8 Tips for surviving your first Anime convention

Whether it's marvelling at Alucard the vampire politely ordering a sandwich, sewing a Magic Knight Rayearth outfit in two days or making friends in the longest queues known to man, your first anime convention holds unspeakable joys...

1. If you plan on cosplaying, be prepared.

Keep in mind your level of experience - trying to create a full Magic Knight Rayearth outfit when you've only used a sewing machine once or twice in Home Economics class is asking for trouble. If you really want to try something complicated, though, go for it! Just be careful to allow yourself enough time first make a mock-up in cheap fabric, like muslin, and then to make the final outfit.

Also, try walking around in your full costume several days before the con, so if something's uncomfortable, you have time to fix it. And if you plan on wearing heels, bring a pair of comfy shoes with you as well. While you might cringe at the thought of wearing trainers with your fabulous elfin gown, after twelve hours in stilettos, you might think differently.

There's also the option of buying a ready-made costume. While that saves a lot of energy and, sometimes, looks nicer, self-made tends to get a lot more respect.

If you pull together an impressive or simply adorable costume, be prepared to get photo requests. Most cosplayers I've talked to are flattered when people ask for their photo, and nearly all of them enjoy posing with people. But if you don't feel comfortable with being photographed, don't be afraid to say 'no'. And if you feel threatened at all, ask a staff member for help - that's what they're there for.

2. When it comes to weather, assume the worst.

I live outside of Baltimore, where Otakon is held for one weekend every year. And, inevitably, the humidity level is over fifty percent for those four days - even if, like this year, the weather was perfect the week before. So make certain to bring your favourite de-frizzing spray, as well as hairspray should it be windy, sunscreen (and lots of it) and an umbrella. Depending on your plans, you might not have to carry all these things around with you, but at least keep them wherever you're staying. The golden rule here is 'better safe than sorry'.

3. Make sure you have rooming arrangements sorted out.

The difficulty of obtaining hotel rooms is directly proportionate to the size of the convention. Supposedly, the hotels in San Diego are booked full just a few weeks after the official Comic-Con dates are announced. However, snagging a hotel room doesn't guarantee a good night's sleep (which, after a day of nonstop fan girl excitement, you will need). It's very possible that a room near yours could be full of con-goers who want to party all night. And if you want to hold a rave, staying in a hotel would be a bit inconsiderate (unless, of course, it is to be a silent rave). If you live within driving distance, staying at your own house and driving to and from the convention each day is an option. If you live too far away to drive, and don't have any family or friends willing to host you in the area, Global Freeloaders might be able to help you out.

4. Go with a friend(s).

If it's your first time at a convention, definitely take a friend with you. If your friend has some experience with cons, even better. Friends are very useful things: They help you with your make-up, they take photos of you posing with members of Organization 13 and they can loan you money. If you're lucky, they'll even agree to cosplay with you. (Though if you're planning for your first con, maybe you'll be the one putting on a hot-pink wig for the first time.) And there is some truth to 'safety in numbers'. Stick with a buddy, especially if you're going out of the main convention centre, or into an area where there aren't many staff members.

5. Budget your money

Anime conventions are the easiest way to go for broke in seventy-two hours. The dealer's room, where vendors can sell their wares, is overwhelming for a first-time con-goer - there's simply so much stuff. From kimonos to chain mail, paper fans to plushies and rare yaoi to Pokemon DVDs, it's all there. There's also the artist alley, where people sell their art - usually visual art such as prints and sketches, but also clothes, jewelry and plushies, most of which are handmade. One of the best things about the artist alley is that many of the artists are willing to take commissions.

6. Budget your time

While your ticket into the convention gives you access to most, if not all, of the events, be prepared to wait in line. There are lines for nearly everything. Getting a ticket in the morning of the convention can take over four hours, so it's a good idea to pre-register for the convention. Then you'll either get your ticket in the mail or be allowed to pick it up the evening before the first day of the con. Concerts and autograph signing sessions at anime conventions also require immense patience and if you want to get into the dealer's room before it gets crowded, you'll probably have to wait in line for at least an hour or two. Of course, all this is relative to the size of the convention. Nevertheless, keep a deck of cards in your bag. An impromptu Go Fish tournament is a great way to make friends and if you're going to be waiting with the people in front of you for another hour, you might as well be friends.

7. Eat real food. Drink real drink.

While there will be vendors selling pretzels, sodas and the like at most conventions, living off of cheap burgers and pocky for two or three solid days is a Bad Idea. Eating only a quick breakfast and huge buffet-type dinner each day is also a Bad Idea. Try to eat a substantial breakfast or if, like me, you aren't very hungry in the morning, at least some fruit or yoghurt. Pack snacks like whole-grain crackers, rice cakes, dried fruit or granola bars. The ideal snack isn't messy and can give you a solid energy boost. Also, try to avoid things containing nuts or peanut butter; accidentally giving the person next to you an allergic reaction is no fun for anyone.

Since most conventions take place in cities, all sorts of restaurants will be within walking distance. When my friends and I go to conventions, we usually walk to a sandwich-place for lunch. That can be an event in itself; at the bigger conventions, con-goers will be everywhere in the city, and there's nothing quite like watching Alucard, allegedly the most powerful vampire in existence, politely order a garden salad. Taking a lunch break also gives us an opportunity to regroup and plan our afternoon attack. Making lunch the main meal of the day seems to work because there tends to be a lull in activities during the afternoon; sometimes we have time to grab another sandwich in the evening, but more often our supper will be a snack potluck (another bonus to having friends - more food choices!) eaten picnic style while waiting in line or walking to a masquerade.

Some conventions will have water stations set up, but don't count on it. Bring water, and lots of it, especially if you're going to be wearing pleather boots, a wig and a trench coat in the middle of the summer. I've yet to hear of an anime convention that didn't have air conditioning, but it can get pretty warm when so many people are in the same area. Putting your drinks in the freezer the night before will help keep them cool and they'll also act as ice packs if you want to bring fruit or cheese or something as a snack.

8. Don't be afraid to talk to other people at the anime convention.

I've found that the vast majority of people at anime conventions are more than willing to help out a noob. Staff members are your best bet, but if you can't find one, try the nice-looking group across the hall. Confirming times and directions with other people before an event can save you a lot of difficulty. You can also learn a lot by talking to people. One thing I've noticed is that most of the people with really nice outfits enjoy explaining how they put their costume together. My friends and I tend to avoid the gaming rooms, but I wouldn't be surprised if people didn't trade tricks like mad there, either. Just remember to use common sense and be polite. Manners and basic social skills, combined with the tips above, should guarantee your survival at your first anime convention - and you'll probably even enjoy it, too!

List of anime conventions 2009

Yes, we have included UK and Australia...

Once you've found an anime convention you like, just google it for further information.

Comic-Con International: San Diego July 23-26, 2009		San Diego Convention Center San Diego, CA
Ai-Kon July 24-26, 2009		Winnipeg Convention Centre Winnipeg, Manitoba
AVCon July 24-26, 2009		Adelaide Convention Centre Adelaide, SA Australia
MechaCon July 24-26, 2009		Hilton Lafayette Lafayette, LA
PersaCon July 24-26, 2009		Holiday Inn Hotel and Suites Decatur, AL
Animeland SuperCon Sideshow July 24-27, 2009		University of Colorado Tivoli Center Denver, CO
Doujin Overload July 25, 2009		Hyatt Regency Auckland Auckland City, New Zealand
AnimagiC July 31 - August 2, 2009		Beethovenhalle Bonn, Germany
Anime Festival Orlando July 31 - August 2, 2009		Wyndham Orlando Resort Orlando, FL
AnimeLand TuCon July 31 - August 2, 2009		The Hotel Arizona at the Tucson Convention Center Tucson, AZ
ConnectiCon July 31 - August 2, 2009		Connecticut Convention Center Hartford, CT
Otakuthon July 31 - August 2, 2009		Palais des congrès de Montréal Montreal, Quebec
Southwest Animation Convention and Expo July 31 - August 2, 2009		Albuquerque Grand Airport Hotel Albuquerque, NM
Animethon August 7-9, 2009		MacEwan College Edmonton, Alberta
Ikasucon August 7-9, 2009		Grand Wayne Convention Center Fort Wayne, IN
Sogen Con August 7-9, 2009		Sheraton Sioux Falls & Convention Center Sioux Falls, SD
Kin-Yoobi Con August 8, 2009		Chabot College Hayward, CA
SMASH! Sydney Manga and Anime Show August 8, 2009		Roundhouse at University of New South Wales Sydney, NSW Australia
Northern Michigan Anime Convention August 8-9, 2009		Northwestern Michigan College Traverse City, MI
AnimeIowa August 14-16, 2009		Coralville Marriott Hotel & Conference Center Coralville, IA
Aya Revolution August 14-16, 2009		Warwick Arts Centre Coventry, UK
San Japan August 14-16, 2009		San Antonio Municipal Auditorium San Antonio, TX
Auto Assembly August 15-16, 2009		Holiday Inn Birmingham City Centre Birmingham, UK
BlizzCon August 21-22, 2009		Anaheim Convention Center Anaheim, CA
Manifest August 21-23, 2009		Melbourne Showgrounds Melbourne, VIC Australia
Kita-Kon August 27-28, 2009		Victoria Inn Thunder Bay, Ontario
Fan Expo Canada August 28-30, 2009		Metro Toronto Convention Centre Toronto, Ontario
MatsuriCon August 28-30, 2009		Holiday Inn Columbus-Worthington Worthington, OH
Mizu Con August 28-30, 2009		Hyatt Regency Miami Miami, FL
Sac-Anime August 28-30, 2009		Radisson Hotel Sacramento Sacramento, CA
C3×Hobby August 29-30, 2009		Makuhari Messe International Exhibition Hall Chiba City, Japan
Yaoifest August 30, 2009		Delta Bow Valley Calgary, Alberta
Alcon September 4-6, 2009		De Montfort University Leicester, UK
Chibi-Pa September 4-6, 2009		Crowne Plaza-West Palm Beach West Palm Beach, FL
Penny Arcade Expo September 4-6, 2009		Washington State Convention & Trade Center Seattle, WA
AnimeFest September 4-7, 2009		Hyatt Regency Dallas Dallas, TX
Dragon*Con September 4-7, 2009		Atlanta Marriott Marquis, Hyatt Regency Atlanta, Atlanta Hilton Atlanta, GA
Anime Vegas September 5-7, 2009		Cashman Center Las Vegas, NV
Kumoricon September 5-7, 2009		Hilton Portland & Executive Tower Portland, OR
Nan Desu Kan September 11-13, 2009		Marriott Denver Tech Center Denver, CO
Abunai September 18-20, 2009		Nieuwe Buitensociëteit Zwolle, Netherlands
Anime Weekend Atlanta September 18-20, 2009		Renaissance Waverly Hotel & Cobb Galleria Centre Atlanta, GA
Connichi September 18-20, 2009		Kongress Palais Kassel Kassel, Germany
MikomiCon September 19-20, 2009		California State University Northridge Northridge, CA
Animeland Otaku Mex September 25-27, 2009		Sandia Courtyard Hotel & Convention Center Albuquerque, NM
Erie Anime Experience September 25-27, 2009		Edinboro Inn Resort & Conference Center Edinboro, PA
New York Anime Festival September 25-27, 2009		Jacob K. Javits Center New York, NY
Tigercon September 26, 2009		University Union, Towson University Towson, MD
Animation Supercon October 2-4, 2009		Doubletree Miami Mart/Airport Hotel and Exhibition Center Miami, FL
Anime Detroit October 2-4, 2009		Hilton Detroit/Troy Troy, MI
Kuzuri Con October 2-4, 2009		McCamly Plaza Hotel / Kellogg Arena Battle Creek, MI
Realms Con October 2-4, 2009		Holiday Inn Corpus Christi-Emerald Beach Corpus Christi, TX
Ani-Magic October 9-11, 2009		The Palmdale Hotel California Palmdale, CA
EXP Convention October 9-11, 2009		Renaissance Resort at World Golf Village St. Augustine, FL
Tsubasacon October 9-11, 2009		Riverfront Ballroom & Conference Center Huntington, WV
Anime St. George October 10, 2009		Best Western Abbey Inn St. George, UT
Anime Banzai October 16-18, 2009		Sheraton City Centre Hotel Salt Lake City, UT
J-CultureCon October 17, 2009		Assembly Rooms Derby, UK
FuyuCon October 23-25, 2009		Park Inn Northampton Hotel Northampton, UK
Geek.Kon October 23-25, 2009		Sheraton Madison Hotel Madison, WI
Geek.Kon October 24-25, 2009		MCM Expo (Movie Comic Media) London, UK
Bakuretsu Con October 29 - November 1, 2009		Hampton Inn Colchester, VT
Youmacon October 29 - November 1, 2009		Hyatt Regency Dearborn Dearborn, MI
Oni-Con October 30 - November 1, 2009		Houston Marriott Westchase Houston, TX
Saboten-Con October 30 - November 1, 2009		Hilton Phoenix East/Mesa Mesa, AZ
SugoiCon October 30 - November 1, 2009		Drawbridge Inn Ft. Mitchell, KY
Yaoi-Con October 30 - November 1, 2009		Marriott San Mateo / San Francisco Airport San Mateo, CA
Aki Con November 6-8, 2009		Holiday Inn Downtown-Everett Everett, WA
Anime NebrasKon November 6-8, 2009		Holiday Inn Omaha Convention Center Omaha, NE
J-Popcon November 6-8, 2009		Valby Kulturhus Valby, Denmark
Nekocon November 6-8, 2009		Hampton Roads Convention Center Hampton, VA
Pacific Media Expo November 6-8, 2009		Hilton Los Angeles Airport Los Angeles, CA
Zenkaikon November 7-8, 2009		Radisson Valley Forge Hotel King of Prussia, PA
Eirtakon November 13-15, 2009		Dublin City University Dublin, Ireland
Izumicon November 13-15, 2009		The Reed Center Midwest City, OK
New England Fan Experience November 13-15, 2009		Courtyard by Marriott Boston Downtown/Tremont Boston, MA
Anime Crossroads November 20-22, 2009		Indianapolis Marriott East Indianapolis, IN
Anime USA November 20-22, 2009		Hyatt Regency Crystal City Arlington, VA
Another Anime Convention November 20-22, 2009		Radisson Hotel Nashua Nashua, NH
Arkansas Anime Festival November 20-22, 2009		The Cosmopolitan Hotel Fayetteville, AR
Bishie Con November 20-22, 2009		Holiday Inn St. Louis-Southwest Viking St. Louis, MO
Daisho Con November 20-22, 2009		Ramada Stevens Point Hotel Stevens Point, WI
Zona Con November 20-22, 2009		Holiday Inn Orlando International Drive Resort Orlando, FL
YuleCon November 20-23, 2009		Radisson Hotel Fort Worth North-Fossil Creek Fort Worth, TX
Anime South December 18-20, 2009		Hilton Sandestin Beach Golf Resort & Spa Destin, FL
Ikkicon January 1-3, 2010		Hilton Austin Austin, TX
Anime Los Angeles January 8-10, 2010		Los Angeles Airport Marriott Los Angeles, CA
Ichibancon January 8-10, 2010		Great Wolf Lodge Concord, NC
Arisia January 15-18, 2010		Hyatt Regency Cambridge Cambridge, MA
Setsucon January 16-17, 2010		Days Inn State College State College, PA
Ohayocon January 29-31, 2010		Hyatt Regency Columbus Columbus, OH
Genericon February 5-7, 2010		Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute Troy, NY
EvilleCon February 6-7, 2010		Executive Inn Evansville Evansville, IN
G-Anime February 6-7, 2010		Palais des congrès de Gatineau Gatineau, Quebec
Katsucon February 12-14, 2010		Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center National Harbor, MD
Naka-Kon February 19-21, 2010		Hyatt Regency Crown Center Kansas City, MO
Queen City Kamikaze February 27, 2010		Manchester Memorial High School Manchester, NH
A & G Ohio March 12-14, 2010		Holiday Inn Eastgate Cincinnati, OH
Anime Milwaukee March 12-14, 2010		UW Milwaukee Milwaukee, WI
Kawa Kon March 12-14, 2010		Crowne Plaza Hotel Clayton, MO
MegaCon March 12-14, 2010		Orange County Convention Center Orlando, FL
KamiKazeCon March 19-21, 2010		JW Marriott Hotel Houston Houston, TX
MomoCon March 20-21, 2010		Georgia Tech Student Center Atlanta, GA
PAX East March 26-28, 2010		Hynes Convention Center Boston, MA
Anime Boston April 2-4, 2010		Hynes Convention Center Boston, MA
Anime Matsuri April 2-4, 2010		The Woodlands Waterway Marriott Hotel & Convention Center The Woodlands, TX
Sakura-Con April 2-4, 2010		Washington State Convention & Trade Center Seattle, WA
Castle Point Anime Convention April 11, 2010		Stevens Institute of Technology Hoboken, NJ
Kawaii Kon April 16-18, 2010		Hawaii Convention Center Honolulu, HI
Anime Detour April 23-25, 2010		Sheraton Bloomington Hotel Minneapolis, MN
Animinitime April 25, 2010		The Westin Nova Scotian Halifax, NS
Middle Tennessee Anime Convention April 30 - May 2, 2010		Sheraton Music City Nashville, TN
No Brand Con April 30 - May 2, 2010		Ramada Inn Convention Center Eau Claire, WI
Costume-Con May 7-10, 2010		Hilton Milwaukee City Center Milwaukee, WI
Anime Central May 14-16, 2010		Hyatt Regency O'Hare / Donald E. Stephens Convention Center Rosemont, IL
JAMPcon May 21-23, 2010		Chattanooga Convention Center Chattanooga, TN
Anime Oasis May 27-30, 2010		Grove Hotel / Quest Arena Boise, ID
Animazement May 28-30, 2010		Raleigh Convention Center Raleigh, NC
Colossalcon June 3-6, 2010		Kalahari Resort and Convention Center Sandusky, OH
A-Kon June 4-6, 2010		Sheraton Dallas Hotel Dallas, TX
Florida Supercon June 4-6, 2010		Doubletree Miami Mart/Airport Hotel and Exhibition Center Miami, FL
Anime Mid-Atlantic June 18-20, 2010		Hampton Roads Convention Center Hampton, VA
PortConMaine June 24-27, 2010		Wyndham Portland Airport Hotel South Portland, ME
Anime Expo July 1-4, 2010		Los Angeles Convention Center Los Angeles, CA
Animinitime July 17, 2010		Delta Beauséjour Moncton, New Brunswick
Gen Con Indy August 12-15, 2010		Indiana Convention Center Indianapolis, IN
Anime Weekend Atlanta September 17-19, 2010		Renaissance Waverly Hotel & Cobb Galleria Centre Atlanta, GA
New York Comic Con October 8-10, 2010		Jacob K. Javits Center New York, NY
Zona Con November 19-21, 2010		Holiday Inn Orlando International Drive Resort Orlando, FL
Floatacon December 3-6, 2010		Departing from Port of Miami Miami, FL
Arisia January 14-17, 2011		Hyatt Regency Cambridge Cambridge, MA
Animaritime July 1-3, 2011		Delta Beauséjour Moncton, New Brunswick

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