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Katsucon. I've attended four Katsucons in the past
years, more than any other convention organization,
so it means that I really like Katsucon, or just
happened to be in the area those four years. It's
pretty much both. The past two years, Katsu has
conveniently been located in my hometown area of
Northern Virginia. Home IS where the heart is, isn't
it? Indeed it is, Katsucon has been the organization
where lots of firsts happened for me. It was my very
first convention for me, the snot nosed little brat who
liked nothing but Ranma 1/2 and spent $200 on Ranma
posters... ahem, well anyways. I also got to watch
Katsu grow with years going by, although I did miss
Katsu 2, I did notice the attendance increase with each
passing year. The past years, such as Katsu 1 & 3, sure
they had their first year jitters, but after recentely
attending Katsucon 5 last month, I can honestly think
of Katsu as one of the elite conventions. I had a great
time, met LOTS of great people, and it set the stage
for good times to come with future conventions.
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I've only attended one Anime Expo, and quite frankly,
that is enough for me. Sure, I had a great time, spent
lots of money, met a lot of great friends, even a little
flame. I thought it was the best convention I had
attended ever. Thought. That is, until Katsucon
5 came along. Don't get me wrong on this, Anime Expo
WAS a great convention. California was absolutely gorgeous
and I got to do lots of sightseeing in that one week before
the con. But what I must criticize is the organization
itself. The atmosphere of the Anaheim Hilton was...
Business. It's quite hard to explain. Companies such
as Pioneer and ADVision were trying to outdo each other
with the introduction of new series into their folds.
Animevillage.com made their grand entrance into the
commercial anime industry. Business was booming. Sure,
that's a great thing for you, if you're there on a
strictly shopping trip. THAT wasn't MY goal at Anime
Expo. Sure, AX is the biggest con of the U.S., but still
I felt that the AX organization forgot one of the main
importance of conventions. FANS. Let's face it, the
video rooms sucked. Their choice of anime was pitiful,
and "because all the US companies are here" was no excuse.
Gaming rooms, were there even any? I don't remember.
Security was restricting just about everything past midnight.
The guest of honor in 1998 was Yuu Watase. PAYING to get to
get her autograph? Come on, the FANS paid lots of money already
to just BE there, nobody wanted to pay extra. Bottom line
being, AX has forgotten the purpose of conventions.
Fun. It is why I have opted NOT to go to Anime Expo 99, this
coming summer.
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Otakon 1999 has come and gone. What can I say? Otakon's been
moved to a new location, where it is supposedly secure for the
next few years. The Baltimore Convention Center is a wonderful
place to hold a convention, and I can say that I enjoyed the weekend
very much. But in a different sense. This year's Otakon is different
than any other con I've been to. I spent the vast majority of the con
with hanging out with friends, con and alike. John, Jordi, Dave, Amy, Carolina,
Mike, Aaron, Derek, Jeff, it was fun, guys. Thanee, Julia, it was nice to finally
meet you guys in person. I didn't participate in the cosplay, I didn't even attend.
I spent an all-time low $90 in the dealers' room. I attended zero viewing rooms, panels,
etc. Yet I spent very little time in my hotel room as well. I don't have much
complaints about the con itself, I enjoyed myself very much. To a new style of
con-going born, I will see that I enjoy the rest of the cons that I attend.
Past thoughts - 4.1.99
Ahhh, once again, Home is where the heart is. Well, it
was in 1998. Otakon, normally held in Baltimore, Maryland
made it's first appearance in Arlington, Virginia this past
summer. It was great. Anyways, let me get to Otakon's
organization. Otakon does a great job of business; they
don't invite every single commercial company at once to
go tooth and nail, and Otakon also does a great job
of recognizing the fans' needs. There's no wonder why
Otakon is considered the Second largest convention
in America. I've had great times at both Otakons I've attended,
and I look forward to the upcoming Otakon in July. I have
high expectations for it, I'm expecting it to surpass
both Katsucon 5 and Animazement 99, which I consider to
be the best cons I've atteneded. Ganbatte yo!
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Well, this one's going to be short(lucky for you). I was
only at AWA 3 for one day, and it was only a couple
hours. I was just shopping around. BUT, I was able
to see the traditional burning of the Magic card, and it
was more than enough for me to get an opinion on AWA.
What do I think? AWA is the BEST convention there is
when it comes to fan support and response. The AWA
staff is young, and have not forgotten the meaning of cons.
Although I was only there for a few hours, it WAS fun, watching
people running around, guys dressed as Sailor Senshi.
I look forward VERY MUCH to AWA 1999 in October.
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I don't know where to start. Animazement was SUCH a
memorable weekend for me, I've never had a better time
at a convention. It doesn't matter that this is only
the second annual Animazement, the con's got some serious
potential. Doubling their pre-registrations from the
previous year, Animazmement is a con that I believe
will have HUGE attendances in future years. My only criticism
I can think about it, can't even be proven. Fanime-con
was held the same weekend as Animazement. Although it's
not proven or anything, it was said that as a result of
Fanime-con, attendance, dealers and such were not at their
100% potential. I don't doubt that at all. But I
had no problems with an attendance controlled, un-overcrowded
convention. I look forward to all future Animazements. ^_^
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