This was my third Another Anime Convention. In my first year, I really had no idea what I was going into. I was not familiar with New Hampshire and what would someone from California get out of Another Anime Convention? For a con with less than a 1,000 or so attendees, AAC is a timeless event. It's one of the few modern cons that embrace the spirit of con going in the early part of the century. One could have time participating in events as well as hanging out with otaku comrades in arms. This is my favorite con to end the anime con season. It's different from Anime Boston, but that's a good thing! Another Anime Con has a unique sense of flavor; it's the pumpkin spice of New England anime cons.

This year, the theme was set around all things winter. I felt that theme wasn't played out as previous years. I did like the 21+ lounge that themed to summer, but I just felt some other areas to be lacking. Usually cosplay event hosts cater to the theme. As much as I found the Kill La Kill Nudist Beach hosts to be funny, the past two years had the hosts fit the theme. I felt this way about the dating game and cosplay death match. If there is a theme, stick to it. However, this is a very minor nitpick. It did not take much away from Another Anime Con.

I thought most events were run very well. Masquerade started on time. Craftsmanship judging took an ample amount of time to review our Hetalia costumes. Most events started promptly and generally had great content. This was our second year running panels. Staff communicated with us very well. Many thanks to the staff for being helpful and providing us with giveaway prizes for our Classic Anime panel.

What I really enjoy about Another Anime Con is that is has a very friendly social atmosphere. You could be playing a card game based on fanfiction and crack pairings and anyone can join in. You could be seated waiting for a cosplay event to start up and strike up conversation. Very few cons nowadays have this type of social atmopshere. In the dawn of the comic cons and larger anime cons, there's hardly time to socialize and meet new people. Even at the Hetalia cosplay meet up, while people seemed to be with their inner circles at first, everyone eventually mixed and mingled. This is a great con to meet and socialize with likeminded otaku during any time during night or day. This is definately a con that runs into the wee hours of morning.

For the first time in three years, we finally got to explore downtown Manchester. Thankfully, the staff at AAC had a restaurant guide. We wanted to check out this dinner in the area,but unfortunately, it was overcrowded and the locals made us feel uncomfortable. You kinda can feel the judgement in the air. So, we went to Republic Cafe. It was nice organic bistro - reasonable prices for a sitdown place and healthy food that kept you filled in a feel good mood. We also explored the area a bit more - downtown Manchester has cupcake joints, Hungarian food, tons of chocolate places, etc. If you have some time to check out downtown Manchester and are looking for a sit down meal, you have plenty of options. I just don't think the locals are used to costumed patrons.

I don't have any major complaints about Another Anime Convention. It's a cozy con where you can participate in events and meet people while doing so. You can really get your money's worth by keeping an open mind. You could even get your friends together for tea in the morning and paint parasols in the evening. That's really AAC's strength - they want you to interact and get the most out of the event. They care that you get your money's worth (even if it's just an hour in the 21 plus lounge's ball pit). I look forward to this event every year - before I used to come to the con right after work on Friday, but I think for next year, I'll take Friday off.

I highly reccomend this con for anyone who has an affinity for going to cons to meet people and to hang out with friends you have not seen in a while. There's plenty of things to do together. For people local to New England, if you prefer small cons and feel burnt from larger cons, this is the one to go to. While Anime Boston is its own thing, Another Anime Con has a different flavor to it - both cons are awesome in their own right, but both have different reasons why they are loved by their communities. Until next year, we look forward doing more with cosplay events and running panels for one of our favorite anime cons.

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