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Newbie Anime Convention Guide

posted 6/19/2005 2:33:16 PM | Leave a comment | Stumble It!

If you're new to anime conventions, you can soon become overwhelmed with all the options available to you. Anime conventions are made for the attention deficit, so there are always many things to do. I highly recommend checking out a tentative schedule beforehand and planning out the things you absolutely must do ahead of time - sure, that might change, but it's your best bet to making sure you get to participate.

Here are some of the things you can expect at a convention.

Cosplay
This is probably the first thing you'll notice because before you get near the place, you see people dressed up as their favorite anime character haunting the streets near your convention center. And most people put a lot of time and effort into making their costume perfect. If you've seen a decent amount of anime and/or play video games, you'll recognize pretty quickly who they are supposed to be. I'm always amazed. They're also usually a friendly bunch. If you like someone's costume, ask them if you can take their picture - I haven't had anyone say 'no' yet. Most are more than willing to strike a pose.

Of course, while dressing up is fun, being involved in a cosplay competition can be even better. Most anime conventions have contests for best costume and other criteria. Sometimes this includes a "masquerade" where cosplayers get to perform a short skit in character and on stage.

Panel Discussions
There will usually be a good mix between industry discussions and various topic specific panels. The industry panels typically feature voice actors or reps from anime production. The topic panels can include things like life in Japan, Fandom, cosplay, anime music videos, or focus on a specific genre of anime (Japanese horror, Yuri, Mechs, Sailor Moon, etc).

Typically, 2-6 panelists sit at the front of the room (or on stage). In more formal discussions, like when voice actors or industry guests take part, a moderator asks pre-selected questions. Once these are finished, they'll open up the room to anyone that may have a question. In less formal discussions, there may or may not be a moderator and the audience plays a more interactive role, often creating a discussion format.

Workshops
More interactive than panels, workshops are designed to give you hands on training on topics such as cel painting, script writing, voice acting, anime music video editing, saki drinking, fan fiction writing, or manga drawing. The ones I've been to have been pretty informative - come expecting to take notes and walk away with tips to use in your own artwork or writing.

Dealer's Room
The Dealer's Room is where you can buy all kinds of cool things like dvds, posters, music, art supplies, trading cards, t-shirts, manga, and virtually anything else you can think of that relates to anime. There are lots of hard to find things, stuff in its original Japanese, and sometimes even places to buy swords and other weapons.

Anime Music Videos (AMVs)
If you've ever ventured over to animemusicvideos.org, you'll have some idea of what to expect. Basically, this is a 1-2 hour (or longer) time block that shows video after video. Cons have different rules for submissions - some take them during the event while others ask you send yours in ahead of time, so make sure to check out their guidelines if you want to submit something.

Anime Screenings
No anime convention would be complete without screenings of tons of anime. Most have 3-4 rooms that play 1-2 hour blocks of anime round the clock (including the wee hours of the morning if you decide to stay over), so if you've been dying to check out a particular anime, here's your chance. The screening rooms offer a nice break from the craziness of the con and give you some down time to just chill and watch anime.

Artist Gallery
If you have a portfolio of anime related artwork, here's the place to display and potentially even sell it. Most have some type of auction system for those interested in buying to either bid auction style on a particular piece or buy it now.

Game Room
From Naruto to Smash Bros to DDR to Halo, most anime conventions offer a game room for you to take on fellow fans one on one or in tournament style.

Manga Room
Like the anime screening rooms, the manga room is a great place to chill. Many conventions offer a selection of titles for you to curl up with and read while resting.

Music
Often cons will have live musical guests, karyoke, and of course AMVs, mentioned above.

LARP
Live action role play has become a popular pastime among anime fans. Here, people get together and enact a "What if" situation from their favorite anime or manga.

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Comments:

I'm really thinking of going to AX in california during the 07/04 holiday. It's gonna cost me a good bit of money but I really love the industry, do you think the trip is worth it or should I hold out for some other convention like the one in september i think it's the NYanimefest or something.

I hear that they are both fun but i wanted to go to the one that i will most likely have the most fun. what do you suggest?

Posted by Sylant | 4/23/2008 11:12:08 PM
Personally, I've never been out to Anime Expo, so I can't comment on which are "more fun".

If you're looking for where the biggest group of fans are, Anime Expo gets like 42,000 to Otakon (in Baltimore)'s roughly 23,000. Otakon usually sells out and I think the Baltimore Convention Center caps out around 23,000(ish) people, so it's usually pretty crowded. The Otakon organizers have been looking for a larger venue for a few years now since they've all but outgrown the convention center.

That said, last year was the first NY Anime Festival and they managed to get around 15,000 people, which puts it just behind Otakon in terms of attendees. Since it's held at the Javits Center, there's plenty of room to grow and it was a lot less crowded with fewer lines.

I was just at the NY Comic Con, run by the people that do the NYAF, and they got around 64,000 people into the Javits Center this past weekend, so I expect that the NYAF will equal and maybe even surpass Otakon attendance in a few years.

Personally, I'd suggest going to one closer to you first (Wikipedia has a list of the largest conventions) to get a sense for what a convention is like as the bigger ones can be overwhelming with so much to see and do - though I'm sure you'll have a great time at any of them.

Posted by Krista | 4/23/2008 11:43:01 PM
...um...this is very helpful, but I was wondering...are we allowed to randomly pounce on people and hug them...unknown people?

posted by crystal | 5/18/2008 3:23:56 PM
Crystal - Personally, I think you should ask before glomping. Lots of people are ok with it - but some aren't, especially if they're wearing a fragile cosplay costume.

Posted by Krista | 5/18/2008 7:30:32 PM
oooh im soo excited!! im going to the anime convention soon...like in 20 days!!! lol anyway, Im really nervous lol...like if i see cloud or sephiroth something...ill go crazy and just lose it...or if i havent brang enough money!!!...that would be terrible!!! and im sooo incredibly wierd around strangers!!!!!

posted by Gabbie | 10/7/2008 4:24:58 AM
This is nice, however I'd like to find info on how to prepare a convention from scratch, as an organicer.

posted by oretachi | 11/17/2008 5:36:44 PM

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Newbie Anime Convention Guide

posted 6/19/2005 2:33:16 PM | Leave a comment | Stumble It!

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