2017 Anniversary Special!|
WASHINOMIYA UNUSUAL SIGHTS  Tradition and moe co-exist at Fujisai. To start off, there's the Lucky Star
omikoshi, cosplay, itashas, otaku dances, the unusual festival itself,
and the unusual stuff around the periphery of Washinomiya jinjya. Even the cop [on this ema] is moe! What an amazing ema! At Washinomiya jinjya
there's a place for receiving votive ema, a shaded little spot surrounded
by trees. The ema people leave here dedicated to anime are amazing.
It started off with Lucky Star drawings, but there are so many drawings of
various anime and original stuff that it's hard to say they're itaema - they're
sugoema (sugoi ema). New ema are put there everyday, and they're wonderful to see. The strata of fandom is impressive indeed.
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COSPLAY OUTFITS IN THE CLOTHING STORES!? At the shopping street near Washinomiya Jinjya.
It's the quiet kind of street of stores and houses you might
find anywhere, but a closer look will tell you that they are not
the ordinary places you might have assumed. Inside the stores
are Lucky Star and other anime posters, stickers, and figures
have been carefully arranged inside some of the stores.
At socks, clock, and makeup stores (Lucky Star) sauce is being
sold. At fruit and vegetable stores and fish dealers, the special
phone charging mobile batteries are being sold. As you walk
around the main stores, you are greeting warmly with
"Good afternoon!" Whether you've never seen them before
or whether you're well acquainted, you feel like you've been
drawn in. Even the shop for the mikoshi carrying event has cosplay
uniforms set up. The merchant commented that it was mostly
men between 20 and 30 who were buying the uniforms, but
sometimes men around 40 buy them. Getting them here is a
bargain compared to Akihabara so customers come here to
obtain them.
"I couldn't tell you the difference between Konata, Kagami,
and Tsukasa," said one of the chairmen in the area. "If
Lucky Star fans would become Washinomiya fans, we'd
become those kinds of fans." Fans have greatly affected
the shop owners and the entire region. The town has the
attention of the entire country.
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AN EXCHANGE OF TRADITION AND MOE! The hot season steadily approaches. The traditions displayed
in Hajisai mostly manifest in the older Senganmikoshi have
been reborn in the Lucky Star mikoshi, designed in Shanghai,
and beloved by otaku. The enthusiasm, cheering, mysterious stage,
and the happi coats . . . While it's a familiar festival, it's somewhat
different each year. As you look out from the stage, you'll see
cosplayers showing off their outfits. Up on the stage, people belt
out idol songs. All this happens in the oldest shrine of the Kanto
region of Japan. Made famous for its appearance in the Lucky Star anime,
the town became famous for other things that have gotten attention,
such as the Cosplay festival and the Wotako soran festival.
With these, the events at Washinomiya shrine have become a fusion
of old and new Japanese culture. It's certainly eye-catching because
it's eccentric. Still, philosophy forms on that basis.
"I couldn't tell you the difference between Konata, Kagami,
and Tsukasa," said one of the chairmen in the area. "If
Lucky Star fans would become Washinomiya fans, we'd
become those kinds of fans." Fans have greatly affected
the shop owners and the entire region. The town has the
attention of the entire country.
From ancient times, festivals freed people from their everyday
lives and their titles. creating a fun space that people could enjoy in
equality. Whether they like festivals, or anime, or someone who loves
it all, they all attend with the right attitude. Between the shrine and the
town outside, you'll experience a crosscultural event. It's old yet new! It's new yet old! Please
experience Kanto's newest festival!
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"The Powerless State is Just Like Konata!"
Q: Hirano-san, what is Lucky Star to you?
A: It was the first time for me to work on something like Lucky Star,
so when it was time for us to record the material for the dubbing,
we tried to figure out how to make it funny while we said our
lines. Once we determined which point was the key in a conversation,
we'd try to alter the way the line was said. It was a new challenge for me.
Q: What did you keep in mind while playing the part of Konata?
A: Konata's an otaku, so beforehand I studied just what an otaku
is. When it came time for adlibs, I'd throw in a game reference or talk about
special effects. I loosely felt her desire to laze about, and used my own memories
of being lazy at home as inspiration. I understand what mother told me about, but
I go limp and my real tone really sounds like Kona-chan. (lol)
Q: What's your impression of the holy spots?
A: We had a special event at the Satte city movie theatre for the Lucky Star OVA.
The scenery looked like the opening to the anime and I was really surprised. A sign
for Lucky Star was left at the movie theatre, but now I wonder if that's the only place
in Japan that still has it. I haven't been to Washinomiya, but I know of Washinomiya shrine
thanks to news on the net. Fans wrote stuff like "Konata is my wife!" on ema. I was
really impressed by their passion. Akihabara is the holy ground for many anime fans,
but for Lucky Star lovers it's Washinomiya shrine. (lol) There aren't many places that
have received this much buzz for being in an anime, so I'm very happy.
Q: Have you been to any other places in Saitama?
A: I often go to the Super Arena in Saitama because I like martial arts. Never did I think
I would have a live event of my own there. I mostly went to Saitama via train,
so it has an "excursion feeling" for me. (lol)
Q: Tell us about some recent news.
A: I had a lot of chances to read newspapers, even when I was little.
At first I was just imitating my parents, but I understood what was written and
found it interesting. I like to fixate on something and ended up learning a lot
from newspapers. That's how I still read them.
[TL Note: As previously mentioned, this is from a newspaper that was published in 2009.
When they say new year, they mean 2010.]
Q: Let's hear your thoughts for the new year.
A: I've gotten more roles in 2010. I'll be able to act in many more things across
a wide spectrum, so I want to treat this year as a precious thing. I also think the
opportunities for me to work outside of anime will increase.
Q: Since we're wrapping up, could you give a message to your fans?
A: More than two years have passed since Lucky Star was shown on television, but
there's no sense of it being that long. That's amazing. I never thought I'd have a
part that lasted this long. Thank you very much. I hope to keep showing you
[Konata]'s good points over the years so please continue to support me
without fail.
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