Messages

Special Reg line will be open all weekend during our hours. (:
Thursday, as always, is unbadged as it is Day 0.

"All weekend during our hours"

Does that mean Thursday or no? Since Thursday isn't the weekend...but some consider it to be...what does that mean!?!?
I'm also interested in knowing this!

[ANIME]

So, Fanime has an "Asia Only" rule when it comes to Masquerade.

Thank god. Its comforting knowing there's still a shred of folks in the world dedicated to giving us an anime con.

Fanime, at this point in time, goes far, far beyond "just anime" (and Japanese video games)
We have Marvel/Avengers, TF2, Portal, My Little Pony, Homestuck, Disney princesses, I've seen lots of G.I. Joe cosplayers, South Park, Halo, the list goes on!

People can "cosplay" (if that name even counts for western rubbish) whatever they like. But its up to the convention to tell them otherwise when it comes to their event. Heck, its fANIMEcon for crying out loud. A bunch of folks costumed as figures of western media showing up to an anime convention is already awkward, and then asking them to make it all equal for everyone? What tenacity.
There are some people in this world (most true otaku) who don't want their weekend fully poisoned by the likes of which you speak. We already have Sac Anime and it's diluted western-filled experience.

And you know, I feel some comics and video games could be accepted...but disney?! homestuck!? etc...shoo shoo with all that rubbish. Go to disneyland, sac anime, or E3 lol.

If the new chairman ever sees this for some odd reason, I'd like him to remember that most long-time fanime goers like the con the way it is- its the closest to having a lot of hardcore otaku, and fanime usually reflects that by providing good Japanese guests (usually) and the maids, dealer's items, etc...there's just more of a real Japanese Anime fan experience than other events I've attended. Hoping the big staff change doesn't change much...its very easy for a convention to become overrun with garbage and turn into an "everything"-con. >__<

Do they do original goodstuff or english songs?

FanimeCon veteran of 6 years. Here's some honest answers:

1) I'm planning to go on Friday and do At-Con Registration.
Normally I'd tell you to go on Day Zero/Thursday if possible, but it will be badge-less this year. There's the whole big Thursday Night Swap Meet thing where you get to pick over the deals a whole day before those on Friday, but now that it's badge-less, I don't see the need for Pre-Reg. The Pre-Reg Lines are a nightmare, so you're probably saving yourself some time choosing to go on Friday. However, Friday is usually the day EVERYONE else comes to get Registered so...if you go really early you'll get a good spot in line, and once reg begins you'll go through pretty fast, but you'll have to wait...until it begins. Remember, there are tons of people thinking like you, "I need to be there early so I'll go early in the morning and camp for a few hours", but if you go later you may have to wait many hours. Its hard to say what's more equivalent- getting a good spot early and waiting a few hours for reg to open, or, going later and waiting hours for the lines to move. >.< Sometimes I've heard Friday moves faster than Thursday, but I guess the best advice I could suggest is go early, AND BRING A FOLD CHAIR. >.< Trust me, you'll want it. Oh- there's also the fact that Reg is being done COMPLETELY different this year in a brand new location so....I guess go early, so that way you aren't missing any good events that take place on Friday.

2) Is there a line for panels? Is it first come first serve type of thing?
Usually lines form for panels about 30 minutes before the panel, but they're never too long and at least fit in the same hallway. Now, if its a very big special guest, you'll find lines forming hours before certain events, with loads of people building up about an hour before the panel. ^^;; But...I don't think you'll have to worry about that much this year. With all the construction things will be more spaced out, and...the guest list is...meh IMHO. And yes, its usually first come, first serve. If a panel room is full, a staff member will wait until a few folks come out and then will let more people in.

3) Do you recommend bringing a lunch bag or going outside to eat lunch?
Definitely don't eat inside the convention center. "sometimes" there are places in some hallways open for short periods of time or "back areas" of the convention center that you might be able to whip out a quick snack, but I really recommend eating elsewhere, outside or in some other place. Best to eat at your hotel room or at nearby restaurants...or outside I guess.

4) Will I need to bring alot of water? ×_×; is it best to carry a backpack or smaller bag?
I'd definitely recommend bringing a water bottle. If you don't mind filling it up at drinking fountains or sinks then you shouldn't need to carry more than one. But you will DO A LOT OF WALKING so you'll definitely want to stay hydrated. The convention center exhibit halls alone make up for 2 super-wallmarts if they were connected. lol. Now, imagine walking around that a million times (everything is spaced out, dealer's hall is far from the panel rooms, and then there's outside which is a totally different direction) with 40k sweaty fans? XD Definitely stay hydrated.
Now, about your bag question- I've straight up rolled up in there with multiple roller-luggage-bags, a messenger bag, and a camping backpack because I SHOP ALOT. If you have any equipment like cameras, laptops, games, etc...you'll want to at least have some kind of bag. Also, there is talk of the Vendors not being allowed to give plastic bags out this year- so if you buy anything, you can only transport what you can hold in your arms unless you have something to put stuff into.

5) Where do you think is the best place to park? (I'm fine with paying a fee if it's less distance walking from the con)
At your hotel, or in the parking garage connected to the Marriot. Anything on the road on the left side of the Marriot is super ghetto at night and cars get broken into in those lots back there. I was almost mugged over there in 2010.

6) Do you think 1 day at fanime is enough to explore all around?
If all you want to do is explore. The best days are mostly Fri, Sat, and Sun, and there's lots of events, stuff to look at, buy, and more. The programming is really impressive.


Other advice:

Eat decent food, never try to skimp out on food to buy something, you'll end up weak and lethargic and wish you hadn't. And like I said earlier, its a big place and easy to get exhausted, so stay hydrated.
Definitely make a schedule of things you want to check out, we never know the full schedule until the con itself, but there's 100's of things to do and see so its really handy to make a list.
If you're a hardcore buyer like me, make a list of things you'll hunt for in the Dealer's Hall and check prices before you go so you know you're not getting ripped off when you're there.
Check Stage Zero- there's always something going on there everyday. Sometimes contests, guests sometime make an appearance, and the Fanimaids always have dazzling performances!
Read up on the panels too, you might find things like "Kazu's Industry How-To Guide", where in the description they mention they're giving out free anime figures. O-o Its awesome stuff like that which can score you some free swag.
And check out the swap meet on friday, still some good cheap stuff there.
Also, if you go to the fanime dance, PLEASE stay hydrated, people have been known to pass out in there. lol.

Just explore, stay as long as you can, there's always something to do at FanimeCon. Oh, and don't let this year's construction bother you, its quite the magical place, and will be back to normal next year.

This sort of sounds like the whole "Cosplay Does Not Equal Consent" movement that's going on right now. It may be really popular.

Just wondering if anyone knows much about taking cabs in San Jose. I did it once in 2009 but I had no idea how my friend contacted them.
Here in Sacramento there is a number you call and they come to you. I know in New York they are actively driving around- I never really payed much attention to them in San Jose because it wasn't a need.

I'll be getting off at the Amtrak Station not too far from the Sheraton/Fairmont area in which I am staying, and will need to Taxi to the convention center from the Amtrak Station because of my disability I cannot walk the 2 miles between locations.

How do you go about getting a Taxi in San Jose? I know it may sound like a stupid question to veterans or locals of the city. Thanks.

Ok, so if I bring my own garbage bags to put my loot in while I walk around, will I get in trouble?

Amtrak from Sacramento to San Jose~

I've known people to come from Asia, but only when Fanime has good guests.
Like during the previous Momoi-years.

Eating is very important, it helps you keep your strength up during the convention. Eating things that benefit your body instead of junk is also important.
My first FanimeCon I lived completely off of Nutrigrain Bars, Water, and Potato Chips. I remember "splurging" to buy one of the convention center's expensive hotdogs and then felt bad about it because that 10$ could have been a figure lol.

Seriously, I paid for it. Lethargic, weak, and tired the whole time and I regretted living like that for 4 days in the end.

I personally start saving for FanimeCon in January every year. I take a portion of my monthly income and set it aside in a secret box and try to forget its not there. Usually I end up with somewhere around 1-2 grand. That allows for some decent shopping and able to eat food wherever I feel like without losing too much money so I can still come home with a nice loot haul. This year I'll be looking into taking some trips to the post office in SJ to ship most of what I buy since its usually way too much to fit in a vehicle or take home on a train.

I know not everyone can do this, but I highly suggest having 2 separate funds for food and loot, or save up a crapload so it doesn't matter in the end.

Really hoping the swap meet is better this year. Seems like each year there's more and more stores sneaking in and other folks who sell cheap things for ridiculous prices.

A great example would be the group I sometimes call, "THE INSERT LADIES" or "The Swap Meet Ladies". I'm sure you've seen them, there's hardly any con I've seen that I haven't seen them at.
Their group usually consists of roughly 3 large chinese women (all usually large and wearing glasses, look like classic Fujoshi) who buy Japanese anime magazines, tear out the inserts, promo goods, etc... and then SELL them for INSANE prices, convincing buyers that their goods are actually worth 5x what they should be.
If you didn't know, popular magazines like NewType, NyanType, Megumi, Comptiq, and more- usually can come with free posters, character folders, small promo figures, mini-artbooks, and...more posters.
I've been highly aware of their actions since 2009's swap meet, and since then have not been to a convention that I haven't seen at least one of them. And I've been watching them too- at Sac Anime they once NEARLY MONOPOLIZED the ENTIRE swap meet, as they secretly reserved like 8 spots. I made Sac Anime aware and they now have a 1-2 spots per ID rule, THANK GOD. At HyperCon I once saw one of them rent a vendor's table, lol, easy to fool staff to think they're a store since...all their stuff is new, ripped from magazines.
Sorry, but I just think ripping out a promo item from a 10$-20$ magazine and selling the item for 60$ and more is a crime against the honor, fundamentals, and general balance to the fun of things like swap meets.

I'd like to warn anyone who may see them and think about buying from them, that you are getting totally ripped off if you buy anything from them. For the price of ANYTHING they sell, you could buy 1-5 magazines and get as much as they have in their entire swap meet store!
So seriously, watch out!

I'm actually looking forward to MangaGamer being there. :D
Already played most of their games, but there's a few left I haven't played.