It’s not everyday where you get a huge chance to attend a major figure event, but the otaku gods blessed us dearly as we had the privilege of attending two events in the very same day! Unlike WonHobby Gallery 2019 Spring, which felt more like a smaller attraction, MegaHobby Expo 2019 Spring gave fans a chance to purchase more goods that were available, creating a richer and more exciting experience. As with any figure event, it’s always important to be mindful of just how delicate these display cases can be, as a few bumps or fingerprints on the glass can really ruin the experience for many.
The name pretty much speaks for itself as MegaHobby Expo is a mega event that showcases various upcoming items from all across different figure genres, from ecchi to shounen. Whether you’re a fan of One Piece or perhaps prefer the adorable style of iDOLM@STER: The Cinderella Girls, MegaHobby Expo 2019 Spring has everything for your otaku needs! Once again, we’d like to give a huge thanks to Good Smile Company for allowing us this wonderful opportunity to bring you all of the latest goods straight from Japan! As the title states, this is the 10th anniversary of the MegaHobby Expo, which can only mean there’s plenty more to come!
Basic Information
| MegaHobby Expo 2019 Spring Website: | https://www.megahobby.jp/event/expo2019_spring/ |
|---|---|
| Length of event: | May 25th |
| Location: | Akiba Square, Akihabara, Tokyo, Japan |
| Admission: | FREE! |
What to Expect
MegaHobby Expo 2019 Spring took place on Saturday May 25th at the Akiha Square venue, located at UDX Akihabara. MegaHobby Expo is typically an annual event which often takes place in both the Spring and Winter, which gives fans a chance to discover all of the new items that are soon to be released or will release in the near future. One defining difference between the two events we attended is that MegaHobby Expo 2019 Spring carries a plethora of figures which primarily come from the bigger merchants such as Kotobukiya, Aniplex, Mega House, Licorne, and much more. Think of MegaHobby Expo 2019 Spring as the more mainstream event whereas WonHobby Gallery 2019 Spring is sort of the indie styled venue, which tries to cater more to the smaller brands to provide more exposure. This isn’t to shortchange the smaller manufacturers as their items are nothing short of amazing, but MegaHobby Expo 2019 Spring is all about the mega lineup. You have legacy figures ranging from Pokémon, Digimon, and Hello Kitty, to the more current anime right now such as Kimetsu no Yaiba all on display for fans to check out. So whether you’re a hardcore collector or simply just taking a stroll around to see what all of the hype is about, MegaHobby Expo 2019 Spring has just about everything you need for a wonderful experience.
What to Bring in Order to Enjoy the Event
To keep it brief and straight to the point, carrying a camera and cash is definitely the way to go when attending an event as grand as MegaHobby Expo 2019 Spring. This is because there’s a plethora of items on display and there’s simply no way that your brain will be able to keep track of every item you come across. It’s like walking into a treasure trove of meticulously designed figures, and you’re the treasure hunter seeking out the figures that catch your eye. Enjoying the event isn’t all about taking pictures or buying things however, since you’re also able to congregate with other fellow otaku and perhaps create new friendships. So if there was perhaps one bonus item to bring it would be a business card, since you’re able to network on the fly, establish great relationships and who knows, you might end up making a few new friends along the way! If you don’t have a business card however not to worry, just do your best to socialize and bring your passion to the event!
What to do While There / What is Available
MegaHobby Expo 2019 Spring was a much bigger venue, with a lot more on display, so we spent a little more time here since we wanted to capture as much as we possibly could. We were totally stupefied by just how many new figurine designs were on display, many of which were actually quite unique. One prime example was the Chara Chion display, which showcased a Rubik’s cube style design which we thought looked spectacular up close. Every character on display was easily recognizable, from Detective Conan to Hello Kitty or Goku, but it was the overall design aesthetic that totally had us overflowing with joy. It’s those little small details that most don’t see that really help to separate the good from the best, and the Chara Chion display hands down was on the top 3 of our list for the day. Another notable figure that blew us away was Persona 3’s Arsene, simply because every single detail down to his belt, blazer and boots were immaculately detailed, to the point where you felt the figure would come alive at any moment. Back in the Renaissance period people admired artists like Da Vinci and Raphael for their ability to design such copious looking statues, and now we otaku can relive that experience with our otaku artists like ALTER, YOANI, Aniplex and more!
In the span of 5-10 minutes of just walking around, we were totally flabbergasted by all of the amazing craftsmanship that went into every single figure on display, with even the simplest of designs still blowing us away. Neptunia is the main protagonist from the popular Hyperdimension Neptunia franchise, and while her design aesthetics are simple, the attention to detail on every part of her costume is impressive. If you were to take a photo of her from the game and create a juxtaposition with the figure, it would totally match everything entirely without question.
This is primarily why we love figurines so much, because they really help to take what was once a character on the screen out of that realm and bring them to life in full form. It’s really as if the characters have come to life, now turned into models for us to capture them in their most pure form. As huge fans of Pokémon and Digimon, we had to make sure we captured some footage of the items on display because not only do these brands touch our hearts with their nostalgia, they also touch our souls with the sheer realism behind the design. We’ve all dreamed of owning our very own life-sized ‘mons, and while these items on display certainly aren’t that big, it’s still great knowing that you can take them home and brag about your collection. That’s the sheer passion and devotion that goes into the overall design of these figures that make us shiver in excitement, and want to spend our life savings on them to ensure they leave a long-lasting impression on our souls.
Final Thoughts
We captured a lot of video footage of the event, so be sure to look out for that in our social media accounts! MegaHobby Expo 2019 Spring was a thrilling rollercoaster that we honestly didn’t want to stop riding on because there was just so much to soak in, but with so little time. We hope the photos in this report serve you well but if they don’t we totally understand, since seeing these things up close and personal is where it really hits you hard. Thanks again, and show your support for Honey’s Anime by leaving your comments below! See you next time in November for a new event!
Author: Rob "NualphaJPN" B.