UlasanAnime.com – Another year, another gathering at the Javits Center, and as usual, it presents a mix of appreciation and critique. While the convention itself is steered by experienced hands aiming to craft an engaging experience, two major factors significantly shape the New York Comic Con (NYCC) landscape: the lack of suitable large-scale venues in the New York metropolitan area and the less-than-ideal location.
Comparing it to Downtown Los Angeles, which also struggles with a somewhat uninspiring atmosphere and limited attractions due to its urban sprawl, the situation in New York is similar. Manhattan, despite its distinct character, faces the same challenge: there simply isn’t a convention center large enough to accommodate the scale of NYCC while remaining close to major points of interest. On the positive side, however, hailing a cab or catching a bus from the Javits Center is relatively easy, though parking can be a hefty $30-40 per day.
Perhaps some of my reservations about NYCC stem more from personal feelings than from the convention itself. I do acknowledge the passing of the New York Anime Festival (NYAF) and fondly recall when NYC offered robust anime convention content, a presence that has diminished. The early bird system for autograph tickets is also a point of contention, as it often leads to insufficient sleep and a generally poor mood throughout the day, affecting not only attendees but also those around them. By October, I often find myself feeling burnt out from conventions until the following April. It’s easy to see how this October event marks the end of the convention season, and by this point, fatigue has certainly set in. Considering I will have attended five conventions (or six, if counting a brief three-hour stint at AnimeNext) in approximately six months by the following Monday, this sentiment is understandable.
NYCC does offer an app, which I hope will prove at least somewhat useful despite the notoriously poor cellular reception in the Javits Center, a common issue in NYC. The hope is that not everyone will have the latest LTE-capable phones, making the network somewhat more reliable. However, it remains to be seen if LTE will even function effectively inside the building.
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Writing about this convention can be a bit of a downer, which might explain why previous attempts at drafting this piece devolved into searching for places to eat with friends. New York City is an exceptional place for dining, and it has only improved recently. This year, several new establishments have opened, and importantly, Go Go Curry is offering a promotion on their tonkatsu single-sized plates for $5.50, providing a delicious and affordable meal. Given my focus on Midtown lunch spots, I might try to persuade some friends to visit Taim Mobile or perhaps venture to a more distant, “outrageous” location, which would involve a substantial walk. I’ve been on a bit of a falafel kick lately. Other options could include Chef Samir’s. The question remains whether people will flock to Tabata, or if more will explore Bonchon. Of course, unless you’re a first-timer, Shake Shack is generally best avoided, or at least a place to consider if indecisive. Schnippers, which has been tested and approved by Paranda, remains a reliable fallback option. However, Wafels & Dinges, a popular choice, will likely still be a considerable distance away, making it a challenging destination. If one doesn’t mind a walk or a taxi ride, there are countless other food options available along 9th Avenue or in K-Town, ensuring plenty of choices. Naturally, once a taxi is involved, the possibilities expand even further. Is anyone interested in trying this place?
Organizing a large group for dinner, along with any stragglers or friends of friends, can be a headache, and securing a reservation at a nice restaurant on a Saturday night is no easy feat. Nevertheless, I would much rather face that challenge than navigate a crowded dealer’s room, shoulder-to-shoulder with thousands of fellow enthusiasts.
PS. Have you ever tried Uber? When my Seattle-based CEO visited a few weeks ago, he was surprised that no one in the office had heard of Uber. The explanation was simple: “Because we work in Midtown, duh. Just look outside.” For those residing in less urban areas like Seattle or San Francisco, a taxi-hailing service like Uber can indeed be convenient. It turns out that even in New York, it could be useful, as it was offering discounts of up to $25 on rides last month. Now, however, it has simply become a more expensive way to call a cab.
PPS. Hopefully, all of this will be enough to pull me away from XCOM when the weekend arrives. I know I’ll at least be short on sleep…
