UlasanAnime.com – The author reflects on their year of attending anime conventions, realizing they are reaching a point of saturation. They attended six conventions: Anime Boston, Animazement, Anime Next, Anime Expo, Otakon, and NYAF. While they could have attended more, the logistics of travel and accommodation for most of these events required significant effort.
The author notes that they have reached a stage where they can enjoy conventions regardless of specific guests or friends, which might sound negative but is attributed to a “phase.” They acknowledge that conventions have provided opportunities for social interaction and travel, and they don’t foresee stopping altogether. However, they increasingly view conventions as endeavors that demand substantial resources and time, suggesting they should only be attended if they offer a demonstrably better experience than the alternative.
For example, Anime Expo was a positive experience, despite a demanding schedule. The author enjoyed the company, the food in Los Angeles, and meeting new people. Although it was twice as expensive as other conventions attended, they felt it was worth it. In contrast, Anime Boston was deemed not worth the time, even with free accommodation and minimal travel costs. The highlight was spending time with friends, but this activity didn’t necessitate attending a convention.
The author’s logic suggests that attending fewer, high-value conventions like Anime Expo and skipping less fulfilling ones like Anime Boston would lead to a better overall experience with less fatigue. This is a consideration for future con-going decisions.
Attending Anime Expo this past year was described as requiring immense effort, akin to needing “three arms and a clone.” The packed schedule necessitated constant on-the-fly planning and quick decision-making, yet many activities were still missed. Despite having press credentials which offered added benefits like press panels, it was still a challenging but fun convention, made memorable by a great group of people.
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Looking ahead to 2011, the author is considering shifting focus from Anime Boston to PAX East, held in early March. This decision is influenced by the ease of getting a ride and staying with known contacts. Although they attend more conventions than most of their friends, they have never been to PAX East, highlighting a desire for new experiences.
Sakura-con is another convention the author wishes to visit, attracted by Seattle and the possibility of local assistance. However, its schedule often clashes with other commitments, and the presence of desirable guests is not always guaranteed, despite a good past record.
Anime Expo, on the other hand, is considered a more predictable event. The main hurdles are the commitment and managing costs. If no must-see guests are announced, the author can choose to skip it. They anticipate finding out about Anime Expo details, possibly through a tweet, on the night they are heading to Animazement.
Animazement is likely to be attended again, as it is a convention held on Memorial Day weekend that experiences lower attendance due to the proximity of other events like Fanime Con. Fanime Con is noted as the “Gainax” con, making it worthwhile for those interested in sakuga. Animazement is presented as a more relaxed, vacation-friendly option, with San Jose being potentially less “exotic” than Raleigh. The author acknowledges that Fanime Con is worth considering for a visit at some point, given they have never attended it.
Anime Next, Otakon, and NYAF are conventions that the author feels they “can’t really escape.” The challenge for the upcoming year will be to navigate these events while minimizing burnout. The author concludes that they still have a long way to go before considering quitting their convention-going habit.
