what is anime convention

by Baylee Brekke 5 min read
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Outside the convention hall at Anime Expo

Anime Expo

Anime Expo, abbreviated AX, is an American anime convention held in Los Angeles, California and organized by the non-profit Society for the Promotion of Japanese Animation. With rare exceptions, the convention is traditionally held on the first weekend in July, which typically coincide…

2004. 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.

Full Answer

What can I expect at an anime convention?

  • Carry something that goes with your cosplay, but can still can work as a pocket. Don't expect to put much in there, but it's nice to have the room. ...
  • Eat beforehand. Food and drink at conventions are EXPENSIVE. ...
  • Carry extra bobby pins, safety pins, and Band-Aids. You'll be amazed when you need them, and they're almost alwa

What should I bring to an anime convention?

  • Cosplay shoes and boots
  • Casual shoes (for sightseeing or walking around the convention as a normie)
  • Sandals (if you want to grab an ice or chill in the hotel lobby, it’s much easier to just slip on sandals than to put on your socks and tie ...
  • Gym clothing

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What not to do at an anime convention?

What NOT to Do Once Inside

  1. Dress Poorly for the Weather. Summer Comiket takes place in the middle of August. ...
  2. Not Keep Your Strength Up. Do you eat regularly, get lots of sleep, and stay hydrated throughout the day? ...
  3. Not Have Enough Money. Fan Doujinshi weren’t the only things being sold in Comiket. ...
  4. Don't Forget a Map. More accurately, know where the artists are. ...

What do people do at Anime conventions?

Top 12 Things to Do at an Anime Convention or Comic Convention

  • Cosplay. If you're a true fan, you'll not only attend comic conventions and anime conventions, but also attend them in costume.
  • Take Photographs. ...
  • Attend Panels. ...
  • Meet People. ...
  • Watch Movies. ...
  • See Live Music. ...
  • Stalk Your Favorite Artists. ...
  • Glomping
  • Behave Oddly. ...
  • Play Games. ...

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What happens at an anime convention?

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.

What does anime convention mean?

Anime conventions are events for fans of anime (Japanese animation) and other related media, such as manga (Japanese comic books) and video games, to gather and share there interests.

Can a 14 year old go to an 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.

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.

What is the #1 anime?

Anime Top 10Top 10 Best Rated (bayesian estimate) (Top 50)#titlerating1Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood (TV)9.082Steins;Gate (TV)9.043Clannad After Story (TV)9.028 more rows

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

The cost to attend the convention For most large anime conventions, expect the ticket price to be between $80-$100. Smaller events will typically charge somewhere around $40-$60.

Can 11 year olds cosplay?

The only things that age people in or out of the cosplaying hobby are the interest and excitement in continuing. No matter how old or young you are, if creating costumes and dressing up as your favorite character continues to spark joy, then you are at the perfect age to cosplay.

Are anime conventions family friendly?

Absolutely not. Not only is it against most convention rules (most require children to be at least 13 years old and some even require children to be 16 in order to not require adult supervision), but there are so many things that can go wrong.

Do you have to cosplay at Anime Expo?

At Anime Expo (“AX”), we celebrate the creativity of cosplayers and encourage everyone to cosplay whomever they wish–regardless of size, gender, age, religion, shape, color, or even species.

What is the biggest anime convention?

Biggest Anime Conventions In The World1 Japan Expo, France.2 Anime Matsuri, Houston. ... 3 AniMinneapolis, Minnesota. ... 4 Anime Expo, Los Angeles. ... 5 Montreal Comiccon, Canada. ... 6 Comic Fiesta, Malaysia. ... 7 Polymanga, Switzerland. ... 8 Sakura-Con, Seattle. ... More items...•

How long do anime conventions last?

two to four daysIf you've never been to an anime con, they are typically multi day events over the course of a weekend. Anywhere from two to four days, fans gather together to indulge in all things anime. Cosplayers also gather to show off their costumes, meet other cosplayers, and participate in shoots together.

What is the best anime convention?

The 10 Biggest Anime Conventions in the United States1. Anime Boston.Sakura-Con.3. Anime Expo.Otakon.Katsucon.A-Kon.7. Anime Weekend Atlanta.8. Anime Matsuri.More items...•

What do people dress up in at a convention?

People dress up in the most outrageous of outfits, including, but not limited to, kimonos, Japanese school uniforms, tutus, Victorian dresses or suits, and various cosplay outfits. While not all attendees are nerds, geeks or the like there are a great many, and are very fun to talk to. As are most other convention people.

What does "cosplay" mean in anime?

noun. a place for people who like anime to hang out and talk about it. many dress up as their favorite anime characters i.e. cosplay. it is a freakshow of sorts for normal people to see but it is not that bad really. most are not otaku, just watch out for the fat old ones -wink-. most people there would look normal or semi-normal in a regular setting. contradictory to popular belief, not all fans there are completley obsessed, they are just there to have fun. you can pretty much talk to anyone and they are friendly.

What is a Japanese anime convention?

A Gathering where fans of Japanese Animation and Video Games unite. It has the typical geeky convention vibe, as most conventions do. You will find your fair share of cosplayers, crossplayers, and wapanese. But, not everyone there is wapanese, many are regular folk that enjoy Anime.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Can you take a photo of cosplayers?

If you're shy, don't be afraid to ask cos players to take a photo of them- it is common practice to photograph cosplayers and nobody showing up to a convention in costume is going to get pissed if you try to take their photo so long as they're not busy with something else.

What is the largest anime convention in the world?

Anime Expo is the largest anime convention in the world by attendance. It was originally called “Anime Con” and it is known for bringing an increased number of western gaming elements into the event atmosphere alongside the celebration of Japanese culture and anime.

What is anime and manga?

Anime and Manga, or Japanese animation and comics, have drawn a huge number of fans from around the world. People just can’t get enough of the styles, characters, and fictitious worlds that Japanese media brings to life! Unsurprisingly, events that promote the celebration of fandoms and Japanese pop culture often draw in huge numbers ...

How many people attended Otakon?

Source: wikimedia.org. Otakon might have had humble beginnings with an attendance of approximately 300 people during its first year, but its numbers have climbed much higher since then! Otakorp Inc., which organizes Otakon each year, is an educational non-profit and includes educational elements throughout the event.

How long is Sakura Con?

The organization runs programs and activities 24 hours a day for the duration of the three-day convention! Sakura-con also includes a number of fundraisers to support charities such as the Make-A-Wish Foundation.

Does anime matsuri pay guests?

These problems include the owners of Anime Matsuri failing to pay guests for their appearances or even provide them with food, requiring them to rely on fans for help.

How much does it cost to attend an anime convention?

Smaller anime conventions usually cost around $30 for a pre-registered badge. Larger conventions can cost $50-$60 for a badge.

How to dress for a cosplay convention?

1. 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.

What to do if your cosplay gets damaged?

This way, if your cosplay gets damaged, you can fix it easily and quickly. Loose cash to spend on food and souvenirs. You may want to set a budget so you do not spend too much money on clothing, posters, DVDs, books, and other merchandise at the con. A camera and extra batteries or a plug in charger.

What to put in a convention survival kit?

You should include several key items in your convention survival kit, including: A sewing kit, duct tape, and markers to make emergency repairs on your cosplay.

How old do you have to be to book a hotel?

Most hotels require you to be at least 18-21 years of age to book a hotel room. You are usually allowed no more than four people per a room. If you are trying to save money, you may decide to split the hotel room four ways. ...

Do you have to preregister for anime con?

You should always try to pre-register for anime cons, as it will cost you less to attend and you will get to wait in a shorter line to pick up your badge. If you decide to pre-register, you should make sure you are able to attend as most anime con badges are non-refundable and non-transferable.

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