Anime Conventions

[Silenka]

I haven't been to an anime con in quite a few years... I stopped right about the time Naruto/One Piece etc was getting big in the states. Oh, the rabid Inuyasha fans were MY era's bane. I think Narutards are probably worse, though, since they come in more flavors and they cosplay even more pathetically.

I used to go to Ohayocon. I've been to Otakon once, but I prefer mid size cons to large ones or small ones, I decided. I would like to go to one soon but now that I hear they've been overrun by retarded ninja worshippers I dunno if I want to spend the money...

As for advice, take it from an old hand; if you like Pocky to enhance the experience, bring your own, they charge an arm and a leg for the stuff there cause they can get away with it. Unless they have rules against food in the dealers' room nowadays, I think that may have been the case the last time I went. Also um... don't start any group activities in the artist's alley, that place is crowded as shit. And erm... security generally frowns upon invasion of other peoples' personal bubbles or using signs to beg or ask for anything (example being ZOMG GIVE ME HUGS PLZZPLZPLZPLZLZ)

If you lose something, don't panic - unless the general makeup of the entire fandom has changed, it will either be right where you left it last or turned in to the lost and found eventually. Only one time have I ever seen someone steal something at a con, it was a couple manga books. >.> Somehow, the purses, digital cameras and expensive violin bowstrings were all recovered and given back.

Take some vitamin c pills or something to keep you healthy, I got sick almost every time I went to a con because of the closeness of people. Do bring your own food/sustenance, you can't always count on people not to flake out on you if it comes to a ride or pitching in for stuff.
Erm..that's about it... just have a good time...

[thestalkmore]

Never been. Ever. Losers.

[Valkrish]

For the love of FSM please take a shower every day. People smell so bad at cons because they forget about basic hygiene. Don't be one of them.

Yes please

[Korremar]

Please, don't push the staff. Most of them are overworked, and are almost invariably volunteer. I do A/V work at Katsucon, and at any given time I've probably been up for 30+ hours, fixing other people's shit. Ask us questions, that's what we're here for, but don't be a douchebag. Security is a large, angry department, and they're a radio's call away.

[amentis]

I've been to BAAF x2 (Big Apple Anime Fest) in NYC before they closed it, and Otakon x2.
Anime cons are fun, and a good place to buy shit... but you need to have a certain mindset to go to them.

Personally, I *hate* anime fans. I LOATHE them. They're annoying and grating and have no social skills and think that things in anime are socially acceptable in real life.
I stopped going to cons because people just creeeeped it up with me and my friends.

My friend dressed up as a shadow priest with a "FaceMelter04: <LFG RAGEFIRE CHASMS>" sign, and some guy stalked me and my friends because of it. Literally stalked. We had to LEAVE THE CON for an hour and come back to get away from him.

Also, pre-pubescent catgirls will be all over you. It's creepy.

So yeah, sum it up: If you can deal with people with terrible social skills that love to be obnoxious, then Anime cons are awesome. You get to see some badass anime, some sweet merchandise, and you might meet the occasional cool person.