I saw it on a short trip to Japan that I went on in summer 07. It seemed really cool even at first glance before I learned about the game engine in detail. I played a few rounds that consisted of being perfected by top players in Akihabara, took a picture of a Melty cabinet, and researched it when I got back to the states. That research led me to learning about ReAct and I ended up at this site, and to my surprise Interface (where West Toast 1-7 were held) was less than an hour drive from me. I showed up for West Toast 5, with no real prior experience except against a computer while using keyboard controls, got owned, met the community, and participated in every West Toast since then.
edit: whee, run on sentences. who needs periods!?