Life at a Typical Anime Convention by ROBERT LANTZ
(contributing writer) Anime Conventions, or 'Cons' as they will be referred to from here on out, can and tend to be a roller coaster of events. From traveling to get to one (if you don't live 15 minutes from one like some people I know) to your stay at the hotel, to the day you finally plunk your bags down on your bed and collapse with a weary sigh. Through all this is a virtual cornucopia of events from panels to pools (if the hotel has one). What's a typical Con like? This going to be a handy guide to try and show you some of the intricacies of an anime Con and what to look for while you're there. 
The best place to start is wherever the Con will be. Cons can and do take place all over the US, so finding one relatively near you isn't that tough. You won't have to cross the entire country to get to one unless, of course, that's what you're inclined to do. Anime Cons usually take place in hotels with convention facilities. Some make an exception and use a separate convention center (like Otakon has) but this is usually a hassle as it closes relatively early and makes it hard to walk around in costume in downtown Baltimore going from your hotel to the convention center itself. So we'll focus on a self-contained hotel. Arriving the night before (typically Cons start on Friday and end Sunday at some point) is useful in the fact that it allows you to settle in to your room and get a good look at the facilities before they become choked with fans. This is also a good time to get a good nights sleep before the Con starts, for you will doubtless not be getting much during it. Catching up with friends from conventions (if this isn't your first time) can also be a popular way to spend Thursday night. But beware, the aforementioned sleep will probably not happen as you planned if you indulge in this. 
FRIDAY-Fridays start off with the usual registration at the Con. I highly suggest you pre-register either on the Internet or through the mail before a Con to minimize the time spent in line, as most Cons have a sort of "express line" for pre-registered attendees. With your badge in hand, you're now ready to sample the delights the Con has to offer. But where to begin? Most Cons have at least two types of panel rooms. These rooms are for discussions with noted experts, autograph signings with guests, or just plain good conversations. Panels can range from announcements of new materials and releases from companies to things like "Japanese history and culture." Be warned, panels can be addictive due to their hands on approach. And speaking of hands on, "workshops" are commonly popular as well. These environments allow you to try things that you won't get a chance to do anywhere else. Think you can do better voice overs? Try the "voice acting workshop." Always wanted to make a costume of your favorite character? The "costuming workshop" will do you fine. Ever wondered if you'd be a good animator? Then the "cell painting workshop" may be for you. Warning, some workshops are so hands-on you end up coming home with extra stuff. 
Video rooms are the center of the convention for some people. Usually there are three or more of these showcasing new and old Anime on big screen TVs or if you're lucky, with a projection unit making it a truly theatrical experience. Everything from the cute to the bizarre can be shown as much as 24 hours a day in these rooms. If you show up for a late show, beware of where you sit. A fan with no place to stay can try and use this as a cheap hotel room to catch a nap. This is usually frowned upon by the Con staff and is discouraged by the author. Get the money and get a room or stay with friends who have some space. All of these rooms revolve around a main programing hall. This is where all the big events take place. Opening and closing ceremonies, karaoke and the big draw for Saturday, the Cos-play, can pack this 200 to 2000 people room to full capacity. Big screen premiers and guest panels will sometimes take place here as well as the screenings for the amateur music video contest. We'll cover the events in this room again later. 
Friday night usually brings 2 popular events. Karaoke and room parties. Karaoke is usually in the main programming room and is often associated with a cash bar (to help loosen up those of tighter inhibitions). This is where you'll can sing your favorite Anime theme songs alone or in groups. This is usually in front of a large audience, so stage fright should be left at home, or at least at the bar. Room parties are a bit more ambiguous in that you never know who's going to be hosting them, or where they'll be. Some of the more popular parties are thrown by the infamous "Big Fire" group and the "Punk Rock Anime" crew. If you're ever at a con where one or both of these groups is having a party, I highly recommend you go. Prizes, dancing, and great publicity stunts are done all for your pleasure. Go and enjoy. 
SATURDAY-Saturday is more of the same. Video rooms showing more Anime than you can shake a stick at. Panels going on all the time. And perhaps you didn't get to go into the dealers room yesterday. No? Then get in there and start spending. Dealer's rooms are known to stock such delightfully rare and good items from pencil boards to plush dolls. The fan with little purchasing control may soon end up with no cash and a very large Visa bill at the end of the month. 
As I said, Saturday is more of the same until Saturday night comes along. Then it's time for the highlight that everyone's been waiting for. The Costume Masquerade. The Masquerade, or Cos-play in Anime circles, is probably the biggest event of the weekend. Hundreds and sometimes thousands (at the bigger Cons) of people pack the main programming room to look at the best and brightest in the costuming circle. Elaborate costumes and sometimes even more elaborate skits entertain (or sometimes in bad cases bore) the audience for an hour or more. Most Cons consider this the biggest event of the weekend, and usually close all the other programming rooms down for the duration. I think it may be due to the staff also wanting to watch. Or the fact that all the attendees are already in one room. As soon as the Cos-play is over, main programming usually changes faster than a Transformer into a dance floor for the masses. Anime music and popular dance tunes are mixed for the crowds delight by, most of the time, a talented DJ. Long into the night the dance can be run, (I've seen them go to 3 or 4 am!) and if that doesn't suit your fancy then there is bound to be a room party or two going on at the same time for you to go to. Also, more Anime showings! Finally, you may drag your tired (but extremely happy) behind to bed. 
SUNDAY-Sunday is usually check out time for most. Little hint, if you want to beat the rush around noon, get up early and go down quickly. These check out rushes can stress both the Con go'er and the hotel staff. If you have the option to check out from your room, I highly recommend you do it. Sunday is also your last chance to buy stuff from the dealers' room, say good-bye to friends, and get out of your hotel room (unless you stay till Monday, my preference) before noon. Closing ceremonies will probably wrap things up and a few rooms may still be running, but for the most part it's wrap up time. Dead dog parties usually crop up now, but unless you know a staffer who can get you in, it's tough to find it. A good time to get a good meal (you probably didn't have one all weekend) and some much needed rest. Or start on your trip home. And when you get there, to sit down, sigh, and.... ....start planning for the next one. | 
