This morning I got a tweet from New York Anime Festival, telling us that the line for Tomino autographs was already forming as early as 7am. Now, the NYAF policy is that you have to pick up your autograph tickets in the morning, but for Friday this isn’t until 11:30am.

This is a far cry from the general Otakon system of autographs which is “everybody lines up and whoever happens to unfortunately be past the cutting point is out of luck.” Both systems have their strengths and faults, giving to varying degrees a sense of hope (however false it may be), and a sense of confirmation that yes today you will get an autograph. The Otakon system says maybe you’ll be that ONE LAST person who squeezes in, whereas the NYAF system says simply, “this is how it is and you’re gonna like it.”

I of course will be trying to get my Zambot 3 box signed, but at this rate I’m not sure if it’ll be possible. WAIT AND SEE.