AX – Christmas in July…Mana!

Contact: Nancy Wong

It can’t get any better! Fantastic! Overwhelmingly good! I can’t barely contain myself when I heard that Mana the mother/father of Gothic Lolita fashion was going to be at Anime Expo (AX) this year! It was even better than waking up to having lost 5lbs instantaneously, or having found a Angelic Pretty dress set magically appearing in your kitchen oven.

How they did it I will not question as it is the biggest event for many J-rock fans, and lovers or Lolita clothes. I am a great fan to Mana’s dedication to the fashion and his contribution to its evolution. If everything at AX fell apart and the collapsed into the ocean. I would still go because I had to meet Mana.

I was not the only person that had that view. Mana appearance was on Friday and hours before the interview a long line grew outside composed of fans from all over the US. It was an amazing site. Many cosplayed as Mana, some look superbly done, and executed, I was so impressed because these girls probably did not have a wardrobe specialist or a make-up artist to help them get into their cosplay. They probably spent at least an hour prepping their cosplays, not to mention hours into making the costume and accessories. Even though I had a press badge I opted to spend time in line with the girls. The excitement they exude was intoxicating you can’t help but to laugh and giggle with them as they tell their stories of how they found Mana and his music. “He is the prettiest man I have ever seen! I can’t believe he is here the first time I saw him was on my friend’s screen saver…ever since them I have all the gothic Lolita bibles,” said Melanie Ng. Another fan ponders, “I want to ask him if he plays RPGs. I heard he does,” said Dawn Kotch, from Seattle. We chattered away until the doors opened.

Shifting slowly we made our way to the entrance to see the person we all waited for anxiously. It room was roaring with whispers and talks, all the little noises with ruffles in the mix added to the vibe of excitement. As the panel began and to its end everyone was cordial and polite. I believe many were just in awe of being in the same room with their idol who used to be 1500 miles away! And even in Japan not everyone had a chance to be in viewing distance of Mana! At the end of the interview Mana was available for autographs and private interviews plus some girls got to shake hands with him and be close enough to indulge in his wonderful perfume. You can see it in the eyes of the girls that this really made their year.

Magnificent was the event and AX brought it to us. Many thanks to the coordinators who made it happen and blessings to those who kept him safe at the convention. This event is simple Christmas in July for all the fans.