EOY 2023: Saying Goodbye to 2023

December 2023. Its back to EOY. An annual event usually held around the end of the year celebrating Japanese pop-culture with perfomances, booths and other things.

Its literally the last weekend of 2023 with Sunday being the last day of the month. Guests include Japan's odorites Miko and Lilia, Thailand's Kaimook and Mint (The Glass Girls) and Ice (Star Cosmune). Ice and Glass Girls is the main draw for me due to their idol background. So how did the event go?

Queue wise, was quick and easy. Show QR code from email, get bag check and get stamped. Wish them security put on a smiling face. Must be the kids who queue up earlier, made them stressed.

Was bustling and crowded, wish them people would just move to one side and dont block the way. Its was easy navigating, just frustrating weaving in and out.

Booths and the stage behind it

Oh theres a Singapore Police Force (SPF) booth too.

SPF booth

To be honest, I felt so out of place. Since I was more to being idol centric, cant really follow most of the songs, especially the current ones. Majority sang anisongs or those utaite and odorite sphere like Vocaloid and Hololive. Even the odorite songs that I used to listen and follow, has all changed. No longer I hear classics like Luka Luka Night Fever or Happy Synthesizer.

That aside, there were lots of cheers and show of support during performances. But then again, it is anime songs, something that I have lost touch and cant follow. And they kept replaying these 3 songs for most of their set: Fruits Zipper's Watashi No Ichiban Kawaii Tokoro, Honeywork's Kawaiikute Gomen and Yoasobi's Idol.

Hey, if you always perform Idol, how about actual IDOL SONGS?

Well they do have idol songs. Singapore based Kirameki Future did a set of alternative idol songs. Reina did one from the Hello Project. I heard some Wa-suta here and there. The Glass Girls did their Thai songs. But thats it.

Lilia and Miko standee

View will be blocked by them youngsters suddenly coming in with their cosplay wigs. Really no etiquette man, I mean I dont mind tall people viewing if there were there from the beginning so we can navigate through the crowd for proper view. Not barging in during set! People just dont feel mindful nowadays.

The "wota" crowd has alot of new young faces. Most are from the anisong side. No familiarity with this group, thus the lost feel. Thankfully, old birds like Ros and FC are around.

Anyways for the main event: Ice and The Glass Girls.

Kaimook x Mint Standee

The Glass Girls were interesting. Mostly sung in thai. During buppan, Kaimook has the longer queue. Mint though, has the draw that will make you queue for more. Find it easier and much more comfortable talking to her. She even gave me a strange plushie after the sign session.

Strange turtle rabbit thingy

Coincidentally I know the "manager" way back during my visits to Thailand. She was an ex-idol before, joked why she dont open her own cheki booth too.

Ice performance was mostly anisong. Cant complain much since she is invited as a solo artist, not as a Star Cosmune member. Well, she can belt a rock song too! During buppan, she was ever radiant and bubbly. 2nd day, she dress up as Ai Hoshino, so cant pass up a chance to cheki with her. Manager has been awesome too, we had some interesting chats and even discussed about our local groups and if they can break through all the way to Japan Expo.

Ice performing

And thats it. My short and sweet post about the only 2nd pop-culture centric event I attended locally. I just cant find the draw in Singapore's events. AFA has been a big disappointment due to their ticket price and their content. EOY kinda feels like the final nail in the coffin. Looks like the days of event going is finally numbered. Attend events, just wont be as enthusiastic as much. (the lament of an old man LOL)

Free loots from the event, best being the umbrella coz was pouring

Chekis:

Ice 2x
Mint 2x
Kaimook