Jared’s Thoughts: When Does the Nightmare End?

It seems for many people who attended Anime Expo, the impression of the con has a nice mix of love and hatred. Yet, no matter who you are the convention holds many memories that make it unique each year. Same good, some bad, but in the end that is the true backbone and joy of this convention. The memories you make and the people you share them with, that more than anything is what Anime Expo is about. That lovely sentiment being said I should also point out that each year I try to avoid going to this convention. It has many strengths and many flaws, but no matter how much I avoid it somehow or another I end up going back to Anime Expo.

Since I did not want to go, I figure it is best to begin with the negative things. One of the biggest flaws about Anime Expo is that it really feels as if the staff could care less about the attendees. In fact, it was often difficult to even find a staff member to ask questions or to act as guide. With such a large convention center and with so many people attending the convention, you’d imaginge a large staff to handle everything. Yet, there is no staff to be seen, which is very unprofessional of this convention. This also pertains to the bus system used where there was rarely a person to watch the buses and even when there was it really didn’t seem helpful or necessary. In fact, if anything, it just seemed like a major hassle for everyone trying to get back to their hotel.

Staffing is not the only problem at Anime Expo. There were major setup flaws at the convention. This was most noticeable with the lack of good signs for the doors for the panel rooms. Big “Panel Room Here” signs are at every anime convention I have attended, there is no excuse for not having them at the largest anime convention. Video rooms, gaming rooms, and other assorted rooms were clearly marked. There is no excuse for such haphazard setup. Overall the panels went smoothly and were well run, but when you can’t find them you can’t enjoy them.

I could continue with the issues I have with this con, but between the podcast and main report I don’t see the point in retreading old ground. Therefore I will quickly mention the good parts of this convention. As always Anime Expo had one of the best Dealer's Halls of any convention. Not only in terms of size, but also due to how it has been improved over the years. Granted I do miss the old days of seeing the ADV tower and Viz money-tube, but in truth I prefer nice spacious aisles and an attached artist alley. Also the Westin was a nice choice for the dances. It had nice sized rooms and being the closest hotel made it easy for attendees to go to the dances. I have heard good things about the concerts, but as I am not a fan of j-pop I can only go by what I’ve heard.

Anime Expo has never been a perfect con, and it is likely to never be a perfect con. We can all rant about how much we miss the old days at Anaheim or what should be changed at the convention, but in the end we all somehow know that no matter what we do we will end up being dragged to Anime Expo next year. All we can hope for next year is that Anime Expo will learn from the mistakes from this year and improve. I doubt that will happen, as that rarely is ever the case for Expo, but I still want to keep an optimistic view of future conventions. Considering everything I went though those four days I’m quite happy coming home with only a head cold and an empty wallet because it could have been much worse.

As always I have provided my list of final thoughts and comments, just remember if you don’t get it then you aren’t meant to get it. However, I have included a nice little bonus video featuring my new character the Convention Critic.

Jared’s List: Make a Wish…

1. Nothing makes you more apathetic than people.
2. Four days of Expo is a bit much for me.
3. Getting dragging around isn’t so bad, of course those I hit may disagree.
4. Fireworks!
5. I made a wish.
6. Does AX even have a staff?
7. Never forget I have a luck of 19.
8. I miss the Anaheim Convention Center.
9. In the elevator...
10. Now I’m broke, totally broke.
11. If I missed you at the con: belated “hi”
12. Note to self: Briefcases get heavy.
13. Sigh… I didn’t get to wear Shiki.
14. I still need to finish Aion.
15. My half-assed Nostalgia Critic wasn’t too bad.
16. Remind me to look up that “Rio” series.
17. Mizuho figures are everywhere, wonder why…
18. I held a dollfie, no really I did.
19. Talk dirty to me.
20. Too many good panels on day 4 not enough on the other days.
21. If you don’t know a series don’t cosplay from it.
22. They say good dancers are good in bed…
23. As it turns out I might be allergic to cigar smoke.
24. Metabots cosplay, huh?
25. We all wish you well CPM staff, good luck in all your future endeavors.
26. Thanks to Ray for the last minute room.
27. Note to AX staff: Mark the Live Programming doors!!
28. The smog messed up my sinuses.
29. Found some good candidates…
30. Whiskey means water of life in Gaelic.
31. No worries, it will all work out.
32. Is the nightmare over?
33. I could use a nice relaxing bath.
34. It’s too friggin hot!!
35. Fun in the classroom.
36. Sigh… fanboys...
37. Missed out on that Arche figure… I should have got it when I had the chance.
38. It could have been much worse.
39. Fantasy is better than reality, but reality feels so much better than fantasy.
40. When did maids become pretentious?
41. I think I need a sunrise, I’m tired of the sunset…
42. Dance with me.
43. Not quite the meaning of life… but close.

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