in your opinion- which is the best con?

Saeth1 · Post by **Saeth1** » Fri Aug 15, 2003 6:36 pm

trying to figure out which to go to next but would like some input, thanks!

Org Profile · Post by **Otohiko** » Fri Aug 15, 2003 6:38 pm

Well, that all depends on when/where and how much you're willing to spend on the trip...

Farmboybob · Post by **Farmboybob** » Fri Aug 15, 2003 7:06 pm

My favorite con is Animazement cause it is the only one I go to. Although when I get a car I'll star going to Nekocon and Otacon and another one thats in Virginia.

SarahtheBoring · Post by **SarahtheBoring** » Fri Aug 15, 2003 7:26 pm

Otohiko wrote:Well, that all depends on when/where and how much you're willing to spend on the trip...

Ditto. Also, as I understand, various cons have a little bit different focus - like AWA is huge on AMVs. And stuff.

Generally what I hear is that local cons are good for meeting people in your area who are into anime, having a kind of warm 'n fuzzy camaraderie feeling, and winning prizes

because the pool is smaller. Huge cons are more if you want major exposure for your stuff or want to meet people from all over. I think they tend to have a wider variety of events, too.

Ashyukun · Post by **Ashyukun** » Fri Aug 15, 2003 9:26 pm

The best con is one that you go to. That sounds cheesy and corny, but I have yet to go to a con where I haven't had a wonderful time- and that's including the several that I was staff at and working most of the weekend. Small cons are fun because things tend to be a bit more seat-of-the-pants and they don't feel bound by 'tradition' or to conform to anything that people might expect. Tekkoshocon was like that- they did lots of strange and new stuff and it was a hell of a lot of fun. The big cons (like Otakon last weekend) are just surreal at times with so many people- there were almost as many people at Otakon in costume at any given time as were at Tekkoshocon in total. And there's nothing like seeing an AMV contest in a room with some 6,000 people.

Org Profile · Post by **Otohiko** » Fri Aug 15, 2003 9:30 pm

Come to CNAE. It's on in a week and you might even see what I actually look like - which isn't much of an attraction, but still...

That's been the best one for me - just because, as Ashyukun said, the one that you go to is good. The one that you want to be good is good. There's always stuff to do, and in the end - it's always what you make of it.

So, just find some in your local area and enjoy.

Wonka · Post by **Wonka** » Fri Aug 15, 2003 10:00 pm

AWA is the one I've had the most fun at, but that is because AMV's are the sole reason I attend cons, and with AWA, that is it's primary focus.

Kusoyaro · Post by **Kusoyaro** » Sat Aug 16, 2003 12:45 pm

AWAWAWAWAWAWAWAWAWAWAWAWA...

*ahem*

dwchang · Post by **dwchang** » Sat Aug 16, 2003 1:27 pm

Kusoyaro wrote:AWAWAWAWAWAWAWAWAWAWAWAWA...

*ahem*

Currently Otakon (CBB was fjucking awesome and it was mini-AWA in creators) or ACen (since it's my home con)...

Given, I haven't been to AWA yet...

iserlohn · Post by **iserlohn** » Sat Aug 16, 2003 3:03 pm

Otakon is definately where you want to go for a BIG con wiht lots of BIG parties, a BIG amv contest and, well, just BIG stuff in general, this is the place to do it. Otakon's also got top notch programming across the board, so if you want to hit up industry panels, there's plenty, cosplay stuff, plenty, sit on your ass and watch anime, plenty, see a bunch of cool live action stuff from Asia, plenty. Next year's con dates are already set (30 Jul - 1 Aug), so get booking now. Oh, and make sure you've got a mobile with lots of minutes.

However, if your goal in going to a con is hanging out with people and attending a wide selection of room parties, you want to attend Katsucon, which is Feb 13-15 2004 in Crystal City, VA. This is the second largest con on the east coast, and it usually draws some top name guests and has a good (although not as expansive as Otakon's) panel track with three or four video rooms, one of them going 24 hours. Katsucon is also THE party con - everyone and their uncle throws a party here and as long as you don't set fire to the room or do anything too bad, you're welcomed universally.

Of course, 5,000 people may still be too much for you, so then you go to small local cons like Anime Mid-Atlantic, AnimeUSA, etc. These cons are nice because they're small and intimate and you feel more at-home because you see the same faces over and over all weekend.

Like Ashyukun said above, a good con is one you attend. Even if the programming tracks are weak, that's when you find (or make) friends and create your own entertainment - such as getting people drunk and then videotaping their silly antics.