Messages

I agree with you, Pyron.  Even with the signs banned and glomping not allowed without permission, a friend of mine was injured at the con due to an overzealous staff member glomping her at full running speed.  So yeah.  No more encouragement, please.

Agreed, Toqer.  I did security for SakuraCon once and let's just say there's a reason I never signed up to be security at another con ever again.  The lack of proper training was horrifying, not to mention the fact that we were understaffed, didn't have enough walkie-talkies, and one of the head security guys thought it was a great idea to give some of the security staff a couple of "martial arts" lessons so they could take people down if necessary.  As someone who'd taken a couple years of jujitsu at the time (and therefore knew better on so many levels), I was ready to walk out for that one alone.

It's probably important to say that I think Fanime is quite a bit better in the security department than SakuraCon, but the lack of proper screening and training still bugs me.  The whole volunteer security thing leaves way too much room for bad eggs and bad news.  Getting volunteers for general staffing is fine (minding the doors, keeping the lines in order, taking tickets, etc), but for actual security issues, like making sure people aren't getting into fights or stealing, I think there needs to be some kind of real security force that can be called upon post-haste and diffuse the situation without resorting to committing crimes like theft and assault.

I'd just like to pop in and say that I didn't have any real problems.  There was a lot of general confusion, such as staff members not knowing where and when to get An Cafe tickets, where the AMV Contest was being held, etc, but that was it.  All the staff I ran into were courteous and helpful...or if they couldn't be helpful, they were at least apologetic about it and had suggestions as to who else I might ask. ;)  So though I know some staffers were trouble-makers, I believe the majority were pretty awesome.  Thanks, guys!

I figured I might try to be actually helpful with some Dealers Room feedback, so here are some of the things I'd love to see:

1. More doujinshi.  I only saw one stand with doujinshi this year.
2. More affordable clothes!  I liked the gothic lolita clothes and bought a kimono, but neither were cheap.  Fair enough, but how about some more affordable stuff too?  I really wanted some of those cute shirts and hoodies that one big stall was selling...unfortunately I'm not about to spend seventy dollars on a hoodie and thirty five on a t-shirt that's so thin you can practically see through it.  Even if it's Tokidoki.  I can buy those online for less and I know it.  Where's the love for the people on a budget?
3. More rare/obscure merchandise.  I keep looking for a One Piece pirate flag and not finding one.  It makes Zee a sad panda.  I also like the P.O.P. series, but most were selling for $60-$100.  You can get them online for about $45-$50.  (Seriously, what's up with these prices?  Cons used to be cheaper than online shopping, not more expensive.)
4. How about more giveaway stuff?  Free posters with purchase and such?
5. Where the heck were all the plushies this year?!  Did I just miss them?
6. I seem to remember there being a Gloomy Bear stand one year (or was that Sakura Con?).  I'd like that to come back, and I'd like to see some more vinyl toys like Bearbricks and such.  Has anyone poked Kid Robot about attending?
7. I'd love to see Kinokuniya attend.  They have all the best stuff, I swear...

I know you guys aren't in charge of which vendors sign up and what they charge, but if there's anything you can do to pass around the suggestions and maybe get more/other vendors interested and give them an idea of what we're looking for, maybe that would help. :3

Oh no!  I saw you at the ball and meant to compliment you on your dress, but ended up missing you.  I'm so sorry some crazy staffer ruined it!  It was absolutely magnificent! :(

As for denying entries, that wouldn't be fair.

I probably worded that badly.  What I meant was, if you're in charge of the people signing up for masquerade, and a group comes along who wants to do something that two other groups are already doing, instead of just saying nothing and signing them up, it'd be better to say, "Look, two other groups are already doing that.  You can still be in the masquerade, but you need to come up with something different."  Heck, they could even help those cosplayers get in touch with the other groups who had the same idea and they could team up or something.  But it's sad when there are so many Haruhi dances that people coming onto the stage are greeted by groans.  That never should have been allowed to happen.  I know it's not a serious stage production or anything, but the masquerade should be entertaining for everyone, not repetitive for the audience or embarrassing for the performers.

Oh and ban a Rickroll after only being done twice [I think it was twice, I know I was in the 20th group] ? (the first one wasn't much of one since it was a ringtone.)

I counted three times including the ringtone.  You don't think that's a little much for a joke that's only funny because it's unexpected?  Not to mention outside of the masquerade where you had the internet guys walking around with the boombox rickrolling everyone, and whoever was in charge of the music rickrolling everyone over the PA system two nights in a row...  It's overkill, and it's ruined everything that used to be great about rickrolling.  I just think it's time for someone to put their foot down and say "stop killing the meme!"

I really liked the AMV contest this year.  I loved the sheets you handed out with the list of videos on it, and how you showed the title and information for each video before and after it played.  The only thing that could have improved the experience is if you'd handed out pencils as well, but most people don't have problems lending and borrowing, so it isn't a huge deal.

As for the masquerade...if only it had been as nice.  The civic auditorium was not the best venue.  The place echoed like mad, and a number of the seats were next to useless since you couldn't see the stage at all (who the heck designed that place?).  Up on the balcony, I couldn't hear a word the host was saying, but the audience's cheers were really piercing.  And I might have been able to live with all that if it weren't for the incessant Rickrolling and Haurhi Suzumiya dancing.  Most of the skits were repetitive and struck me as unimaginative.  I would really recommend you guys start denying entrants when the third or fourth group of Haruhi dancers register to be in the masquerade.  That might sound harsh, but I'm sure the performers would also appreciate being notified that two or three other groups are already doing the same thing, so they don't have the audience groaning as soon as they walk on stage.  And can we just ban Rickrolling altogether?  Please?

Like others, the dealers room struck me as "meh" this year...I'm not sure what I was hoping for, but I nearly laughed when I realized that the layout of the individual booths was almost exactly the same as last year!  I suppose I was hoping for something new, but there wasn't much.  On the other hand, Artist Alley was fantastic!

For the most part I really enjoyed my experience.  My major disappointments were the masquerade (I'm really starting to miss that German guy with the Totoro ), the scheduling of the concert at the same time as the ball, and the ballroom being too small.  Other than that, I had a great time.  I enjoyed the panels and the programming was great.  Thumbs up!

One Piece
Cowboy Bebop
Rurouni Kenshin
Death Note

Those are my top 4. ^^

EDIT: I can't believe I forgot Slayers. :P  Make that my top 5.

EIICHIRO ODA.

/capslock