Messages

I was under the impression that fanime could not restrict entry into viewing rooms because it would imply that part of the registration was to watch anime. This would mean that fanime was turning a profit from screening anime without the consent of any of the studios, which is illegal.

What's the deal? Is fanime only allowing badged folks into screening rooms?

First and foremost, I am not here to bite the hand that feeds me. I'm thankful for the event and enjoyed every minute of it...well almost. There was one situation that did bother me...

During the first three days of Fanimecon, there were a group of girls who were selling various kinds of homemade bread. They would wander the lines and the venues, offering a delicious snack to the hungry. Their proceeds were to go to charity and their prices were extremely fair. "What's so bad about that?", you ask. Nothing. What irks me is their treatment throughout the weeked by various Fanimecon staffers.

First and foremost, how are you going to yell at a 12 year-old to the point where she breaks down and cries? The girl was doing something extremely selfless. I mean, instead of enjoying the festivities, she was trying to provide a public service...at no personal monetary gain.

Also, yes, I understand it's a business and that you probably had an understanding with a food vendor, but even you can't deny that the food was wickedly over-priced. I mean, on one hand, we had some inexpensive homemade baked goods, and on the other, we had generic japanese food and ham sandwiches, both of which were priced with the knowledge that most of their customers would have a decent amount cash on hand. We are there to spend our hard-earned money on anime, manga and toys, not on $3 Cokes and $6 sandwiches.

"By the fans, for the fans" is the slogan you go by, but I really think you guys and gals forgot that when you started picking on the good people who were doing both the fans and charities a great service.

For those of you who actually took the time to talk to the "Bread Maids" and taste the bread made so well by their master chef (no really, she's a chef!), please back me up on this matter. Speak up and at least let the Fanimecon staff know that if the venue was "by the fans, for the fans", then they would ease up next year...or at least turn a blind eye (hint hint hint). Or better yet, offer them a booth =)

In the end, again, I'm not hating, I'm just extremely bothered by that one situation and how it played out.

Thanks for reading, thank you Fanimecon staff, thank you cosplayers and thank you to everyone who made this year's 'Con awesome. Finally, thanks to the woman who made the most awesome melon bread I have ever had.