Next weekend I'll be going to my first anime convention (Anime North in Toronto, it's 2 days). Since it's my first time, I don't really know what to expect or how to prepare ^^;; Anyone got any advice, like what to bring and things to remember? Thanks.
I was planning to cosplay as Murrue, but I don't think I have enough time to finish my costume (procrastination DX) >__<
Also, if anyone has interesting convention stories, please share :D
EGAO! Distant Destiny!:.:devART:.:C&C:.:P-o-R:.:Vectory:.:DSC:.:Simple-ism
lol if you bring ramen, PACK UTENSILS! Me and my friend forgot and had to steal some from the mini fast food places in the con >_>;
If you cosplay, be PREPARED to be stopped and photographed A LOT. Also expect to be hugged or glomped. I got glomped for just wearing a shirt with Gaara on it. It wasn't even cosplay .__.; Some people will ask kindly though if they can hug you, but some will just attack. Be weary of them. They pop out of bushes.
Make sure to take a look at the schedule of the events. Planning out what you want to do is a good idea. And also note that many of the events run longer than what they say in the schedule so try not to go to events that are back-to-back.
If you're going to a concert, go in line an hour early LOL It may seem boring standing/sitting in a line for an hour but people there are totally entertaining and it just never gets boring. And when you actually get in the concert, you'll be up megaclose and be so excited you waited an hour :D I got to see Ketchup Mania and Ali Project up close and it wouldn't have been such a great experience if I were all the way in the back xD
And just have fun! :D *can probably think of more stuff later*
I'll tell you the same advice a friend of mine was giving me when she told me about Anime North. A lot of people will be in cosplay and everything, but just remember have fun and enjoy yourself. So I hope you have a wonderful time at it.
I'll tell you from experience, no matter how nerdy you may consider yourself, you will meet other nerds that will make you outright uncomfortable. I went there dressed as a normal guy, which worked out wonderfully. The game room will smell like rancid anus from the fat DDR players. There will be fat girls dressed up like Lum or some other sexy character and probably make you ashamed to be a human. Everything is overpriced. Finally, you are going to run into a lot of those "elite" fans who think because they are walking around with a stick of pocky sticking out of their mouth and they own a signed copy of Naruto's jockstrap that they are more hardcore than you.
Thankfully you aren't a guy, that makes it harder. Nothing like actually seeing a hot girl in cosplay and finding out she's not legal. There was this girl dressed up as Kari (spelling) from Kingdom Hearts and DIZAM she was hot... until I found out she was 15. A cold shower of shame followed and I never returned to a convention.
And there you have it.
If this post were vector art, you'd actually care it existed.
Quote by chubbykittyIf you cosplay, be PREPARED to be stopped and photographed A LOT. Also expect to be hugged or glomped. I got glomped for just wearing a shirt with Gaara on it. It wasn't even cosplay .__.; Some people will ask kindly though if they can hug you, but some will just attack. Be weary of them. They pop out of bushes.
Not cosplaying this year, not unless I stay up a few nights to finish my costume, which won't happen since I've got like
3 assignments due the days before the con ;__; ... But apparently there's a no-glomp-without-asking-first rule XD though
I'm sure many people will violate and ignore it XD
EGAO! Distant Destiny!:.:devART:.:C&C:.:P-o-R:.:Vectory:.:DSC:.:Simple-ism
Having just attended my first anime convention in more than 2 years, it felt so good geeting back into the swings of things within the anime community here in Australia and across the globe.
Here are my Top Ten Recommendations for making your anime convention experince really worth your time and effort!
1. Make sure you allow plenty of time to plan ahead. If you are able to pre-register before the convention - do it! You wil save yourself time and money instead of turning up on the day to face a massive registration queue at the venue. If you are coming from long distances, interstate or overseas, make sure you book all necessary accomodation and transport arrangements to and from the venue at least 3-5 months ahead of the convention date.
2. Make sure you get plenty of rest on the night before the convention (big days require an early night to bed!)
3. Pack a bag the night before the convention with esentials such as any cosplay apparel, food, water, bus/train timetables, money set aside for bus/train fares/anime merchandise, mobile phone, cameras/video cameras and batteries for those electronic items fully charged. Brining along a spare set of batteries is also a wise option (when applicable)
4. Pack yourself you own lunch and/or snacks on the night before as well. You could save yourself some time and money on buying food on the day (food at some conventions can be rather expensive at times)
5. Drink plenty of water and stay hydrated throughout the day. Ensure you pack a full bottle of water or two in your bag.
6. If you intend on spending money on anime merchandise, make sure you bring along plenty of cash (notes and coin) as most stalls will not have credit card/electronic transfer payments facilities. Make sure you with draw your cash early as ATMs at the convention venue will tend to run out of money quite rapidly. A good idea would be to carry your wallet in a money belt worn under your clothing (it can be a good deterrent against theft)
7. If you intend to wear a costume on the day, pack your costume in a bag and wear everyday clothing when heading to and from the venue. Change into your cosplay apparel on arrival at the venue. This will prevent your costume from being ruined and/or damaged as well as prevent you from other members of the general public giving you long, hard stares! Another thing for cosplaying attendees, would to be prepared for any person to ask you to stop what you are doing for taking a photo or two
8. Try to arrive at the convention at least 30mins-1hr or so early to avoid the mad rush in the last 10 minutes. Make sure you have plenty of time set aside for transport to/from the venue. If you are travelling on a train, keeping up to date a few days before the convention on trackwork/mantenance operations that could be carried out on the date of the event is a wise idea.
9. Have a look at the convention schedule on the day and make sure you choose the vents that you really want to see and make sure there are any pre-arrangements to be made. If you intend to be an audience member during the cosplay/AMV events, make sure you find a seat at least 30mins before the event as these will tend to be some of the most popular events to attend to during the convention.
10. The last but not least recommendation - HAVE FUN AND ENJOY YOURSELF!
Hope these pointers will help make your anime convention experience one that you can never forget!
Pre-registration is a absolute must if you're gonna attend any convention (including anime). It'll save you some money and long tedious lineups. (trust me, it's worth it)
Please shower. I don't mean this in the typical condescending way, I mean this to enhance your own con experience. It'll refresh you in the morning, and help you get right back into the action after your 2-3 hours of sleep. It'll leave you feeling rejuvinated. It'll be a service to your fellow convention attendees. And above all else, if you're staying in a swanky hotel, you probably wanna take advantage of what is likely to be a swanky shower setup. :nya: If you're using Axe or something similar, don't coat yourself in it, be reasonable, lots of Axe is just as worse as no showers. And for the love of GOD people, brush your teeth once a day if you don't do it more often anyways. I have encountered some people with some SERIOUS halitosis problems. Like, repulsive. T_T
Introduce yourself to people, and mingle. You'll really have more fun this way. Remember, almost everyone there is there for the same geeky stuff you're there for.
If you're planning to go and buy anime goodies, plese bring cash. Don't rely on ATMs, these things are useless IMO. Bring the cash you want from your home town bank. And if you're low on cash (or not), save some for Sunday. 'Cause Sundays many dealers would like to put their wares into your hands so they don't have to take it home. On Sunday, deals run aplenty. On Sunday, you can get buttloads of anime goodies (posters, stuffies, figures, etc.) for mere bucks.
To everyone new to the environment: The worst stories people have to share are the worst because they were never outdone, and thus not something to worry about this year. :D
And in conclusion, have fun!
According to my calculations, your problem doesn't exist.
Oh, and mostly anti-celeb/anti-Hollywood/anti-commercial since 1978
I've never been to one, but one of my friends says he's never cosplaying at a con ever again because weird people kept glomping him.
THERE ARE SECRETS WHERE FAIRIES DON'T LIVE.
Thanks for the tips =D And yes, I have pre-registered and have arranged transportation and accommodation already. Lol, cosplaying at cons sounds... dangerous XD I think I'll pass this time then, maybe in the future (it's not like I can finish my costume in time anyway ;__; ).
I'm a bit nervous actually ^^;;
merged: 05-17-2008 ~ 12:42am
Thanks for the er, warnings, sho... >__>
Quote by shoujoboyThere was this girl dressed up as Kari (spelling) from Kingdom Hearts and DIZAM she was hot... until I found out she was 15. A cold shower of shame followed and I never returned to a convention.
Haha! *pointandlaugh*
EGAO! Distant Destiny!:.:devART:.:C&C:.:P-o-R:.:Vectory:.:DSC:.:Simple-ism
I don't usually stay at cons for more than a day, but most of the tips here I would agree with.
Yes, definitely pack your own food... saves you money (that you can spend on more important things... XD)
If you're going to be there early, bring something to keep you occupied/pass the time. Card games are always a hit and you can always ask surrounding people in line to join in. (I might suggest Fluxx) Get to pass time and meet some new people. :)
Dealer's Rooms: Beware of bootleg!
If you are going to cosplay, check out the site/con forum and see if there will be any gatherings for that particular series. I don't cosplay, but my cousin does and he's met a lot of really great people and had a lot of fun with the gatherings.
And yes... I also agree with sho about unattractive cosplayers... ^_^'
But number one rule is to have fun and keep an open eye out! You might get to see some random stuff. ;) One year I saw a bunch of Naruto cosplayers duct taping a Rock Lee cosplayer to one of the support beams at the convention center (all in good fun!). HIGHLY amusing.
Quote by chubbykittySome people will ask kindly though if they can hug you, but some will just attack. Be weary of them. They pop out of bushes.
Hahahahaha. I haven't been to one before, so I don't have any advice. I hope you have fun, though. :)
Shower. Have good hygeine. And respect the wioshes of the guests of honor when it comes to photos, etc. And avoid buying grey goods.
To the brave otaku and MiniTokyo faithful, nothing is without moe.
"grey goods"? Are those goods from shady dealers or something?
EGAO! Distant Destiny!:.:devART:.:C&C:.:P-o-R:.:Vectory:.:DSC:.:Simple-ism
Many people say not to go just for the anime merchandise - but I did, and I do NOT regret it. I went to Comicon, which was much more Marvel/DC comic oriented than manga oriented. If you want to get stuff, go ahead. Just remember "Full Con Experiance" doesn't have to mean doing or going to everything.
Lol, yes, I got a lot of anime merchandise... spent a little bit too much, but I got a lot of stuff that I wanted ^^;;
EGAO! Distant Destiny!:.:devART:.:C&C:.:P-o-R:.:Vectory:.:DSC:.:Simple-ism
lol I was suppose to go to the same one that MapleRose was suppose to go to so yea
I was suppose to cosplay either Yuuki from Vampire Knight or Kaname from Juvenile Orion
Yea... so if you really wanna participate in anime conventions:
1. cosplay
2. join some masquerade
3. go to dealers and buy some stuff
4. take pictures of and with cosplayers
5. go play some games that they provide (DDR, YuGiOh TCG. Nintendo DS, XBox, etc.)
6. watch anime videos that are being previewed there
7. join contests and win major prizes
uh... that's all I could think of right now
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