What are Anime Conventions?
Anime conventions are a place where fans of japanese animation come together and share there passion for the culture. Not just anime cons but different types out there like gaming, shoe, book and educational ones as well. Convention normally operate for 3 or more days depending on the organizer. Sometimes there are larger cons that generate buzz among fandom but smaller ones dont. Myself, I got to alot of conventions such as Magfest, Otakon, Blerdcon, AwesomeCon and Conjustu in my years. I had a great time in them but I had some minor problem at them (I will talk about that later). While in anime convention, there is alot of activites con-goers can partake. There is a cosplay contest, gaming room, panels, dealer room and many more. What a convention without special guest like voice actor, artitst, musicians and celebrities making their apperance.
You have to money to go to a anime convention. Especially those badge prices and hotel room expensives along with traveling to those conventions. While at a con, you have to abid by the rules like “cosplay is no consent”, respecting con-goes and many more. I know anime cons are a fun place for meetups and people who has the same interest at you. It doesn’t mean you can be a jerk at a convention, if that happens staff will kick you out. That aside, they will not refund your money because payment is final. I understand there is some bad apples at a convention and hear story about it on social media. People who got SA, touching them without consent, talking unwanted photos and many more. That type of behavior is not tolerated in any anime con space and people there to have fun.
Within Anime Con Community
There is also instance of people not showering during conventions and standing in long lines could be a pain. I have to bring up this because I am a black con-goer. There is a sigma among black cosplayers and its very sad that racism in cosplay community. I love cosplayers in general because they’re most talented people I know. Also I follow some of them on social media and they show off amazing cosplay. What about starting a convention? I don’t have exeprience in that department because I know R3DWorld created Dreamcon. If you don’t know who R3DWorld is they are a group of content creators that does skits on anime and more. They garnered millions of followers on YouTube and decided to create a convention based on blerd culture. Some people have issues with Dreamcon but it just like any other con with problem they can improve on.
There is also instance of people not showering during conventions and standing in long lines could be a pain. I have to bring up this because I am a black con-goer. There is a sigma among black cosplayers and its very sad that racism in cosplay community. I love cosplayers in general because they’re most talented people I know. Also I follow some of them on social media and they show off amazing cosplay. What about starting a convention? I don’t have exeprience in that department because I know R3DWorld created Dreamcon. If you don’t know who R3DWorld is they are a group of content creators that does skits on anime and more. They garnered millions of followers on YouTube and decided to create a convention based on blerd culture. Some people have issues with Dreamcon but it just like any other con with problem they can improve on.
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What about larger vs smaller conventions? I want to a panel discussion and there was a question about that. Some con-goes perfer smaller one because less crowd size and feel more confortable. Larger conventions like Anime NYC has tons of people and sometimes cause panic attacks. Myself, I got to both because I want to see the vibe of each one. As 2025 comes around, I will still go to conventions and enjoy myself despite next adminstation coming to office. I know they show anime along with movies at conventions for first time watchers. You can learn things for other people in the industry like being voice actor, cosplayer and mangaka. If you’re introvert and dont like being in crowds, its fine stay home.
If you are extrovert and love meeting new people, go to that con. Don’t forgot to have a blast and post video or photos on social media. I hope to see you guys at anime convention one day. Thanks for reading this article. Tell me in the comment, what is your experience at an anime convention?
