» NYAF 2008 - Takanori Nishikawa Style! » Ningin

It may have been a convention dedicated to anime but for me, it was a Takanori Nishikawa filled weekend. If the amount of Takanori events weren’t enough, I come to the convention to find out that the Ningin booth is conveniently placed next to the T.M.Revolution booth! I think Takanori came to stalk me instead! He’s all the way in Japan and I’m still being followed! Ha ha! I’m joking, of course. But in any case, it was all enjoyable. Everyone at the T.M.Revolution booth was lovely. I also saw some old friends there from New York Comic Con 2008. The merchandise there was also very nostalgic and reminded Jessica and I of our adventures that fateful weekend when we met Takanori Nishikawa in the flesh. But before I start getting all teary eyed, here’s the coverage of everything Takanori Nishikawa related!

Upon arriving at the booth, I was instantly enamored by the amount of T.M.Revolution goods! I saw some NYCC 2008 goods being sold but if you’re a collector, that stuff is still valuable. There was also abingdon boys school items such as T-Shirts and wristbands. The T-shirts are produced by Takanori Nishikawa and famous Japanese designer Keisuke Baba, thus bearing the brand name “GB SKINS.” Also, there was the Tabo-kun brand goods which is a mini cartoon version of Takanori Nishikawa himself. He was incredible adorable. Tabo-kun came in little soft figurines, fans, penlights, and more. Of course, I caved in and bought a few items myself. The Tabo-kun penlight is addicting!

The first Takanori related panel that took place on Saturday was the T.M.Revolution panel. Although it was called the T.M.Revolution panel, the topic stretched to abingdon boys school as well. Once we arrived into the panel, we were given raffle tickets in which we would win something. At the time we didn’t know what it was, of course. In this panel, the manager for Takanori had spoken of Takanori’s future events. We watched clips such as the music video for T.M.Revolution’s newest single, “Resonance,” and the Soul Eater clips for the b-side “Soul’s Crossing.” At the end of those clips, a special video message/interview was shown from abingdon boys school. They were asked about the origin of their band name and how they formed. Right after this clip, Takanori’s manager discussed Takanori’s future plans as T.M.Revolution. From now until March of 2009, Takanori will be on tour in Japan as T.M.Revolution. At the end of the explanation, a Q&A had arisen. Questions were asked as to when T.M.Revolution would release a new album. Since Takanori is on tour at the moment, no plans have been made for a new album so for the fans, don’t expect a new album any time soon! Also, many of the fans wanted Takanori’s albums to be more available in the USA! Make some noise fans and hope for the best! At the end of the Q&A, another special video message by Takanori had been played. He apologized for not being there but he wanted to say hello. He hopes to see everyone sometime next year again. He really enjoyed performing in New York especially after four years. Towards the end of the message, Takanori announced the screening of the movie Corazon de Melon in which Takanori starred in. Also, the official MySpace for T.M.Revolution has been opened! Of course, I was all over that MySpace with a friend request. Of course, Takanori’s Engrish was adorable as always. At the end of the message, the raffle had been announced. There were five copies of Turbo’s (the official fanclub for T.M.Revolution) magazine that featured Takanori’s time in New York City! I might not have won but Jessica won a copy of the magazine. I’m really thankful because she gave it me. Thank you once again, Jessica! The magazine is just way too adorable.

On Sunday, there was more Takanori to go around! This time, it was abingdon boys school! There was a special screening of the abingdon boys school concert that was performed in February earlier this year. There was a large line in front of the door where the screening was! There, Jessica, Mia, and I interviewed three fans (who were dressed as Rinoa, Rikku, and Tifa) and discussed various T.M.Revolution/abingdon boys school things. We even discussed the term “fangirls” and the various definitions. The Rinoa cosplayer seemed to know her stuff!

Q. How did you come across Takanori?

Rinoa: I heard “Invoke.” I hate Gundam SEED, but I heard “Invoke” way back and that’s my favorite song.

Q. What are your favorite abingdon boys school songs?

Rinoa: Um, my favorite is “Nephilim.” I love that song.

Rikku: “Howling” or “Desert Rose” probably.

Q. How do you think you differ from the Japanese fans?

Rinoa: We feel that the Japanese fans have something on us. They’re lucky because they’re there a lot more. I want him to come back and do Comic Con again!

Q. What about a concert at Madison Square Garden?

Rinoa: I’d be the first one on line for tickets!

Tifa: I’d pay to go!

Q. What is it that you like about Takanori? His looks, his style, etc.

Rinoa: I think he’s just gorgeous all around. He’s just very cute so that makes up for his height.

Q. Would you like to see abingdon boys school/T.M.Revolution album in English?

Rinoa: I’ve heard his English songs but I prefer his songs in Japanese.

Q. Besides “Invoke,” what other T.M.Revolution songs do you like?

Rinoa: I really love “Resonance.” “Private Storm” is also another one of my favorites.

After waiting to go into the performance, Jessica, Hoc, and I sat down for the performance. During the performance, Takanori’s manager also filmed the audience. We cheered, clapped, screamed, and jumped as abingdon boys school performed each song! The songs “As One,” “Howling,” “Athena,” “Nephilim,” “Blade Chord,” “Fre@k $HoW,” and “Innocent Sorrow” were performed. I may have missed a few! But each song was as powerful as the next. It was hard to get some of the audience to stand but we ended up forming our own group. In the slower songs, fans took our their phones and Tabo-kun penlights and waved them in the air. We also had a lot of the fans screaming for Takanori to take off his clothes! Of course, I screamed for the sexy men to perform! It was definitely fun and I was happy to know Takanori was going to see his fans cheer for him and his band. I know we all enjoyed ourselves! After the concert footage, Takanori’s manager was taking fan messages for Takanori. I also had to give my own message and throw in some kisses as well. I looked like a complete doofy fangirl but hey, I don’t regret it. It’s one of the things I do best!

After the performance, we all pretty much enjoyed the rest of the convention. All that was really left to do was wait for ichi P! to come and have their interview with us. In the process, we danced to the Wonder Girls “Tell me.” We got so much praise that we were asked to dance to a T.M.Revolution song for Takanori to see! In a rush, we taught ichi P! the dance to Takanori’s song “Hot Limit” and performed! We also had the people at the T.M.Revolution booth join in! It was definitely embarrassing but I’m sure Takanori will get a kick out of it.

As we approached the end of the convention, we got ready to set out and see the movie “Corazon de Melon” starring Waka Inoue and Takanori Nishikawa! That day marked the beginning of the New York-Tokyo Film Grand Prix 2008. This movie was actually voted for by the fans in the romance category. I must say, this movie was pretty funny. Also as Jessica described to me, it was really random. It’s a story about a couple Izumi (Waka Inoue) and Hiromi (Takanori Nishikawa) and their struggle though poverty. Hiromi has been diagnosed with lung disease and has not been able to work. Izumi is an office girl struggling to earn a living to support her and Hiromi. Once day, Izumi is fired from her job and Hiromi suddenly has a craving for high priced melons. While Hiromi increasingly becomes better, Izumi’s health becomes worse and she ends up catching Hiromi’s disease. Although Hiromi becomes better, he decides to fake his sickness out of shear laziness to work. Izumi, believing Hiromi is still sick, continues to struggle and find a new job to support both of them. This story actually shows how far each of them will go for the sake of one another. Now I’ve watched Takanori be a total prick in the drama “Beautiful Life.” In this movie, he was even MORE of a prick than before! There were scenes where I couldn’t believe Izumi was still with him! There was one scene where Hiromi takes Izumi’s wallet and buys a BAGPIPE without her knowing. She gets mad at him and eventually forgives him! WHAT THE HECK? I would’ve broken up with him in an instant, especially if we were poor. Also, a BAGPIPE? It was completely random but Takanori was just too cute with the bagpipe. There were lots of scandalous scenes as well! It was definitely a movie more for Takanori fans so I know I enjoyed it. For others, I don’t think they would like it as much. Overall, the movie was okay.

This was definitely a weekend I’ll remember. I can’t wait to meet up with everyone again! For those who are Takanori Nishikawa fans, I hope you all enjoyed everything! I know I did! I must thank everyone at the Ningin booth for making this happen! The T.M.Revolution booth needs a huge thanks as well! They gave us a lot of stuff! I got pins, stickers, and a cute Hello Kitty Hot Limit keychain. Thank you all so much again!