So, I was super excited that the character designer of one of Spring 2012's best anime, Chihayafuru, was going to attend. I tuned into the saga of Chihayafuru weekly while it was airing. I read the manga. And because the main character was a loveable redhead just like myself, I considered myself to be a super fan of this series. So, yes, on the first autograph day, I was very, very, very excited.

.... And then I got to the front of the line, requested Chihaya's best friend, Taichi, and then watched as Hamada-san pulled out...the manga?!

I couldn't understand this. Wasn't Chihayafuru still in production?! Wasn't Madhouse going to work on Season 2 of this great show?! Then, why, oh why, does the character designer for this series need the manga?

Meanwhile, the people behind me stare at Hamada, wondering what was up. The AX staff became incredibly nervous by Hamada struggling to draw something that they informed the rest of the line that everyone was getting a sketch of Chihaya instead. So, this particular sketch has the rare, if not dubious, distinction of being the only Taichi drawn during the first Madhouse autograph session.