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HYPER JAPAN

HYPER JAPAN2014 , the finale!

Posted on by marketing

All good things must come to an end, even our favourite J-culture celebration, and so HYPER JAPAN 2014 is closed! We’ve had a wonderful time, and we hope you all have too, we’ve got the photos to prove it:

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These sake drinkers are a great example of the happy tasters at our Sake Experience this weekend! With 25 different sakes from 11 different brewers, we hope many of you went home as newly-minted sake connoisseurs.

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The delicious application of Japanese flavours to less traditional desserts also made an impression on both us and our visitors. We enjoyed the demonstrations by our Eat-Japan and Taste-Japan specialists, some of which dealt with this very topic! From the packed demonstration area, it’s obvious that our visitors did too.

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Speaking of packed, HIROKI, the Masked Ninja, drew huge crowds to every performance on our main stage, his incredible physique stunning almost as many people as his amazing martial arts skills.

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He wasn’t the only performer to excite our crowds though; between Broken Doll, Yanakiku, KeroKero Bonito, Yano Anna, the Vocaloid Yuzuki Yukari and One Not’e on Sunday alone, our visitors were all spoiled for choice by an amazing bevy of musical acts. Added to that SIRO-A, DEN Entertainment and demonstrations by Robo Garage and ITK, for the ultimate selection of J-culture on our many stages!

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HYPER JAPAN wouldn’t be the same without cosplay though, and we had two major contests this weekend.

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Our very own COSParade took place over two days, with the main judging on Saturday. The ECG likewise took to the main stage and there was a combined prize ceremony for the two on Sunday, a grand celebration of the costuming skill of all our participants. We’re very proud to mention in particular that the winners of the ECG, who will represent the UK in 2015 at the Paris Japan Expo, are Shirak as Lydia Deetz from “Beetlejuice”, and the group of Nomes and Altria as Lennth and Valkyrie respectively from “Lord of Vermillon”!

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We have enjoyed seeing you all again at our biggest HYPER JAPAN ever! Our next event is HYPER JAPAN Christmas 2014, taking place from November 14th-16th. See you again there!

Finally, if you’re one of our pop-culture fans, we’d love it if you could take some time to answer this survey.

Hyper Japan 2014, day 1!

Posted on by marketing

Friday’s HYPER JAPAN started the way we’ll go on, with an amazing array of J-culture, food, and entertainment!

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Our hand-picked team of volunteers was ready bright and early!

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Our Main Stage was lit up by DEN Entertainment’s show THE SAKE from the first, while our HYPER KAWAii!! stage hosted the premiere screening of Kyary Pamyu Pamu’s Japanese stage show.

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Favourite mascot characters were out in force! Several of our major exhibitors had cuddly critters to show off:

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There were celebrations of video games both old and new:

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Our world-class selections of sushi and sake were enjoyed by a huge number of our visitors:20140725_164722

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We ended the day with a live performance from returning HJ favourites, the Kimo-Cos duo YANAKIKU!

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And much, much more!
We can’t wait ’til tomorrow, and hope to see you here too!

HYPER JAPAN 2014, day 2!

Posted on by marketing

Picking up where yesterday left off, HYPER JAPAN’s two Saturday sessions were a hub of J-culture activity and fun!

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We love the meeting of old and new at HYPER JAPAN, but there are more contrasts which struck us during the course of the day.

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The crowds were raring and ready to go…

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…but the hall was quickly filled with Japanophiles and the J-curious.

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Broken Doll made a smash entrance on our Fringe Stage early in the morning, playing to a very excited crowd with their energetic pop-rock sound! However…

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…at the same time, the traditional sounds of Hibiki Ichikawa and Akari Mochizuki were playing at our main stage, including a folk song written specially for, and about, HYPER JAPAN!

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The clash of swords and bodies hitting mats reverberated around our martial arts display area all day long…

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…but nearby more peaceful traditional pursuits were had in abundance…

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…as well as much less traditional, much less peaceful dance sessions with our ASOBISYSTEM DJs!

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Our Sushi Awards entrants were hard at work on their most impressive creations to date…

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…while around the corner, two cosplayers tucked into some Japanese curry for some fast food!

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Our COSParade featured entrants both big…

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…and small…

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…and very small!

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Our very own Kawaii star Scarlett Young qualified for the final round of NHK’s Karaoke contest…

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…and then J-rockers One Not’e ended the show in their own inimitable style!

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…And these two girls thought their Alpacas were cute enough for our Kawaii!! stage. We think so too!

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See you again tomorrow!

Fringe Stage Performers

Posted on by hj_developer
PerformerDescription
abirdwhale

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Electronic Music Live Performance with Live Audio-reactive Visuals
Broken Dollbd_3-630Japanese Kawaii rock Band
Dr Marcus PJ TanA talk/piano performance entitled “Academic Research Topics in Anime and Manga”.This lively, entertaining and thought-provoking event will also feature piano performances and will cover an eclectic variety of topics, including:
-What modern neuroscience can tell us about Shounen Anime and Manga.
-Why Beethoven would have felt right at home in the Anime Piano Music scene of today.
-Why philosopher Ludwig Wittgenstein would have approved of all this.
-Universal messages in anime and manga that everyone should know.
Hibiki Ichikawa & Akari Mochizukimochizuki Shamisen and Japanese folksong
IroKokoro ProjectikpJ-pop covers group
Kelsey EllisonKelsey Ellison PhotoKawaii Pop, English and Japanese
Kero Kero BonitoKero-Kero-Bonito-PR-1-630UK-based Japan-inspired pop band
KleptoPenguinKP Promo Graphic 4Vocal/Dance Cover Artist and Arranger – Kitacon’s Got Talent Solo Winner and London Anime Con Talent Show Winner
MayucoOriginal Japanese music
Momoiro Otome Ensemble (M.O.E)MOEAll-singing, all-dancing Maid troupe
MIOU

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Will perform with Italian DJ Axell Tiengo and Italian guitarist Lux Macleod, aiming to create a unique musical cross-over as East meets West
Odori KARAKURI GatariIMG_8004A Japanese performance group combining music, dance, acting and projection to create a unique kind of wordplay.
Of Fire and FateSouth London based JROCK influenced alternative group. A mix of Japanese & English rock songs, both well-known covers and original music.
ONE NOT’E IMG_0407Japanese Band
Scarlett Youngscarlettyoung2-630HYPER JAPAN Kawaii Star and International Karaoke competitor
Vocaloid© Yuzuki Yukari
YANAKIKUThe Kimo-Cos Queens return to London! Energetic original J-pop music.

 

Tofu Cute, kings of Kawaii cuddly toys and more!

Posted on by hj_developer

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We’re very happy to have Tofu Cute back at HYPER JAPAN again this year, with even more kawaii items than ever before! The UK-based online store, specialising in Japanese kawaii-style accessories, stationery, gifts and snacks, aims to share the philosophy of kawaii – stay young at heart and allow fun items to inject positive energy into your everyday life.

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As well as solid favourites such as Alpacasso Alpaca plushies and the Endless Edamame Popping Soybean Pod, Tofu Cute will also be introducing new items including a range of kawaii bento making items. Get all the tools you need to make a super cute lunch themed around pandas, bears or bunnies!

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There will also be  wide range of stationery, gifts, bags, purses and collectable Re-Ment miniatures from famous kawaii characters such as Rilakkuma, Hello Kitty, My Melody and Mameshiba.

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All people interested in the “kawaii culture” of Japan are invited to join Tofu Cute at HYPER JAPAN. In the meantime, you can stay in touch via Facebook or Twitter. You can also check out their website at www.TofuCute.com – look out for many new super cute products coming to the website in the coming weeks!