Anime convention scares me!

[Daesania]

So.. boyfriend and I are taking a vacation in about a week. He's a big anime fan, so we're going to Kansas City for some convention, Naka-Kon. I've seen youtube videos of the people at these conventions. I'm scared.

Tips? Should i wear a shirt that says "DO NOT RANDOMLY HUG ME!!!"? Seems to be a common theme in anime conventions to run up and hug people. I normally would let him just go and do his thing, but after KC we're heading down to Texas to meet his family - so I'm going.

[nashphx13z]

Anime in general creeps me out.

[Daemius]

So.. boyfriend and I are taking a vacation in about a week. He's a big anime fan, so we're going to Kansas City for some convention, Naka-Kon. I've seen youtube videos of the people at these conventions. I'm scared.

Tips? Should i wear a shirt that says "DO NOT RANDOMLY HUG ME!!!"? Seems to be a common theme in anime conventions to run up and hug people. I normally would let him just go and do his thing, but after KC we're heading down to Texas to meet his family - so I'm going.

I can send you my rapier and you could proceed to impale any "otakus" that come running at you :D

Other than that, my only advice is to try and lay low. Be prepared to here a lot squealing and "OMG KAWAII" and other random incorrectly used Japanese phrases :p

[dt_torres]

Anime in general creeps me out.
this

[maruchanboy]

Otakus have broken serious detectors. They might take your shirt sarcastically, then proceed to hug you and blurt poor Japanese. But those male guys cosplaying as women... Ughh. I feel like I need another shower now. When you have a male, hairy Sakura hug you, you leave the convention site changed.

[kiggidykev]

Wear a fake mustache and go in disguise.

[killer_roach]

I've never really had any problems going to cons, but people probably also look at me and think "this guy might be able to stomp me".

My best advice would be to stay as close to your boyfriend as possible and let him deal with anybody who gets too friendly.

[Transbrak]

I've been several times to A-kon in Dallas, and while there are your extreme fans that take it too far there are also a bunch of nice people to meet.

Also there usually is other things to do, like video games, computer games, card games, board games, art shows, crafts, live music etc. etc.

Everytime I've gone I had a buddy tag along with very little interest in anime yet everytime he asks if I plan on goin back next year.

Just know that no matter how hard you try you can't escape the one ******* in a crowd who decides that he will save time by not showering the entire weekend. :p

[Fizzeler]

I hope to go to Odo-can myself from what I have heard these conventions are great everyone dresses up like their favorite anime character and get sneak peeks at upcoming animes :)

This may be very opinionated because I love anime :D

[ffwarrior47]

I've been to one anime convention, as goofy from kingdom hearts... nerdy i know.

but i liked all the random chicks running up to me and hugging me, most of them were actually kinda hot. :p

but i was also an extremely lonely person at that time, so i kinda needed the hugs. YAY ANIME CONVENTIONS!

:D

[maruchanboy]

I've been to one anime convention, as goofy from kingdom hearts... nerdy i know.

but i liked all the random chicks running up to me and hugging me, most of them were actually kinda hot. :p

but i was also an extremely lonely person at that time, so i kinda needed the hugs. YAY ANIME CONVENTIONS!

:D

All the pretty girls there....pushing your non-dressed gf out of the way to give you a hug because you're dressed like Sora from KH... not my smartest plan.

[Daesania]

Oh.. yeah... i forgot about the ones who dont shower. I hope I dont hurl. I absolutely hate the stench of BO and it makes me gag.

oh well. :(

[ffwarrior47]

All the pretty girls there....pushing your non-dressed gf out of the way to give you a hug because you're dressed like Sora from KH... not my smartest plan.

true. true.

well i didn't have a Gf at the time, so everything was okay for me :D

you'd be surprised how many fangirls go for goofy ;)

[Daesania]

Maybe some year I'll make him a costume - I'm pretty handy with a sewing machine and his friends have already asked when I'm going to start making costumes. :/

[hawkofva]

I'd recommend pepper spray. Not only can you use it to defend yourself, but it will also leave the no-shower-type smelling somewhat better.

[maruchanboy]

true. true.

well i didn't have a Gf at the time, so everything was okay for me :D

you'd be surprised how many fangirls go for goofy ;)

*three-yea owd speech impedamint*

Didya make teh voice, huh, didya?:rolleyes::rolleyes::rolleyes: Didya do de aksent, huh? could u pwease do it fo mE?:p:p:p

[Daemius]

Dress up as Unus the Untouchable. Technically he's not from an anime but meh, I'm sure otakus will have some knowledge of the X-Men universe :p

[jeccaneko]

Tips? Should i wear a shirt that says "DO NOT RANDOMLY HUG ME!!!"? Seems to be a common theme in anime conventions to run up and hug people. I normally would let him just go and do his thing, but after KC we're heading down to Texas to meet his family - so I'm going.

You are going with your boyfriend. Because you're with a guy, the chances of people randomly hugging you are a little lower.

I've been to 3 different anime cons - Otakon (4 years), Anime Weekend Atlanta (1 year), and Anime Expo (1 year but I'm going again this year). I'm probably start going to Kawaii Kon once I move to Hawaii. I've only been randomly hugged once (it was by a bunch of girls - they hugged both of us). But I always go with my boyfriend and sometimes other people.

Food places near the con will get mobbed at peak food times. Keep that in mind for planning purposes. Also I highly suggest having snacks and drinks with you. I carry around a messenger bag to every con with snacks, drinks, a camera, the con schedule book, any random goodies I want to get autographed by the guests, and stuff like that. It's been incredibly useful. Only time a bag is bad is if you want to go to dances at the con (most cons have them) as they won't let you bring a bag in. But I never go to dances so it doesn't matter to me.

[Spitting_Venom]

I went to Mega-Con the other day. It's many different fan conventions wrapped into one. First time and it was fun to go with friends. What i have learned is many people will only hug if you are dressed in their favourite characters or hold a sign saying "free hugs" Surprisingly, there are special rules at these things. Some like, "glomps (running hugs) are only allowed if you make it known you are there. meaning no sneak attacks." Basically if you dress like yourself, no one will hug you. So i hope that helps you with your fear of B.O. I was scared of the same thing, but it's a fun place when you go with someone you know.

[Daesania]

Well, I will have a few familiar faces there. BF is on the staff for Nebraska's anime convention - so most of the staff from Nebraska's will be there for promotion, and I've met all of them quite a few times. So, atleast in that aspect, I wont feel like a completely out of place loser since I will know atleast a half dozen people :p

They do have a "girl gamer" panel I just read on their website. I'm thinking i should pack my tshirt "Yes I'm a girl and I play video games" (On the back it says "ACK get off my leg"). I think it'd be fitting if I decided to attend that panel.

There's just so much stuff listed on the website, how the hell does one figure out what to go to? Maybe you can explain that jeccaneko? This is my first real "con" so i'm not really sure the way it works.

[Shredder87]

.... and Anime Expo (1 year but I'm going again this year).

Chances are we'll bump into each other and wont even notice.

I went to AX. I don't particularly dig anime, but hell, it sure was fun. I didn't have any problem with it

[Wolfbeckett]

I love anime and cons scare me. In my brain I know that there are surely a lot of nice people who outnumber the freaks and weirdos but when I think of cons all I can picture are seas of 350 pound men dressed as women.

[hmxhenry]

Wear a fake mustache and go in disguise.

Like this (http://www.mtv.com/games/video_games/images/promoimages/d/dime/e3_06s_most_anticipated/super_mario_revolution.jpg)?

[kiggidykev]

Like this (http://www.mtv.com/games/video_games/images/promoimages/d/dime/e3_06s_most_anticipated/super_mario_revolution.jpg)?

Given that my school division is blocking that picture for "Inappropriate Content", then by gum, yes.

[jeccaneko]

There's just so much stuff listed on the website, how the hell does one figure out what to go to? Maybe you can explain that jeccaneko? This is my first real "con" so i'm not really sure the way it works.

Well, cons typically give you a schedule book. They tend to also put up the full schedule online close to the con date. Here is what I do: night before the con, pull out your schedule book (if you got it early) or print one from the internet. Take out a highlighter. Highlight all of the things you want to do the absolute most. Make sure to do those. Then plan nothing else the rest of the time.

The reason I suggest not planning anything the rest of the time is sometimes they change the schedules last minute. Sometimes you change your mind and want to do something else. Sometimes you end up spending way too much time in the dealer's room or somewhere else fun so miss something and have to find something else to do. Basically if you just plan for the top few things and wing it for the rest, you'll have more fun. Otherwise if you try to plan an entire schedule you'll stress out and have less fun.

Oh, and be sure to wear comfortable shoes. You will be doing a LOT of walking. Even at small cons you will.


Chances are we'll bump into each other and wont even notice.

I'll be the girl with the long blond hair and the red hat that has Rock Band instrument icon pins and a Bang Camaro pin on it (at a minimum - this hat is acquiring new pins all the time it seems). I'll also have my fairly noticeable red Gunslinger Girl messenger bag. So if you see me and actually remember, feel free to say hi. :) I know I'm going to go see Morning Musume but of course everything else is up in the air, as nothing else has really been announced.

I'm going to pre-register pretty soon. I heart the hotel (Westin Bonaventure) I stayed at last year.


Like this (http://www.mtv.com/games/video_games/images/promoimages/d/dime/e3_06s_most_anticipated/super_mario_revolution.jpg)?

I want to know if Henry goes to New York ComicCon. Seems like a Henry-ish thing to do. ;)

[topperharley]

Given that my school division is blocking that picture for "Inappropriate Content", then by gum, yes.

Mario is inappropriate content? Your school must be really conservative... :D

[jeccaneko]

Mario is inappropriate content? Your school must be really conservative... :D

Work blocks it too. But work has some really stupid blocking crap. It blocks image sites like Photobucket but I can get to Flickr. :confused:

[Daesania]

Cool thanks for the info! I dont know if me and the bf are gonna try to sync the schedules together and go to everything together or not. Guess we will figure that out tonight.

[Runa216]

Be wary....be very wary. But tat the same time, be open.

I work at an anime convention every year, I work security there, and i have absolutely no interest in anime at all. (Not to mention the thought of fat hairy men in Sailor Moon outfits disturbs me to no end. I also don't like the concept of being 'glomped' by random folks.)

that being said, you'd be amazed at how much fun I actually had. you get to meet folks from TV shows you may have watched. (I met one of the voice actors of the original Teenage Mutant Ninja turtles....) and believe it or not, the ratio of fat hairy guys in skimpy schoolgirl outfits to hot asian babes in skimpy school girl outfits is astoundingly low...

yeppers, LOTS of attractive women there, if you're at all interested in going for the 'sights.'

Even if not, it's actually an enjoyable endeavour. give it a shot, i did, I like it now!

also: None of the Anime con horror compares to the Furry Con horror. Same deal, same ratios, but those fursuits make everything smell 10x worse! (and they tend to hug a lot more.)

[Shredder87]

I'm going to pre-register pretty soon. I heart the hotel (Westin Bonaventure) I stayed at last year.

I was at that joint too!!! It was awesome. I dunno if you saw a bunch of idiots dancing around the window, but that was us. Such a sweet place to stay.

Speaking of registering......

[Daesania]

yeppers, LOTS of attractive women there, if you're at all interested in going for the 'sights.'


Well, considering i *am* a woman, I'm not interested in those sights :P (see previous going with boyfriend comments)

[CaptainInsano]

I'd rather you not enter the convention at all. Stay in the car, listen to your favorite musics and whatnot. Do NOT enter that place. This is only for your protection.

You will get sweaty fat guys dressed up as cartoon characters body-slam-hugging you. Possible chance of rain- of lesbian anime kisses. Yuck!

[Daesania]

I'd rather you not enter the convention at all. Stay in the car, listen to your favorite musics and whatnot. Do NOT enter that place. This is only for your protection.

You will get sweaty fat guys dressed up as cartoon characters body-slam-hugging you. Possible chance of rain- of lesbian anime kisses. Yuck!

Stay in the car for 3 days?? :eek:
Its a Friday-Sunday convention.

Either way, being there with my boyfriend will hopefully deter any perverts looking to hug me.