This past Sunday, I went to Sofmap in Akihabara to meet Yazapai at her DVD release event. The last time I went, there were over 100 people there for the event so it was a bit chaotic and rushed. This time, they split it into 2 events set 2 hours apart. I was #21 of 42 for the noon event. It was a lot better having a smaller group. Before the event started they announced they had autographed copies of her latest photobook for sale so, since I was planning to buy it anyway, I snagged a copy!
Yazawa was looking radiant in her white and pink yukata. Her hair is back to blonde now after being black for the DVD. I prefer the black hair on her but she looks great either way. She did a talk session to start and was her usual funny self. The DVD had only come out a couple of days before and most of the fans had pre-ordered it and picked it up when they came to the event. Despite this, she was pretty shocked when she asked who had watched it and only 1 person raised his hand.
She then asked us to please watch it, followed by a command to watch it! I've had a packed schedule so I have yet to watch it myself.
We then did a photo session as she posed for a few fans at a time. Just like the last time I went, I was the only foreigner so I got a lot of her attention. I kind of felt bad as she probably spent half of the time looking into my camera. I got so many shots that my memory buffer filled up and I was having to wait about 5 seconds between pics. She noticed it and made a picture taking motion with her hands at me and said "pushi pushi!"
After that was a 2-shot and handshake. My Japanese is much better than it was in 2010 (though very far from good) so I was able to actually have a conversation with her this time. I basically said "long time no see" and she was like "Really???" so I explained that I had been at her previous DVD release event. She was pretty surprised it seems but what I got from it is that she forgot all about me!
I know she's met a jillion people since then so I didn't expect her to remember.
I told her I'm a big fan and she said the usual idol stuff about how happy that make her etc... She then busted out her English skills and said "Mai preshua!" which I fortunately knew to mean "My pleasure!" She then said it again and asked how it was so I told her "Very good!"
Then my time was up and they handed me 2 signed dvd covers and 3 photo cards.
It was a lot of fun, as expected from such a fun girl. I'm so glad I managed to meet her again on this trip!
Signed DVD Cover:
2-shot, censored for protection of your eyes: (I didn't ask her for OK pose this time but she saw I was doing it so she copied me)