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Does anyone here regularily attend anime conventions? If so, which ones do you go to exactly and what do you have to say about this subject?

As for me, I just go to all the cons in Chicago. Anime central is fun, and Fred Galagher always visits so I got his autograph twice. Cons are fun, you should all go if you can.

I've been to a few in the UK, I was at Wildercon 04 and will be at Tokonatsu 05 My friends from toothycat.net will be at Minamicon next month, but I wasn't quick enough to get a ticket. I also got Fred Gallagher's signature and a doodle of Ping, at the one UK con he came to

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I'll be at ACen this year for the third year in a row. Things I've learned so far:

* Bring lots of cash. And credit.

* Avoid parking in places where it's expensive (such as anywhere in Rosemont).

* Artist alleys can be awesome. Consider them arts and crafts fairs for fellow nerds.

* The dealers room is not a bad place to go when there's open time. Sometimes there's fascinating rarities (import games, doujin, obscure VHS).

* Congoers have diverse interests. If you have an aversion to specific types of fans, then avoid the panels where they tend to go. You might not be able to avoid unwanted people in crowds, so be polite.

* Give panels a chance. If you dislike them, leave quietly.

* Bring granola bars and other portable, healthy snacks. This year I'm also bringing plastic cups with fruit.

* Try to open up to other people. Compliment them on their costumes, their amusing shirts, or their accessories. Be polite.

* Be patient in lines. Bring a DS, or if you don't like Pictochat, a book.

* Events like the masquerade, dance, and Anime Hell draw huge crowds. Decide for yourself if they're worth it.

* Bring a camera with batteries/memory cards/film.

* Get a printed schedule ASAP. Then mark your "must see" events, and "maybe" events.

* Get a hotel within walking distance.

ACen 08 had serious crowds, and worse registration problems. I hope it'll be better this year.

Anime Weekend Atlanta was well worth it: no horrible lines, a mixed crowd (not too many obnoxious teens, /b/tards, or old school snobs), good location, relatively cheap food nearby...

I've attended three relatively small anime cons as well. They were low key -- which is a big plus if you're not a regular con-goer. Going to a small con can be a good idea, thanks to the lack of crowds, and enough free time in between events.

Since my first major fandom was video games, I really want to get to Penny Arcade Expo (one of the few *fan* centered video game cons) this year. But as of this writing, I'd probably have to pay over $1000 for a flight and hotel package for an extended weekend. That is tough to justify.

I have tried a few small conventions in diverse fandoms, namely sci-fi, comics, and furry. Overall, the percentage of adults at each one was higher. The comic con happened to be largely male. Take that as you will.

I have one question... Anyone have advice on room parties?

gekiganwing wrote:* Bring lots of cash. And credit.

Oh yes. It's almost unbelievable how many things you might encounter you want to buy.
(Not thinking off the sometimes really expesive tickets and stuff.)

gekiganwing wrote: Anyone have advice on room parties?

How do you mean this? Like in charing rooms with others during the time?

- Be sure to ask for permission before you start taking pictures of people cosplaying
- Talk to the people in artist alley, they don't bite :was in artist alley at one point:
- If you ever decide to get a table at artist alley, get a friend to sit in with you otherwise, be sure you eat a big breakfast cuz you're going to be sitting there for hours on end... <_<
last but not least...
- Please take care of your personal hygiene. Lots of people packed together can be really nauseous....

gekiganwing wrote:Since my first major fandom was video games, I really want to get to Penny Arcade Expo (one of the few *fan* centered video game cons) this year. But as of this writing, I'd probably have to pay over $1000 for a flight and hotel package for an extended weekend. That is tough to justify.

Ooooo, I would love to go to PAX and since they're holding it in the Boston next year, it's a good chance for me to go without having to spend too much on travel expenses.

I've been to SakuraCon twice and TekkoshoCon four times. I had a lot of fun, and I always cosplay. XD I'm kinda bad at being in large groups, though. It scares me when people want to glomp or they run around yelling and generally being obnoxious. So usually I just spend time with the friends who came with me, or if I'm alone, I'll take lots of pictures.

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sake-bento wrote:So usually I just spend time with the friends who came with me, or if I'm alone, I'll take lots of pictures.

Same here But I don't cosplay, although a friend has kept asking me to.

Hmmm I've been to a danish con 3 times now. Missed it last year because of work. Hope I can make it next time, since I think I pissed of a few people by suddenly cancelling.... ._.

Vatina wrote: Hmmm I've been to a danish con 3 times now. Missed it last year because of work. Hope I can make it next time, since I think I pissed of a few people by suddenly cancelling.... ._.

Oh man, i've never been to one >_< But i'm trying to enter one this year!

Taroku wrote:
Oh man, i've never been to one >_< But i'm trying to enter one this year!

Ooooh~ which one? :3

Vatina wrote: Ooooh~ which one? :3

Well, the only one that i know about is J-Popcorn. I hear it's the biggest in the country, is that true?

Ba'al wrote:

sake-bento wrote:. It scares me when people want to glomp

Oh yeah. I have to admit, its takes getting used to.

One thing people.. what have you cosplayed already? Don't only talk about cosplaying, tell me what you cosplayed. Its always interesting (at least to me lol.)

The list basically in order is:
-Umi (Magic Knights Rayearth)
-Jamie (Zoids New Century Zero)
-Amiboshi (Fushigi Yuugi)
-Syaoran (Tsubasa)
-Kurama (Yu Yu Hakusho)
-Bakura (Yu-gi-oh)
-MakubeX (Getbackers)
-Eyes (Spiral)
-Rin (Fate/Stay Night)
-Mion (Higurashi)
-Akari (Vermillion Anime Club)
-Ouka (Busou Renkin)
-Matsuri (sola)
-Kagamine Len (Vocaloid 2)
-Kotomi (CLANNAD)

I'm probably forgetting something. ^_^;; Here are random pics if you're interested?

Taroku wrote: Well, the only one that i know about is J-Popcorn. I hear it's the biggest in the country, is that true?

Yeah I believe it still is the biggest.

@Sake:
Oooh I like the last one a lot

@ Sake-bento
Wow, you've cosplayed many characters X_X That's really awesome.
The pictures are really nice. Did you make the costumes yourself, or do you prefer buying them? =O