To make clear, that’s pictures of the occasion, not the sweaty otaku.
Like a variety of Japanese individuals, this month our Japanese-language reporter Seiji Nakazawa headed again to his hometown, Osaka, for his summer season trip. Whereas he was there, he obtained to see his household, and, arguably simply as importantly to his unabashed otaku coronary heart, he obtained to see a bunch of his favourite digital YouTubers.
▼ Seiji, crammed with a lot otaku power he can’t preserve his toes on the bottom.
Now, you may be considering “Wait, digital YouTubers are, properly, digital, proper? Can’t you see them anyplace you will have an Web connection?” However this summer season VTuber company Hololive is holding the Hololive Metropolis occasion, with Hololive artwork panels, particular merch, and even the company’s performers themselves dealing with public announcement duties at theme parks throughout Japan. Final yr solely Tokyo Dome Metropolis obtained in on the enjoyable, however for 2024 there are six parks within the set, and by chance for Seiji, considered one of them is Hirakata Park in Osaka, the place the Hololive festivities kicked off on August 23 and run till September 16.
Not like, say, Tokyo Disneyland, Hirakata Park prices a basic admission value with extra charges for sights you need to trip (although there’s additionally an all-access cross obtainable). The upside of that is that the worth to get within the gates is comparatively low-cost, at simply 1,800 yen (US$12.15) for adults.
Every amusement park within the occasion options totally different Hololive performers, and at every park particular person VTubers greet followers at sure sights. Often the artwork panels are proper subsequent to the attraction entrances, however a number of took a bit extra looking, although not past what Seiji, as a real fan, was ready to do. Natsuiro Matsuri, for instance, was on the backside of the steps for the road for the Rowdy curler coaster…
…and Hakos Baelz was ready in one of many interior walkways of the road for spinning coaster Loopy Mouse.
For essentially the most half, although, the Hololive panels are out within the open and also you’ll haven’t any hassle recognizing them.
▼ Seiji, posing for a “two-shot” with Sakura Miko
▼ Shirakami Fubuki
▼ Omaru Polka
▼ Amane Kanata
So if a lot of the Hololive artwork is displayed in easy-to-spot places, that makes it straightforward to finish a full picture safari, proper? Not precisely. When you gained’t pressure your mind looking for them, visiting all of them is usually a check of your bodily endurance…
…as a result of Hirakata Park is constructed on some very hilly topography. Add in the truth that the occasion is happening throughout considered one of Japan’s hottest summers on report, and, properly, let’s simply say that Seiji handed by a variety of fellow sweaty otaku throughout his day on the park.
However they have been sweaty and completely happy otaku, and the “completely happy” half is actually all that issues, proper?
Associated: Hirakata Park official web site
Images ©SoraNews24
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