How big is Fanime compared to other cons like AX, etc?

[ocean]

I'm in San Diego and am possible considering the trip to come to Fanime but I wanted to hear how big this convention actually is.  I'm already going to Comic Con and AX.  Is this even close to the size of AX?  I went to Anime Vegas last year and was actually a bit disappointed due to it's small size.

[FanFicGuru]

Here's a link that has the top 10 largest conventions in the country. Take a peek:
http://animecons.com/news/article.shtml/403

In a nutshell here how it boils down...

Anime Expo had over 40,000 people last year. It officially became the largest convention in the country at that point. Otakon hosted slightly over 22,000 people last year. Fanime hosted over 10,000 people last year. On most lists Fanime is about the 5th-6th largest convention in the country, since the jump from 3rd place (A-Kon) to 2nd place (Otakon) has a 20,000 attendee jump.

Fanime is still a very large convention that manages to maintain its intimate connection with the fans.

A good comparison would be something like AX and Otakon being the E3 for Anime, while Fanime and the other big conventions are fan-based shows. While it might not have the same sponsorship and budget as AX or Otakon, Fanime still does a great job at giving its attendees a great time over the memorial day weekend.

^_^ Don't worry, you won't be disappointed.

[Moonblossom]

Also, keep in mind bigger doesn't always equal better.

If you want to get an idea of what Fanime is like compared to AX, maybe check this thread out, it's people talking about the differences between the two = http://forums.fanime.com/viewtopic.php?t=7412

[narutofan17]

Well if you think about it. Comic con isn't just anime. Its pretty much comics in general. Like the person said above me. Bigger isn't necessary better. This is goin to be my 4th time goin and I must say that I have been satisfied every time I have gone. I say go!!!!! WOOOOO!!!!! LOL!!!!

[neko ewen]

Yeah, ComicCon is a lot of everything, to the point where the "comic" part probably only describes about half of what's going on there. Sure, Marvel and DC and whatnot have huge booths there, but so do Square-Enix and Weta (the special effects company), amongst many others. There is some cool indie comics stuff there, but then I can go to APE for that anyway.

I still prefer Fanime over every other con I've ever been to, though I know that's partly because I prefer the weather here in San Jose to every other part of the world I've ever been to. ^_^;

[K&K4ever]

Fanime vs. AX

I'll always come out on the side of fanime

it's more fan frendly :D

[Sen]

Actually, I've heard that AX counts the numbers of attendees per day. That means people who multiple days are counted multiple times. That said, it's still probably the largest con.

[K&K4ever]

:P fanime is still better :P

[Sen]

:P fanime is still better :P

I didn't say the larger con was better!  :cry:
I like Fanime a lot more. AX is just too impersonal. I feel like I'm going to some industry fair sometimes.

[K&K4ever]

tell me about it. :roll:

[pockystix]

You go to AX for the guests, you come to Fanime for the fans. People here are more friendly and there's a lot more freedom here, from what I've observed. Great things come from small packages (not that Fanime is especially small; don't get me wrong, you can get lost/separated if you're not carefull...)

If you're disturbed by any of the activities you mentioned, people will respect your privacy and not do any of it to you.

...But no one likes a joykill, right? ;D

[K&K4ever]

I'm not going to AX this year for the guests, ( :shock: ) because this is the first year that they don't have anyone on the guest list that I want to get an autograph from,  :cry:  (unless the English voice actor for Ed comes at the last minute :) )

I'm going to AX this year because there are cosplays there that I barely ever get to see at most conventions (DOA, Sakura Taisen, etc.), and it's the only one I get to take my cousins to because they live in southern CA.   :cry:

I hope that some day I get to take them to Fanime :wink: