Risa Shimamoto

88% of you asked me to go to Risa's DVD launch event so with camera in hand, I headed off to Ishimaru Soft2 in Akihabara. The remaining 12% of you wished for more Candy Girl pics instead so I'll grant that wish too at a later date ^^.

Todays event was held at two locations - Ishimaru and Asobit - I chose Ishimaru because I had been to the Asaki Yoshida event there previously and the staff there seem pretty organized.

Got handed a copy of Risa's latest DVD together with the ticket that allows you to join in on the shenanigans. Buy two (!) copies of the same (!) DVD and you will get two red stamps on your ticket which then enables you to have a picture with Risa - one DVD was enough for me. The hardcore fans end up buying 4 copies of the same DVD and the reason is because they attend the event at both venues - two DVD's from each store means they get to have two pictures with Risa.

As with last time, handed my ticket to the bloke at the front of the queue where upon he let me choose a raffle ticket.
Just my luck - seat 32 - worst than last time! But I've sussed this game now and will be "revealing" how to get a good seat in the next idol event post ;-)

20 mins prior to the event, the organizers call out your seat number and line you up. Todays turn out was about 60 - 70-ish.

At least there's something nice to look at while you wait - these are signed posters from previous idol events.

Most of the 6th floor at the Ishimaru Soft2 building is covered with idol posters. Be this back home in Hackney and all the posters would be gone.

Spotted a poster signed by Asaki when I was here last time.

At 2PM on the dot, we are all lead into the event hall at point blank range where upon everybody whips out their camera to adjust their settings and underpants.

Those who have an SLR camera need to make sure your camera settings are spot on because all you get is 60 seconds to take pictures!
If you forgot to bring a camera and thought that you could use the camera in your mobile phone instead then forget about it. For some reason, you're not allowed to take pictures using your mobile.

Apart from taking pictures of Gundam and figurines, the macro lens also comes in handy at times like these.

Then its finally time for Risa to come on stage and do her thang. After 10 mins of chit chat with Risa, its swim wear photo time - each row gets to go up to the stage and take pictures for 60 seconds. If there are less people the session may be extended to 120 seconds.

Then its my turn to go up and take pics. I had 90 seconds last time with Asaki where I changed lenses which I attempted this time too - only to be out of seconds by the time I switched lenses.

After the photo session, it was the usual bout of paper scissors stone with Risa where the winners got a huge signed poster and something else which I cant quite remember - could have been a hamburger.

Towards the end of the event, everybody gets to have a quick chat with Risa 1x1 and shake her hand. She also handed out signed DVD covers and let you choose from 5 different signed photos too.
After all the fun and games are over, its chucking out time and the folks that bought two of the same (!) DVD stay behind to have a picture with Risa. Whats annoying about this is that you cant use your own camera. I dont get this at all - one pays for two copies of the same DVD and in return gets a slap in the face with a lousy Polaroid shot.

Anyhow, todays event was most interesting indeed and there was much more of a turn out than the previous event. Risa was great and had a really bright personality that gave a lot of atmosphere to the event. For those you haven't seen her in action yet, you can check out some more videos that I dug up at YouTube.
And for those who can read a bit of the lingo, read up on what Risa is getting up to at her blog.
Folks in Japan can order her DVD's online at Amazon.co.jp.

Well t'was a busy weekend with two idol events - 83% of you asked me to go to the Sayaka Tashiro DVD launch event and I did - just for you ;-)
Here is a teaser shot and will be uploading the report next week.
Before I forget - as with the Asaki report, I'll be uploading the other pics that I took for this Risa event at a later date.