Login

Shimamori · 07-16-2022, 07:34 AM,

All Honshu Network:
News and Entertainment from the Eastern Jewel of Kusari

Matsuhari Messe: the Celebration of Kusari Animation

Konnichiwa! This is Ishikawa Ayumi and you are watching "Ikiru michi" (//"Way of life") on All Honshu Network. Stay with us today to learn more about the fascinating world of traditional Kusari animation, comics, and how one inconspicuous shopping mall on Honshu for a day turns into a tourist mecca for people from all Kusari.

"Adores" Shopping Mall

In the sprawling city of Shin-Akita, on the island of Noboritojima in the northern hemisphere of Honshu there is an ordinary shopping mall called "Adores". Visiting it feels like visiting any other shopping mall in Kusari (and beyond): old ladies with their pets slowly pacing in search of discounted goods, moms looking for plush toys or any item that would stop their adorable babies cry, and students either looking for a part-time job or enjoying their time off. During the weekends one can expect more families and sararyman desperate to succumb to consumerism in a desperate attempt to justify their long working ours with alleged capacity to "buy" happiness. One can see geeks, too, on one of the top floors where they temporary dwell at the local manga store making the maximum of the time they can spend reading the new releases without paying for them. This all changes on the 17th of August when each year the largest and oldest anime and manga Comicon is held on the five top floors of the shopping mall that are normally reserved for business expos, corporate meetings, and even a private spaceport.

On that day venerable for many otakus from all around Kusari and beyond, the shopping mall turns into a kingdom of cosplay, roleplay, heated discussions on what anime has a better plot and which mangaka is better at drawing, card games, board games, video games, virtual & augmented reality attractions, and of course the infamous "red zone" where the connoisseurs of adult manga and anime can enjoy their private discussions (and what ensues them). The halls get filled with a wide palette of colours from green and blue-dyed hair to match the popular anime heroes to dull grey and black representing edgy antiheroes with mysterious traumatic pasts. The outfit styles vary as much: from imitation of full ironclad plate armours of the past to provocative mini-skirts to innocuous maid costumes. Whatever related to manga and anime you are looking for - you will find it here.

Dancing Arcades of Makuhari

This event is called "Makuhari Messe" after the Makuhari Expo Hall located on the top floors. The history behind the event is not that convoluted. About three centuries ago a group of local enthusiasts whose names are lost to history decided to hold a small cosplay event at the local manga store. "Adores" was just another newly built shopping mall desperately looking for attention in an attempt to sway potential customers and win bread from the local competitors, and thus gladly gave permission to the event and even upgraded the venue to a large corporate hall still rarely used at that time. It took over a decade for an obscure meeting of the local geeks to become a known event in the city, about 30 years to become well known around the island, 80 years to become a famous anime event around all of Honshu, and, eventually, after more than a century the words "Makuhari Messe" invoke awe and make the knees of otaku tremble all around Kusari (and beyond soon thereafter). The businesses quickly made note of the growing event and provided more and more sponsorship to the organisers and the participants to boost the recognisability of their brands or to sell merchandise if the companies were part of the entertainment industry. At a certain point, even Kishiro jumped the wagon and created a fund for young talented mangaka to kick-start their creations. Nowadays "Makuhari Messe" is not only a feast of cosplay but also of advertisement, PR, and headhunting and can be compared to the big business expos taking place at the same hall because anime and manga are also big business.

However, do not let the advertisement and consumerism shun you away from this celebration of life. If you ever wanted to exchange your boring working suit for the colourful garb of some catgirl from a parallel universe - this is the place where nobody would judge. On the contrary - you are quite likely to receive a few compliments and, perhaps, find a few like-minded enthusiasts and potential friends. If you are not into anime and manga - no worries. There are a lot of people attending the event to enjoy various activities and games, observe both superb and motley costumes, eat exotic food, and laugh at the awkward situations that inevitably occur every time. Among the other amusements, one can visit a large swimming pool and aquapark on the top floor from which the skyline of Shin-Akita can be observed. Just beware: the place is popular to show bodybuilding and bikini-style cosplay and not everything can be child-friendly, or fidelity-friendly. For parents, we would suggest an arcade hall two floors down where a lot of kids' anime-themed attractions can be found.

If you are into adult-only themes, then the right wing of the hall on the fourth floor is your choice. Be it the new edition of "Tentacle girls from the deep Omicrons" or the uncensored version of "A Golden Chrysanthemum took my virginity" - you can find it all there. Naturally, the entrance is controlled and you cannot get in without an ID. Be ready also to leave all your photo- and video-shooting devices at the entrance to respect visitors' privacy. For people who were blessed with finding a couple in such a peculiar place or especially strong libido, there is a private onsen (//hot springs) a few floors down or an anime-themed love hotel across the street. Just remember to always put your health first and take the necessary precautions.

A frame from "A Golden Chrysanthemum took my virginity"

"Makuhari Messe" is a truly wonderful event that is attended by over 1 million visitors each year in a span of mere five days. While it has an ambiguous reputation in some circles, do not let the rumours stop you from visiting this Comicon and forming your own opinion. Perhaps, you will love it and join the celebration of the shared hobby, or perhaps you will cringe at the look of it and decide to look for fun elsewhere. "Makuhari Messe" rarely leaves people indifferent. If you came from afar and found the event not to your liking - do not be discouraged: the local Tourism Department will assist you for free in finding a different destination on Honshu and offer a discount on transportation.

Come visit "Makuhari Messe" and tell us your own story! This concludes today's programme. We wish you a good day and hope that your visit to Honshu will be unforgettable. Ishikawa Ayumi for

.

You have something to say? Reach us on social networks! For convenience, please use the template below:

Message Template

Feel free to insert these stickers to visualise your reaction!

Stickers

NOTICE: The administration reserves the right to delete comments deemed to be offensive, a form of harassment, discrimination, hate speech, incitement to violence, or in violation to Kusari Legal Codex.

Login
Username:
Password:	Lost Password?
	Remember me