Meeting Saori Kobayashi at Japan Expo 2015

Meeting Saori Kobayashi at Japan Expo 2015
By Matt

After completing a remix for Brave Wave’s remix competition, I got talking with some of the associated people through social media, including Kobayashi-san. As Japan Expo 2015 approached, Kobayashi-san got in contact with me over Facebook asking if I’d be there and I couldn’t turn down the offer to meet my musical hero.

I had not made plans to go, but now I was going!

Saori Kobayashi and Matt Slade at Japan Expo 2015 (1 of 2) Saori Kobayashi and Matt Slade at Japan Expo 2015 (2 of 2) Albums Signed by Saori Kobayashi at Japan Expo 2015

As I approached the booth. Saori noticed me and jumped out of her seat to greet me. She gave me a big hug. She could not have been more warm and friendly. It’s said that meeting your heroes can be a risk as they may not be the person you expected but Kobayashi-san exceeded my expectations. We took pictures together. She signed my Azel: Panzer Dragoon RPG Memorial Album. I bought the first AKANE album ‘こちゃへ’ and she signed that too. It was such a rewarding experience as a fan and as an artist. One of the best trips of my life.

More photos of Saori Kobayashi at Japan Expo are available on AKANE’s blog.