Going To My First Anime Expo

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As a long-time cosplayer... yes, having someone stop and ask to take a picture of your cosplay feels fantastic, especially if it's one you put a lot of effort into! Also, one tip for future con-goers (that YoungYong probably doesn't need): Always grab goodies at your local Asian grocery store before going to con, because the pockey and mochi and such at con WILL be overpriced, so make sure you're not paying extra for something you can get at a local business instead!

I'd literally fight for a clodsire plushie, you guys have no idea how i'm obssessed with it

When you go in without a costume, you're just cosplaying as a background character!

It's been 10 years since my first con, I recall how hecka candy store like that place was. Cosplay was the freaking best thing about it, recently I went to a local anime convention and about lost it all over again. Such a magical time, the dealers den omg are always money black holes 😂😂😂 but never buy real anime merch at cons cause they're basically reselling stuff. And support the artists selling their wares and the money they dumped into the process of having it made. Cause it ain't cheap!

Glad you had fun despite the mishaps. I remember my first con. I went as Katara from the Last Airbender TV Show. It was weird being accepted as a nerd for the first time by my peers. I grew up in an area where being a nerd was a thing to be ashamed of. So I had to be a closet nerd growing up. Then I went to my first con and was like "Woah, so this is what it feels like to be accepted without question by people!" And I had to make sure to tell people "TV Katara! Not movie Katara! That movie doesn't exist!" Which always got a laugh.

Ima give you a tip, go to the artist alley over the commercial area. Way better quality items and suports artists. And it’s like 99.9% chance it’s their own stuff (or they are selling another’s with permission))

I learned my lesson of what not to buy. 1. Mystery boxes. The boxes specially. Boxes with the anime pics on them usually have garbage cheap merch inside. I keep shooting my luck with them and picking different series, but all were bummers. Go for the baggies at figurine stands. Usually they got some good stuff. 2. Japanese rubber charms. Too overpriced and from really old anime. Rubber charms are not going to last long and will get dirty, usually not double sided. 3. Shirts with clearly jpeg images, probably pirated if it's not sold by the actual artist or brand company. 4. Prints are 50-50. If cool design from amazing artist for a decent price and you have wall space to hang it up, go for it. But most prints are not worth it and will eat up your money savings just to be stored in your room. Got prints and no place to put them, some i realized later was cheaply made and later looked tacky. 5. Cosplay outfits. Usually the full body outfit is very cheaply made for >$100 price tag. The smaller accessories r usually the best to get and u can get a costume later. 6. Anime plushies are ugly and with weird felt flaps as bangs. You can win cuter plushies that arent anime characters at Round 1. (...will edit more later. But comment below if im missing something)

Going to your first anime con is like magic.

I'm not really THAT into anime but after seeing and hearing about all the cool stuff it has to offer something tells me I should or shouldn't idk.

The tofu returns! Sounds like a great name for a sequel movie.

I have a usual strategy when I go to Anime Expo. (I go all 4 days though so might not work with those working with less time.) Day one: Just fun! I spend the first day just casually walking around and having fun with family and friends. If we got to Exhibit Hall I scout out the booths that catch my interest and take a picture of the aisle number so I can remember to come back to where I saw a cool item I want to buy. Day 2: Me day! Exploring EVERY aisle in the Exhibit Hall! Pretty much I just scout out every booth and anything they have that I’m interest in I come back later to buy on that same day. Once I’ve explored every aisle, then I start going back and buying the ones I want the most of everything I saw to best save my money vs buying on impulse. Day 3: Same thing but for Artist Alley! I explore all of it! Keeping my eye out for anything that I absolutely want to buy. Unfortunately this the area where I have the HARDEST time controlling my impulse buying! If you struggle with finding a specific video game, anime or cartoon merchandise you will 100% find them at Artist Alley and temptation is too hard to resist! Despite this obstacle it’s definitely my preferred area to buy merch from! Day 4: Do whatever! Or come just to show off a cool cosplay! It’s rare when there’s a panel I want to see on Day 4. Or possibly last minute buying! Between these things I do try my best to go to panels, though majority of the time I don’t get to go in cause they reach max capacity ridiculously fast when I wait in lines. But it’s just a great atmosphere to hang out in and I love cosplaying for it! :D

Young really just played a spike serve into that mans face 😢😢

I blow the most money on Artist alley, especially if you want something one of a kind and unique, AND it supports independent artist. But for anime expos I usually buy anime because finding some of them here in the US is rather tough without trusting the quality online, it can cost a little bit more, but at least it will be new or I can inspect the used quality

5:18 certainly one of the shots of all time

Generally speaking, merch that's sold in the main hall and not a big company are second hand but not necessarily used either. Unless the booth has the actual name of a company and said company is on their merch, then its licensed

You DIDN’T go to the Artist Alley? Where were u getting the rayquaza from?! I like to collect pins so any unique pins or posters r always a must for me. Also I recommend u bring a poster box to keep ur posters/ paper goods protected. Bring water and snacks.

This is the best day ! You post , a new episode of inanimate insanity, and webzforevz posted too!❤✨️

LETS GO! I went to my first anime con a few months ago!

As a con veteran, don't buy mystery bags, most of the time they are scams.