#satchbag

"I didn't realize we had already set everything up!!

"Hi, my name is Hana Mizuno, a 3rd year at Asagao Academy! I recently transferred here and met my childhood best friend!! He doesn't really remember me, and he's much more salty than he was as a child, but he let me join his club!! I'm so stoked to be here, and my roommate is really nice too!! I hope you all will be patient with my constant ramblings about everything!! Haha!!"

Hey guys,

It was back in January that we heard about Canada’s EGLX from some awesome artists I follow due to the Asagao Academy fandom. There were posts screaming, “Asagao is real!” and I burst into the den to declare to my sister Rachel, “We’re going to Canada!”

It was taken as a bit of a joke at first. Were we really going to travel out of the country just for a video game convention? Was that a good enough excuse to take time off from work? Would our bank accounts survive?

Yet, eventually we started asking ourselves, “Why can’t we go to Canada?” and the answer to the above questions ended up being a resounding, “Yes.” (Well, the bank accounts are still recovering, but weren’t hurt nearly as badly as we thought they would be.)

Planning for EGLX was a whirlwind, figuring out flights (neither of us have been on an airplane in 20 years), booking our hotel, expediting our passports to be sure we actually could get into Canada. It was nerve-wracking and exciting all at once.

But, damn, it was one of the best things we’ve ever done.

The hall for EGLX was absolutely overwhelming. We loved the retro games, and we met some incredibly skilled people in the artists alley and indie game corner, coming away with unique merchandise and being able to test out some new games before they come out on the market. Smash tournaments and speed runs happened all weekend, but we were more focused on seeing your panels and stage shows. Our other activities were planned around your time slots.

It was surreal seeing you guys wandering around the expo and definitely took us a little time to gather up the courage to go and say hello. There you were, the guys who helped shape who I am since discovering you a few years ago thanks to a kid Rachel used to babysit, and my tongue tied itself in knots at the sight of you.

Eventually, I spotted Jirard alone and, before I could chicken out, went up to him with a, “Excuse me, we just want to say hello!” and introduced myself and Rachel (who I had accidentally forgot to tell that I was going to go say hi to Jirard so she had wandered ahead a few steps before realizing I had stopped -- oops). Jared had wandered over as well and teased us a little by pretending to walk away after finding out that we had gone to EGLX just for your shows. The interaction was brief (especially since we forgot to ask for pictures at that point because we’re dorks) but both of you were so nice, and it just made us more excited to see what your panels and shows would be about.

We joined the line for Hidden Block’s panel about a half hour before it started and, judging by how long it grew, we were lucky to get seats in the third or fourth row for the Q & A. For Saturday’s shows, we claimed front row seats an hour before the Pokken Tournament started and didn’t move until after the Family Feud game. For Normal Boots’s Q & A, we were right in the second row after waiting an hour in line. Despite the wait times, we loved every minute of seeing you all, enjoying the panels, cheering you guys on during the Pokken Tournament, laughing at the absurdity of the Family Feud show.

But there were plenty of other little moments from you guys that made our semi-spontaneous trip to Canada all the more special: Jirard noticing us again when he was trying to make his way to the YouTube booth on Saturday and pausing to take a picture with us despite the crowds. Luke and Jeff waving from the stage during Family Feud, then Luke saying hi to us as we waited in line for the Normal Boots Q & A the next day. Jirard again recognizing us and giving us a hug as he went down the line of people waiting to get into the panel room. Being able to speak to Jirard and Shane at your booth on Saturday, and for them, PBG, Jeff, Jimmy, and Jared all taking the time to sign our little EGLX book. Sitting right behind Caddy, Wallid, and Luke during the Normal Boots Q & A, seeing them, Jimmy, and Jeff supporting Normal Boots just as Normal Boots had joined the audience during Hidden Block’s Q & A. Jared giving Brutalmoose a shout-out during their panel (you were definitely missed, Ian!).

Getting elbowed by Rachel as her “subtle” way to let me know Paul and Nick were passing by us in the hotel lobby on Friday. Riding the elevator down to the hotel lobby with PBG (and him saving us from accidentally getting off on the wrong floor because we weren’t paying attention) on Saturday morning. Giggling to ourselves when we heard Jimmy and Satch laughing from the hotel room next door. Hearing a bunch of you guys just joking and talking to each other in the hallway at 3 in the morning, having fun just hanging out together. Laughing whenever we texted our mother pictures of your shows and panels to have her respond with something along the lines of, “Is that Peanut Butter Guy? Or Josh? Jason?” (we have no idea where she got the name Jason).

They’re all little moments and, honestly, probably insignificant compared to the massive amounts of people you all saw during weekend, but they were pretty damn special to us.

With the crowd of people that mobbed your shows, panels, and booth, I certainly hope you guys have an idea as to how influential and inspiring you all are. As someone who floundered a bit after high school and college, trying to figure out what I wanted to do with my life when all I really cared about were stories and video games, it’s amazing to see all the passion and creativity that you all pour into your work. You guys don’t get nearly enough credit and recognition, and seeing how many people had come out to see you guys was absolutely heartwarming.

You guys are some of our favorite creators and entertainers, and we always turn to your videos, streams, and music for inspiration, cheering us up, or just chilling. So, this is a small thank you to you all for being you. It’s not much, and probably a little sappy, but I hope you guys always remember how wonderful you all are.

Kudos to you if you actually read all the way down here! Hopefully you all made it home just fine after EGLX (here on the east coast, we have about two feet of snow), and we’re looking forward to seeing what projects you guys put out next.

Sincerely,

Satch: I would say infinitesimally.

PBG: Yes, and I would say teenily weenily. We all know words.