I’m only writing this because 140 characters isn’t enough to say everything I need to. This is going to be quick and dirty because I don’t really want to spend any more time on this. I’m not saying I’m an expert on this topic but from my angle, this is what I’m seeing.

AKB48 is a CONFIRMED GUEST OF HONOR at Anime Expo 2010

Members attending has not been announced.

Mano Erina has only received a verbal confirmation as an Industry Guest (not performing) via AnimeExpoLive [link]

There hasn’t been any e-mail confirmation or a website update for her appearance unlike AKB48.

There’s no telling whether AKB fans or H!P fans will outnumber the other at this point

Though, my money’s on AKB fans since they’ll actually be performing.

US AKB Fans have nothing worth fighting over with H!P fans

They’re getting their idols on their continent. What’s there to complain about? They can’t boast to the H!P fans since they got MM last year so it’s an even playing field.

US H!P fans shouldn’t have anything to complain about to AKB fans

We got our MM fill last year and a kick ass party held by the team behind Hello!Ranking so really, what’s there to say?

RE: bitching/boasting about attendance

People can only use attendance as something to talk about after the fact and only in these two situations. H!P fans can rub it in AKB fans faces that H!P’s attendance was better IF AND ONLY IF attendance is better. It wouldn’t be wise to bring it up if AKB’s attendance was higher. AKB fans can rub it in H!P fans faces in that situation. We’re still 3 months away from July and even after all of it, it doesn’t really matter. What matters most is that the fans that got to see them at AX did.

For The Record

(Not including subgroups) AKB48 has a song that was used as an anime theme. MM does not. Therefore, AKB has a hairline more relevance to anime than MM does.

And probably the most important point: this is an ANIME CONVENTION. 90% (give or take) of attendees don’t care.

And I’m spent.