The 2012 Tokyo Anime Fair has been announced as being due in March 2012, being dubbed by detractors “an anime event for anime haters.”
The event is dated for March 22-25, with participants as yet unannounced.
Ishihara insisted on holding TAF despite an anime industry boycott, with Kadokawa leading the launch of an alternative event in the form of the Anime Contents Expo.
However, the confrontation came to an end with the aftermath of the March tsunami, as both events were cancelled (ostensibly due to power supply concerns, although it appears TEPCO largely fabricated the shortage) in what can only be called a victory for the anime hating Ishihara, who went on to win re-election.
Kadokawa and company have yet to make any announcements regarding ACE.
The online reaction is beyond scathing:
“Tokyo still thinks it can run this?”
“An Ishihara onanism event, better off cancelled.”
“An anime event for people who hate anime…”
“Kadokawa vs Ishihara – and Ishihara won easily, though only because of the quake.”
“Nobody’ll go anyway.”
“There’ll be even fewer attendees than Jump Festa.”
“An event run by a committee which hates anime and manga.”
“Let’s hope Kadokawa attacks again.”
“I can’t believe they will cooperate – remember when Ishihara said ‘serves you right’ after the quake.”
“The publishers should attend – if only to announce their opposition to the manga ban. That’ll annoy him no end.”
“As long as this event bears Ishihara’s name, nobody should participate!”
“The ban is in place now, so opposing the government may not be a good idea any more. They might be better off not holding their own one.”
“If Ishihara backs down they should reunify the events.”
“Ishihara will never back down. It’ll go ahead, albeit empty because of ACE.”
“There’s no reason to hold their own one. They’ve said their peace, and it was only Kadokawa anyway. They should stop being so obstreperous.”
“You Ishihara fans are still going strong I see.”
“All you filthy Korean crazies are still bashing Isihihara I see.”
“Kadokawa can’t back down now they’ve said what they did. Even if they did, there’d be a storm of criticism.”
Some Ishihara quotes worth remembering:
“The quake served the anime industry right”
“Mangaka are despicable people!”
His deputy has a similarly low opinion of anime and manga:
“Manga lovers lead dead-end lives – go talk to a living woman!“
needs radioactive flame thrower to bring on TAF
Azn Persuasion DESTROY MODE!!!!!!!
That bastard, Your gonna die a horrible death for taking out gundam unicorn. T^T
EAT MA BEAM MAGNUM B!TCH
I hate Ishihara and his views but I am finding the online Japanese reaction being way too amusing is an understatement.
They sure are quick to change tones. They supported and loved Ishihara when he was billowing about hating the Koreans, Chinese and Gaijin. But soon as their precious anime and manga is threatened they want his throat slit.
Oh my God, everyone’s going to raid when the time comes.
Anime made Japan famous around the world if anime & manga disappear I don’t think people come to Japan anymore. I think TAF will make great income for Japan because many people from around the world will come to Japan because this event. I think people of Japan will be proud about anime & manga because if not for anime & manga I still hate this country because in the past this country ruin bad my country