Has anyone here been to any anime conventions? If so, which ones?

I've never been to one, but I'm thinking of attending one in the future... and I don't really know what to expect.

Nope, I've never been to an anime convention before. I want to go to one some time but there are not that many conventions around me. I don't really know what to expect either.

I have been to anime conventions in Paris... (japan Expo, Epita)
They might be different from the one in America though...
Well, first of all, so many people attend the conventions!! So you have to queue... <!--emo&-_---><img src='style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/sleep.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='sleep.gif' /><!--endemo-->
The part I like is the cosplay !!! I bet in USA, it's better..... but anyway... You just look at the people trying to figure out from which anime it is from, and then you are looking if it really looks similar or not...
the conventions in paris, they have a karaoke! Usually, you sing oldies anime openings (in french or japanese)...
you have a lots of stand of shops to buy manga, posters, and other goodies... there is also fanarts stands...
You also have time allocated to watch some anime serie (usually one episode of different series).
and, usually, it lasts 3 days or so, and one day, you have a guest (or more than one, i remember seeing Yoshitoshi ABe !) and you can ask for autographs and drawings!
and in a corner, you have a game stand... Xbox, ps, dreamcast... and a DDR contest !! ^^
although it's crowded, good atmosphere, very friendly !
but because they are all the same, i don't attend any anymore... <!--emo&-_---><img src='style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/sleep.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='sleep.gif' /><!--endemo-->

I've only been to an anime convention two times. The first time I went was in Japan, but... I was erm. 3years old? o'.'o A few years ago, I went to Otakon99. I was pretty young back then so I didn't really get to see much. I don't remember much either. :faint: I wish I could go to Otakon this year, but I don't think my parents will let me. x_x


List of anime conventions: <a href='http://www.anime-cons.com/events/info.shtml/345' target='_blank'>http://www.anime-cons.com/events/info.shtml/345</a>

In Hong Kong,
there are many conventions held regularly,
mostly held by the Student Union of the Universities.

The main activities are cosplay , doujinshi exhibition, and karaoke etc...

Went to a convention last year...

white people CAN'T cosplay >_<
best thing about conventions is the sheer amount of stores and stands <!--emo&:)--><img src='style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='smile.gif' /><!--endemo-->

Never yet maybe next summer though cos there is only one around here but I'm kinda scared of some cosplayers... they look pretty crazy-ugly...some! well I'd have to save up so I can blow money on merchandaise!

Been to BAAF and Anime Expo NY twice

takes place on the same exact day ;3

Reading everyones replies make me feel like a veteren convention attendee. I've been to... 6 since 2001 (Otakon 01, BAAF 02&03, Yasumicon 03, Megacon 04 and FITCon 04). And... it looks like I'll be attending several more this year including Otakon, which I'm really excited about since I had to miss it last year. Why must there be so many conventions in Florida?

All conventions are different. There's smaller ones like FITCon and Yasumicon and huge ones like Otakon and Anime Expo. If you end up going to one, try to hook up with some friends be them irl, or on-line. Knowing someone can make the experience that much better. And you have someone to talk to when you see a crossplay for the first time. :/

The common events at all cons are usually anime rooms, video game rooms, cosplay, AMV contests, and of course the dealers room (which is a good place to get items you might not find easily). There are generally different panels you can attend such as industry panels, where representatives from companies like ADV or Bandai discuss what's going on; to fan panels where they talk about cosplay tricks, mechas, etc.

I havn't been to any either. I have a few friends that have gone to some of the big ones, they say their really cool. I want to go to one, next time theres one around I plan to get some of my friends and go.

I've gone to Anime Expo,or AX (in Los Angeles, CA) for the past three years. It's the closest anime con. there is to me, so that's what I go to. I mostly buy stuff, since there's not really any good anime shops around my parts (at least for the stuff I buy). I've met up w/ some people as individuals and groups, and a good time was had by all.

And while I don't count this as an anime con., the Comic Con. in San Diego, CA always seems to have a bigger anime section each year. I've gone almost every year (at least one day) for the past maybe 10-9 years. Of course there's lots of other nifty stuff there, but I digress.

I've been to Anime Expo twice (both more than 5-6 years ago).

I went as a volunteer one time - which was nice. (Free board) But it was really crowded and I wasn't prepared to share with that many people. Luckily two of my other friends went - so we got the bed. Or else we'd been sleeping on the floor with no sleeping bags or anything.

I think I'll also be going to AX this year too, but I'm not sure.

In my country haveanime convention 4-5 per year and i most attention to cosplay in convention

Went to animenorth in 2002, was terrible, never went to anymore conventions after that...

I went to animecon and animenorth, they are both ok, i only went there to buy some stuff. a lot of the cosplayers are very talented i was very impressed