Main Stage Event: KILL la KILL Special Event

The KILL la KILL main stage event was easily the hottest event of AX 2014 having sold out all 3500 seats, but which could be taken somewhat literally considering the line snaked outside under the 90 degree Los Angeles sun and it took about 20 minutes to walk through the line. Most of the cosplayers weren’t dressed for the heat and so it was tough out there.

This event was a combination of a private screening of the premiere of the KILL la KILL English dub, a guest panel with the KILL la KILL crew from Japan, and a concert by Eir Aoi who sings the first opening song in the series.

English Dub Premiere Private Screening

The Special Event show began with special showing of the first Kill la Kill episode in the English dub. Easily the best part of this portion of the show was feeling the crowd’s enthusiasm for the characters. The first episode appearances of Ryuko Matoi, Mr. Mikisugi after he slicks his hair back, and Nonon Jakuzure the only female member of the Three Star Elite Four garnered the loudest cheers from the audience.

Guest Panel

From left to right:

• Ami Koshimizu Voice of Ryuko Matoi
• Ryoka Yuzuki Voice of Satsuki Kiryuin
• Kazuki Nakashima Scriptwriter
• Yousuke Toba – Producer
• SUSHIO Animation Director

Eir Aoi Concert

Private Press Panel: Ami Koshimizu and Ryoka Yuzuki Voices of Ryuko Matoi and Satsuki Kiryuin

Right after the KILL la Kill Special Event, members of the press were invited to a private panel with Ami Koshimizu and Ryoka Yuzuki, respectively the voice actresses of show lead characters Ryuko Matoi and Satsuki Kiryuin. Since the panel had been rescheduled to that evening instead of that morning, Koshimizu and Yuzuki were still wearing the stage costumes from the event and requested that press not take photographs and video.

Behind the closed doors, Koshimizu and Yuzuki some hard hitting questions from the press that revealed an even more personal and humanly personality to the two voice actresses. This was in contrast to the more rigid Q&A session put forth during the Special Event Panel where the most common preselected questions from the fans were asked. At the private panel, press members were impressed and almost surprised by Koshimizu and Yuzuki’s charming warm and bubbly demeanor.