So as we know Youmacon is pretty much in the toilet now. It makes me incredibly sad because it was my Halloween tradition to attend every year. I went from 2015-2022 and I'm so glad I missed out on last year when everything went down.

That aside, I watched Youma get worse and worse over the years. I can't imagine it'll be great this year either.

So I'd like to ask Michigan con-goers: what are some local cons I could attend as an alternative? Preferably in Michigan, but the surrounding states work too (OH, IN, IL)

I know of Colossalcon already and the big Chicago cons. Is there anything else?

Bonus if the game room is stacked with both console and arcade gaming.

I know of MCM, LAGC, LFCC and AniMangaPop, but I just always assumed there were probably tonnes of smaller or maybe more obscure cosplay/anime/geek cons in London but Google isn't giving me anything, mostly cons out of London.

There's no way that these are the only four in the whole city

Does anyone know if there are group chats or discords for groups going to the con?

In the next few years my small group would like to travel out to America and visit one of the big famous cons. I’ve heard of NYCC, holiday matsuri, ECCC, SDCC, katsucon, sakuracon, colossalcon etc. I’ve been to major west coast cons in Canada (fanexpo, NWFF, anirevo) and kumoricon in Washington.

My group is cosplayers with different interests, games/movies/anime/comics etc and ages 25-45 so any theme works but ideally we’d like to visit a con that isn’t 100% anime. We’d probably go for 2-3 days of the con and perhaps stay in the city for a day if there’s things to see.

The main cosplays we’re bringing are from dragon ball so a con that vibes with older anime well is ideal.

Con culture has changed a lot over the years and I haven’t been to an American convention since like 2013 or something so I’m not sure what they’re like now. The things I like most are lots of fan panels with variety, cosplay contests, activities, most of all friendly and social attendees. I don’t care much about celebrity/special guests usually and artist alley/vendors hall are neutral. I want people to be able to come up to us and chat about cosplay and fandom/take pics/exchange handles etc.

I used to be a semi-popular cosplayer and would get recognised at cons and really enjoyed the friendliness and enthusiasm of the Americans who would know me from social media. I’m not expecting that now as I’m a lot more low-key but I’m really wanting to enjoy a bit more of that aggressively friendly American experience.

18+ content is welcomed but I don’t think we’d want to go to a con specifically for that for our big trip. Lastly I’ve heard a bit that some cons are getting unmanageably crowded and crazy so I’d not really like to go to one of those events as I don’t want to get crushed to death. I use a cane and would prefer to not be knocked over by a giant crowd lol.

Thanks for suggestions!!

I'm mexican, recently i've been thinking on going on vacation to the US, and I have heard good things about cons like Anime Expo, Ecchi Expo and Holiday Matsuri, so, i'm here wondering, is there any con you guys would recommend to a foreigner like myself? It could be any of the ones I mentioned earlier, or any other you recommend, and i'm a bit more interested into cons with after-parties/raves

I was at a convention recently and it was horrible there were only three types of fandoms there, any other costume from a different show or game was nonexistent and there was nothing to do. It was outside and in the heat and I came back annoyed and tired. And of the people that were there only two different groups were there, super experienced and intimidating cosplayers and eleven year olds. I was expecting to see at least one thing from media that I liked (I watch and play super popular games) but it was absolutely nonexistent. (I may sound like a brat but I was coming with super high expectations since all the videos online said cons were so fun and amazing but I was so disappointed when it was just a glorified outdoor shopping centre)

Hey everyone!

I've been attending cons for a couple of years now and noticed something that seems to be missing in many artist alleys: ceramics! I'm a ceramicist and have been thinking about creating anime-inspired pieces (coasters, mugs, planters, figures, etc.) to showcase and sell at a local convention. It’s a smaller con that’s close by, so I think I could make enough stock to be happy with/not damage in transport.

Before I dive in, though, I wanted to ask if anyone has experience or thoughts on the feasibility of selling ceramics at an anime con? I know there's plenty of fan art and merch, but I haven’t seen much in this medium. Would this kind of art appeal to attendees? Do you think there's space for something like this at cons, or are there reasons it’s not commonly seen?

Would love to hear any experiences or advice from fellow artists or vendors!

Thanks in advance!

As the title suggests, do you guys know how much fares go up in December? I'm trying to decide whether I want to pay for a hotel that's a wee bit more expensive but walking distance, or a hotel that's more affordable but I will have to Uber.

Anyone done this before and know how high pricing gets during this time?

I'd appreciate it!

Is Isekai Anime Con worth vending or attending ? It seems to be one of the only cons in Utah

I used to go to anime conventions all the time, but my last one was in 2019. Now that I can get back into it, I'm actually nervous? I know the basics of con rules: hygiene, being respectful, staying hydrated and eating. Is there any other rules or tips I should know/be reminded of? The convention itself is pretty small, with less than 3,000 attendees I believe.

hiya! i’m a relatively new con goer and have been to a couple since last year. i’m just wondering if anyone had thoughts on anime nj? i wanna know if it’s worth the price before i buy and if not- any other nj or adjacent cons that anyone recommends. :)

I'm going to my first anime convention in December and I've been watching anime since I was in middle school (I'm in my mid 20s now). I'm trying to think of ideas about what to wear without fully cosplaying. I'm not a big fan of like hot topic anime merch because it's not really my style. Does anyone have any brands they like that are subtle anime merch or what else I might wear other than graphic tees?

Going to tsumicon for the first time by myself any advice what to expect?

I’m fairly new to anime cons and was wondering what should I be aware of? This is the first time I am going by myself (adult woman) and if possible I’d like to know what I should keep in mind; like safety, meeting people, situational awareness, etc. I have gone with friends before so I didn’t really process what it would be like to be alone at one. Some information and/or advice would be really appreciated!

Does anyone know of any anime conventions that have some kpop event/panels or merch? In the USA preferably east coast or midwest? Even just an annual random dance panel is helpful.

I haven’t seen a lot of activity about this con and was wondering if it was a popular convention to go too. If anyone is going this year it would be nice know! I haven’t been to this one before so some insight from people who have gone or are planning to would be awesome!

Hi,
I wanted to know if there are people who volunteered for conventions near them. I put in an application to volunteer for one in 2025 and I'm not quite sure how to go about it. The reason I wanted to do it is to share the experience of conventions and anime and Japanophlia with a younger demographic (I'm in my early to mid-30s) I've never volunteered for a convention although I have volunteered for events in my city as well as to a large museum near my city as well. I read another volunteer question thread from a while back and the volunteering for an organization who wants to make money doesn't make me feel differently about it. I just really want to share what made anime conventions to me special with someone else who is young and loves anime even though the anime we find special is different.

Hi everyone, I was just curious if anyone has been to Kawacon in San Antonio before. Any thoughts or reviews you'd like to share? I'm thinking about going in January and I'd love to get some more info before I pull the trigger. Thanks!

How are you all storing and transporting bulk plushies? I have been using 55 gallon trash bags to store and move them, which has been a pain to deal with since the bags don't stack nicely on the dolly. I'm thinking of using moving boxes but haven't found any big enough to actually hold enough plushies, especially my xlarge ones. Any help or suggestion is super appreciated!

I know its pretty bad to ask in animecons reddit cuz its gonna be biased but idk where else. I just want to know the good things and bad things about these events and if its really that worth like its that fun to be around that many people and stay in lines for stuff? or is it chill? are the stuff u can buy overpriced? what everything can there be? I just want to know everything about it please just tell me what u all know. Im maybe planning to go to Animagic con in Germany(my possibly first con) so if u know specific things about this event cuz i heard its every summer. Thanks (sry for maybe being confusing but i know u get it what i mean)

I’m going to this one in like less than 30 minutes and honestly I’ve been confused. I brought a poster and I just wanted his signature but I’m worried it’s not gonna work because it’s not 8X10. I’ve never been to a convention before, I only have $40 so I guess I could get a selfie?

Was thinking of going to AI on Sunday with friends (they're not available saturday)

Since only weekend passes are being sold, would it be possible to borrow their tickets for Saturday too to go with another group of friends? Feels like a waste to buy a weekend ticket and only use it for one day

My friends and I are going to Japan next year and we’d like to time it around a convention. I know of Comiket, but anything else?

Is it worth the money to vend? AniMarketPlace event in LA Little Tokyo Dec 7th. Thoughts?

My friends and I are looking to go to more conventions next year. I was wondering if anyone had any suggestions for any around the Midwest? Any that you’d stay away from?

TYIA!

This is another post like my last post on small vs big conventions. I don’t want to cause an internet fight, this is just for fun.

I do like one-day conventions since I can get a nice break from work without feeling a bit burnt out and get that convention feeling in one day in my honest opinion, but I do like three days since each day is a different day. What do you guys think?

Hi,

I’d like to go to Anime NJ++ in November but there’s very little info online about it. I don’t see any Discord or Facebook group people can join to talk about the con. I know that it just started out last year, does anyone have more info on the con?

This is for the Houston location. Im trying to find more info on the con but the we site has nothing. Insta & X just have the same thing and thats the vtubers and guests of honor. I cant find the panel infos or any of the events the con has. Can anyone help? Thanks!