Word is in from the official World Hobby Festival site today via Dengeki Online that the event’s final iteration will occur on May 5th, 2008 with the holding of WHF Ariake 18 at the Tokyo Big Sight. This is bitter and unexpected news for hobby fans, as with its various events held through Japan multiple times each year WHF has for the past several years been an anchor of hobbyist activity between the Wonder Festivals in August and February, as well as for those unable to attend larger events in Tokyo and Osaka. The reason for WHF’s termination is not given, but my first instinct is to speculate that a combination of resources spread over many small events and the competition provided by the recently inaugurated Hobby Complex events has rendered their continuation financially unfeasible. The final three WHF events will be WHF Nagoya 8 on March 30th, WHF Kobe 28 on April 29th, and WHF Ariake 18 on May 5th. Circle applications for the latter two events are still being solicited, and they’re trying to take things out with a bang rather than a whimper; I know where I’ll be on May 5th, that’s for sure. I’ll post again should any further information on the reasons behind the event closure come to light.
Further information on WHF and reports on past events can be found here:
- WHF Ariake 16 event report + overview description
- WHF Ariake 17 multi-part event report
Hmm, I’ll be in Kobe on the 29th visiting family. I’m going to have to find out more . . .
I take it the one on the 5th of May is in Tokyo? If so I’ll be there!
I hope good news and final products to see in that event.
>>loplop
It would be nice if you could make it, though it sounds like family obligations should probably come first. ^^;; If you do manage to go I’d love to hear your impressions on the event.
>>Y
Yeah, Ariake = Tokyo (Big Sight). Maybe we can meet up and say hi. :3
>>Steve
Me too! I hope dealers are able to honor the last event with some special announcements or kit releases, but I’m worried that the short time frame between now and then may make things difficult…
>>Shingo
I realized it was in Tokyo a second after I posted. Meeting up would be cool. Do they have any event exclusives at these things?
A shame that there won’t be any more. Otaku culture seems besieged on many fronts.
>>Y
If by event exclusives you mean PVC releases, WHF tends not to; some of the resin kits that come out there may be limited to that single event only, though.
>>Faust
I think this may indicate more of a sideways or slightly upward-slanted shift in the market than a downward turn (though it’s impossible to be sure); it’s not quite the tragedy that it could be, though if it’s symptomatic of a general weakening of the garage kit scene (due to the simultaneous PVC market explosion) that will be a sad loss, in my opinion.
Nooooooo! Damn it…I haven’t even been to one WHF yet, and I doubt I can this May.
Christ, first I have to leave the country for a funeral, then I get this.