Messages

Daww kinda disappointing that yuyoyuppe was not able to come now musicfest will be a little less lively. Oh well the other Vocaloid producer/DJ rave would be PinocchioP he's AWESOME!

Yeah, me too. :( But at least they had the foresight to book two music guests this year—which allowed MusicFest to go one even though one cancelled.

Speaking of, kudos to nano for an AWESOME performance! She and her band really stepped it up and had the place rocking, and we got a full set (1 hr 45 min)

I like Food Trucks but don't think that there's an urgent need for them at Fanime. The San Jose Convention Center is steps away from a ton of cheap, moderately divey, tasty mid-range options. This is different than, say, Anaheim, where everything close to their Convention Center is either fast food or stuffy hotel resto/steakhouse, with two exceptions (a Mexican and Persian restaurant) which aren't even that close. 

That said, this year Silicon Valley Comic Con held a festival in Cesar Chavez Park that was open to the public and had a great selection of Food Trucks. Maybe Fanime could see if it makes sense to do something similar.

I had this lengthy post typed out then decided I hated most of it before posting.  So here are some pricing numbers from a similar sized con (even at the same location) with little other context:

Duration:3 days
Weekend badge cost: $99
One day admission: $50
Autographs cost extra for all attendees.

Silicon Valley Comic Con is not really a similar-sized con; it has pulled in 60-65k people each year, making it approx. twice as big as Fanime:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Silicon_Valley_Comic_Con

[NO, OH NO, IN THE NAME OF TEZUKA NO!]

The only issue with a "shoppers pass" is it would essentially allow you to get to the second floor of the convention center.  That means we would need to go back to badge checks at the individual halls, and... NO, OH NO, IN THE NAME OF TEZUKA NO!

Yeah, a con badge is essentially paying to shop if dealer's / artist's is your main push.  But it's also paying to host the convention outright.  For those who live in the Bay Area, and especially in San Jose, you know the already outrageous cost of everything is getting more outrageous by the day.  But Fanime? Only around sixty bucks.

Two of my sisters came out for about half of Sunday this year, their first large scale con.  They had an awesome time.  Seeing that they can get a weekend badge for the same price they paid for Sunday, and enjoying the con as much as they did in that short time, has them already planning to attend all weekend and book housing next year.

I look at it this way.  Let's say $60.  That's a lot of money to a lot of people certainly, hell, it's a lot of money to me.  But in the grand scheme of things what is sixty dollars?  Price of a video game?  Nosebleed seats at a sporting event or concert?  A middle of the road meal in San Jose for two?  What many of us spend over the course of FanimeCon buying coffee and breakfast in the morning?  Heck, parking at our preferred lot (making up for last year when they left it at $7 all weekend) was $10 a day this year x 5 = $50.  Truth be told, the badge cost is the "small money" over the course of the weekend, or any given day really.  $60 really only looks like a lot for the con when you compare the value of early registration vs. day-of single day registration.

Fancy, smooth registration systems that allow you to enjoy the convention rather than wait in line for it?  Facilities staff taking care of fast access security so staff and volunteers can be better used elsewhere?  Those cost money, way more than manually sorting out badges or using volunteers for badge checks.  However the cost of a badge hasn't gone up.

Since I got over myself about being unfairly irritated about the otaku fandom years ago and began attending Fanime in 2012, I've said Fanime is the best value attraction for your money in the South Bay Area.  That includes the area's seasonal institutions as well as other conventions that I dearly love, such as the California Extreme Arcade and Pinball Show (which this year will be my 10th in attendance).

The cost of a badge has gone up, although not really by that much. But I definitely think a weekend pass, even at $85, is a great deal, especially given Fanime is a 4 day convention. (Well, more like  3.5, but most of the time the last day is a .5 at most conventions.)

I still think the single days are overpriced though. The only one that may be worth it is Saturday and that's only if you go for the concert. (Since concert prices are close to $60 anyway.) But for the other days, it seems steep. At most big conventions, even all-genre comic cons, a single day pass isn't $60. I think $35-45 would be more reasonable. The only other convention I know of where a day pass is $60 is...San Diego Comic Con. Nothing is in the same league as SDCC.

A shoppers-only pass in theory would be a good idea, but I don't think it would work for Fanime. I agree that with the placement of the dealers hall relative to other events/rooms, it would mess up the badge checkpoints which is one reason why the con was so good this year.

Sac-Anime has a shopping pass which is only available Sunday (the last day of the con) and costs $20. Full Sunday admission costs $30. But at Sac, the dealer's hall is on the lower level and away from  all the other programming. It's much easier to keep it separate. Maybe a better solution for Fanime would just be to lower the Monday price and promote it as a good day for people who primarily want to go shopping.

I understand price being a good reason not to go, but if you don't have the money then you honestly should not attend. Going to the con, complaining about not being able to be in events and other things, and then say "Well I don't have the money" seems like your saying that you want to be able to do everything at the con for free. If you really want to go to the con and have low money then buy the ticket early, it isn't too cheap but it is still cheaper.

My point is that wanting to attend the con and not wanting to spend the money =/= thinking all the events should be free.  It just means thinking that the cost is too high for the events you do want to to attend.

You bring up a lot of good points. I agree there's a difference between not having the money vs not wanting to spend the money.

I think people are just responding to the Original Poster, who cited not being able to go as many events for free as a reason why he's not going to Fanime anymore.

1. If the OP is only ghosting and not paying for a badge, then to be honest I'm glad that he didn't attend this year and probably won't in the future.

2. I bought a badge right when they went on sale for $55...which was the same as last year. The at-convention price was higher ($85, vs. $75 I think?) but I don't think it's that big of a jump. The first year I went (2010), the at-con price was $60. That's an increase of $25 in 7 years...I can live with that.

I do however agree that single day badges are too expensive. Buying two days alone is significantly more expensive than a weekend pass..but some people can't go all weekend, and $60 for a single day pass could turn people off who are on the fence. I think it would be a better to make 2 days the exact same price as a weekend badge, or maybe even a little cheaper. That way it makes going only one day a lot more accessible, and people who go two or more days probably wouldn't mind paying a couple extra bucks to get a weekend pass just so they have the option of going the rest of the days.

[Pros]

Pros:

I agree with pretty much all the Pros mentioned by Kuudere. I picked up my pre-reg badge first thing Friday, and it was smooth as butter. I will say though that I can see how it could get confusing during busy times with about six computers per one printer and one person to collect the badges from the printer. Maybe it would help if they would prompt each table to form a line to pick up the badges after you print them?

I'll second the recommendation to bring Adobe back next year and I'd even go so far as to suggest making it a permanent partnership. This is exactly what Fanime needed to take it to the next level, in my opinion: a partnership with a relevant professional company, in this case a tech company that makes software useful for people who like anime (and bonus points for being local!)

I loved the setup of the convention center, with a badge check required before going up to the second floor. I don't think ghosting is good for the con, so I'm all for cutting it out. The signage was also very clear and sharp looking. It didn't look like badges were checked when going into the area where the viewing rooms were (or the viewing rooms themselves)...were those officially free?

As always, MusicFest was top notch. I was a little hesitant when a US band was announced as the opener even though they are on a Japanese label, but Phoenix Ash turned out to be very good, and I would gladly see them again. After all it is better to have two bands than one. And of course X4 was amazing.

The panels I saw were great. Glad to see the Awesomely Bad J-Music Videos panel back, and on a whim I went to the Anime to See Before You Die (18+) panel which was also very very good. I liked his presentation. Also at the guest panels, Moderators did a good job blocking ridiculous questions/requests.

I am VERY glad that Clockwork Alchemy is being spun off to a separate location & weekend next year. I feel like attaching it to Fanime has done both conventions a disservice.

Overall, Fanime felt more professional than ever before. Previous years in my view it has always been kind of a mess even though some years it was a better organized mess than others. But the convention really put on its big boy pants this year. Social Media presence and tone was vastly improved. As mentioned before the Adobe partnership was brilliant, and it was nice to see a big presence from Crunchyroll and Viz, Bluefin Tamashii in the Dealers Hall, and official panels for Sailor Moon and Mobile Suit Gundam Thunderbolt: December Sky. (I wish MSGT:DS wasn't at the same time as MusicFest and would have loved there to be an additional screening...but at least it was nice to have options!)

Cons:

The Artists Alley was great, but agreed that the first three rows were a fire hazard.

I got up early on Sunday to see Ultraman X in the Asian Film Room, and it turned out not to be the film, but episodes 1-5 of the TV show. :-\ I still like the TV show, but if something is in the Film Room I expect it to be a film unless otherwise specified. On the description, all they would have had to do is write "Ultraman X: Episodes 1-5" or "Ultraman X: TV Show," etc. (Similarly, I expect everything in the Marathon room to be TV episodes unless noted. The Nostalgia room could go either way.)

This next one isn't Fanime's fault at all, but I was disappointed at the lack of Gloomy Bears in the dealer's hall. Every year I've been able to get at least a couple interesting ones. This year, as every year, I scoured the entire hall...but only found a grand total of two, both of which were fairly generic/bland designs.

But none of my complaints are too major. This was my favorite Fanime to date, and I really hope that this year is an indicator of how Fanime is moving forward.

In 2014 and 2015 there were no lines at Fanime.

In 2016 I heard reports of a 3 hour line, and was coming back from the airport anyway so I just stopped by Clockwork to pick up my badge.
However, they asked me if I was going for Clockwork or Fanime. Like an fool, I told them Fanime...so they gave me a Clockwork-branded badge but said I'd have to go to Fanime to pick up the program and schedule. Pure idiocy, since the point of going to Clockwork was so I wouldn't have to wait in the Fanime line to get my stuff...not to get a Clockwork badge and have to wait in the Fanime line anyway.

So due to the preposterousness of it all, I ended up taking a program and schedule anyway and they didn't stop me...but be prepared if you pick it up at CA.

Thats not true ...I've gotten everything from the clockwork reg table (2013-2014-2015-2016)...badge, schedule and program....could care less if my badge did say Fanime (besides the clockwork art is better IMO)

Yes, it is true. Maybe they told one of us the wrong thing, but I can say with 100% certainty that at CA they told me to pick up my schedule and program from Fanime.

I liked the Fanime design better last year (the clockwork one was like...a dress and mirror and only one color) but I will say that is personal preference.

Again not true...I can post a picture from last year when I got my badge showing everything.

Again, it IS true. I do not know why you are trying to tell me that what happened to me, didn't happen... and that's that they asked me if I was attending for Famine or CA, and then told me to go to Fanime to pick up my stuff. That is a true statement. I'm not denying that they may have told you otherwise, and I even specifically said "maybe they told one of us the wrong thing."

I didnt say that...I said CA does have everything.  Now if they got hit with with a large registration # I could see how they'd tell people this but since CA and Fanime are a joint con it would be very unprofessional and unorganized for them to not have the proper items for registration.

Fair enough. I think we just misunderstood each other then. I did not say CA didn't have everything; I said they told me I needed to pick it up at Fanime. (I ended up grabbing a bag from CA anyway.)

If they start to run out, they need to call someone from Fanime and have them bring over more schedules.

In 2014 and 2015 there were no lines at Fanime.

In 2016 I heard reports of a 3 hour line, and was coming back from the airport anyway so I just stopped by Clockwork to pick up my badge.
However, they asked me if I was going for Clockwork or Fanime. Like an fool, I told them Fanime...so they gave me a Clockwork-branded badge but said I'd have to go to Fanime to pick up the program and schedule. Pure idiocy, since the point of going to Clockwork was so I wouldn't have to wait in the Fanime line to get my stuff...not to get a Clockwork badge and have to wait in the Fanime line anyway.

So due to the preposterousness of it all, I ended up taking a program and schedule anyway and they didn't stop me...but be prepared if you pick it up at CA.

Thats not true ...I've gotten everything from the clockwork reg table (2013-2014-2015-2016)...badge, schedule and program....could care less if my badge did say Fanime (besides the clockwork art is better IMO)

Yes, it is true. Maybe they told one of us the wrong thing, but I can say with 100% certainty that at CA they told me to pick up my schedule and program from Fanime.

I liked the Fanime design better last year (the clockwork one was like...a dress and mirror and only one color) but I will say that is personal preference.

Again not true...I can post a picture from last year when I got my badge showing everything.

Again, it IS true. I do not know why you are trying to tell me that what happened to me, didn't happen... and that's that they asked me if I was attending for Famine or CA, and then told me to go to Fanime to pick up my stuff. That is a true statement. I'm not denying that they may have told you otherwise, and I even specifically said "maybe they told one of us the wrong thing."

They may just have run out of Fanime stuff at Clockwork. Regardless, once you have a badge you shouldn't have to wait in line at Fanime for that stuff, just nab a bag from the table.

That is what I did (nabbed a bag from the table.) The schedules and program books are the same so there is no way they could "run out of Fanime stuff."

In 2014 and 2015 there were no lines at Fanime.

In 2016 I heard reports of a 3 hour line, and was coming back from the airport anyway so I just stopped by Clockwork to pick up my badge.
However, they asked me if I was going for Clockwork or Fanime. Like an fool, I told them Fanime...so they gave me a Clockwork-branded badge but said I'd have to go to Fanime to pick up the program and schedule. Pure idiocy, since the point of going to Clockwork was so I wouldn't have to wait in the Fanime line to get my stuff...not to get a Clockwork badge and have to wait in the Fanime line anyway.

So due to the preposterousness of it all, I ended up taking a program and schedule anyway and they didn't stop me...but be prepared if you pick it up at CA.

Thats not true ...I've gotten everything from the clockwork reg table (2013-2014-2015-2016)...badge, schedule and program....could care less if my badge did say Fanime (besides the clockwork art is better IMO)

Yes, it is true. Maybe they told one of us the wrong thing, but I can say with 100% certainty that at CA they told me to pick up my schedule and program from Fanime.

I liked the Fanime design better last year (the clockwork one was like...a dress and mirror and only one color) but I will say that is personal preference.

In 2014 and 2015 there were no lines at Fanime.

In 2016 I heard reports of a 3 hour line, and was coming back from the airport anyway so I just stopped by Clockwork to pick up my badge.
However, they asked me if I was going for Clockwork or Fanime. Like an fool, I told them Fanime...so they gave me a Clockwork-branded badge but said I'd have to go to Fanime to pick up the program and schedule. Pure idiocy, since the point of going to Clockwork was so I wouldn't have to wait in the Fanime line to get my stuff...not to get a Clockwork badge and have to wait in the Fanime line anyway.

So due to the preposterousness of it all, I ended up taking a program and schedule anyway and they didn't stop me...but be prepared if you pick it up at CA.

Denki Groove
Cornelius
Sotte Bosse

My 2 cents--just like I'm not really interested in seeing dub actors, I'm not really interested in seeing local bands, although I totally get that there are people who may want it. I always make an effort to go see all the Japanese bands you guys get to play every year even when they're not a genre I'm particularly into because I know the amount of work it takes to get somebody from overseas, and I appreciate the rare opportunity to get to see bands I wouldn't otherwise without going to Japan.  :D It's one of the big highlights of Fanime for me, so I'd be pretty disappointed if you went for local cover bands instead. If it's a numbers thing, I'd much rather see one or two artists from Japan instead of a bunch of local bands. And I agree with all of Ecchi ja Nai's comments/alternatives!

I agree 100%! The Japanese bands are the only reason why I make it a point to return to Fanime year after year. After 2013 Line Con I had sworn off Fanime but then reversed my decision for one reason only, which was the announcement of Home Made Kazoku (well, two reasons--them, and fixing reg.)

I'd be fine with an western J-influenced band AS AN OPENER as long as they were top notch. Lemon Drop Kick is a great example! But we don't need the bands that make the rounds at all local conventions (i.e. Akai Sky)

Alternately, I wouldn't mind seeing some indie J-Pop/J-Rock bands from Japan. It's great to see big name acts, but even if they aren't big name, it's still worth going to see a style that's hard to find in the US.

While I too would like to see the return of a two act MusicFest, I understand that's not always possible, and I'll gladly take one amazing band over none.

This is all because of Experient pissing in the bath water - https://www.facebook.com/groups/154162557952493/permalink/1043748338993906/

Ha ha, post removed.  Maybe Experient doesn't like the direct bad PR?  The staff member who made that explanation post should be commended, not hidden away.

I couldn't get the post to come up...If it got removed, that explains it. What did it say?

I think everyone is asking the wrong question;  The right question  is "Is Clockwork Alchemy really a separate sister convention? or is it really just a division of FanimeCon?"  which would then explain and justify why money is budgeted for (and not funneled to it).  Perhaps there is a separation to attract the older crowd (that has a higher spending demographic than FanimeCon attendees)?" 

This is indeed a pertinent question, and it would do the organizers good to figure out what they want the answer to be. If it's a separate event, then move it to a different weekend, and separate the website and marketing materials (it's not a good use of resources to add a couple of extra glossy Clockwork pages to all 25000 Fanime program guides...nor is it a good use of resources to add 30 upside-down Fanime pages to CA program guides). If it's a division of Fanime, then treat it like one and have all the badges be Fanime-branded, lose the dual registration system and move CA programming to the Fairmont or Mariott or one of the hotels near the convention center, since nobody who attends Fanime goes to the DoubleTree for programming. As it stands now, it's got one foot in Fanime and one foot out, which isn't doing Fanime (or CA, for that matter) any good.

[Registration]

Great job Fanime! I've gone every year since 2010 and in my opinion this was one of the best run years (about on par with 2011.) I don't have very many complaints and they're all minor.

Registration: No complaints here! I'm glad that Fanime stuck with whatever worked in 2014, as getting through this quickly is the single most important factor for an across-the-board enjoyable con.

Dealers Hall/Artists Alley: No complaints here either. I liked the use of the new exhibit hall for Artist's Alley. Both the Dealers and Artists rooms had perfect spacing.

Video Rooms:

• The Asian Films room, which was one of my favorites in the past, was not well organized. There were no descriptions of any of the movies in the program book or on the schedule outside (except in some cases what was currently playing). Also many of them this year weren't even films, they were multiple episodes of a series. With no clue what was playing, I skipped this room entirely this year.
• Jojo's Bizarre Adventure was scheduled from 9P-3A. It was more like 10:30P-2A, why only half the time?

MusicFest:

• I LOVED Back-On and kudos for starting at exactly 7 PM!
• But, why did the program say 7-9:30? The concert only lasted until 8:15.
• Years past have had two bands...it was a little disappointing to only see one. But I understand that it probably had to do with availability and/or budget, and I'm just glad that the one band that showed up was AWESOME!

Panels:

• Ai Nonaka's Q&A was awesome, but the room was way too small. I lined up half an hour ahead of time and was one of the lucky ones who barely got in...whereas all other panels I went to that weekend I could walk right in and there were plenty of seats. Why was a panel with a voice actress as obviously popular as Ai Nonaka placed in one of the smallest rooms when there were plenty of bigger rooms available? Did her agency want to guarantee a full room?

Also, I'm wondering if it isn't time to spin off Clockwork Alchemy to a separate organization/badge system/weekend...whether it's true or not, there's been the impression that CA is using up Fanime's resources. It's been a little disconcerting to see the CA portion of the website ready WAY before Fanime on the combined website. The AnimeCons people have disqualified Fanime from the most-attended cons list due to suspecting that Fanime shares attendance with CA. In any case, it does cut into the availability of hotels.

- People who buy badges more than once (like on Friday and then on Sunday)

This isn't likely, as buying 2 days is more expensive than buying a weekend pass.

- People who don't buy badges

I wouldn't count these in the official attendance.

Does this include Clockwork Alchemy or are they counted separately?

I know Fanime is always on Memorial Day Weekend, but have the dates for 2016 officially been confirmed?