why do you goto cons?

SarahtheBoring · Post by **SarahtheBoring** » Wed Jul 27, 2005 10:58 pm

I'll skip the joke part, because I feel like being all Jerry's Thought of the Day right now.

Ultimately it's about feeling justified for having a hobby that is stupidly expensive, childish, weird, and not understood by the vast majority of people around you. It gets tiring to brush off this form of entertainment that you sincerely enjoy as "that stuff, you know, the stuff I like, it's weird, never mind." It gets tiring to try to duck the subject of why you're taking that long weekend off again this year. Or to wonder what the postal carrier thinks of all those tacky catalogs and mail-order packages. Or to get excited about seeing something that's actually out in a theater (even if it is a dub) only to realize that nobody wants to go with you.

For that few days, people actually have one shred of a clue what you're talking about when you go off on tangents about this, that and the other thing. And that makes the other 362 days in the year a little less depressing.

I go to watch AMVs on big giant screens. To crowd-watch. To buy things that I could probably buy online anyway, especially in huge chunks of, like, a whole box set or ten volumes of manga because HEY, it's a special occasion. To sift through those tables of random junk and wonder why the world needs so many pencil cases and be surprised that somebody out there still remembers some series/game that I thought only I remembered. To marvel at the enthusiasm of the painfully newbie costumers who probably slaved over their duct-tape swords for months but who are REALLY PSYCHED to finally get to do it. To explain the finer points of scary fandom to people, hoping to make some sort of cracked sense out of it. Maybe to check out a screening if I can be bothered to sit still for more than half an hour at a stretch.

But mostly to feel like I'm not the only idiot on the planet who likes this junk. It's very childish and Bee Girl and predictable. But that's how it is. I don't think there's any great brotherhood of otaku. The fandom is very wide and the people in it are very different, all over the spectrum. But there's that one thing in common, and that's pretty cool.

That's why.

BasharOfTheAges · Post by **BasharOfTheAges** » Thu Jul 28, 2005 1:53 am

Well to gain power and influence over the vast swarm of pliable... er um...

Well it seems to be more and more every year. First i did nothing, then i began to make AMVs, then i began to cosplay... it's an ever-muating experience. Meeting people i had only spoken to online beforehand is always a positive experience (It's essentially networking, but with the added benifit of a common hobby or two). The more time goes on the more it really becomes more about meeting people and showing off (whether it be cosplay, AMVs, or wit). Expanding my circle of friends to put it mildly...

Digitalex · Post by **Digitalex** » Thu Jul 28, 2005 4:08 pm

SarahtheBoring wrote:
Ultimately it's about feeling justified for having a hobby that is stupidly expensive, childish, weird, and not understood by the vast majority of people around you...Or to get excited about seeing something that's actually out in a theater (even if it is a dub) only to realize that nobody wants to go with you.

...

I go to watch AMVs on big giant screens. To crowd-watch. To buy things that I could probably buy online anyway, especially in huge chunks of, like, a whole box set or ten volumes of manga because HEY, it's a special occasion.

But mostly to feel like I'm not the only idiot on the planet who likes this junk. It's very childish...and predictable. But that's how it is...The fandom is very wide and the people in it are very different, all over the spectrum. But there's that one thing in common, and that's pretty cool.

That's why.

A big second to those statements, especially seeing AMVs on the big screen with a large crowd. I've been into anime longer than the age of some of these members although I only started attending cons the last few years. I definitely treat it as a time to justify binging on anime merchandise that I normally wouldn't buy. It's also nice to meet some of the forum members in person...to put a face to the name. It's about checking out panels of my favorite anime and learning about upcoming anime.

In general it's a great escape to a unique world where eccentricity is condoned and encouraged.

Quincy-kun · Post by **Quincy-kun** » Fri Jul 29, 2005 2:08 pm

That is very true. The number one reason I go is because I know that everyone else is an otaku too, so no one will make fun of you because you like anime. Anime cons are where I belong.

Dannywilson · Post by **Dannywilson** » Sat Jul 30, 2005 1:12 pm

SarahtheBoring wrote:Alot of abrasive-but-cool-nonetheless shit.

Sarah. You managed to control your anger while I wasn't looking for a year or 2.

Good job.

tuniki · Post by **tuniki** » Sat Jul 30, 2005 9:10 pm

One reason I go is for the lines. I find the lines very comforting. And all the people trying to call people that are only about 20 yards away from them but not getting through. I like the people that yell and scream some radom phrase that some character only said in one episode in a series of 265 episodes. And to then hear someone come back a few feet away to say the response to that qoute perfectly in the perfect voice and to then see them both do the rest of the entire episode in a matter of 3 minutes.

Now you've all got me all teary-eyed. I miss it.

I'm off to look at the horrible quality pictures I took on a disposable camerea.

SarahtheBoring · Post by **SarahtheBoring** » Sat Jul 30, 2005 11:20 pm

Nooooot always, unfortunately, but I am trying. Thanks.

anime_gal05 · Post by **anime_gal05** » Mon Aug 01, 2005 12:01 pm

The top one reson I go to conveentions is that theres not that many people who like anime around me.

So thats really the only place I can find people with the same intrests as me.

lilgumba · Post by **lilgumba** » Thu Aug 04, 2005 8:52 pm

I like going to cons to see some of the people that worked on the shows that I have watched. Due to this you could call me a bit of an autograph junkie. If I enjoyed someone's work I want the autograph too and to see who they are so I can attempt to remember them. It is a bit easier to remember the voice actors especially the dubs cause well...they are cooky. My second priority would be the amv contest. Besides anime club when I was at college it is the only time I get to see the amvs on the big screen. It's awesome to see. Third are the pics I get from my friend of all the cosplayers. It's cool to see their work. The only problem is that right now I only go to one con so I can't experience new things from others but hopefully I'll be able to venture out and see how others go.

dandahammer · Post by **dandahammer** » Sun Aug 07, 2005 8:16 pm

For me, it's like a vacation and an excuse to go crazy-go-nuts on
purchases, as stated before.

But mostly its for the cosplay!

AnimeMusicVideos.org

why do you goto cons?

Conventions