what to do at an anime convention

15 Things to do at Your First Anime or Comic Convention

1. Panels and workshops. Almost every convention will have an assortment of different panels and workshops you can...
2. Cosplay and photography. The cosplay and photography are my favorite parts of any convention. There are so many...
3. Get autographs. Many of the larger anime conventions will bring in famous...

Full Answer

How do I go to an anime convention?

You should start by registering for the convention and preparing for the convention before you get there. Once you arrive, you should try to enjoy yourself as much as possible. Research anime conventions in your area. Before you can attend an anime convention or "con", you will need to find one that fits your interests and your budget.

Why go to anime conventions?

If you have not attended a comic convention or anime convention, you have not lived. I kid you not. These events are some of the most enjoyable, cathartic, interesting, inspiring, and exhausting activties in which one can engage. Believe me. I have jumped off cliffs and out of planes.

What should I wear to a 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.

Where can I find the best anime conventions in North America?

You can also look at the ten largest anime conventions in North America on Animecons.com. Some of the largest anime conventions include the Anime Expo in Los Angeles, California, the Anime North in Toronto, Ontario, and Anime Central in Rosemont, Illinois. Select a convention based on your budget.

What do you do in 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 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 should I 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 do they sell at anime conventions?

Other popular attractions are screenings of various anime series and movies, the dealers' room where vendors sell everything from DVDs and comics to artbooks and posters, and an "artists' alley", a space set aside for attendees who are artists to sell their work such as paintings, sketches, sculptures, or other crafts.

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 happens at anime expos?

If 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.

Can I cosplay at an anime convention?

Cosplay is definitely a huge part of anime conventions. In addition to all the hall costumes, there are numerous cosplay events and costume contests. It's always fun to dress up as your favorite character and have your picture taken. Here's some advice about cosplaying at an anime convention.

How much money should I bring to a anime convention?

$200 is about good usually. If you're worried about losing it, try to bring most of your spending cash on the day you plan to spend the most time at the venders. In the end, though, it really depends what kind of person you are at an anime convention.

Can an 11 year old go to an anime convention?

These wristbands are optional; though we do highly recommend them as a safety precaution. Ages 6-13: Child badges have the same access as a 4-day badge. Attendees age 13 years old and under must be accompanied by a parent or guardian over the age of 18 for the duration of their time at the event.

Can a 10 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.

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.

1. Panels and workshops

Almost every convention will have an assortment of different panels and workshops you can attend. These will focus on anything from voice acting, cosplay tips, industry announcements, fandom panels, and anything else you can think of. There are even workshops aimed to entertain the children that go to conventions.

2. Cosplay and photography

The cosplay and photography are my favorite parts of any convention. There are so many people who have done an amazing job at recreating the characters from anime, comics, movies, and games. If you find your favorite character roaming around the convention, you can ask for a photograph.

3. Get autographs

Many of the larger anime conventions will bring in famous voice actors and actors as guests. There might be panels and industry events with the actors to give fans a chance to get insider information and ask some questions.

4. The Masquerade (costume and skit competition)

A popular event at most conventions is usually known as the masquerade (the name will vary at different conventions). This is basically a costume and skit competition. If you make your own costume you can enter to have it judged based on your mastery of your sewing and construction skills.

5. Watch anime and premiere screenings

There will also be video programming at conventions. This is where I go when I want to relax after walking around for so long. You find everything from anime music videos to old cartoons and popular anime. Sometimes there will be showings of entire seasons of the show, and sometimes you’ll get a taste of four or five episodes to see if you like it.

7. Cultural events

Some anime conventions will also have cultural events. Since the appeal of anime also introduces a lot of fans to Japanese culture, you’ll find panels aimed to educate people about different aspects of history, mythology, and cultural aspects of Japan outside of anime.

8. The game room

Anime, comic, and gaming conventions will have large rooms set aside with all sorts of games available to play. You can play all kinds of console games. There are old N64 consoles, and I’ve even seen SEGA games at conventions.

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 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.

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.

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.

What to wear to a convention?

Footwear. 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 your shoes.

How to organize cosplay?

How to organize your cosplays. Put all your stuff for one particular cosplay into one large bag. You don’t want to put your cosplay pants in the main compartment of the suitcase and then your gloves in a different bag . No way!

What to do with cosplay props?

Cosplay props and armor can be very fragile, so the best thing to do is wrap them with towels, bubble wrap or with clothing. That way, it’ll be able to withstand the bumpy roads during the trip to the convention. Ideally, you want to carry these items with you on the bus or in front of you in the car.

How many suitcases should I bring to a convention?

If you want to fit everything in your convention packing list, you’ll want to only bring 1 suitcase and a backpack. Especially if you’re not driving to the convention. Regardless of which transportation method you use, I highly recommend only bringing 1 backpack and 1 suitcase. In terms of size for the suitcase, ...

Panels and Workshops

Cosplay and Photography

Get Autographs

The Masquerade

Watch Anime and Premiere Screenings

The Dealer’S Room and Artist Alley

Cultural Events

The Game Room

Resting Areas

Live Music

• While it’s not common to see any well-known bands and artists at conventions, you will often see talented musicians scheduled to play for live shows. At anime conventions, you’ll see up-and-coming Japanese bands going on a tour through America and Canada. Once upon a time (10 years ago), live music like this was a main attraction of anime conventio...

See more on cosplayadvice.com