Cybird’s Ikemen Series booth experience at Anime Expo 2018

Since I was only at Anime Expo 2018 for a day, I was quite limited in what I could do. That said, I did pay a visit to Cybird’s booth inside the Exhibition Hall. There, I got a bag and a card (2 actually). The bag, I got after showing that I had the “Ikemen Revolution” app on my phone. This year’s bag was smaller than last year’s but it was still a nice freebie regardless. As for the cards, I received them after publicizing their booth to my Twitter account and showing it to an employee. The employee (male) was rather expression-less (just like last year) but I suppose that’s just a personality thing and I did get two cards from him, so I’m guessing it’s all good…

The kabe-don dilemma

After visiting another booth to do my “haul” of the morning, I went back to Cybird’s booth to line up for the “kabe-don” event. This, I kind of regret doing and I’ll tell you why. For starters, I’m way too old to be lining up and participating in a “kabe-don”. I could be wrong but I want to say that I was probably the second oldest female that participated in this event. Seriously.

Second, Cybird decided to video record “kabe-don” participants this year. Can I just say no? I think I would not have minded as much if I had on a facemask or something, but I didn’t have such a thing on me. The ironic thing about all of this is how I realized after participating that I had gotten a free paper mask earlier on which I technically could have used while in line/participating. But oh well. It is what it is and I can’t do much about something that is a part of the past now. I must note that I did catch a not so visible sign inside their booth stating that they would be recording and if someone did not want to be recorded, to inform a staff member. (Honestly now, do you think any giddy girl would notice the sign while in line? For the most part, they’d be too busy watching Hiroto, Cybird’s cosplayer.)

Third, the “kabe-don” line was an interesting thing. I had actually returned to their booth early on in order to be one of the first people to participate so that I could go on and conquer other AX events. At the time of my arrival, there was yet no line in existence. Just to be sure, I asked a staff member and she validated that a line did not exist yet. Well, let’s just say that the validation was a bad joke. Apparently, it seems as though those that had been to the “kabe-don” event beforehand (either on day 1 or day 2) probably knew where to stand in order to particpate first/earlier. I got a good amount of glares from white girls cosplayed as I don’t know what standing on a spot that magically transformed into the beginning of the line once a so-called line was announced by a staff member. If it isn’t already obvious, the “kabe-don” line was a hot mess and totally unfair to those of us that actually came before a genuine line was broadcasted by a staff member. Hmmph.

Fourth, the “kabe-don” experience wasn’t as amazing as last year. How so? Well, it took place on a stage which I suppose helps in giving you a feel of solitude with Hiroto. (lol wtf) But for those that aren’t too crazy about being in the spotlight, the stage thing is probably a bit of a miss. I have a feeling the stage served other purposes in addition to the “kabe-don” event though. (The Cybird booth did afterall hold other activities in addition to the “kabe-don” event. I just didn’t have time to attend these events so I can’t confirm whether the stage was actually used for their other events.) Most concerning however was the length of time in the “kabe-don” experience. So, I keep saying “kabe-don” experience because that is what the activity is advertised as however the reality is that participants get their choice of a “kabe-don” or “back hug”. If you must know, I opted for the back hug. Regardless of whether you opt for the “kabe-don” or back hug, the duration of the experience would be very short. And this possibly could have given you a slight feeling of unfulfillment or disappointment if you experienced a longer “kabe-don” or back hug (or both) the prior year. I  admit that I was a bit bummed out, but then again, I was like the second oldest participant, so I shouldn’t have really been participating in the first place, right? *rolls eyes and coughs*

Fake coughs aside, Hiroto was actually sick. If participants couldn’t tell that he was sick the moment he removed his cosplay coat, they should have been able to tell or at least question it as they got closer to him for the “kabe-don” or back hug. If I remember correctly, I heard him cough and his eyes did seem a bit watery too. Poor thing; he really shouldn’t have been working that day at all. His sickness aside, his cosplay was really on point. So, I may be way too old to be interested in Hiroto but I will admit that he looked good in black. Really. A girl that was in line with me was practically drooling over him. (I cannot tell you how many times she had to express to me, a stranger that Hiroto looks good. Okay, I get the point, girl! lol)

After my awkard participation in the ever so quick back hug with Hiroto, I went elsewhere only to come back and do two things:

1. Ask for a ticket to participate in the quiz battle only to learn that tickets had already all been distributed. (wtf)
2. Purchase an acrylic keychain of Ieyasu as a mouse.

Since I had first visited the booth quite early, I technically could have bought Cybird’s Ieyasu keychain then and there, however at $14, I found the price to be way too steep for my taste and had to digest the idea of splurging $14 for a bit. So, when I finally decided that I’d buy a keychain, I learn from a female employee that it was sold out already. Can somebody explain to me how, at 1 pm, a keychain can be sold out? And that wasn’t the only item sold out, by the way. Alas, I guess it just wasn’t meant to be and it’s really okay because I have a funny feeling that I would have experienced quite a bit of guilt for spending so much on a mere keychain. But I’m not going to lie that Ieyasu looks adorable as a mouse and mice are one of my favorite animals. Ieyasu could have been my “Mickey”! Meh.

So, I suppose that’s about it in regards to my experience with Cybird’s booth at Anime Expo 2018. Would I be there again next year? I don’t know. All I know is that I plan on skipping out on participating in the “kabe-don” activity should I attend Anime Expo next year. I’m just too old for it, unfortunately.

If you’ve read this far and happen to still be thirsty for eye candy from Cybird’s Ikemen Series, I’ve got you covered. Get your fix easily by visiting my blog entries from the year prior: AX17 Day 2 and Days 3 & 4.  For those that are too lazy to read, how about I treat you to a photo of the Cheshire Cat from Ikemen Revolution? Enjoy. 😉