Thanks to everyone who apparently recognized me because of my bags at @Animemilwaukee… yes… hello… it’s me… I just really like an orange guy! I was emotional all weekend…
Please enjoy this short video of my trip and I’ll be including photos in the upcoming posts too!
I’ll be splitting my post into 3 parts since each post is very lengthy with panel/fangirl notes!
Ikkuzo~!! Day 1 ╰(*´︶`*)╯♡
I flew the night before and landed early morning in Milwaukee. My friend brought me to a super cute cafe after I landed and oshikatsu time! I spent the majority of the day getting used to the hotel and convention since it was my first time in the area! Before I knew it… it was time for the panel…
This was an Ensemble Stars panel featuring both of Tsukinaga Leo’s VAs, Jordan Dash Cruz and Asanuma Shintaro!
🧡 There are 3 ways someone can be chosen for a role in Japan: send in tape, live audition, and a sample list. Asanuma was chosen via samples.
🧡 Dubbing rules for American movies have a strange regulations in Japan. Asanuma uses Beast and Nicholas Holt as examples. You first audition in Japan and then you need to audition in the US. If selected, you do not become the official voice for that character. You getting the role again is based on your performance or if the director liked you.
🧡 Both VAs have different, yet share similar experiences… such as directing experience and this experience helps them further their careers!
🧡 Jordan has been practicing singing…?!
🧡 Asanuma talks about how he gets to record with the other members of Knights in Japan… but Jordan records by himself. 🥲
🧡 Asanuma mentioned how performing for different characters can be a double edged sword. He used the sample of Leo and Samatoki where one is pop and the other is rap. More skills = more room for challenges.
🧡 EnStars is known to record over a year before release and by the time it comes out, some seiyuus might have forgotten that they did it.
🧡 HypMic releases at a faster pace and it’s a struggle for Asanuma because he’s not familiar with rapping LOL so HypMic being faster release + not being familiar with rapping = 😳😳😭
🧡 Jordan didn’t know the Uchuu reference so he followed the translation… he regrets saying outer space now…
🧡 Jordan and Asanuma talk about certain roles they may always be assigned.
🧡 Jordan mentions that he gets assigned characters that are either “loud,” or tend to be the “best friend,” type!
🧡 Asanuma talks about how he gets assigned mad scientist roles like Lex Luther (Nicholas Holt from Superman 2025) and Kenzo Suga from Kamen Rider Gavv… Asanuma then goes into how he also gets assigned characters who adore their sisters… of course. 😂
Q&A (I don’t recall all) and my first death! ヽ(;▽;)ノ
🧡 Someone asked what Asanuma’s favorite Knights song was and Asanuma’s face looked really cute cause you can see his brain is turning… I could see on his face that he couldn’t remember the name… so he sang two words 😭 “Kono shinnen,” ARTICLE OF FAITH… I immediately recognized it bc it’s also my favorite song…
🧡 He apparently doesn’t do any vocal exercises…?! According to a moot, he said something along the lines of “it would be nice if I did those huh…” 😂
Official end of the panel. Asanuma stayed a little after and was interacting with fans and he saw my Bake nui and shot me a 「ね、返信して (Ne, Henshin Shite)」 and snapped. 😭 I melted.
After that fansa, I showed him that I had the Bakemagnum with me… The staff said that he’d like to hold it… Before handing it over to him, I powered it on and he let out a glorious laugh… 🥹
He then opened the gun to insert the gochizo and he then after… he gave me a 「え… 何だっけ… あ、そうだ. 返信」 (Eh, nandakke… Ah, sou da. Henshin) and he pointed the gun at me and shot me. My soul left me. 😭💦
Staff wanted photos with my friends and Asanuma wanted me in the photo too bc I had three Leo bags on me. I can’t say no if he asks me!!
End of Day 1 ⬇️
Our session was kinda memeing because majority of the whole cafe got Sephiroth… the cafe staff noticed. We got 4 Sephiroth in a row and I’d mention it to the staff and they gave us extra to compensate… we kept getting him… 😂
Another table waved their Sephiroth like 💵 😂
i forgot you also get one coaster per item you order at random. this is standard for themed cafe so i’m not particularly wowed but still do appreciate it
I hope it’s okay to add into your 🧵…
Went day 2 on 06/14 with my boyfriend… it was underwhelming but the staff is very accommodating. I think they realized there were issues with the pizza because it wasn’t available to be ordered for my time (12:00 PM).
went to square enix cafe la soft opening day 1 on 6/13 with a 2pm reservation
honestly…it didn’t go well LOL😩since they were busy, i didn’t get seated until about 2:35pm. waited until about 3:40pm for my entree + dessert and i think 3 sausages were missing☠️
food review below
They left a lot to be desired. The employees were really nice at least.
By the time we left… there was a full lobby and people were waiting outside too. 😭 It was really backed up in the kitchen so people are staying over the 75 minutes.
I was happy to see Visions of Mana!
Cheating is something that happens universally but it’s something I’ve noticed to be… more acceptable in Japan. I won’t go into this to keep it frank but-
I hate cheaters but cheating seems to be kinda normal. However, it’s not the same as acceptable. 🙇♀️
What are you trying to say 😭 your statements are so contradictory? I already had it when you said “i hate cheaters but-“ then you say cheating is normal *in japan* and “sorry not sorry” for ppl having voice kinks? Are you basically not excusing their infidelity…?
The people out here accusing Masami of power abuse and misogyny….
Stop infantilizing women. I’m not defending Masami (I hate cheaters) but the parties involved were consenting adults who knew what they were doing with text + picture proof.
Disappointed. No longer surprised.
He’s only getting called out bc he’s a public figure. Cheating is so common in Japan and sorry not sorry but a lot of people have voice kinks.
I’m over here not able to get over the fact Izumi voice stays on. 😂 Like imagine changing positions and you get a chou uzai 😂😂😂😂