Messages

I picked other, meaning= I'd like to hear some music from anime and games. C'mon, its not that hard, just lookup Exit Trance by Exit Tunes for the best in anime trance remixes of modern and older series. I have yet to go to a dance at a con and hear something decent that matches the type of event= being an anime con.

Just sayin it'd be nice to hear some anime music there.

[Explanation:]

Very nice guide! Thanks! :D
This got me pumped up again. lol  ;D
Gonna hit the bank shortly to get PLENTY of change.

No problem! Get ready for an awesome time! 5 days left!!! 6 days if you're only selling during Friday's SM.

Oh, I was wondering...

How do you guys usually transport your goods to and from the selling areas?
Especially people with a lot of stuff... >.< What do you guys usually use?
I'm having a bit of trouble finding ways to transport things...
Without having to leave stuff and come back for it...

I'm looking for a simple in and out in one go. >.<

Any tips, please? ???

A professional otaku must always have the proper means of transportation.
Personally, I bring:

2 Large Black Rolling Luggage Bags
1 Camping Backpack
1 Messenger Bag
1 Extra Back-Up Backpack
1 Vest w/pockets
Several extra garbage bags

Explanation:
The 2 large rolling luggage bags are mostly for the swap meet- they will be the most handy, as they will store most magazines and books that are obtained, along with heavier items that would be hard to carry on the back- and also figure boxes. Usually only need one, but bringing a back-up this year.

The Camping backpack is a way to store more goods on my back that aren't super heavy.

The Messenger Bag will contain one open slot in the front with my wallet open, ready for a swift swipe of the hand to reach in quickly for easy wallet access. I hate spending the time to pull out my wallet while others are using those 4.5 seconds to buy other prized goods. It is also good for carrying most thin goods, like magazines, art books, and my stash of nutrigrain bars I eat every 20 minutes for optimum strength.

I always bring an extra back-up backpack that is small to carry on my right side on the outside of the camping backpack for smaller goods that would take up space in the other storage/luggages/packs.


And finally to finish it off, why not a vest with pockets for stashing anything that it can fit? If you can wear clothing that can store items, then more power to you.

I may sound a little insane, but that's my 2 cents on how Kazu shops at FanimeCon, and majorly at the swap meet. :)

Edit: Garbage bags are small and can fit in the smallest places- until you use them! This is a great idea for anyone who is unsure if what they brought to store items in is big enough or not. Garbage bags are my last resort, but well worth it when you find yourself with too much loot and no way to carry it back.

-Kazu

Hope this is the right area for posting this, if not please forgive me-

Just had a couple questions related to the subject above. I know there were some discussions about photography and filming at the Civic Center which I am under the understanding that it is highly not allowed, however I just wanted to check to make sure what parts of the rest of the con were ok.

I bought a small pocket camcorder not long ago, mainly for Fanime, and was hoping it would be ok to film the general convention halls and if possible some panels? Are there any rules against filming with a small pocket sized cam during panels? I got a really great video of Momoi-sama last year and it's been my pride and joy all year. =^.^=

Thanks!

There's an awesome map that is usually found in the program book.

Will be sleeping regularly but strategically to make the most out of Fanime and not be a weird zombie roaming the con.

I'm sure I'll know when I'll be sleeping after the official PDF schedule's are released. ^^

I've got about $500 in war funds at the moment- will be making $50 more on Day Zero from a friend, and I've got about $100 worth of items I'm trying to sell before the con. If I'm successful, I'll probably walk in there with around $650- all of which will be split up between the Swap Meet and Dealer's Hall. I spend about 50%-70% of my funds on the swap meet, and the other 30% between the Dealer's Hall and Artist Alley. Last year I found an incredibly amazing amount of good deals at the Swap Meets.

Just depends on you really- are you an extreme otaku or just a fan who wants to come home with a few goodies? I think bringing at least $200-$300 will ensure you a good time.

[Kazu's Ultimate Swap Meet Tips For Buyers and Sellers:]

Kazu's Ultimate Swap Meet Tips For Buyers and Sellers:

For those who are selling at the swap meet: Please be friendly, kind, and patient for those who are buying from you or are asking about your item/s. If a potential buyer would like to browse your items, let them look through your wares. Please do not sell items that are extras from magazines for insane prices. I came across a group last year who tore a bunch of posters out of NewType magazines and were selling them for $10 a piece! This is infuriating and anyone in their right mind will pass you up if you do so.
Please sell things related to anime and otaku culture, no one wants to look through your used National Geographic magazine stack you've been collecting for 20 years.
Remember to display your items in a way that is clearly visible to those passing by, it becomes difficult to sell things that are sitting inside of a box- many people will just move on.
Also, if you have a way of providing change to people, it becomes incredibly helpful to both you and the buyer- many people save up for this thing and will have multiple 20's, 50's, and even 100's.
Please be attentive to the buyer, and helpful when answering questions about your item.

Buyers will usually buy items from sellers whose items are displayed openly, related to anime, manga, gaming and otaku culture, are of decent quality, do not smell of pee or poo, and whose items are fairly priced.

As a swap meet veteran, I haven't run into too many whose prices were too high. Most folks generally price things at a great and affordable price. However, some tend to think that they can sell their manga or figures for the same price that they are sold in the stores. Those people almost never sell anything. You have to understand the laws of the swap meet: You're selling to get rid of your items for 3 reasons:

1.To clear some space from things you no longer desire to own
2.To make a bit of money doing so, so that you can use it on other things.
3.To have a bit of fun.

You are not selling to:

1.Make a huge profit and a killing off of anime fans
2.Rip people off because they don't know what they're buying
3.Get whatever you can make out of the extras that come with Japanese magazines because you have nothing better to sell...>.>

Please keep these things in mind, check the official Fanime rules and such for the official info, and have fun.

For those who buy at the swap meet:
You can buy whatever you like, your money is yours- but some helpful tips may just save you from getting ripped off, or may help you come home with more loot.

For buyers, especially if you're a "power buyer" like I am- I suggest before you even enter the swap meet, bring bags. Garbage bags, backpack bags, luggage bags, whatever you can to stuff your loot into as you fight this war. Yes, it's a war.

Troops! I call to you this day: Be prepared to get in there, and grab whatever rare loot you can find! Anything that simply "tickles" your fancy, BUY IT WITHOUT REASON. That is the law of the otaku.
Consume any and all rare objects, and do it swiftly, and without much notice. Pay quickly, and move on. Other hunters will be out there to snag whatever they can find before you, so hurry, but don't cause any confusion. You don't want other item hunters to know you're after the same treasure. Follow the order and flow of the traffic, and master it to your best understanding. There is usually traffic directors to heed the flow of traffic. Don't bother with cosplay, you're there to get in, grab as much loot as you can, and get out. (paying for all of it of course.)
You must respect the otaku code by standing in seemingly endless lines, seas and oceans of those like yourself, and pay a good price for objects you bargain for. Don't be too hasty when obtaining an item! See if you can chat with the seller about the price if you are unhappy with the item. Some even accept trades.
Don't harass a single person, but do haggle a bit to try to get a good deal.

The Swap Meet Warrior is one of no emotion. A silent and swift buyer who contains all excitement and love within while using that never-ending energy of happiness to continue fighting the crowds for limited and rare goods.

Good luck soldiers!

*This concludes kazu's guide to the swap meet...*

Will be there Mr.Wendell.

Glad to see Stage Zero once again after 365 days has passed. ^__^

Oh, and say hi to Diana for me. :D

*almost died*

A lot of people usually leave or can't make monday...including me. It would be pretty...not good (for lack of better words) to have it on the closing day. ~_~

Glad to hear Fanime still kicks off with the swap meet. ^______________^

What would be really nice is if the times of the swap meet and FLOW's concert could be moved in a way so that people could have a chance at enjoying both...

Hello, second year going to FanimeCon, and I can't seem to remember if I passed through a metal detector or was wanded while entering the convention center/in line for registration.

The reason this is important to me, is because several months ago I had a life-changing surgery, and had to have 19 screws, and 2 titanium rods built into my spine. I would hate to not be allowed into the con just because I attract the attention of metal detectors/wands.

Should I bring x-rays and proof of my surgery with me?

Thank you very much.

-Kazu

All I ask:

Suzumiya Haruhi no Shoushitsu MOVIE ^_^

[SWAP MEET:]

For me, it went this way:

SWAP MEET: The majority of my loot came from here. Made some incredible finds for insanely good prices. Got tons of manga for around $1, Japanese and English! Picked up loads of cheap posters, artbooks, and some older figures for nearly nothing. Also found a few very rare items, games, and more.

DEALER'S HALL:This is where I picked up some of the modern merch that only the dealer's would have- newer figures that had just been released, an artbook, evangelion bed sheets and...yea, that was all. Just a couple figures and an artbook. O-o didn't realize that was all. lol!

REMEMBER:
The problem with the dealer's hall, is that the dealer's vary in prices. Some sell things like manga for the same price you would buy them at a store, while some give you small discounts the more you buy. The other problem, is that most dealer's raise their prices by a whopping $15 the first day, and reduce it slowly by about $5 each day. By Sunday, everything has been reduced to either it's normal sales price, or has been discounted by a few bucks to make it look like everything has been hugely discounted. It is very wise to study items you may be looking for online before buying from dealers- they have a tendency to sell for more than something may be worth at times. If you can read Japanese, or can at least convert Yen into USD, you can haggle them when you find something amiss with a price. I did this many times last year, and it worked. Just don't pester the dealer's please. If one is firm on a price then either stick with it and buy the item, or thank them and walk away. For me, the dealer's hall is a place to find figures that have recently been released or are soon to be released. Usually you can find whatever is hot online- like recent released by Good Smile Company. But that's mostly it for me. But...you still never know what to find.

If you truly fall in love with an item, it's best to buy it and be happy than to not buy it and wait, and see someone else take it. Don't lie to yourself- OBEY YOUR IMPULSES!!!! O_O

[Figures:]

Loot I'd love to come home with:

Figures:
Yui Hirasawa figma
Hatsune Miku 2010 Sega Prize ver.
Vanille, Lightning and Reimi Square Enix Play Arts figures
Gundam 00 character figures
Azusa Nakano figma
BRS figma

Manga:
I"S vol.6-15
Psychic Academy Vol.11
Air Gear 5+
D.N.Angel Vol.3

Other:
Like it goes every year, I always find a million things that weren't on my list- and I usually return home with a mostly completed list and a ton of other great stuff. I wish to find tons of great stuff again this year. Some great character goods, maybe some new Doujinshi, quality figures, rare finds, oh- and that oppai mousepad I've been wanting for forever~  XD

@jemz and MPLe:

Glad to see that my fears were false, and that FanimeCon hasn't become corrupt. I don't have a single thing against you guys, and have volunteered countlessly to promote FanimeCon- I just don't want to see the convention become a money making machine that doesn't care about it's fans- and it hasn't.

My only concerns which I've stated in this thread and the LM.C thread, stands on the fact that I cannot see why a "ban or "crackdown" on journalists" make any sense at all. Footage and Pictures taken by fans/press will only promote the con.

However, I can completely understand the rules regarding LM.C, since they are the guests and they have asked nicely to not be recorded or photographed. I also now understand something I've never even heard of before- and that's the whole "UNION" talk. Didn't know there was an evil entity looming over the staff. The staff deserves a TON of respect for having to work under conditions where freedom is controlled in such a fun environment, especially when you have to make sure it doesn't effect the next year. I had no knowledge of this, so I thank you for the enlightenment.

As for a gripe session- I have no gripes now that I know the truth. Staff may not be aware but somebody that was probably confused as I was, started some kind of rumor about FanimeCon "cracking down" on journalists or anyone who either has a camera or camcorder. As far as my statement about FanimeCon becoming more commercial- this was intended to stand with my previous feelings that FanimeCon was becoming another AX.

It is still my belief that this is just for LM.C's events and the Masquerade. If not please tell me, because I want to know if I'm going to be allowed to carry my camcorder around the rest of the con such as convention hallways, cosplay photoshoots outside, dealer's hall and swap meet, and other areas- like many other people, it's a hobby of mine to the shoot conventions I've been to. I will obey any rules that state that certain areas disallow cameras/camcorders, but if I'm walking around with my camcorder in an open area that had no previous warnings against photography- I don't want someone to confiscate it and kick me out of the con. Sorry if I sound a little dense, but I want to be sure of everything I need to know.

Myself and other's understandings have been clouded due to the rumor- please clarify which events are currently known to disallow photography/recording? Forgive me for making this seem like a debate, but I believe this conversation still falls under this thread's topic, and I feel this is quite an important subject.

Thank you,

-Kazu

Been attending Sac-Anime since day 1. My first con- opened up an entire new world right in front of me- was also right around the time I barely started getting into the otaku realm.

Sac-Anime isn't as terrible as some people make it sound- and I know a TON of people were not happy about Summer2009, but they've made some HUGE improvements since then. SA is moving forward each year, and has recovered quite well from 2 major past mistakes. The con tends to be growing, and most attendees are really happy with their weekend experience. To be honest with you, there's a crapload of potential in SA, and I'd expect Fanime to have a decent rival over the next decade.

I'd recommend anyone within a few hours to come.
My Ratings and Review:

Attendance: roughly 2-4k
Length: 3 Days
Vendor's Room and AA: 8/10
Staff: 8/10
Events: 6/10
Guests: 5/10
Swap Meet: 5/10
Rave/Dance: 9/10

Another plus- SacAnime is one of the only cons to showcase Itasha cars! :)

@kthardin:

Sounds like me and you are on the same level. I like what you did there. Looks like someone finally had the guts to stand up to talk about the photography issues.

I'd love to know why paying attendees wouldn't be allowed to bring their memories home with them.
The only thing I could understand, is if the guest/dealer/artist/person/event peoples/etc... asked for their pic to not be taken- otherwise it's pretty sad for the staff to just "decide" our freedoms of recording/sharing our memories/moments. I also think it's low for staff of all people to openly state how they feel about it, as one already has.

Love FanimeCon so much- I attend every single meeting and whatnot, faithfully pre-register every year...like so many others. Just eats me alive about the "crackdown" on media/bloggers/photography/etc this year.
Fanime is already beginning to get more commercial...just hoping and praying it doesn't evolve into another AX in the future.

Happy to hear the news about being able to see LM.C, but sad to hear about photography being completely and utterly banned.

Can I get a detailed explanation of why this is so? Or can someone point to me to where I can?

In my opinion, it's pretty ridiculous- but, I can understand somewhat if Staff has a good explanation. I need to know why Paying FanimeCon2010 Attendees aren't allowed to take their memories home with them. As a professional blogger and journalist, I really hoped to snap some pics for my website...

Will be grateful for any replies.
Thanks,
-Kazu

HALLO!

If indeed your badges are pre-registration, you can pick up your badges STARTING Thursday. Early-Registration/normal reg starts on Friday...

So in other words, you can pick up your badge a day earlier than everyone else (you don't have to).
Specifically, Pre-Reg: May 21st-25th. Early/Regular Reg: May 22nd-25th.

There is no penalty for picking it up on a different day than Thursday... just make sure Registration is open when you pick it up.

Times will be posted online as soon as we can get it up. ^^

So we can pick up our pre-registered badges on Friday morning then?

Thanks this has been very helpful.

Hello, there were a few ideas that popped into my head a few days ago, and I just wanted to ask to be sure.

I plan on doing quite the business with the Fanime Dealers, Artists, and Swap Meet Sellers, and I am most likely going to be bringing a large rolling bag, a large camping backpack, a side bag and possibly a small folding cart/or other smaller backpack.

I wasn't sure what the rules were on those things since I can imagine with all the merchandise available on tables and such. I really don't see a reason why the carrying of storage bags like backpacks and related bags would be prohibited. I was just thinking about my local store and how they don't trust anyone and take your backpack when you enter, so I didn't know if Fanime was like that.

I myself have severe scoliosis and need to have my roller bags and small side bags since I can't carry alot of plastic bags ( like what a vendor would give after buying something), especially since I plan to do alot of buying.

So are there any rules concerning backpacks? Thanks a bunch!