Hey guys and girls, have you ever been to an anime convention and saw a lot of cosplaying couples around? Have you ever wanted to ask that one guy or girl out with whom you share a common interest with, but were too timid or afraid to approach him or her due to the fear of embarrassment? Do you want to get ‘Senpai’ to notice you without having to go through extreme lengths to do so? Then look no further cosplay and anime fans, cuz’ D&A’s gonna turn you into the cosplaying, anime-watching, manga-reading mac-daddy (or lady) that you were born to be! (Through our words of self-confidence and guidance of course!)

Cosplay Dating Tip #1: NO “Pick-Up” Lines!

If you have a sticky note or index card full of pick-up lines that you plan to use, throw it away immediately! We know that some anime characters (mostly guys) use crazy pick-up lines in order to score chicks, but unless you want a hand print on both sides of your face get rid of them ASAP!

Cosplay Dating Tip #2: Investigate!

Find out what kind of anime she (or he) likes and try to list as many titles as you know. Don’t be surprised if you happen to shout out the one title that you both fall head-over-heels for. Beware though; if he (or she) likes an anime title or fandom that you (and possibly a good percentage of others) don’t necessarily like for your own personal reason(s), then it’s probably in your best interest to abort the mission. Otherwise keep an open mind about what the other person likes and make his (or her) fandom interest, your fandom interest.

Cosplay Dating Tip #3: Pick Up Some Mad Sewing Skills (Or Just Buy Some Cosplay Outfits Online)!

If you happen to find a title or fandom that you both like, then show him (or her) how much you care about said anime title or fandom. (FYI, we’re not just talking anime, but manga, video games, superheroes, etc.) Nothing will make your potential date happier than seeing you wearing cosplay or apparel that represents his (or her) favorite fandom. If you get compliments on your fandom apparel or cosplay, then you’re one step closer to scoring a date! 😉

Cosplay Dating Tip #4: Go To The Con That He (Or She) Is Attending!

All of this would’ve been for naught if you don’t actually go to the anime convention that your potential date might be at. Do whatever you can to stand out from the crowd (if your wallet will let you, but we’re pretty sure it will cuz’ he or she’s worth it), and you’ll be noticed in a flash! Compliment their cosplay and tell them how nice it looks on them, because they’ve put in the same amount of energy and sweat that you did.

Cosplay Dating Tip #5: Buy Your Date A Trinket From His or Her Favorite Fandom!

So the two of you have been exchanging Facebook messages as well as DM each other on Twitter, but now that you’ve got your date interested in you, it’s time to bring out the gifts! (Well, more like a trinket or a small token from their favorite fandom.) This will show your date how much you appreciate their favorite fandom; whether its anime, manga, video games, or Marvel superheroes.

Cosplay Dating Tip #6: Explore His or Her Secret Identity!

Get to know who your date is aside from cosplaying at anime and superhero conventions. Find out what their favorite movie is, what kind of dessert they like, what their favorite place to eat, things like that. This will give you a chance to discover who your cosplay date is on a much deeper level, so be polite and courteous and treat your date the same way that you would like to be treated.

Cosplay Dating Tip #7: Be Yourself!

Don’t fake the funk and pretend to like an anime title or fandom just because it makes your date ‘squeee!’ whenever you mention it. If you pull a move like that then be prepared to live a long and lonely otaku life. Love the fandom because you yourself love it as much as your date does. It will tell them that you truly care about all aspects of their lives no matter how quirky, meaningless, and stupid they may seem to others. Being yourself is the number one surefire way to score a potential date with a cosplayer! Remember that and you’ll be golden! 🙂

That will do it for our Cosplay Dating Tips for now. Hopefully these tips have helped you in the ways of the cosplay dating seen in anime (and various other geeky pop culture) conventions. Stay true, and stay gold! 😉

We’re hoping that this filler post will help you guys out when planning to do a fan panel at a con. As exciting as anime conventions are; both in theory and reality, engineering/doing a fan panel can be both fun and just a tad bit exhausting depending on the subject matter. There’s a lot of planing that goes into making a great panel for fans to enjoy, however if you’re not careful then it can turn into hour-long college lecture without having to take notes. The best fan panels that we’ve had the chance to go to are the Q&A and interactive ones, as those seem like the most popular ones that fans attend. We’re not suggesting that you follow some crazy ‘by-the-book’ formula in order to have a successful panel, but hopefully these tips will make your fan panel a bit more exciting!

Tip #1 – Brainstorm! Figure out what topic of interest are you and your associates (if you plan on having more than one person on your panel) going to talk about. You also have to figure out the type of panel you’ll need in order to accommodate your topic. Is it a Q&A panel? A demonstration panel? These are questions that need to be answered during the brainstorming process before you’re able to move on.

Tip #2 – Research! Find out everything you need to know about your topic; such as ‘What year was the Gothic Lolita trend established?’ And so on and so forth. The last thing you wanna do is host your fan panel but have no idea what the heck you’re talking about! >.<

Tip #3 – Take the Stage! Depending on the type of panel that you’re doing, sometimes it might make the crowd more enthusiastic if you’re enthusiastic as well! When doing a Q&A fan panel or a demonstration workshop, it helps to be engaging with the audience because it will boost the overall morale of the panel itself. Don’t be afraid to have fun with the audience cuz’ you never know, they might even ask you to come back! 🙂

Tip #4 – If you’re doing a Game Show panel, offer prizes! Every game show has prizes for the winner(s) so if you plan on hosting one, be sure to offer them some prizes; such as an anime DVD box set, a free 12-month subscription to Crunchyroll (if you got those kind of connections), or something that’ll be worth while. You don’t have to blow through the rest of your wall scroll budget to get some prizes for your fellow otaku, just keep the winning prize price range between $40-$60 and you should be fine. 😉

Tip #5 – Bring Your Laptop! Depending on the type of panel that you do, nine times outta ten it’ll require a laptop. Panel types like demonstrations and some Q&A’s might require the use of a USB projector, so make sure you ask the staff on what you’ll need before you submit your paperwork for your panel.

Tip #6 – JUST. HAVE. FUN!! Panels are what make anime conventions fun and exciting! So why not have some fun at your own fan panel, right? If the audience sees that you’re having fun at your own panel, then they’re gonna have fun as well.

That will about wrap up this filler post we’ve got here. Fan panels are awesome and they make the con that much more of an enjoyable experience to beginners and veterans alike. If you follow these tips before you plan your next anime con, you’ll be two steps ahead of the game and won’t have anything to worry about!

Stay true, and stay gold! 🙂

If your a frequent flyer in the anime convention market (in other words, a fan who likes going to cons), then you might have noticed that after you’ve taken a cosplayer’s picture, they have handed you their business card. What they are doing is marketing themselves as cosplayers. There are thousands of anime fans out there who have formed various cosplay groups (such as Potter Ninja Pro and various others), and have marketed themselves through social media, as well as in person through anime conventions. Cosplayers are the kind of people that take their passion seriously while having fun doing it, and if that’s something that you enjoy doing, then here’s some tips on how to market yourself in the anime convention circuit…

Tip #1: Dress the Part

Now, we’re not saying that you can’t express your creativity through your cosplay, but from a business perspective it’s probably a good idea to dress the part (as accurately as you can within your means). Presentation is one of the most crucial elements of Marketing and Advertising, and it tells the others that not only do you take your passion for cosplay seriously, but you also like to have fun doing it! (Also, enter into some cosplay contests if you wanna show off your creative skills!)

Tip #2: Create a Cosplay Brand Name

Here’s one of the fun parts about cosplaying; you get to create your own brand name that you get to market out there in the cosplay world of anime cons! You don’t have to think too hard about a brand name for your cosplay, because most cosplay groups or solo artists have silly ones; like Strawberry Milk Cosplay, or Kawaii Bird Cosplay. (If any of you has those names as actually cosplay brand names, then kudos and consider this a shout-out! ^.^) Having a brand name separates you from the rest of the pack so let those creative juices flow, and go for it! 😉

Tip #3: Establish a Digital Footprint

Now that you’ve dressed the part and come up with your cosplay brand name, it’s time for the bread n’ butter of Marketing and Advertising! Having social media pages for your brand can really benefit you on a business end of M&A, and as a cosplayer. (Heck, that’s why we’re where we are today as D&A! ^.^) Jump on social media tools like Facebook and Twitter and create an account for your cosplay brand, then find someone who’s great at designing business cards and send the draft to Vista Print! (Shout-outs! ^.^) After that create yourself a Youtube channel and you’ll be all set on the digital front! 🙂

Tip #4: Go to Anime Conventions

Even though you have a digital footprint, a cosplay name, and you’ve already dressed the part, no one is gonna know who you are unless you go to the cosplay world known as an anime convention! Cons are a HUGE hot spot for marketing and advertising your cosplay brand, so once you get your hands on some business cards, take em’ with you to the next con that’s happening in your area (or state). Advertising locally is great but don’t limit yourself to just one con a year, go to multiple ones so that you’ll get multiple chances to not only advertise yourself as a cosplayer, but have fun with other cosplayers in the process!

Tip #5: Ask for other Cosplayer’s Business Cards

Asking for another cosplayer’s business card is a surefire way to get you noticed by senpai even more! (Without having to do anything lewd or irrational.) Your name may even get recognized on another blogger’s page or an anime convention’s website. If that’s the case then you’ve now leveled up to Anime Convention Panelist, so bask in your hard earned glory you lovable otaku! 😉

That’s it from us and our cosplay marketing tips! If you have any questions then shoot us a comment on our Contact Us page.

So it’s over…the otaku that you once loved has decided that it would be best if you both saw other people. Perhaps the two of you may have gotten into a big argument over how the second Evangelion movie ended, or maybe something different. Let’s be honest; breakups suck, and many of us handle the aftermath of a bad relationship in different ways. Instead of drowning yourself in shot after shot of tequila (or any alcohol of your choice), we’re gonna give you the five best ways to handle heartbreak at a con.

This filler post is for both the girls and the guys who have had bad breakups at cons in the past and present, and we hope that you find your real love in the future! 🙂

1. Take some time to yourself.

Heartbreak is more stressful for the one on the receiving end of it, then the one who initiated it. Men go through the breakup process much differently than women; in a man’s case after suffering heartbreak it only takes two weeks and trip to the strip club with his friends to forget about the woman who dumped him, of course in an anime fan’s case it’s a different story.

If you ever find yourself on the receiving end of a breakup, either through your lover breaking up with you or cheated on you with another cosplayer (though we’ve never seen that happen and cannot prove that those kinds of things don’t actually happen), find the nearest corner inside the con and take some time off to get yourself together. It’s okay to let yourself cry a little after the fact that the anime fan that you love no longer wants to be with you. Friendship is really important in times like this so if one of your friends (or you) is going through the heartbreak process, sit down with them (or have them sit with you) and confide in them (or vice-versa).

2. Find a funny anime title to watch (or panel to go to).

Distraction can be your best friend in a case like this. The last thing you wanna do is think about the breakup during the whole weekend of the con. When we say take some time to yourself, we meant take some time to ENJOY yourself. Anime is one of the best distractions that you can have as a fan, and is a ‘go-to’ stress reliever when you’re having a bad day in the real world. Doing this will take your mind off the one who broke up with you, and don’t forget that you have friends that are there to support you. If you don’t, then we’ll support you!! 😉

3. If you can, avoid the one who broke up with you.

Sometimes the best way to deal with after-breakup tension, is to not get in it at all. Even though it’s not going to be easy to steer clear of the anime fan or cosplayer that broke up with you for the rest of the con, try your best to keep as much distance between you and them as you can. We don’t wanna see any of our fans kicked out of a con or taken to jail because of assault (due to the fact that they were on the receiving end of the breakup).

4. Forgive the one who broke up with you.

You know the old saying about never going to bed angry? Well the same can be said when it comes to dealing with con heartbreak. Don’t spend the whole weekend burning mad about the person that broke up with you. If you followed tips 1 through 3, then number 4 is going to be the one that brings you closure. Before you can forgive someone, you must first ask yourself for forgiveness of how you reacted negatively to the situation, even though you didn’t do anything wrong. This will allow you to have the compassion and heart to forgive the other person that broke up with you, and this will bring you to number five…

5. Move on!

There are thousands of fish in the sea! You don’t have to spend your whole weekend thinking about someone that you love, but doesn’t return those feelings back to you. You now have a chance to start anew, so head back out to your favorite anime convention and have fun with your friends for awhile. Remember, there’s a Hinata for every Naruto, so there’s always a chance that you’ll find your true love. Never give up on it! 😉

If you’re an anime convention goer like us then you’re well-familiar with all the fun stuff that happens while you’re there. From cosplay to anime voice actors there’s never a dull moment for you and your otaku friends while attending a con. However the really fun part doesn’t happen until after the sun goes down, and that my friends, is the rave party!

Rave parties have been going on since the 90’s, of course back then it was more about the well-known party drug called ecstasy (or Molly), and less about the music (though both went hand in hand). Lucky for us we don’t have to worry about a wall of police coming in and shutting down these con raves, cuz’ there are no drugs at them. (At least not the ones we’ve been too, just kidding, they’re all clean! ^.^)

Whenever you head down to any anime con’s rave party, you’re bound to find these five things while there. We of course have been to enough raves to know what goes down, so for you first time ravers here’s what you’ll be in for! 😉

Number 5: Dance Circles

These are almost like an industry standard when it comes to raves. Have you ever been to a rave party (con-related or not) that has never had a dance circle? If the answer is no, then c’mon, you gotta get out more! Dance circles usually contain one to three people that are either b-boys (or b-girls), pop-lockers, or dancers that like to do neat tricks with their rave party spinners and trinkets. If you ever find yourself at a rave, then this will probably be the first thing you’ll notice.

Number 4: Conga Lines

Both A. Goldman and Yours Truly have been in many of these at raves and they’re pretty fun! Because of how dark it can get inside a rave its hard to tell when the conga line starts, but somehow we all know how it ends; when it crashes into the dance circle. There are still a handful of anime convention rave parties that still do this, so if you find yourself in one, go ahead and enjoy the ride! 😉

Number 3: Grinding Couples

Depending where you are while inside the rave, you’re bound to find at least one or two grinding couples out there on the dance floor. Can you imagine dancing to your favorite nightcore trap remix of the opening theme to SAO, before glancing at the cosplayer dressed as Shiro (from Deadman Wonderland) bumping and grinding nastily with Scorpion? That would be odd and exciting to watch, wouldn’t it?

We’ll admit, both A. Goldman and Yours Truly (mostly Yours Truly) had a hand in the bumping and grinding game when it came to raves. Unlike actual clubs though, you’ll only find these particular couples either somewhere off to the side away from the crowd, or way in the back. Either way, you’re bound to find them at these parties.

Number 2: Rave Merch

Wanna know how that dude got those light-up bass EQ sunglasses? Then you’re gonna wanna check out the merchandise table at the rave party! Be sure to have some cash with you (say about $20-40) if you plan to buy anything at that table, cuz’ chances are, 75% or everything on that table is gonna cost at least $25.

Number 1: Other Ravers

It can’t get any more simpler than that! 🙂

So there you have it! The five things you’ll find if you ever head off to a rave party at an anime convention. Number three might be a little more common if you find yourself at a cosplay after party at a nightclub/lounge, so don’t be surprised if you see a Sailor Venus cosplayer giving Deadpool a lap dance. Trust us, we’ve seen it happen.

Have fun going to your first con rave!! 🙂

FYI, you have to be 18 and older in order to check out these anime convention panels! Well guys, last time we talked about the top ten anime convention panels to check out at an anime con, but now we’re revealing our top five panels to check out for those who are over 18. If you’re an anime fan who’s about to turn 18 next month then listen up, cuz’ you’re gonna wanna read this post! We’ve combed the web in order to find the five best 18+ panels to check out while you’re at a con, and here’s what we’ve got for ya! So sit back, relax, and enjoy the debauchery! 😉

WARNING: YOU CANNOT RECORD ANY FOOTAGE AT THESE PANELS! The people and voice actors doing them love their jobs more than life itself. Don’t be “that guy/girl” who messes everything up for the rest of us. Thanks!

Coming in at Number 5: The Cards Against Humanity Panel! (18+)

A. Goldman and I have had the pleasure of participating in this panel first hand, and dare we say, it’s hilarious! If you’ve never played this game before with your college-aged friends, then find the nearest online store that sells this card game, and PLAY it! There’s a number of anime conventions that have this card game, and if they don’t, then you can submit your own 18 and up panel and play it among your fans, or just your friends!

Number 4: So You Think You Can Twerk Panel! (18+)

So far, this 18 and up panel can only be found at Florida Supercon. Wanna see Panty and Stocking cosplayers drop it like it’s hot to Lil’ John or T-Pain? Then you might wanna check this little 18 and up panel. The panel itself is a twerking contest to see who’s best girl (or guy) can shake what their mama gave em’, and be crowned “Best Twerker at Florida Supercon!” Yours Truly wouldn’t mind being the DJ for this panel some time in the future! 😉

Number 3 brings us…WTF did I just Watch Panel! (18+)

You think we’re the only one’s with crazy uncut commercials that can only be found on Youtube? Well think again! We’ve had the chance to go to this panel at this year’s Zenkaikon, and boy…what we saw can never be unseen. You’ll be in for some pretty risque Japanese commercials, infomercials, and music videos that will make many of us say, “Damn! WTF did I just watch?!” O.O

Number 2: Cosplay Burlesque! (18+)

Twerking cosplayer’s is bad enough, but if you want the whole nine yards then you’re gonna wanna check out this 18 and up panel. Can you imagine fangirls screaming at the sight of Death the Kid stripping down to his symmetrical jockstrap? Or at the sight of Junko Enoshima doing a striptease in front of her despairingly horny fans? Well now you can! Check out this 18+ panel if you’re in the mood for some risky business…

And Finally, Number 1…Voice Actors After Dark! (18+)

Make the necessary adjustments, cuz’ this panel is NOT filtered! It’s after 9pm and we’re pretty sure that all your favorite voice actors already had a lil’ sip of somethin’ before coming back to the con. (If you know what we mean…)

This panel is one of the greatest 18 and up panels to check out if you’re a fan of your favorite voice actor(s). They’ll tell you the uncensored versions of all of their stories and even do a few lines from some TV-MA rated anime titles, that they couldn’t do when all the kiddies were awake. Make sure that you grab your 18+ wristband early on in the day (like 4pm or so), and get in the line about 2 hours before the panel starts. (Trust us, we had to do that and actually got in, but that may not be the case if it’s a smaller con.)

So there you have it! These are the five 18+ panels that you should definitely check out at any and every anime convention, that you and your friends might happen to be going to. We can assure you, you won’t be disappointed! 😉

Anime conventions. The cornerstone of the otaku lifestyle. Some people say that these types of events are like one big anime meetup group; where hundreds of thousands of anime and manga fans fellowship and mingle with one another. (Kinda like a mixer; only with anime, manga, K-pop, J-pop, and Vocaloid fans.) Aside from meeting up with your fellow otaku and taking some pictures of cosplayers, an anime convention wouldn’t be anything without fan-produced (and fan-run) panels!

Panels at conventions can range from being seminar-like in nature, to being more interactive and fan-driven. One of the coolest things about going to one, is that you get to learn certain aspects about the anime industry you never knew before. (Like finding out how the dubbing process works in anime for FUNimation and its voice actors.) The content found in anime convention panels is like a mixed bag; meaning that it can range from a Walt Disney-style rating, to something that you’d find after midnight on HBO or Cinemax. (We’ll cover ‘those’ panels in Part 2 of this filler post.)

Without further delay, let’s begin! 🙂

At Number 10: Ask an Anime Character Panel!

We’ll admit, we’ve seen this panel on Youtube at various cons across the U.S. but never been to one in real life. A. Goldman and I can only imagine how much fangirls “Squeeee!” whenever they see Todd Haberkorn’s character on Sgt. Frog, or how excited we get when we see Alucard or Piccolo on screen. Needless to say that this is one of the many panels that we recommend going to see if you have some questions you’d like to ask your favorite anime character. Hopefully one day D&A will get the chance to host it. (*fingers crossed*)

Coming up at Number 9: Cosplay 101 Panel!

This one can come up at various anime cons and is one of the coolest fan-run panels that we ever had the chance to go to. It’s great for beginners who are trying to figure out how to get Kakashi’s hairstyle just right, or how much mascara to add for Stocking’s makeup. This panel even show you some DYI tricks to pull off the look you’re looking for, for less. Be sure to stop by this panel if you ever find yourself at a con!

Number 8: The Crunchyroll Panel!

This panel (we believe) is only found at certain anime conventions that take place at a convention center or a huge arena. (And even Crunchyroll’s own convention.) If you’re a subscriber to their streaming site then this is a must see panel to go to! They’ll show you their seasonal lineup of all new series, movies, and OVA’s for your own enjoyment as well as your friends (if they love anime as much as you do). If you’ve never gone to their panel, go! You won’t regret it! (And if you do, then we’ll let the titans eat us. T.T)

Number 7 is…Greggo’s Game Show Panel!

These panels are actually pretty fun! You get to play games like Password, Press Your Luck, and many others. If you’re a fan of game shows then you’re definitely gonna love this panel!

Number 6: The Gundam Panel!

This one’s for all you Gundam fans! If you wanna learn the history behind this franchise then we urge you to check out this panel, ASAP! 😉

At Number 5: The Autograph Panel!

Well it’s not necessarily a panel, but more like a line that you stand in while Monica Rial or J. Micheal Tatum signs some anime memorabilia that you saved up and bought from Amazon. (Or Layaway if you’re goin’ old school.) Make sure you get to this line at least 90 minutes early, because depending on which voice actor or guest it is, you may or may not get in at all. (And that would be a crying shame. T-T)

Number 4 brings us…Music and Band Panels!

Okay, these are not ‘panels’ actually, these are more like daytime (or nighttime) concerts that you go to if you wanna hear your favorite band or singer sing your favorite anime opening to your favorite show. (Who doesn’t wanna see TM Revolution perform the hit opening to Soul Eater, right?!)

Number 3: The AMV Showdown Panel!

If you’re looking for some of the best fan-produced AMV’s from Youtube, then you’re gonna wanna check out this anime convention panel! It’s a battle to see which AMV has what it takes to make it to the finals, and eventually which AMV creator wins a trip to Japan. Even if you’re not there to compete it’s still a fun panel you get to go to.

Number 2: The History of Anime Panel!

In order to figure out how all of your favorite shows came to be, you’d have to go back several decades (even as far back as WWII). It’s like the old saying goes; “Those who don’t know their history, are doomed to repeat it. However those who know their anime history, are blessed to conserve its legacy!” (Okay the last part is just an add-on but you know what we mean, right?)

And Finally Number 1: The Voice Actor Q&A Panels!

You already know that this is our number one reason for going to anime conventions, and we’re hoping its yours as well! Who doesn’t like hearing J. Micheal Tatum talk about his octopus story, or about hilarious booth moments from Kyle Herbert, Jamie Marchi, and Crispin Freeman. (We’re pretty sure they got some stories.) All-in-all, you get to talk to and ask your favorite voice actors about their character(s), what ADR means, and what their favorite line from the show is. (Just make sure you don’t ask them anything too personal.)

Well that’s it from us for now! Next time we’ll do a filler post on our Top 5 18+ anime convention panels. Stick around for that post comin’ up! 🙂

As a fan of anime and manga, you know how excited you get when the date for an upcoming anime convention arrives. You’ll get the chance to go to panels, workshops, see your favorite voice actors and actresses from your most beloved shows, and of course the biggest reason of all; cosplayers. These are the kind of fans who bring your favorite character, waifu, or husbando to life through some well designed costume planning, and some serious skills behind a sewing machine.

Going to anime cons and seeing cosplayers dressed as anime characters like Hestia, Soul Evans, or even Moka Akashia, is like stepping into the anime wonderland that you’ve always dreamed of going to. Of course whenever you see cosplayers at cons you’re bound to ask them for a picture, so we at D&A Anime Blog are going to show you the rules of Cosplay Consent through our eyes.

The “Do’s” of Cosplayer Consent!

As we mentioned before, it’s fun when you get to take pictures of the person who is cosplaying as your favorite anime or manga character. However there are some rules and guidelines that every anime convention has whenever you take cosplay pictures. Many of those rules are listed in the guidebook that they give you, but we’re gonna break them down for you guys right here on the good ol’ blog! 🙂

DO: Ask the cosplayer for permission to take their picture. You can ask them to do a character pose or a general one with you if you wish.

DO: (If you’re a cosplay photographer and want to market yourself) After taking the cosplayer’s picture, make sure you ask for their permission to post the picture on your blog or album website. Don’t forget to give them a business card.

It’s nice to remember these rules whenever you head off to an anime convention. There may be some cosplayers that may say “no” when you ask for their permission to take a picture of them, but 95% of the time they’ll say “yes”. Never be afraid to ask questions if you’re unsure about what to do when taking cosplay pictures at cons, cuz’ it’ll help you big time in the long run! 😉

The Don’ts of Cosplayer Consent!

Now it’s time for the opposite. These are some of the things that you should NOT do, when asking a cosplayer’s permission to take their picture. Not only can these things throw a monkey wrench in the overall experience of the con, but in some serious cases it can even get you removed or banned.

DON’T: Ask for any pose that’s going to make the cosplayer feel uncomfortable. This also means keeping your hands to yourself, you baka! (We’re kidding, we love you guys. We just don’t want you turning into perverts.)

DON’T: Take the picture in the middle of on-coming con traffic. (Unless you want a flattened Death the Kid as your featured image.)

DON’T: Sneak a picture of a cosplayer after they already said “no” upon your first attempt at asking for their permission. You may think you won’t get caught but trust me, ‘karma’ knows where you live…

DON’T: Ask for the cosplayer’s phone number and try to get a date out of them. (Nine times outta ten they already have a girlfriend or boyfriend…most of the time.)

DON’T: Chase the cosplayer around the whole freakin’ con if you missed them the first time. Just wait until the opportunity comes around when the two of you will meet either after a panel, or before the end of the night to get their picture.

Remembering these rules of cosplay consent help keep us con goers and cosplayers safe while continuing to make the overall experience enjoyable. If you notice something out of the norm at an anime convention that you don’t like, don’t be afraid to ask a staff member to investigate the situation. Don’t forget about the con-buddy system because it’ll help ease most of the strain and tension that comes with con drama.

Oh, and one more thing…HAVE FUN!!! Cuz’ at the end of the weekend, that’s what going to anime cons is all about! 😉

Just to let you guys know, this post is for anyone who has never EVER been to an anime convention before. If you’re a con veteran like us then we beg you to share this post with anyone who’s never been to a con before. With all that being said, let’s get started with the basics!

Rule #1: Do your Homework! (In other words: RE-search!)

Make sure that this is the number one thing that you do before proceeding to the next few rules that we have for you. Homework can be a pain in the butt; especially when you’re in grade school, but for something of this magnitude you’re gonna have to get on your boogie board (or surf board) and surf the web, daddy-o! Finding out where and when an anime convention starts will put you on the path to success when it comes to preparing for your first time. (Relax, we’re not talking about sex…yet.)

Rule #2: Book the Hotel, ASAP!!!

One of the worst things that can ever happen to a con goer is waiting until the week of the con to book a hotel. Remember, you’re not the only one going to the anime convention, you’re going to be there with at least 10,000+ other people who are just as enthusiastic about anime and manga as you are. That also means beating the hotel traffic in order to make sure that you and your anime-lovin’ friends, get the first discount-rated room that becomes available. As for when to book your room, make sure that you do it at least 3-4 months before the actual month that the con is scheduled to start. That way it’ll give you enough time to save up the money because depending on the con and its location, the hotel prices can be a little bit up there. ($150-$275 a night isn’t bad as long as you’ve got two or three friends o split the bill.)

Rule #3: Take What You Need, and not what you Don’t!

Over-packing can be the bane of anyone who’s going on vacation for the first time, so treat this as a vacation from reality and the rest of the world. Pack soaps, toothbrushes, deodorant, you know, the basic items for basic hygiene. No one wants to take a picture with you if your breath smells worst than Togami’s butt. (If you can guess where we got that reference from, then kudos my friend! ^.^) Technology-wise just bring your camera and/or video camera, just in case you decide that you might wanna document your first experience at a con. Finally, take some extra cash if you plan on buying some wall scrolls or other anime merchandise while you’re there.

Rule #4: Need a Ride? Let Uber, Lyft, or your friends be your Guide!

Okay, not this part can be a little bit tricky, but no worries we’ve got you covered! Depending on where the convention is located, you’re going to need one of the three methods of transportation that we’ve mentioned in this rule. If you’ve got friends who happen to have cars then you’re in good shape, because this will save you the trouble of asking mom and dad for a ride. (Of course with friends you won’t have to chip in that much for gas as opposed to your parents.) If you and your friends don’t have a car, then you can grab the Uber or Lyft app on your iPhone or Android (if you have one), and tell em’ to pick you up. (Make sure you get UberX because that’s the least expensive.) If your convention is less than 10 miles from your house, then mom and dad shouldn’t mind too much. (You’re still gonna have to pay them for gas though.)

Rule #5: Raid the Con! (Actually, don’t do that. Just walk around and check out the awesome atmosphere!)

When going to your first anime convention it is easy to get lost when you’ve never been inside the actual con before. After you’ve paid for your con badge make sure that the con staff has given you a map/schedule of the con, because this will cut down a lot of the hassle that comes with being an anime convention virgin. (Minus the sex. Sorry, sorry! T.T) If there are no panels going on during the first two hours of the con, take that time to plan out which panels you and your friends want to go to. Establish a meeting place if you and your friends decide to go to different panels, and don’t forget to make time to eat too! If you make sure that all of the conditions of the first four rules have been met, then you should be all set! 😉

FINALLY, just have fun! Take pictures with other fans who are cosplaying as your favorite characters from your favorite series. Go see your favorite voice actors. Head down to the con’s rave party and dance the night away while listening to a progressive house remix of Sailor Moon. (The DJs at these cons are pretty good, of course Yours Truly plans on throwing his hat into that ring pretty soon.)

Well, I hope that this filler post helped you out. If this is your first time going to an anime con and you don’t know what to do, just look back on this post and relax.

HAVE FUN!! 🙂

If you’re a hardcore anime fan who loves anime almost more than life itself, but never been to an anime convention before, then the information from this post is gonna be quite beneficial to you. A. Goldman and Yours Truly have been going to anime conventions for over eight years, and let me tell you, the things we’ve seen happen while we’ve been a part of them, are memories that no one in the ‘real world’ can take away from you. So to help you enjoy the full experience of an anime convention (cosplay, merch, voice actors, etc.), we’re gonna unlock the vault containing the biggest secrets on how to successfully plan for an anime convention!

Tip #1: Find the Con!

Everyone’s gotta start somewhere, right? So why not start by surfing through the web. If you google up anime conventions you’re bound to find hundreds of different ones all across the U.S. as well as the UK, South America, and even Africa (which I didn’t even know they had). If you’ve gotten past this step then the next is to find a con that’s either in your area or state and head to its website. Check out the con’s history and see what events they have there, and if they’re to your liking (and we’re pretty sure they are), then look for the convention’s hotel tab and book it, Dano!** 😛

(**Make sure you take some friends who love anime and cosplay with you if you plan on going to your con. Hotels can be expensive depending on where you stay, but if you got a buddy or two to split the cost with, then you’ll be alright!)

Tip #2: Prepare for the Con!

You’ve booked it, so now you have to prepare for it! Going to an anime con is just like planning for a vacation; you got to pack your clothes, your toothbrush, your electronic gaming system (in this case a 3DS or any other handheld gaming device will do, trust me, you can leave the PS4, Xbox One, or whatever gaming brand console you’re into at home, cuz’ you’re not gonna be in the room that much anyway), and anything else that you think you may or may not need.

The next step after doing that is finding a way to the hotel/convention. Nine times outta ten your mom or dad might be happy enough to take you and your friends to your hotel (convention), but that all depends on these three things: location, location, LOCATION!

If your hotel or anime convention is no more than 45 minutes away from where you live, then your parents shouldn’t have a problem taking you there. (Unless you’re over 16 and got your own car, then you can cut mommy n’ daddy out of the equation.) However if your hotel is either 2-3 hours away or even in another state, mom and dad might say you’re shitzu-outta-luck. Not to worry though, because thanks to the advancements of technology, we’ve got Uber and Lyft!

Just make sure you’ve got some extra money saved up to cover the cost. Heck, you can even divide who pays going to the hotel/con and who pays coming back. (Like we just did for Zenkaikon.)

Tip #3: Set Some Ground Rules

We all know the old saying; “It’s all fun and games until someone ends up in the corner crying–or something to that effect!” In other words just lay down some ground rules on what goes on while inside your hotel room. We’ve heard a lot about con drama happening at almost every anime convention, and when it happens, it can (sometimes) kill the whole happy vibe that you been having while at the con. I’m not trying to sound like your parents/guardian(s) but setting these ground rules can help you enjoy the full extent of the con without having any tense moments.

Those rules can range from the sleeping arrangements to if your roommate/friend decides to indulge in some after con hours activity (i.e. drinking or sex with his/her girlfriend/boyfriend/best friend, though we won’t judge about that last part). Remember, it is better to be safe at a con, then sorry on the way back home.

Also, if you plan on going to the convention’s rave party (or shindig), keep an eye on how long you stay out at night. I dunno what it is about midnight, but bad things always happen after midnight. (Unless the convention is inside the hotel itself, then in this case party on you party animal! ^.^)

Tip #4: Let The Map Be Your Guide

There is never going to be an anime convention that doesn’t give you a map on how to find a Q&A panel for Sonny Strait, or where the next showing of Dragon Ball Super is. If you’re traveling in a group then this tip is going to be quite crucial for you, especially if the events or panels you want to check out might not be the same ones that your friends wanna check out.

For this tip it would be in your best interest to mark the panels and workshops that you want to check out while at the con in advance. This tip also refers back to Tip #1, so if you and your friends already have a good idea of which voice actor(s) you want to see or which panel you want to go to, then you should be a-okay! Also as an add-on to this tip; make sure you set up a meeting place on where you should meet up, should you and your friends take off in different directions for different panels. (Don’t forget to put in some time for food, cuz’ otaku can have a Broly-sized appetite.)

Finally, just have fun! Make new friends and awesome geeky memories that will last a lifetime. Who says you only have to go to just one anime con a year, go to multiple ones so you can enjoy that happy con feeling over, and over, and over again! As long as you follow these tips that we’ve given you, you’ll know what to do if you plan on going to an anime con; whether you’ve been going to them as long as we have, or you’re just stepping out to one for the very first time.