Anime Expo 2010
LA Convention Center Los Angeles, California
7-22-2010, 01:29 PM
By Michi

Stats have not been released yet for number of attendees for 2010 Anime Expo.

For the convention itself, when I went to Anime Expo (AX), it was with the pretense of expectations of previous years, and prior conventions. The pre-registration line was only 2 1/2 hours, less than I honestly expected-some people waited in line upwards of 6. There were not a lot of cos players on day 0(Wednesday), which was very surprising, compared to other past experiences with cons.

Day 1-Thursday

I spent a lot of this day in the dealers hall, wandering around, looking at things. There were a lot more dealers than tend to be at other cons. A lot older, more serious merchandise, old school and classic things. There were a lot of photographers, so lots of random on-site photo shoots too. (on this day I cosplay’d Zechs Marquise-Gundam Wing)

Day 2-Friday

Today I spent more time in the con area itself, but not any panels. Would have, but the lines were just too long. The lines at AX are horrible, for everything….except the bathroom, which is kinda important. Not really a line for them, which does sometimes happen at conventions, but there were lots of people at the mirrors. No wait for the toilet though, at least for the girls.

I stopped briefly by the game room, at least part of it. Basic arcade room, lots of really good games, even ParaParaPraradise. I was able to talk with a lot of people from other places today, one girl who was from Germany (total sweetheart) who is going to UW. (Today I did a cosplay of Russia-Hetalia)

Day 3-Saturday

This was the main day, and there were a lot of VERY impressive costumes. There was a Tokyo Pop bus was outside south hall lobby, just really cool, there was a ‘spin me’ wheel by it, possibly a contest of some kind, but it was so packed that I never managed to make it over. Lots of steet vendors selling things outside-water, ice cream, basic LA stuff. Visited the dealers hall again, and was stopped a lot more for pictures. Only event I did manage to go to was not under jurisdiction of AX-but it was very well run and put together.

Cosplay Chess was a mess. People were literally walking out. It was boring, dull, it just didn’t have enough interaction between the ‘chess pieces’. For the amount of time you waited in line to attend the event, it was NOT worth it. (This day I was dressed as Princess Kakyuu-Sailor Moon)

Day 4-Sunday

Today I expected it to be slower, and didn’t cosplay, a mundane cloths day. It was still surprisingly busy, for a last day. Lots of ‘deals’ going on at the booths in the dealers hall. It was the last day, and so a lot of the dealers were just looking to clear out their merchandise. A lot of people being ‘draggy’ about things, seeming either hung over or overly tired. It tends to happen on the last day, as Con is catching up with people. Also, this day, a constant concern is Con Funk. For AX, it really wasn’t that bad. It helped that some of the dances were outside in the Nokia Pavillion, and main events were in the Staples Center.

For main events, you did have to BUY tickets for them, on top of 80$ at door for the standard badge. Usually at conventions, if there are ticketed events, it is only to make sure fire codes are not broken, but this con is probably the only one you would have to PAY for the tickets at.

I already have plans to go again next year, it really was amazing. My favorite part of the whole convention was interacting with all of the people there, from all over the world. Alternately, my least favorite things was the people, some were really rude, and it made things difficult. I honestly wouldn’t change anything though, no matter what you do the lines will be hell, there is just too many people-at least, for lines. Overall, the convention was very well run, and obviously the people in charge knew what they were doing. End grade? 7/10