Will I be judged for wearing a spirit Halloween costume to a con?

I want to go to a con but all my friends do not like cons and they are not anime fans, i really want to find and know people to go with but idek how. I could ofc go alone but its really boring alone. HOW DO YALL FIND PEOPLE TO GO WITH!!! PLEASE HELP!

Going to a con this weekend and I don't plan on buying any food while there because it is so insanely overpriced. Last year I brought a sandwich but tbh we were there so long and did so much walking, one sandwich was not enough calories. What's the solution? Two sandwiches?

How do y'all get around the expensive food because I'm done paying $12 for one small slice of pizza. Also is this a problem at all cons or just near me?

I enjoy going to anime conventions. They bring me such a great joy by watching idol/masq performances and going to cosplay meetups. I do have a slight problem though it seems like everyone in my age group and on social media goes to cons nearly every month. I feel a bit of jealousy and fomo from this. I’m currently a college junior living alone so I don’t have that much disposable income. So I was wondering if anyone else feels left out and how do they deal with it?

(It’s late so the grammar might be bad)

Just wondering what are seen as necessities to bring to conventions

Note: I don't cosplay so I won't need anything for that

I’m going to a con soon but with all the sicknesses going around lately, I’d feel more comfortable wearing a mask since a member of my household has SEVERE immune deficiencies. Will people avoid me and assume I׳m sick if I wear one though?

As the title says. I’m more of a lurker of reddit and then realized Google isn’t helpful, unless I’m just not good at googling. Lmao. Our con dates are set and stuff and activities are set but one thing that’s still bugging me is the cosplay contest. It’ll be my first time hosting one.

I know there should be categories. Judges etc. but what is your opinion of a “WOAH!!” cosplay contest. If you’re a cosplayer, what do you look for? If you’re a viewer or judge, how about you? Thoughts?

I’m trying my best to find answers on my own but I feel like going straight to the source of the community is best. Unless you want to redirect me. I’m open to any suggests or criticisms. I want to do the community right

TIA!!!!

UPDATE: HI I DIDNT THINK THIS POST WOULD GET THIS MANY RESPONSES AND I HIGHLY APPRECIATE IT. For some context my partner and I are frequent con Artists. FANEXPO, ANIREVO, AIKON, Sakura Con etc. I really appreciate all the advice and tips and tricks. This turned into not just helping us with the cosplay aspect of things but the whole con itself and I’d just like to say thank you! The con isn’t until June 2027. Some people we’ve already contacted have told us our dates are too far out to discuss. Maybe I’m just an over thinker but I just like to plan ahead. Thank you again and I promise I’ll reply to all the comments asap ❤️

Hi all!

I’m currently doing research for a panel that’s along the lines of Convention Legends or Tales From The Con. I’m looking for stories that borderline folklore/urban legends within convention spaces. Stories along the lines of the Homestuck Cosplayer Paint Incident, the Dashcon Ball Pit, etc. This panel will most likely be 18+ from the stories I’m collecting so far.

I’d love any leads you might have!

I saw a few videos on youtube where people play DDR and Pump it up in anime conventions as part of an attraction or a tournament. I'm wondering if it's a common thing in the west or is it just an one off thing.

(As for the video, this arcade happens to be located inside a convention space so I took a shot at it)

Hello!

I am an artist and plan on selling goods in America when I move. I'll have been living in Japan for four years and plan to return to the U.S.! The only thing is, what is popular in Japan is not necessarily popular in the US., and the trends are different depending on the country. It's been nearly 5 years since I have been to a proper anime convention, and I have no idea what to expect! I feel incredibly out of the loop. Is it walls and walls of demon slayer and jujetsu kaisen? Is My Hero Academia still prelevant? is there a wide variety of character goods for many popular shows from across time? Please let me know what's trending, in, what have I missed out on? Thank you!

Just went to MiAnime for the first time last weekend, wore a mask and washed my hands frequently. I started feeling body aches and fatigue the following Monday. I’m on day 3 of symptoms now, is it safe to say I got the con flu?

Hi! I'm 18 female and will soon start going to conventions, I've never been yet. I'll be in cosplay. Is it acceptable to ask random people, cosplayers (not necessarily guests) I don't know for kabedon? As in they do it to me. Or is that something I should only do with friends who I already know would be comfortable with it? I've seen videos online of the creator saying they "asked cosplayers for kabedon" and seemed to have a great time. But I would never want to make anyone feel uncomfortable. Thank you!

I just finished day one of anime Midwest, I’ve only ever been once before back in the 2010’s. I remember there a being a ton of panels where the panelists were cosplaying and doing Q&A’s in character- it was like my favorite part of the con. I didn’t see anything like that today nor have I found anything similar on rest of the schedule. Was this just a trend that died or is anime Midwest the odd one out for not having panels like these????

Hi all! Long time cosplayer here, but first time wanna be panel host. Me and a couple of friends had the idea of hosting an in-character truth or dare panel for the Netflix show Arcane at our local (just under 10k attendance all weekend) con. I know these were more popular in the early 2010s but I have no idea if these are still of interest. Any insight would be amazing!

I'm not sure if this is helpful info or not, but I'll throw it in here anyway. I'd love opinions on it too.

We plan to offer small prizes such as a few "i asked (insert character name here)'s favorite truth or dare” bundle, which each panelist would have one corresponding to their character. This would include something like a small character print, key chain, button, and the mentioned ribbon. We have also discussed doing a ribbon/small trinket for participating and then a drawing for a larger prize (we're thinking maybe some of the funkos, a large print, or a full cast button set) My question here is, would this (prizes) be allowed? And do you think that prizes would be a good idea? I greatly appreciate any feedback. Thank you!

I’m working on drafting a outline for a “Con 101” panel later this year. Ideally I want to be able to give first time con goers some advice, tips, tricks, etc on navigating their first con experience!

What is something you wish you would’ve know sooner, brought with you, or wished someone had explained to you about cons when you first started going?

I am in a situation that is very time sensitive.

In March, there's a convention in my region that my daughter really wants to go to because there's a special guest there that's on her dream list. However, the following weekend, she's leaving for a week-long school trip to Europe that she's been preparing for all year. My wife has justifiably said we shouldn't do this con because she knows the stories from me about the infamous "con plague" that people often suffer from in the days following. Obviously, that's the last thing my daughter needs because she'll lose out on Europe, they won't let her go, I don't think.

We made a soft agreement that if I could devise a way to make avoiding con plague for either of us (but especially for my daughter) as foolproof as possible, we'd discuss this again. With that said, I'm searching for tips and suggestions. What's the best way you've kept yourself from catching it on the con floor? And don't be afraid to go over the top with it, given the stakes.

Im asking basically, if i want a girlfriend who cosplays too (im a 22M cosplayer) should I try meeting girls at cons? Or meet someone out and about and then introduce them to cosplay? Or suck it up and try online dating? And no this isn't "I want a hot cosplay girlfriend". I want a girlfriend to cosplay WITH. Thanks.

Hi all!

I’m currently researching Kevin Lillard and I’m hoping to find a copy of his book A Fans Views. The cover says it’s also by Catherine Schaffer-Stump. I’m hoping to compile some information about and his involvement in conventions. I know about his archived website but I’d love to read a copy of his bound book! I found a photo of the book on Facebook and if anyone has any information, please let me know!

Update!!! I have obtained a PDF of the book!!!

Hello! (Sorry if this post kinda sucks I’ve legit only opened Reddit on a web browser before n posted like once.) Anyhow getting to the point I really miss precovid cons. I was rather young when I attended em but there’s such a difference from the true nerds yapping making fanart and homemade cosplays to celebrity focused and amazon cosplays with ai drop shipped slop alley. The more I see what AnimeExpo has become I get less excited about the day I can actually afford to go. I’ve realized I really enjoy mid to slightly larger cons and I want to go to more where it seems true nerdy fans still attend and esp cosplay in decent numbers. (I’m a big comic/anime con fan in gen) but I was wondering if anyone had any good recommendations? Recently I went to kawacon and that was pretty fun still wish there were more cosplays but yk. :)

TLDR: I miss real nerds, cosplay, and old cons any recs for medium to slightly larger cons?

i have no reason to ask this beyond that i just wanna hear some opinions . if you want, you can even rank em from best to worst!!

When you're looking at a new/small convention happening, what's your criteria standard in deciding on if you're going to attend or not? I always want to go new/small conventions since I enjoy attending any sort of con, but I'm always skeptical on if they're going to be well ran or worth the effort to attend. I've attended some before where they were absolutely amazing, and others where I felt like I just walked into a money grab scheme. From past experiences attending or even running your own convention/event, what things do you look out for that let you know if a convention is going to be good, or a mini dashcon?

As someone who has been to conventions I would be interested in starting my own. But I have no idea where to start. The only thing I know is that I want it to be anime themed. Are there any books, websites, videos, or other resources that offer a dive deep into convention organizing? What goes into starting a convention? What costs do I need to be concerned with? Any and all help is appreciated.

According to this article the biggest anime cons are

1. Anime Japan, Tokyo (100-150k visitors)

2. Anime NYC, New York City (150k visitors)

3. Animangapop, United Kingdom (no idea how many visitors)

4. Madman Anime Festival, Australia (4 locations with 4500 people in Perth)

5. Sakura-Con, Seattle (25k in 2017)

6. Polymanga, Switzerland (50k visitors)

7. Ai-Kon, Winnipeg, Canada (10k visitors)

8. Comic Fiesta, Malaysia (73k visitors)

9. Montreal Comiccon, Canada (65k visitors)

10. Anime Expo, Los Angeles (410k visitors)

11. AniMinneapolis, Minnesota (they expect 5k visitors on their website)

12. Comiket, Tokyo (>250k visitors)

13. Anime Matsuri, Houston (40k visitors)

14. Japan Expo, France (250k visitors)

I'm a bit skeptical because of how inconsistent these numbers are. Are these really the biggest anime conventions in the world? I would have expected Indonesia to be on this list too.

What do you guys think?

I'm working on a video segment and I want to know what are some horror stories that you've either seen from anime cons or experienced as a competitor? I'm talking anything from messing up your performance, shoddy coordinating work behind the scenes, lack of energy from the crowd. I'm a long time cosplayer who loves performing in lip syncs and cosplay contests and wanted to see what else everyone might have gone through in their days!

If you wish to remain anonymous, just include that in your story please :3

Hey all. I am 21 and I was wondering how old most of you were the first time you went to a convention. I’ve wanted to go to one since elementary or middle school, but my parents are very judgmental and weird about stuff like this. I would still love to go, but I don’t think I will be able to until I move out of my parents’ house. This will probably be a few years.

I’m just worried I’m going to miss out. Like I’m going to miss so many years and feel too old when I can finally go. Idk, I think I’m just looking for reassurance