UlasanAnime.com – It’s a bit unusual to write up convention recaps so long after attending them, but the COVID-induced ennui can certainly affect one’s writing schedule. While there are valid reasons to reconsider attending conventions for leisure, as highlighted by recent discussions, the allure of certain guests can still draw attendees. This was the case for Anime Boston 2022, which managed to bring in prominent figures despite the evolving landscape of anime conventions.
The rise of artists like Aoi Koga around 2018-2019, whose peak impact occurred during the COVID-19 pandemic, brings a unique perspective to their fandom. This sentiment extends to ASCA, a Sacra/Sony Music artist who performed at Anime Boston. For many, including the author, this marked their first “normal” anisong concert experience since February 2020, and it carried a significant emotional weight. ASCA had previously performed in Hawaii at Kawaii Kon, making her appearance at Anime Boston her second stop. She was also scheduled to perform in Germany for AnimagiC, but the most striking aspect of her Anime Boston performance was the return of audience calls, a practice that had been restricted in Japan due to ongoing COVID-19 regulations.
ASCA, who officially debuted in 2019, noted that she hadn’t experienced many solo shows with audience calls. This new artist, who emerged during the pandemic era, expressed her feelings about the experience. Hearing the few attendees participate in the calls was a moving moment. While it’s uncertain how many in the audience caught on during the song “Howling,” the act of “howling” at ASCA during her Friday night concert at Anime Boston was both incredibly fun and deeply stirring. It felt like reawakening forgotten neural pathways, evoking emotions that had been dormant and yet felt entirely new.
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This kind of emotional resonance is precisely what many welcome in a post-COVID world, akin to the joy of reuniting with old friends after periods of quarantine and travel restrictions. This sentiment suggests that, for better or worse, this summer would see a surge in travel, with pandemic concerns taking a backseat. The challenge in this scenario isn’t solely the pandemic itself, but also the pressure on events and organizations to manage record crowds after weathering significant losses. Anime Boston, in the author’s experience, did a commendable job among the three conventions attended that year in mitigating potential issues. The convention was generally well-staffed, and for the most part, it ran smoothly. While crowding became an issue during peak times on Saturday, it remained manageable, albeit chaotic.
The autograph ticket line was ingeniously set up using spare panel rooms. Attendees lined up to be seated, and tickets were distributed by moving people in rows of seats, which added an element of organized fun to the process. Fortunately, by the time the author arrived on Friday afternoon, the convention badge line was virtually nonexistent.
However, the timing of Anime Boston coincided with graduations at both MIT and Harvard on the same Saturday. This unfortunate overlap caused hotel and flight prices to skyrocket, as the airline and hotel industries are intrinsically linked to large-scale events. The situation was exacerbated by the fact that both large institutions had postponed their 2020 and 2021 graduations to 2022, resulting in three years’ worth of graduates celebrating on a single weekend. Fortunately, a batch of hotel rooms within the convention block became available in April, which somewhat alleviated the financial strain. The drive to and from the convention was also made more challenging by heavy traffic, partly due to graduations at other schools across Connecticut. Adding another layer of logistical complexity, the NBA Playoff Conference Final was held on Friday, with the Prudential Center, the basketball venue, physically attached to the convention center. Furthermore, the convention took place over Memorial Day Weekend, a period already known for significant travel volume in the USA. Consequently, the chosen dates for Anime Boston proved to be exceptionally challenging for a large fan convention in Boston.
The author’s attendance at Anime Boston was limited to approximately 24 hours, which was unusual due to pre-existing family commitments during the long weekend. Despite the short duration, efforts were made to maximize the experience. The Dealer’s Hall was explored, primarily to greet acquaintances. While it felt a bit sparse, it was not overwhelmingly so. The Artist Alley was not visited, a regret the author held. Had the stay extended to Sunday, attending a BoSox game would have been an option, but alas, perhaps next time.
Regarding dining, the options were somewhat limited. Legal Sea Foods, located at the venue, is often a last resort. It tends to be a bit pricey, the quality is not exceptional, and it remains open when other establishments are full. It might serve as an acceptable option for first-time visitors, but the author noted a preference for fried scallops on a future visit.
A more positive dining experience was had at Eataly on Saturday for a late lunch. This venue offered better quality food at a slightly lower cost. The author regretted not purchasing groceries before leaving Boston, admitting that cannolis were a particular indulgence.
