Update: Completed the picture dump.


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Uggh, my ears and throat are beginning to ache for no apparent reason whatsoever. That isn't the subject of this early,"special" journal update though... here I shall present to you my weekend at AnimeUsa~



Warning: A boring, ranting, long story will commence~

I arrived home about 4 hours ago, and my gosh~ I do not miss AUSA at all. The con this year was extremely short-handed from the previous time I went [back in '07]. Not only was there little to do but it also lacked: efficient amounts of cosplayers, exciting merchandise in the merchant's room, substance in main events and lastly-artists in the ally. AUSA was short-lived, uneventful and filled with many cases of fail. Though my criticism can be from my lackluster group I obviously lacked. A good con though, wouldn't need a group to keep it interesting.

Statistics:
Money brought: 300.00
Spent: 260.00
Concerts: 3 [2 major and a garage band]
Total hugs: 3 [?]
Cute asians: 7+
New acquaintances: 7
Prints: 1
Posters [merchant's room]: 3
Wall scrolls: 1
Pins: 6
Cards: 1
Tag: 7
PVC action figure: 1
Manga:8
Magazines: 10
Shirts: 4
Plastic paper holders: 2
Postcards: 300+
Promationals: 100+
Cine-manga: 10+ [free]
LED lights: 2
DVDs: 3
DS time: 2-3 hours
Hours in line: 6
Main events attended: 5


Pros:
The only redeeming thing about the con were the concerts. Quaff and their flamboyant attire and dances kept the crowd lively. They also threw merchandise into the crowd and performed an encore. Kaya was very impressive live, with his elaborate songs, heavy metal, and his fluid, pretty dancers. The only down fall with any concert is the standing arrangements. Shorter audiences won't be able to enjoy as much as those who are taller.

Cons:
The merchant's room this year lacked a fundamental aspect....a good anime and manga stand.There wasn't a decent stand where I can purchase new and exclusive releases. The only dealer that offered somewhat modern anime was the funimation table. There also weren't many posters going around like the previous con. The only place to receive promotions were yet again from the funimation table.

The 2 hour wait in line for the Masquerade ended up as a double slap to the face with a pinch of lemon to the eye. Only 2 skits out of the whole event kept the audiences interested. The rest of the skits were either people in cosplay, walking on stage with only 2 sentences worth of lines spoken and them exiting the stage. With a total time of 30 seconds on stage and the shortest skit I have ever "witnessed". It was a major disappointment. The Steampunk fashion show was MUCH better than the Masquerade, which pursued right after the sloppy event.

The information in the program book ended up misleading. To know what was going on one would have to use the "pocket" guide. Which didn't help as much since it didn't list a number of panels and workshops.The majority of the panels and workshops were uninteresting and even recycled to the point of boredom. Sadly the panels/workshops I DID want to attend didn't list the time and place in the program book, and nor was it listed on the pocket guide...later I found out that they were canceled....

Opinion:
It was a tad bit sad that there weren't colorful people walking about the con site when I arrived. For a moment's hesitation, I thought the con might have moved since there was no signs of "life". This might be a bit rude to say such things since I didn't participate by cosplaying ... but there weren't many cosplayers, or so to say, anime cosplayers walking around. There were of course many people who dressed up. But there weren't many photo-shoots or groups of anime cosplayers. The con wasn't horrible but it wasn't 'great'. It is more likely to be easily forgotten without any regret. It also sucks that my camera has become inert and lacking....my photos fail.

On a serious note, even with this convention experience I would still consider being a volunteer for next year. Maybe going behind the scenes would make up for this con.

Overall rating:5/10 "Okay"
Likability to return: 4/10 [for all 3 days]


^other account