Ultimately the artist should be the one to decide how they want to sign. Some are open to using a marker you bring them and some are not
3 Likes
As a Brit with no realistic way of coming to this signing, I am humbly asking how much I need to pay someone to get a Dark Houndoom from Neo Destiny signed for me. Genuine question, if anyone would be willing to help me out, shout me your price. Cheers
Not expecting anything given the popularity of the artist, but if someone is willing to help me get a 1st edition Jungle Pidgeot holo signed, I will certainly compensate accordingly.
See above to PFMs data about the previous signings. ONLY around 210 people got signed throughout the entire 3 days for the Saitou signing. With this known, Himeno is one of the most popular Pokémon artists of all time and the amount of buzz I’m seeing all over Instagram, here, Facebook has made me set some realistic expectations that there is a very small chance getting in if you don’t start at midnight. You better show up when midnight strikes for even a chance to get signed. I know some EU people that are flying in day before and setting up as soon as midnight hits. Unfortunately I cancelled my plans after knowing this as I don’t plan on making the lady camp for 12 hours with me haha. Anyways, I really hope some of you all can get signed.
I did not account for the swath of non-social media users that will show up super super early as well. This + the stalled announcement of if there is going to be panels (lottery) was my deciding factor.
1 Like
Yeah, short of panels happening with like 5 autos each and someone being willing to open a spot up for me, I’ve pretty much dashed all hopes of getting a card signed. Perhaps another time 
Damn, I knew it was going to be a long shot, but that is something else… nevermind then 
I am worried the demand and potential mayhem will be like the first arita signing since covid. There is more structure and rules in place, but the money/clout people don’t value the spirit of a signing. Regardless of the whatnoters, there is so much demand, organic or otherwise.
Something I think people may have not realized is the weekend of that crazy arita signing, there were 2 other conventions happening. Where this Himeno one is the only event.
1 Like
From what I heard, a lot of the chaos from the Arita event was because of the line system. A really long general line that watched people with VIP passes go through multiple times before they did. That basically lead to chants and really angry people
And from what I’ve seen at the events Alec has hosted is that basically all the possible conflict point have been addressed and mitigated. The initial physical line is managed. The vast majority of the time you will be in the SMS queue which is extremely chill at that point since you could go anywhere you want while waiting for a text. The artist is physically separated in another room and insulated from basically all of it. And issues that arise from bad actors are handled individually
Tldr, the system in place basically quashes the mayhem.
I think the hard pill to swallow will be for the people who did “everything right” and still didn’t get an auto. But that’s something you’ll have to make a decision about beforehand and emotionally manage yourself if it does happen.
14 Likes
100% this! I think that is more what I meant. Regardless if the demand is organic or money driven, there is just a lot of demand. Essentially going to this event is getting a chance to get a Himeno signing.
12 Likes
Could someone explain the term (panels) what do you mean by it. This will be my first signing event not familiar with the term
In the past they have been demonstrations where the artist will sketch/draw/paint an illustration of their choice. They have also served as a Q&A to directly ask questions you may have about the artist. They usually end with an opportunity for everyone in attendance to get a few cards signed.
It has not been announced yet if there is one happening in Charlotte and the details or rules could be totally different.
2 Likes
Ohh I understand thx.
After what time can we start lining up?
In the past it’s been a lottery to get the chance to buy a panel ticket.
Not sure if this is new, but it does say two autos per visit. This is in contrast to earlier this season, Harada was doing five, and Saitou that was doing three for each time through the queue.
Hopefully even with the increased demand, there is time for Himeno to take time for the autos, but the queue might move faster as a whole than previous events.
I unfortunately have to do a mandatory presentation at school on the Friday so can fly in Friday night and will be able to join the queue first thing Saturday. Does it even seem worth going if I can’t line up on Friday?
Asking because it’s around $800 for flights and I assume the hotel will be ~$200.
At the previous two events, we have turned the SMS queue off by about 1pm on Saturday to work on who’s already entered the queue, and there have still been a few people who we aren’t able to help by the end of our schedule on Sunday. I anticipate doing the same in Charlotte, if not earlier depending on how full we are.
3 Likes
Thanks for the quick response! I’ll need to think on it then, fwiw I think $800 in flights + ~$300 for a hotel for a ~10% chance of my GF and I getting personalized Himeno autographs is worth it. We’ll see how I feel about it a week from now… (good thing I bought flight insurance lol)
Does anyone know a good resource for katakana translation would like to get my name (Zach) signed in katakana. Thanks!
ザック
5 Likes
Thank you!