AkibaBlog

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Epitanime is one of the biggest non-professional anime events in France, and it is close to be the oldest anime event that is still alive in France. It is held by the association which has hold many events all through the year (please check for more info from here).

The purpose of Epitanime is for people to have fun- 48 hours non-stop!! Epitanime is planning to have activities from Friday 8PM to Sunday 7PM non-stop! Epitanime is for people to come out saying “oh, that was great, worth coming !! See you next year!!”

About Cosplay at the event, Tami said Cosplay is kinda main event for most people, and depending on a year, popular characters change. He remembered that many Cosplayers of Final Fantasy, Naruto, etc, showed up last time. Which character will be popular this year??? Can't wait to see, huh!

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About last year, he told me that some Japanese probably joined the event but didn’t had time to talk to them … ^__^; Also, some professionals joined the event:

Last year, we were really delighted to have made Digiclub (part of Digicraft corp.) coming here in France to make promotion on their products… (doujin games people in Epitanime were fans of, like the Melty Blood / Re:Act / Final Tuned or Higurashi Daybreak)

They really appreciated the event and they said they really had fun (and were quite popular among customers too) but with the economical crisis they can’t come this year… too bad, I really expected the “Ultra strong Natto” Tsutsumi promised me as we were talking about french smelly cheese ^^

Last year we also had Murata Range as a guest … as expected (from a japanese) he was really professional and I had to tell him : “have fun, this event is also for you too” to make him more at ease

After that it was just perfect, we really loved him that way and in the end he actually came on stage for the final giant karaoke ! xD

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I asked this question, "what is the difference b/w French Otaku and Japanese Otaku?" Isn't it an interesting question? Tami's friend who is working in Japan for years told Tami:

“Otaku” in France is just said by anime/manga/video games addict to describe other addicts…

“Otaku” in Japan is used in a much more pejorative way… and that we (French) aren’t anything similar to them… it’s a different world

Last year, popular characters (not cosplay) were Zero (Code Geass), Haruhi, Naruto, Ichigo, L and Light (Death note). It’s often very charismatic characters. What will be popular in this year??? If you visit Epitanime, please tell me!

I also asked some recommended shops, maid café, etc. Good news for you who is in Paris and who tries to visit Paris! Better to check it up!

In Paris…

Junku (japanese book shop), Book off (used book shop but often almost brand new) and many restaurants near Opéra/Pyramides

Many French anime addicts buy their manga/anime in Fnac or Virgin

If you want video games, you have many VG shops near “Place de la république” or Fnac, Virgin, Micromania etc.

Of course Saturday night you have Epitanime karaoke sessions ;)

Karaoke sessions--- sounds great. I would love to see it!

Finally, he gave all of you a message:

If you’re free in Paris for a day, a night or both next May 29, 30, 31 2009 … don’t forget Epitanime ^^

For everyone trying their best doing events like ours : “Courage ! Faites-vous plaisir !” I think if you have fun doing the event, the customers will too !

Thank you very much, Tami. Hope the event will be a success!!! And please tell me about the event of this year after the event was over!!!

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