The convention organizers brought the Vancouver-based Japanese rock idol unit, Seishun Youth Academy to the con as the guests of honour. Seishun Youth Academy is the sister sub-group of the Japanese-based pop group, SeiSHUN Gakuen. They are the first-ever North American-based Japanese rock idol unit. Throughout the day, the members of Seishun Youth Academy, Sally (class representative/leader), Ally (Sally’s twin sister, sub-leader), Yayoi, and Stella Han participated in a Q&A panel, a pre-performance and post-performance merchandise time, where con-goers were able to interact with the group, buy their merch, and have the chance to take a cheki (the Japanese word for a Polaroid photo) with your favourite member or a group cheki with all four of the members.
Seishun Youth Academy closed out their time at the convention with a stellar performance of their original music for a large number of con-goers at the main stage. Winterfest marked the unit's very first time performing out of Vancouver and it was actually also their first-ever appearance at an anime convention. They themselves, many others, and I were made a fan by their performance. I hope to see the girls return to the city again in the future. I hope the group fulfils their dream of performing all over the world in the years to come. Seishun Youth Academy is hosting a free show at the Biltmore Cabaret on March 2, 2019, in Vancouver, BC. They hope to have a new original song out sometime in the following month as well. Make sure to keep a lookout on their socials for that.
All photos by Samuel Stevens Photography.
Check out Seishun Youth Academy at: