I feel so geeky ...and potentially scared.

[thistlechaser]

I just registered for my first anime convention (in May, FanimeCon). It's happening just down the road, so it sort of seemed like a shame for me not to attend. However, I've heard lots of stories about scary anime fans, so let's hope I make it out without being chased away from the fandom forever. :)

(Okay, I'm mostly not seriously worried, just a little bit.)

In truth, this is only the second or third non-work convention I've ever attended. Back in NY I used to do some work for a Sci-Fi Con, so I attended through that a couple times, but it was a tiny little one. I suspect this one will be much bigger. Oh well! I'll brave the crowds and take lots of pictures of freaky things to share... and spend all my money in the dealers' room.

Woo!

Comments

[morinotokei.livejournal.com]

I've only been to a couple cons myself, but the dealers' room is so worth it. There's a ton of merchandise you won't find easily available even if you go digging through online stores and Ebay, etc. Some cons have better turnout in the dealers room than others, but it's still a wonderful alternative to, you know, actually going to Japan yourself to shop for merchandise. The best part of course is that you don't have to pay shipping and wait for your items. So um, yes, bring lots of money. ^O^ I also enjoy watching cosplayers and getting to talk in person to some very interesting people with a whole bunch of similar obsessions that I have. I hope you have a great time, and yes, do share your experience with us afterwards! ^_^

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[thistle-chaser.livejournal.com]

Yes yes. The dealers' room is actually the main reason I'm going. Most cosplayers scare me a bit (at least the ones who look nothing like who they're trying to play -- which means most of them), but I'll be taking photos of them all anyway! Heehee.

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[quasilemur.livejournal.com]

...which means most of them

Not actually true. Cosplayers tend to be an obsessive lot, and in my own not-so-humble con experience, accurate and appropriate costumes vastly outnumber the shoddy amateur jobs and the Sailor Steves. Trust me, true cosplayers are frightening, but for different reasons. Lord knows I know enough of the nutbars.

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[thistle-chaser.livejournal.com]

Really? Cool then! I can deal with insane, I can't deal with 400 pound men in long blonde wigs and mini-skirts. (I guess it makes sense that I would have heard about more bad cosplayers than good.)

[pure-trance.livejournal.com]

:0 I'll be there~

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[thistle-chaser.livejournal.com]

Yay! Have you gone before this year? Is it big? Are there lots of sellers in the dealers' room?

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[pure-trance.livejournal.com]

I've been going for 5-6 years :)
It's huge, it gets bigger every year. The past several years it's been at the Santa Clara Convention center, but now it's going to be at the BIGGER SJ one...so that should show somewhat it's growth.
And yes, bring at least $4-500, I never manage to spend less than that...and I like more anime every year x_x There are tons of sellers...and I'm sure you'll find something or lots of somethings you'll like there XD

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[thistle-chaser.livejournal.com]

EEE! That's great to hear! I can't wait to shop go!

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[pure-trance.livejournal.com]

:D

[triplem.livejournal.com]

Yay! Conventions are more fun than Saturday Night Football! And a serious drain on the ol' pocketbook, but that's half the fun.

Let me know if you meet any Otakukin, eh? ;)

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[thistle-chaser.livejournal.com]

Hee! But then, going to the dentist is more fun than Saturday Night Football, too! ;)

Let me know if you meet any Otakukin, eh? ;)

Stop it with your crazy moon-language. Meet any what?

[mooders.livejournal.com]

^_^ you could come to A-Con in Dallas and see me! It shall be my first con too.

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[thistle-chaser.livejournal.com]

Hee! That'd be fun! ...just a really, really long drive. ;) Hope you enjoy yours!

[metron-ariston.livejournal.com]

Hiya!

I dunno if they're going to be there this year (or if you'll remember this once the con rolls around), but if you stop by the Planet Anime table you can say hi to my former co-workers. And likely get advice on stuff to buy depending on who's going. I've only been to one convention, and spent most of the time in the dealers' room, but the atmosphere alone has to be seen to be believed. I can only imagine how fun it would be to go to one and not have to work. *g*

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[thistle-chaser.livejournal.com]

Eee! I'm so excited already, and it's not until the end of May! (All that shopping! Must Spend Money!) I doubt I'll remember by then, but feel free to poke me again once we get closer! Eee, thanks! :)

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[metron-ariston.livejournal.com]

Will try. *g* I'm sure that you'll be squeeing about it as the day approaches and all. ;p

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[thistle-chaser.livejournal.com]

I'm sure I will as well! :)

[hamburger.livejournal.com]

As I've found, anime con-goers can be put into three distinct groups:

1)The over-30 males whose entire lives revolve around anime. These guys, in most cases, have been hardcore for decades. Do not get into a discussion with one. They are always right. Some have animosity towards 'newbies'.

2) The young (teens to early 20's) trendies who only got into anime because it's got this 'cool' image going for it. If they're male, they usually only like one or two shows they've caught on cable (read: DBZ and Yu Yu Hakusho), and have little to no interest in broadening their horizons. If they're female, they probably have seen more series, and probably downloaded them off the Internet. They only like 'pretty' and 'cute' series filled with good-looking bishounen for them to squeal over. Typically the writers of Mary Sue-esque self-insertion fanfics involving them and their angsty pretty boy of choice.

3) Those who, while they enjoy many varied series, aren't so worried about impressing anyone with their knowledge as group 1. Nor, though they may have a few posters of certain good-looking characters on their bedroom walls, do they obsess in a scary manner like group 2. They usually possess a good sense of humour and can poke fun (and accept other people poking fun) at even their favorite shows. Anime is a big part of their lives, but it's not their entire lives.

Also, a few things to keep in mind:

-If you do take pictures of any cosplayers, be sure to ask them rather than just taking the picture. This is probably kind of a 'duh'... but it's important so I'm listing it anyway.

-Even if you pre-regged, you may still have to wait in a line. Wear comfortable shoes and something to read/keep you entertained. I have lucked out my past couple of years attending Otakon, as I've ended up behind really nice folks and had some entertaining conversations. I should mention that last year's line wait for me was three hours even though I was pre-registered, but Otakon was the most attended anime con in the US last year, so don't worry you'll have to stand around that long.

-If you want to attend a popular event (usually this would be The Masquerade or Music Video contest... not sure if you'd have any interest in any of these), you may want to arrive at the place it's going to be held at least an hour and a half early if you want a good seat.

-For the love of toast, don't forget to eat. My first Otakon, I was so overwhelmed it took me feeling dizzy to sit down and take a break to eat. Granted, you may not be as scatterbrained as I was at age 18, but who knows?

Eh... man, this reply turned into a book! I can't wait to hear what you thought of it after you go. :) I've got about three months until Anime Boston, and I just can't wait either!

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[thistle-chaser.livejournal.com]

Eee! Thanks for all the info! The line-wait is a semi-big worry for me, I need to poke someone who went last year and ask about that.

If you do take pictures of any cosplayers, be sure to ask them rather than just taking the picture. This is probably kind of a 'duh'... but it's important so I'm listing it anyway.

Actually, I'm glad you listed that. I probably would have just run by and snapped a picture. Heh.

If you want to attend a popular event (usually this would be The Masquerade or Music Video contest... not sure if you'd have any interest in any of these), you may want to arrive at the place it's going to be held at least an hour and a half early if you want a good seat.

Both sound interesting, but it really depends when they're held. This thing is going to be four days long and ... well, early morning until early morning. No way I'll be able to put up with that much time in a crowded place.

For the love of toast, don't forget to eat. My first Otakon, I was so overwhelmed it took me feeling dizzy to sit down and take a break to eat. Granted, you may not be as scatterbrained as I was at age 18, but who knows?

Hee, that actually sounds like me, yeah. I'm going to wear my backpack, so I'll probably stick a couple protein bars and a bottle of water into it.

Eee, I'm so excited!

I've got about three months until Anime Boston, and I just can't wait either!

Not that I probably have to ask this, but make sure to post after! :)