AX: Mitsuo Fukuda Edition
Posted in zero thoughts by moyism on July 2nd, 2007
I’ll make this quick as my blogger peers do a heck of a better job than I can. If one has not already, check out various posts by omo, zepy, wildarmsheero, Spiritsnare, and hashihime to name just a few.
To sum the situation simply, it seems AX staff dropped the ball big time. Insane lines, long delays in concerts, unfair treatment to the Japanese Guests, management staff running around like chickens with their heads cut off, etc. The list can go on forever (see omo’s post for links to AX forums where one can read the dread some went through). Beside feeling pity for the staff, guests, and con-goers I couldn’t help but think something as unorganized as AX ‘07 seemed to be, that there had to be a mastermind behind all the tomfoolery. And the first person that came to mind was the man himself, Mitsuo Fukuda director of Gundam SEED and Gundam SEED Destiny.
Just think about it. Just like both of those series, AX seem to have its ups and downs. People either loved or hated it. Conceptions like “planning ahead” were thrown out the window. The list can go on.
So the point of this post? Don’t let Mitsuo Fukuda run AX ever again.
No seriously, AX needs to get their act together (again?). It’s one thing to screw over the con-goers but to also screw over the performers/guests as well? That’s like digging your own grave. I can only hope for all involved, that AX will only be a faint memory in their lives and not let it ruin whatever future ventures they may have in the future.
… and great. Now I’m paranoid about Otakon since this will be my first time going. Just hope the Otakon staff has better senses than this year’s AX staff because the last thing I, or anyone going, needs is to experience a (another) “bad” con. And speaking of me going to Otakon, some may be in for a surprise if I can get enough interest for my SUPER SECRET PROJECT 
Seth says:
Otakon was not…terrifically organized last year, from my experience. Not that this was terrifically new. I don’t think I’ve ever been to a con where the staff were actually on the ball. =\
July 2nd, 2007 at 11:10 pm
Impz says:
From what I read, it seems that much of the con exhibitions that are created tends to be on the borderline in terms of management. It is actually quite sad because much more can be done to improve it. Sigh sigh, pissing off your guests = good job.
July 2nd, 2007 at 11:21 pm
DrmChsr0 says:
LOL @ comparison between AX and GSD, LOLOLOLLOLOLOLOL
July 2nd, 2007 at 11:47 pm
Ray says:
One should never screw over a former fangirl turned into a pro - they screwed MOMOI! Why? Just because she isn’t super huge for the moment? She didn’t even get a hotel to stay at? All her events were going to get canceled completely? Wow…Great convention they organized.
July 2nd, 2007 at 11:47 pm
There is only one reason why I would break this embargo. « orz - SWISS CHEESE PORN says:
[…] opposed to this move are either non-entities or too absorbed in other news, like LOL ELITISM and LOL AX […]
July 3rd, 2007 at 12:26 am
Hinano says:
The most organized cons are the small ones. Otakon has never been organized in all the 3 years I have gone and with Tomokazu Seki, AAA and that chick who plays Matsuri in Sola, I imagine the insanity will be at its peak.
July 3rd, 2007 at 8:14 am
omo says:
If you dig around on the AX forums they talked about what really was the problem this year.
I personally think it’s just that this is their first time at LBCC in a few years, plus there are more people at AX than ever before. Otakon had the wisdom to stick to the same venue and cap attendance…
Well. Con management is pretty complicated. Who knows what else went wrong.
July 3rd, 2007 at 8:14 am
jpmeyer says:
Oh, I get it. The problem with AX this year was that it was planned out by the director’s wife!
July 3rd, 2007 at 5:28 pm
Jason says:
While I still don’t understand the idea of Anime conventions…. It seems like they all have a organization problem and need like some real professional management and organization.
July 3rd, 2007 at 10:11 pm
wildarmsheero says:
Ah, so you’re going to Otakon? Do you happen to know if there will be something of an Anime Nano meet? If so, I would not mind being in attendance.
July 4th, 2007 at 9:46 am
moyism says:
Seth, ah. Figured as much as I doubt any type of convention, as you mentioned, goes off perfectly well.
Impz, yea. I think it really just came down to AX not being prepared and thus, dicked over both attendees and GoHs.
drmChsr0, I take any chance I can get to diss GS/GSD whenever possible
Ray, I think while Momoi may have had the worst experience out of anyone there, the general feeling I’ve gotten is a lot of people simply got screwed over. But yea, it royally sucks to the 10th degree what Momoi had to deal with; I’m just glad her fans helped make up for 90% of that.
Hinano, very true. Guess I choose a great time to attempt Otakon huh? lol
omo, yep I agree with everything you just said. Great job on posting one of the first post on AX; the links to the specific forums given gave me a few hours of entertainment as I read through what folks dealt with XD
jp, yep!
Jason, yep. As omo mentioned, if you read through some of the AX forums, a lot of people voiced the same exact opinion you said.
wildarmsheero, yep I doing it. No clue about any type of Anime Nano since I’m doing this on the fly. Wouldn’t mind one though. Maybe I’ll try to set something up…
July 4th, 2007 at 10:43 am
omo says:
moyism: it’s always a good way to kill time if you’re bored, to read con forums right after a con. LOL GRIPELAND.
But yea, AX this year is the dramatic. From some of the more inside people, it seems that there was simply a serious problem with the staff LBCC had and they were not under AX control at all.
July 4th, 2007 at 11:12 pm