Tag Archives: Little Tokyo

GUDETAMA’s Creator/Designer visits SANRIO in Little Tokyo

Anime, Autographs, Events, Little Tokyo, Los Angeles, , , , , , ,

Since 2013, Gudetama (ぐでたま) made its debut as a Sanrio character. Gudetama became an instant STAR with Gudetama theme cafes, stores and even a Gudetama themed menu in Los Angeles back in 2015.

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Gudetama’s origins begin with a character design contest held by Sanrio back in 2013, coming in 2nd to Kirimi-chan.

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Fastword to 2018, Gudetama’s creator/designer, AMY (Emi Nagashima) visits the Sanrio store in Little Tokyo, Los Angeles, making this her first visit ever.

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Gudetama fans stood in line to receive a signed drawing of Gudetama from AMY.

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As AMY made a special appearance in Los Angeles, Aggretsuko creator/designer visited the Sanrio store in San Francisco for the continuation of Aggretsuko’s Den Of Rage event.

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With Gudetama & Aggretsuko becoming instant stars & both characters getting their own TV series (Gudetama: TBS & Aggretsuko: Netflix), it’s only a matter of time before Sanrio develops yet another super cute and adorable character we can all be be obsessed with.

Here’s our photoset from AMY’s visit:

AMY at work
AMY signs a Gudetama book for a fan
AMY and I
Gudetama and I
Gudetama & my assistant, Vincent

Take a look at out video as well:

Who’s your favorite SANRIO character? Comment below!

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Ronin-Expo 2018

Anime, Art, Cons, Cosplay, Events, Japanese Music, Japanese Stuff, Little Tokyo, Los Angeles, Manga, Photography, Voice Actors, , , , , , , , ,

Ronin-Expo was held on June 02 of 2018, at  the Japanese American Cultural and Community Center in Little Tokyo, Los Angeles.

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So what is Ronin-Expo, you may ask? Ronin-Expo is a celebration of Asian culture, this includes anime, video games, movies, & even a bit history of Japan itself. What makes this expo so interesting though, is the fact that it’s in the center of Little Tokyo district in the city of angels (Los Angeles). This makes it a diverse spot for Ronin Expo to be in, as attendees can further explore Little Tokyo by visiting the surrounding museums and local restaurants.


Here are some more pictures from the event including: cosplayers, event guests, attendees and staff members.

Felt like you missed out? Don’t worry, Ronin Expo will return spring 2019, so mark your calendars and take a trip to Little Tokyo, Los Angeles & make sure to stop by Ronin-Expo!

See you at the next Con/Expo!

 

Interview with: SARAH WILLIAMS

Anime, Autographs, Current Interviews, Events, Giveaways, Little Tokyo, Los Angeles, Voice Actors, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

As we attend RONIN-EXPO 2018, we had the pleasure of interviewing voice actress, Sara Williams! [Don’t forget to check out our related giveaway, details below!]

banner01You may recognize her voice as, Jinx (League of Legends), Midari Ikishima (Kakegurui – Compulsive Gambler), Peacock (SkullGirls), Lisbeth / Rika Shinozaki (Sword Art Online series), Nonon Jakuzure (Kill La Kill), Berserker of Black (Fate/Apocrypha) & most recently as Felix Argyle (RE: Zero)

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Me & Sarah Williams during the interview

Watch as Sarah speaks about her career and how she voice a few of her most recent characters:

Sarah Williams & I
Vincent Reyes (My assistant) & Sarah Williams

Felix Argyle Giveaway!

Thanks for reading/watching our interview with Sarah Williams, now here’s your chance to WIN an autographed print of Felix Argyle!

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All you have to do is, leave a comment on the interview video & subscribe to our YouTube Channel! Refer to our Giveaway rules for more information.

DEADLINE IS JULY 1ST 2018

Special thanks to RONIN-EXPO & Danny Gonzalez for the opportunity to attend RONIN EXPO!

Aggretsuko’s Den of Rage: Why do you like Aggretsuko?

Anime, Cosplay, Events, Little Tokyo, Los Angeles, Photography, , , , , ,

Since the beginning of Aggretsuko Den of Rage event, we’ve been covering the event as it took place in Little Tokyo in Los Angeles, CA!

Find Aggretsuko
Aggretsuko decor.

On the last day of the event, May 28th 2018, we asked seven different Aggretsuko fans about their love for the METAL red panda, Watch our video, maybe you can relate:

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Til’ next time, Aggretsuko…

Aggretsuko’s Den Of Rage (ONGOING Event!) *EVENT EXTENDED*

Anime, Events, Little Tokyo, Los Angeles, Photography, , , , , ,

Aggretsuko made another LIVE appearance, in Little Tokyo’s Sanrio store in Los Angeles.

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As you may remember, Aggretsuko debuted in 2015 and quickly became a sensation! She made her first LIVE appearance in Los Angeles on September of 2017.

In honor of Aggretsuko newest Netflix series, Little Tokyo’s Japanese village Sanrio store set up an ‘office’ pop up with Aggretsuko herself in furson!

 

One the first of the event, attendees were given this holographic limited edition pin:

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MISSED OUT? EVENT is still ongoing, check the dates below!

Check our photoset from the event:

 

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I was reunited with my favorite metal girl:

 

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AFTER MAY 12TH Aggretsuko will NOT be making an appearance at Little Tokyo’s Sanrio store, however, the pop-up office will still be there until MAy 16th alongside limited official Aggretsuko merch!

DEN OF RAGE event has been extended through May 28th! New Aggretsuko appearance dates are as follows:
-Friday, May 25th – 6pm to 9:30pm
-Saturday, May 26th – 12pm to 4:30pm
-Sunday, May 27th – 12pm to 4:30pm

Click here to find out more! 

WANT MORE?

In collaboration with Amoeba Music, Aggretsuko will be making a special appearance at Hollywood’s Amoeba Music store & its San Francisco store ON MAY 17TH & 19TH:

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HOLD ON, THERE’S A CATCH! 

In order to meet & take a photo with Aggretsuko, you must purchase the Aggretsuko X Amoeba Music Package:

Package: $30 each (limited to two packages per person) includes:

  • ** Limited edition Aggretsuko x Amoeba live screen printed t-shirt or tote bag. =Choose from two exclusive Aggretsuko x Amoeba designs and colors!
  • **Aggretsuko Lanyard
  • ** Aggretsuko Sticker
  • ** Meet and snap a photo with Aggretsuko herself in “rage mode

SEE YOU GUYS THERE!

For more information, please refer to the Amoeba Music event page on Facebook.

Aggretsuko’s DEN of RAGE

Anime, Cosplay, Events, Little Tokyo, Los Angeles, Photography, Uncategorized, , ,

Aggretsuko IS COMING BACK TO LITTLE TOKYO, LOS ANGELES!

Hosted by Sanrio Japanese Village store, Aggretsuko will be making an appearance once more from May 4 – May 16 2018 May 28th 2018 (Event has been EXTENDED, more info here). 

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Beginning Friday, May 4th at Sanrio Japanese Village until Wednesday, May 16th, enter this Sanrio pop-up for first dibs on a limited inventory of official Aggretsuko merch, photo ops and appearances from Aggretsuko herself!

     AGGRETSUKO APPEARANCE DETAILS:
– Friday, May 4th – all day 11 am to 10 pm
– Saturday, May 5th – 12 pm to 4 pm
– Saturday, May 12th – 12pm to 4 pm

More information can be found on the event page here.

原田ちあき (Harada Chiaki): In-Store Event

Art, Autographs, Cartoons, Cosplay, Events, Japanese Stuff, Los Angeles, Manga, Photography, , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Artist Chiaki Harada (原田ちあき), made a special in-store appearance at Fickle Wish in Little Tokyo Los Angeles.

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Chiaki Harada’s first Los Angeles appearance at Fickle Wish

Chiaki is a well known Japanese artist based off Osaka, Japan. She specializes in “Bad Mouth” art style and usually draws girls crying while saying terrible or depressing phrases such as:

 

From Hadara’s English translated artbook
From Hadara’s English translated artbook
From Hadara’s English translated artbook

These were the many items people were able to purchase at the event, alongside the first ever English translated Harada Chiaki artbook:

 

Bundle of Item I bought
Chiaki Harada merch: Mirror, Sticker, Artbook & tote bag
Autographed Chiaki Hadara art
An exclusive artbook, featuring Chiaki’s painting
“In wonderland” sticker by Chiaki
Chiaki Harada Tote bag
Chiaki Harada Mirror

Chiaki has done numerous artworks and collaborations, with the last one being in Osaka, japan, when she collaborated with Cosplay cafe, メルカフェ X Hadara Chiaki. She created this artwork for the collaboration:

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Chiaki Also has her own manga out titled, “Chiaki Harada’s Suspicious Diary” which is available for purchase on her site or on Amazon.

Chiaki Harada's Suspicious Diary (Cover)
Chiaki Harada’s Suspicious Diary (Cover)

The following are photos from the event:

 

Chiaki autographing her English translated artbook for fans
Q & A Panel
ありがとうございました、原田さん!
Q & A Panel with finalized live drawing
Me and Chiaki
Chiaki’s Info card
Chiaki autographing her English translated artbook for fans
Me and Chiaki
Chiaki Harada’s first Los Angeles appearence
Strike a pose!
Chiaki doing a LIVE drawing
Me and Chiaki
Chiaki Harada Mirror

Did you miss out this event? Want Chiaki Hadara Merch? Visit Fickle Wish at, Ficklewish.com! Find out about more Fickle Wish events by Liking their facebook page.

Follow Chiaki’s artwork via Twitter, instagram and website!

Aggretsuko’s 1st U.S. Appearance !

Anime, Events, Little Tokyo, Los Angeles, Photography, , , , ,

On January 2017 SANRIO announced their newest character, Aggretsuko (アグレッシブ烈子)!

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Although the character debuted in 2015, Aggretsuko began appearing on social media in early 2017 & it seems she quickly found fame among Hello kitty fans.

Aggretsuko, according SANRIO’s official site, is a 25 year old, red panda who works as a office worker with anger issues. Her YouTube shorts tell her daily life, working in an office dealing with the daily annoyances that happen. When her patience is up, she goes on full blown HEAVY METAL RAGE! Check her out here:

More episodes can be viewed here

In the recent months since her appeared on social media, she has gotten a huge following, much like GUDETAMA back in 2013.

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She recently made her first U.S. Appearance at the newly re-opened Sanrio store in Little Tokyo in Los Angeles!

Me (Krystal) & Aggretsuko
Isn’t she Adorable?
Store staff & Aggretsuko
Cute Aggretsuko decore
Aggretsuko Sticky notes!

Along with new Aggretsuko merchandise. Aggretsuko merchandise can also be bought on the official site.

Judging by her popularity, there might more Aggretsuko themed events coming soon!

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(c) SANRIO 2017

Who YOUR favorite SANRIO character? Comment below!

LADYBABY in Los Angeles

Anime, Events, Japanese Music, , , , , ,

LADYBABY a famous band that recently came into light with, currently 9,765,665 views on their music video, Nippon Manju. The video went viral ever since it’s release earlier this year. Since then, the band has played numerous shows in japan and most recently at New York City Comic Con and Los Angeles. LADYBABY is the second KawaiiCore band to have spawn out of Japan, along side BABYMETAL (formed in 2013). Created by ClearStone to promote their costumes, LADYBABY consists of LADYBEARD, Rie Kaneko and Rei Kuromiya. Their music genre? KAWAIICORE! Which is a mixture of Heavy Metal and Japanese pop music.

LADYBEARD

Ladybeard is an Australian Professional wrestler, heavy metal vocalist and party rocker. Labled as Japan’s Andrew W.K, Ladybeard first appeared in the rings of Hong Kong’s pro-wrestling in 2009. After gaining popularity as a wrestler, he expanded into the music industry. In 2010, he made his debut in a heavy metal band & while touring, he finally fulfilled his dream by going to japan for the first time. After returning to his homeland, Australia, he returned to Japan in September 2013 and It wasn’t until March 2015 when he was asked to form, LADYBABY.

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Rei Kuromiya, the youngest of the group and winner of Miss iD2015 Grand Prix, She is the vocalist & guitarist of her own rock band called, BRATS and is currently training to be the lead role in a crowd funded movie along side her sister, Aya Kuromiya who is also in BRATS.

Kaneko Rie

Rie Kaneko former Miss iD2015 Grand Prix winner and actress. Aside from working with LADYBABY, she also worked with HAJIMETAL as the lead vocals in the song GIRI GAL.

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LADYBABY preforming at Anime Jungle

On Oct 12 2015, LADYBABY made an appearance in Little Tokyo’s Anime Jungle, where they performed a mini-concert & played their hit single, Nippon Manju, Along with, upcoming singles which are set to be released December 2015. A new music video has been confirmed to be released, which was filmed in Japan, New York City and Los Angeles.

Cherry Jelly Productions, the host of the event, made it possible for all LADYBABY fans to buy the rare merch including, Shirts, towels and the Nippon Manju CD+DVD along side the ClearStone’s costumes

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Fans stood in line since 11am just to see LADYBABY, with one fan following LADYBABY tour dates traveling from Japan to New York and finally to Los Angeles! Now that’s dedication!

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People going inside Anime Jungle to watch LADYBABY

About 200+ fans filled up ANIME JUNGLE to watch LADYBABY.
And of course, just like most events, we got all got our chance to take a photo with LADYBABY!

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LADYBABY and Krystal
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LADYBABY and Cristina
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Nippon Manju CD + DVD

Remember to buy the CD+DVD album!

Amazon  |  eBay   |   CD Japan