what are anime conventions like

by Judson Zieme PhD 7 min read
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An anime convention is an event or gathering with a primary focus on anime, manga

Manga

Manga are comics or graphic novels created in Japan or by creators in the Japanese language, conforming to a style developed in Japan in the late 19th century. They have a long and complex pre-history in earlier Japanese art.

and Japanese culture. Commonly, anime conventions are multi-day events hosted at convention centers, hotels or college campuses. They feature a wide variety of activities and panels.

Part of a video titled Anime Conventions: An Honest Guide - YouTube
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Full Answer

What is the biggest anime convention in the US?

Anime Central is the largest anime convention in the American Midwest, and takes place in springtime each year. Guests from the Gaming and Manga industries and Japanese pop culture icons come to visit and meet fans at the convention, and other interactivities are available in between.

What are some anime conventions?

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When is the next anime convention?

The Next Evolution of Anime Convention Register Today! June 10, 2022 – June 12, 2022 AnimeNEXT News Check out our NEXT News for regular updates and more information & how to get involved! Click Here AC Convention Center, Atlantic City, New Jersey

When is anime con?

Anime Conventions. SUPERSHOW CON LONG ISLAND HOLIDAY SPECTACULAR. Westbury , NY. Nov 27, 2021. Anime Frontier. Fort Worth , TX. Dec 3-5, 2021. WasabiCon's Holiday Marketplace. St. Augustine , FL.

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What can I expect at an anime convention?

At a typical anime convention, expect to find rooms and rooms of anime fans and anime paraphernalia. Expect a lot of cosplayers to be there as well dressed up as all sorts of characters. More often than not, they're open for a photograph so don't be afraid to ask for one!

Are anime conventions kid friendly?

Generally, if your child is above the age of 13, well behaved, and traveling with a group of trusted friends, it's probably fine for them to attend the convention without you. Is my child safe? Anime cons are generally very safe environments.

Are anime conventions fun?

Anime Conventions – like all conventions of this nature – are a lot of fun! There's even opportunities for Live Action Role-Playing (aka LARP). So don't be afraid to explore and take advantage of every part of the convention you can. Don't waste all your time in one area.

Why do people go to anime conventions?

Meet and interact with other anime fans Anime conventions are a great place to meet other people who share your interests. You can make new friends, learn about different aspects of Japanese culture, and get recommendations for new anime and manga to check out.

Can a 14 year old go to a anime convention?

Ages 14-17: Anyone 14 and older must purchase a 4-day or 1-day general attendee badge. Attendees under the age of 18 must be accompanied by an adult to pick up their badge. We recommend attendees ages 14-17 have a parent or guardian close by for the duration of the event.

Can a 12 year old go to a cosplay convention?

COSPLAY IS AN ALL-AGES EVENT. There will have one competition for children 13 and under and then a contest for anyone else entered. The Cosplay choice should be considered a PG-13 rated event at the most.

Should I cosplay at my first con?

Absolutely, in fact the majority of attendees don't do cosplay for the event. And if this is your first time, it may be for the best if you opt for comfort over creativity. If you have a relevant t-shirt, Comic-Con is a great place to wear it.

What do you do at your first anime convention?

6 days ago10 Essential Tips For Surviving Your First Anime Convention,...1 Enjoy. After all the budgeting and planning, there is one last thing to do at the con: Enjoy it.2 Budget. ... 3 Stay Safe. ... 4 Please Be Clean. ... 5 Prepare for Emergencies. ... 6 Plan A Breakable Experience. ... 7 Drink Water. ... 8 Know the Weather. ... More items...•

What do you wear to an anime convention?

Wear comfortable clothing and shoes. If you are not cosplaying, you should make sure you are wearing comfortable clothes and walking shoes, as you will likely be on your feet most of the day. The convention may be hot once you are inside the venue, so you may want to dress in layers to stay comfortable.

Can I go to an anime convention alone?

Most folks think you have to have a big group to enjoy an anime convention, but the truth is you can have fun at a Con all by yourself! No, seriously, I mean it! Going solo to an anime convention can be just as fun as going with a group of people; in fact, it might even be more enjoyable for some people.

How much does it cost to go to an anime convention?

In general, the admission price has gone up pretty significantly in the past decade. For most large anime conventions, expect the ticket price to be between $80-$100. Smaller events will typically charge somewhere around $40-$60.

How do I go to a convention alone?

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7 Anime Japan, Tokyo

One of the biggest anime festivals in the world would have to be in Tokyo, and this event has consistently hosted more than 100,000 guests every year since it started in 2014. The 2020 event was canceled, but the most recent 2021 convention was successfully held online, and planners are hoping to get back to normal in 2022.

6 Madman Anime Festival, Australia

The biggest anime event on the smallest continent, the Madman Anime Festival tends to rotate between Australia's major cities for location. The first festival was held in Melbourne in 2016, with Perth, Brisbane, and Sydney taking turns in the years since.

5 Sakura-Con, Seattle

One of the biggest and most popular events to be held annually in the entire Pacific Northwest, Sakura-Con is scheduled for a weekend in April at the Washington State Convention Center for 2022. This convention is famous for its massive cosplay participation, card game competitions, parties, raves, and even a masquerade ball.

4 Comic Fiesta, Malaysia

One of the biggest anime conventions in Asia outside of Japan, Comic Fiesta is held every December in Kuala Lampur.

3 Anime Expo, Los Angeles

Also known as AX, this popular convention is hosted by Society for the Promotion of Japanese Animation (SPJA) every year, often in the summer. New York and Anaheim have also hosted this event, but it's usually held in LA, and in 2022, it's scheduled to take place there again.

2 Anime Matsuri, Houston

Not to be outdone by the folks in California or the Pacific Northwest, the heart of America has its own massive anime expo. What's even more fun about this convention is that it supports a related holiday event that takes place in Florida in December and Matsuricon, another anime convention that takes place in Columbus, Ohio.

1 Japan Expo, France

This isn't just a celebration of anime, video games, and manga, but an exposition of Japanese culture in general. People who are enthusiasts of Japanese cooking, history, cuisine, and clothing will enjoy the Japan Expo as much as the typical anime fan.

1. Learn what to expect

The first thing to do when attending a convention is to learn what to expect. Some conventions are different than others depending on the size of the convention!

2. Plan what to spend money on

Sometimes conventions can be cheap, and sometimes they can be expensive. Conventions that have a free ConSuite or ConSweet (TM) offer free snacks and sodas through the weekend so that you can recharge and save money. If you have to buy beverages from the hotel then expect prices to be higher than elsewhere.

3. Make your costumes well in advance

Costumes are optional! However it can be really fun to dress up as your favorite anime villain and terrorize the convention. Note that most conventions have policies against destructive behavior - actual villain behavior is not allowed.

4. Eat healthy and hydrate

It's super easy to get so caught up in convention events that you forget to eat and drink plenty of water. So remember to drink water and snack throughout the day so that you don't collapse. This is especially important if you go to the convention dance or if you have a heavy costume.

5. Be safe

If you're younger, bring a responsible adult with you to the convention. Make sure that someone is reachable in case of emergency by programming the emergency contact in your phone or having it written on a card in your wallet. Also make sure that you can be reached in case a family member is looking for you.

6. Expect the unexpected

Sometimes guests cancel at the last minute (flight cancellations are happening more and more frequently last minute). Or sometimes panels won't happen that you expected. Try not to plan your entire convention experience around just one event, in case something happens to that event.

7. Bring friends with you

Conventions are definitely social events! Dressing up in costume and hanging out with friends who like the same series is a huge part of the experience. If you love anime, video games, comic books, Disney movies, or anything else, enjoying it with others is more fun.

What if I haven't attended a comic convention?

I kid you not. These events are some of the most enjoyable, cathartic, interesting, inspiring, and exhausting activties in which one can engage.

Can you dress up in anime?

If you're a true fan, you'll not only attend comic conventions and anime conventions, but also attend them in costume. Dressing up in costume, known as cosplaying, is one of the coolest and most enjoyable things you can do at an anime or comic conveniton! If you have the time and resources, I recommend you really put some work into your costume.

Is Halloween good for cosplay?

Sure, Halloween is good for costumes, but convention cosplay brings costume-wearing to an entirely new level. When taking photos at conventions, take full advantage of the front of the convention center and areas near entrances when shooting.

Do anime conventions have excuses?

Anime conventions and comic cons would not have much of an excuse for existing if they did not bring in interesting speakers and personalities, and these panels and appearances make up a huge proportion of these events' draw.

What is the name of the anime convention in Michigan?

Youmacon. A Halloween party for anime lovers. Michigan's largest anime convention, Youmacon has a horror-inspired theme because of its name which comes from the Japanese word for "demon" or "ghost" and because of its timing, taking place around Halloween. The spooky four-day convention will send chills down your spine.

Where is the longest anime convention?

4. A-Kon. Cosplay and fish. Double the awesome. A-Kon takes place in Dallas, lasting four days. It's North America's longest-running anime convention, starting in 1990, and including a huge list of guests who have been there. Dozens of voice actors, industry people, singers, and bands earn A-Kon the spot on this list.

What is the oldest anime dance party?

The Soap Bubble is the oldest anime dance party in the U.S. Guess you really can't stop the beat! ⦁ Kit's Kids Club offers hands-on and off panels designed to teach any 14-year-old and under who's accompanied by an adult about Japan, cosplay, and geekiness.

What is the anime central?

Anime Central, also known as ACen, has been happening only a short drive from Chicago since 1998. It's on this list because of its focus on the animation industry. t was founded by the Midwest Animation Promotion Society.

Where is Anime Matsuri from?

Hailing from Houston , Anime Matsuri not only focuses on Japanese anime and popular culture, it also has a car showcase. Who wouldn't want to get behind these sweet wheels? In addition to cars, Anime Matsuri has a lot more to offer.

Where is Fanimecon based?

Fanimecon. Some of Fanimecon's fabulous fans. Fanimecon, based in San Jose , is billed as "Northern California’s largest anime convention". It offers a broad range of gaming, anime, and cosplay events, as well as panels celebrating and educating in Japanese fashion.

Where is Sakura Con?

8. Sakura-Con. Set in sweet Seattle. The Pacific Northwest's oldest anime convention, Sakura-Con is another non-profit "by fans for fans" volunteer-run con. Sakura-Con's appeal comes from its programming, covering all aspects of fandom and the anime industry. What's awesome about this event:

What is anime convention?

Anime conventions are places to connect with likeminded people who happen to enjoy the same things, be it anime, manga, video games, and a wide variety of cultural touchstones.

What to remember for a con?

Outside of hydration, this is the most important thing to remember for your con experience. Cons are nothing more than a gathering of people for a similar cause. However, everybody has different motives and not all of them are good. What should be number one in your mind is staying safe while at and around the con.

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Overview

An anime convention is an event or gathering with a primary focus on anime, manga and Japanese culture. Commonly, anime conventions are multi-day events hosted at convention centers, hotels or college campuses. They feature a wide variety of activities and panels, with a larger number of attendees participating in cosplay than most other types of fan conventions. Anime conve…

History

Anime conventions have a long and varied worldwide history. The original Comiket, mostly based on fan published manga called dōjinshi, started in 1975 with around 700 people in Tokyo. In recent years, Comiket has attracted over a half million people. Conventions in Japan are heavily sponsored by studios or publishing companies and are used as platforms for new releases. In addition to Japan, convention officials at venues such as AnimeJapan have been trying to reach …

Guests

Anime conventions typically feature a guest list as part of their makeup. A guest can be an industry figure, some notable examples include director Hiroyuki Kanbe, author Tsukasa Fushimi, and Kazuma Miki from Ascii Media Works. In 2013 they screened for the first time the final three episodes from the second season of Oreimo. Guests can also include artists and performers, some notable examples of these include Kazuki Takahashi, creator of Yu-Gi-Oh!. An anime conve…

Anime convention events

Anime conventions often have panels, which are open ended discussions involving some pre-determined topic, usually related in at least some way to anime. Panels usually come in two segments, the host puts on a presentation or does an interview with a guest, and then the fans are asked to give questions. The topic scope for panels is varied and can include things from manga to upc…

See also

• List of anime conventions
• Otaku Unite!, a 2004 documentary on otaku, with coverage of anime conventions

External links

• AnimeCons.com
• UpcomingCons.com Anime Cons List