As we enter the next decade, conventions are no doubt going to be evolving much as they have been since the early days of gatherings. Anime conventions are places to connect with likeminded people who happen to enjoy the same things, be it anime, manga, video games, and a wide variety of cultural touchstones.
Since anime conventions are a big part of nerd culture, it stands to reason that new con-goers are looking for new tips and tricks to surviving their con experience. This list has ten tips to help you figure out your con experience.
10 Cosplay Safety
There is going to be a lot going on and you are going to want to dress to the nines cosplaying your favorite anime characters. Whether that cosplay requires a something simple like a tee-shirt and slacks or something as elegant as giant angel wings, you need to make sure that your cosplay is fun but still safe.
Some of the biggest issues are with cosplay weapons and the size of the cosplay. If you are attending any con, your weapons need to be con appropriate, which you can double-check the rules on con websites. If you are going with a larger cosplay, make sure you have someone to help you maneuver around the con, which can get pretty tight.
9 Consent
This is one of those tips that shouldn’t have to be said, but it is historically a big problem. Anyone who is cosplaying or just having fun would likely love to have their picture taken, but it is not up to you as the photo taker. It is entirely their decision whether a photo or video gets taken.
For a lot of cosplayers, this is their art, so taking pictures without their consent is a big no-no. It saves a lot of problems to go up to someone and ask if you can get a picture with them or if you can take a picture of them. Everyone is trying to have a good time, and respecting each other can make that happen. This applies to the famous people you are meeting who might be on the floor as well.
8 Know the Weather
Imagine it is the day of the con and you have dressed up in a fantastic monster cosplay that is made of foam and cardboard. The con is a few blocks away but it is easily walkable. As you head out, it is absolutely pouring, which has been expected for about a week.
Knowing what the weather and conditions are going to be for the con is going to save you a lot of time and heartbreak, plus it can save your cosplay from being ruined. There are dozens of apps that can help you plan ahead for weather issues and various goings-on around the town you are visiting. Don’t forget to also check out the con’s social media for regular updates.
7 Drink Water
There are several things on this list that seem like everyday advice, but these problems arise at cons too frequently to not mention. All too often you hear stories of people fainting at cons, which is typically due to two reasons: Not getting enough sleep and dehydration.
Drinking water gives you energy and the ability to live, so it shouldn’t be taken for granted. Also, soda-pop, sports drinks, and energy drinks are not a suitable replacement for water. Just make sure you’re hydrated as you walk around the con breaking a sweat.
6 Plan A Breakable Experience
All cons have something for everyone, from panels to booths. There is one fact about conventions that should be learned up front: You will not be able to do everything. The best idea is to create some sort of plan that consists of the things you want to do but understand that you may not be able to get to all of them.
An easy way to do it is to choose one or two things a day that you will absolutely attend, whether that is a main stage show or an anime trivia podcast recording. Then plan smaller things like visits to the artist alley or photo ops around it. Also, remember that some events may get canceled.
5 Prepare for Emergencies
Con preparedness starts at home. If you are going to cosplay or go to meetups, you need to be prepared for those. That is why the idea of a con survival bag has become so prevalent.
Your con survival bag should have the essentials: Snacks, water, spare shoes and accessories, a charger/fully charged battery pack, and whatever else you may feel you will need. If you are cosplaying, you might end up at a con without helpful repairers, so having some of your own supplies to perform any necessary fixes is essential. Have a contingency for the things that can go wrong, even if everything goes right.
4 Please Be Clean
This is advice that has been shouted from the rooftops since day one but there are still people who don’t heed it. Cons are sweaty and crowded places. As it so happens, these traits tend to cause the human body to produce odors that please nobody.
Luckily, a shower can help us smell fresh and clean before heading to the con. As an added measure, you should make it a habit to carry spare deodorant or cleaning wipes in your con survival bag. You don’t want to be that person at the con who smells, and nobody else wants you to be either.
3 Stay Safe
Outside of hydration, this is the most important thing to remember for your con experience. Cons are nothing more than a gathering of people for a similar cause. However, everybody has different motives and not all of them are good. What should be number one in your mind is staying safe while at and around the con.
If you get invited to a party or a meetup, there are several steps you should follow. First, go with a trusted individual. Second, make sure people know where you will be. Most phones have a way to ping location, so keep those on. Third, if someone is trying to force you to do something or go somewhere, please make a scene. People will help.
2 Budget
You are going to spend money at any con you go to, guaranteed. Even if you walk in saying I will not spend a penny, you will probably walk out with a phone charm or poster. The best way around this "all or nothing" mentality is to budget your finances.
Normally, it is suggested to avoid spending money on the first day. However, you can spend money on whatever day you want because you know your wallet better than people on the internet. However, it helps to set a limit on the amount that will be spent on day one. When looking at an overall budget, if you do go over your limit on a specific day, it doesn’t feel as bad since you’ve got a set amount that you can move around as time goes on.
1 Enjoy
After all the budgeting and planning, there is one last thing to do at the con: Enjoy it. It is a large gathering of people, so some things might make you irritated or unenthused about your time, but when you look at the bigger picture, it seems silly to fret the small things.
The con experience is meant to bring you closer to the worlds and people you love. You can easily make friends with fellow fans and creators that are enjoying their time just like you. The con can be stressful but dwelling on it isn’t going to enhance the experience. If you are safe and having fun, you are thriving at your first anime convention.