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!
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.