number of staff helping out for all the events, although we could use a few more in Brisbane and we've ended up having to cancel the Sydney show due to virtually minimal applications for roles.
Our most popular suggestion and request is when we are going to do an after party for a anime convention. We are getting involved with our first convention at Consensual in Melbourne in November 2011. Consensual is Asutralia's first yaoi and yuri convention and we are very excited to get involved with Avi and the team behind consensual to throw one hell of an amazing and potentially sexy party!
The Mana Bar has launched recently in Melbourne after it's success in Brisbane, news was that the owners got into trouble with the council for blocking the footpaths due to the insanely long lines on launch.
For those on in Perth and Adelaide, we've had Neko Nations here instead which the last one managed to hit capacity and the announcement of our tour, there is no shortage of us slowing down any time soon either.
We need people who can help us find people to get involved with the event, the more people we can get involved, the bigger and better we can make the event! We need people who know people who can fill in the positions below and can help us with any information you may think might be helpful or any information we need to get the event to getting one amazing Neko Nation in your capital city!
Photographers
Want to get your business involved and associated with Neko Nation. As a fast growing Australian anime, gaming, otaku club night, we will get you lots of interest and exposure not just in your capital city but also across Australia. All we require is for sponsors to donate prizes for our competitions that we have on the night. In some cities we will also be looking at having sponsors set up their own stalls to sell their products during the night, if you are interested in this please let us know! In return you will receive plenty of exposure which will include getting onto fliers, posters, Facebook promotion and we are more than happy to consider other ways to have sponsors involved with the show itself.
DJ's
As you know the catgirls are the main stars of our show and are there to greet the guests, fill them up with sushi, look sexy and help everyone have a great time!
