"WONDERFUL HOBBY LIFE FOR YOU!! 9 ～featuring figma & Nendoroid" was held by figure makers "Max Factory" and "Good Smile Company" at AKIBA_SQUARE of Akihabara UDX on February 14th.
"WONDERFUL HOBBY LIFE FOR YOU!! 9 ～featuring figma & Nendoroid"（Hereafter, Won-hobi9）was a admission free event held to celebrate the first anniversary of the action figure "figma" series and the 3rd anniversary of "Nendoroid" series.
to"figma" "Nendoroid" and "Aniki/forest fairy" for valentines! Won-hobi9, held at Akihabara
The event had exibitions for the latest action figure dolls by "figma", "Nendoroid" and other companies, sales of limited goods, photo contests and stage events. There were so many fans that had to be cleared for another group to come in.
The main event was the guest appearance by Billy Herrington. Billy Herrington has become an internet meme among Japan's online community as "Aniki"(Brother) and/or "Forest Fairy" after a clip from one of his videos Workout was posted on Nico Nico Douga, a Japanese video sharing website. Over 3,000 mash-up parody videos of him have been made, many of which utilize deliberate mishearings (soramimi) of lines from his films.
The event for Billy, which was aired live on Nico Nico Douga was held commemorating his visit to Japan within the "figma" talkshow event at Won-hobi9. The 300 tickets disappeared as they were handed out showed how much this collaboration was talked about after his appearance was released.
"Billy!" call was heard during the figma talkshow between MAX Watanabe, Masaki Asai, and Takanori Aki before Billy came on stage. The three commented afterwards, "I never felt so stranded"(Watanabe), "Today is Billy's day" (Asai), "The comments on Nico Nico Douga was about Billy only" (Aki). Asai also answered to "Wouldn't it be rude if Billy didn't know what was going on?" question by assuring the audience that he knew completely what he's facing and looking forward to it.
Billy was called in 30 minutes into the figma talkshow from behind the audience showered by "Billy!" chants. As soon as he reaches the stage, he takes off his jacket and shows offs his sexy bod with his pose."I am really surprised, but learning that I was loved by the Japanese fans made me want to come" "I am happy to be called "Aniki" (big brother) This is my first time here but definitely not the last." were the comments by Billy who was very nice during the show.
Billy pleased the fans by throwing his jacket into the crowd and shouting his signature "Yugami nena!"(It's strainless!) and "Saikin darashinena!"(You're wimpy these days!"). Also the release of "figma Billy Herrington" was announced as the 1st anniversary of figma.
The posing with the figure and the expanation of the figure's features by Asai, the original molder kept the area heated. The showerbox that's included with the figure, Asai explained "Although hand-held shower heads are a Japanese item, I used it anyway. This is the most beautiful collaboration of US and Japan."
After the figma introduction, Nico Noco Douga producer Saito and Washizaki came on stage. The crowd went wild with "Wrestling!" chant and Billy intelligently knowing what the audience wanted, grabbed and picked up Washizaki, and suddenly began a striptease. Giving two fans the "butt-drum" in his bikini shorts, showed his "Aniki" spirit.
Finally after his "Yugami nena!" and "Saikin darashinena!", Billy shouted "I'll be back on my birthday July 14th!", the Billy Herrington Event came to a close.
"figma Billy Herrington" is scheduled to go on sale July 2009. The price will be 2,500 yen and sold through Nico Nico Chokuhan only.
* Other exibits and events' reports coming soon!
