Erina Mano sings “Returning Home” from the new movie Ka-Ki; Tales of Terror from Tokyo

1. The Cosplay

Yes, there are plenty of people who wear a costume while they wander around the San Diego Convention Center. But the sheer variety and creativity of the Anime Expo cosplayers is just staggering. The materials, the attention to detail, the group Anime cosplayers; it’s all done with a spirit and verve that I honestly haven’t found anywhere else. In this, and so far only this, convention, it is perfectly acceptable and even encouraged to stab a finger in a person’s direction and squee, “Omg – lookit that!” Everyone is incredibly polite to eachother, and I didn’t witness a single bout of one-up-manship between cosplayers of the same character. Which, given that it is Los Angeles, struck me as surprising. It happens in San Diego.

2. The Free Stuff

Anyone who’s ever been to Comic-Con before knows, the ton of free stuff you can get by hunting in the main Hall is awesome. Sadly, the same cannot be said of Anime Expo, at least the one I attended this year. I know, a Con isn’t for the free stuff, but face it – a Con is the best place to advertise your video game, book, comic book, movie, etc etc, and have friendly competitions with other vendors to attract the most attention, and the best way to do that, is with free stuff first.

On a side note, I overheard from a good deal of the vendors in the main Hall that somehow Anime Expo had acquired a new management this year, that had somehow made things remarkably more complicated for the vendors. Perhaps that is what led to a lack of free shwag.

3. The ‘Tude

I’m a veteran of Comic-Con, this was my first Anime Expo in L.A., but immediately upon entering the L.A. convention center, I noticed a remarkable difference. Everyone is very polite to eachother in L.A., apparently. I saw so many stepped-on skirts with bended-knee apologies, heard “onegai shemas” and “arigato!” everywhere, and saw a great many smiles. Sure it’s warm, there’s a lot of people about some in cumbersome costumes, paparazzi are all straining to get shots of better cosplay, and I still have stuff to carry, but a polite attitude and a hearty dose of courtesy go a long way to making the Con easier to bear for everyone.

4. The Children

Or, rather, lack of them. I know most people think bringing their younglings, some 5 or younger and even some daringly bring infants, to a Con is perfectly fine. I don’t agree. Until a child is old enough to see over the counter, we’ll say at least 12 or so, there is a very real possibility of them getting lost or crushed in the crowds. Seriously. I saw very few small children at Anime Expo, those I did see were firmly kept on leashes (sometimes literally, it’s a cosplay thing), and didn’t hear a single child crying the entire time.

5. The Convention Center

I’m used to the San Diego Convention Center, having been there for years and years for various events. The L.A. convention center on the other hand, has a very different layout, the maps don’t help worth a damn and are often more confusing than I was, and most of the Con Staff didn’t seem to know where a single Panel was. Hence I was unable to catch a good deal of the Panels I wanted to see, and that is unhappy.

6. The Press Pass

I know, I get to include the Press Pass rant because hey, I’m the one writing the article. At Comic-Con in San Diego, the Press Pass seems to have taken a serious downturn as far as importance goes. Maybe it’s the tons of people at CCI, I don’t know. The point being, a Press Pass at Anime Expo in Los Angeles means people run, they don’t walk, to accommodate you; all your questions are answered promptly, even if it’s with, “I don’t know”; and if the answer you get is, “I don’t know” it’s almost always followed with, “Let me find someone who does!”. I don’t need to be fawned over, but if my badge says PRESS, I like to be treated even vaguely deferentially.

Ranted by Alicia Glass

It’s Princess Peach!

I don’t know — Fail.

I’m gonna venture a guess at a Code Geass protagonist, actually.

Not a clue, but she of the huge paws was sweating alot.

Big hammer!

I have no idea why Edward Scissorhands is attending an Anime Con.

I think she said it’s from Soul Eater.

Somehow, I kind of doubt it’s Speed Racer.

White Queen and Black Queen, from where though, I don’t know.

Robot Chicken Mad Scientist!

I don’t know, but it’s funny!

Photos by Alicia Glass

I should probably know this; no idea.

Kawaii, ne?

How about Basilisk?

It’s Resident Evil!

Best Scarecrow costume evar.

FF Black Mage!

Ya got me, but they rock HARD.

Hmm. Maybe a Final Fantasy gal too?

Many cosplayers!

It’s Link and the Princess!

Photos by Alicia Glass

And now, as promised…all the pics we took at Anime Expo!

http://www.flickr.com/photos/51805616@N03/

Just copy and paste and see all the cosplayers we got on camera this year!

With all that said and done, I say goodbye to AX until next year. Hopefully we’ll have fun next year as well!

By Marcio Guastavino

Pics and Video by Natasha Campos

Another Bleach Captain.

That looks dangerous.

That guy looks totally ready for battle.

It’s a Barbarian!

I think that’s actually from Inuyasha.

HALO! Wait, that’s not Anime. But it IS a costume.

Soul Eater, I think.

Street Fighter!

It’s a piggie pilot.

Photos by Alicia Glass

More Mario’s!

A protagonist from Bleach.

I dunno, but the home-made wings are awesome.

Death from Terry Pratchett’s world.

I dunno, but I bet the sword is heavy.

Right out of Venice.

Finally — support for Japan!

Loli neko?

Sode no Shirayuki from Bleach

Photos by Alicia Glass

Cute aint she?

That’s a Bleach Captain.

A live mermaid!

Think that’s a Dragonball Z character.

Link!

It’s a Pokemon Elvis — RUN.

I think maybe they’re Code Geass.

Maybe Robotech?

More Bleach Captains.

Photos by Alicia Glass