.:ANIME CON 101:.

[ Anime Mid-Atlantic 05 LIVE! CON REPORT ]

About Conventions

What is an anime convention? What do you do there? The answer is pretty simple. An anime convention is usually held during a weekend at a hotel. You pay a certain fee to get in, and then there are a number of things you can do. There is a wide range of people, from children to young adults, and some adults too. Most people seem to be in their teens-twenties, in my opinion. There's always a vendor room, where people sell local and imported anime goods, there are screening rooms showing anime (subbed and dubbed) nonstop, there are con-goers dressed up in costume (ie. "cosplay"), skits, karaoke, music videos, video game tournaments, artshows, card tournaments, dancing, there are panels and discussion boards, workshops teaching various things such as cel painting, origami, and other parts and Japanese traditional and pop culture, and much more. Though the experience is way fun, there are some things you can remember too. My first time in a vendor room was like sensory overload. So, the following are some tips I've devised if you're planning on attending one.

1. Get plenty of sleep. You will get tired, worn out, so sleep is important. You will also want to keep in mind that it gets very hot with so many people. Watch what you wear.

2. Drink lots of water and eat regularly.

3. Keep an eye on your belongings. They can and will get stolen if you aren't careful.

4. Plan ahead. Lots of things happen at once, and you will have to be wary of time in order to get to everything you want.

5. Set some money aside. Look around. Think about what you really want to get. Money will disappear really quickly, so shop around for the best price, and buy what you must have first.

6. Go with friends, it's more fun. =)

7. If you have a weapon - DON'T swing it around.

8. Be perky, you might get asked for photos.

9. Cosplay. It's more fun in costume. Even if it seems dumb, you'll feel special by doing it. =P

10. Bring a camera. You will want one. If not for snapping pictures of your pals looking like idiots, then for pictures of strangers being amusing.

Anime Mid-Atlantic 03 (6/3/04) - Cherry's photos -
+ Inuyasha Group and Chichiri from Fushigi Yugi
+ Miroku and (?) schoolgirl
+ Sango and Friends
+ Kenshin and Saitou from Rurouni Kenshin
+ Sanosuke Sagara from Rurouni Kenshin
+ Subaru from .hack//SIGN
+ Xellos from The Slayers
+ Con-goers practicing for the cosplay skits

Anime Mid-Atlantic 04 (5/29/04) - Amaya's photos -
+ Batousai Mobile
+ Belldandy from Oh! My Goddess
+ Chibi Squall
+ Cloud
+ Someone from Helsing(?)
+ Kagome and Chii
+ Kingdom Hearts Group
+ Knuckles from Sonic
+ Majin Buu from Dragonball Z
+ Lobby Shot -KH-
+ Another Lobby Shot
+ Para Para Instructors
+ Para Para -Sohma style-
+ Para Para - scientist style?-
+ Persocoms are everywhere...
+ Plushie Con
+ Plushie Con -pic 2-
+ Robin from Witch Hunter Robin
+ Tsukasa from .hack//SIGN
+ Yuna and Yuna back-to-back

Cherry's Cosplay
+ [cosplaylab link]