Anime conventions can be an amazing experience. There’s nothing quite like a gathering of fans where everyone is geared to celebrate their shared love and appreciation for things like “One Piece”, “Chainsaw Man,” “Jujutsu Kaisen,” and so much more. There’s cosplay, merch, exclusive panels, and unforgettable fandom moments where strangers come together and express their nerdiness in spectacular fashion.
But if it’s your first time visiting an anime convention, be warned. There are more factors to consider than you might expect. You want your attendance to be as memorable as possible, but not being prepared may sour your experience. Luckily, you’ve come to the right place. We’ve got some quick and helpful tips for first-time anime convention visitors so you can take the proper steps. Don’t think of this as a mandatory checklist so much as guidelines to consider that can help make your first anime convention as smooth and positive a visit as possible.
Here are some of our tips for your first anime convention:
Prepare a schedule
You might be looking at different panels and events to check out while you’re at the convention. Be sure you know when and where they take place. Most conventions have detailed brochures (either paper ones at the venue or even online via app) that will have all the information you need. Make full use of them to keep track of the things you want to do. You’ll also want to arrive early to different panels to ensure you can grab a seat, especially if the panel is popular.
Bring cash
Booths and merchants will typically let you use cards to pay for your swag. There may be special cases, however. The venue’s WI-FI may experience downtime, affecting payment apps and services. In those instances, it helps to have some cash on hand just to be safe. Consider the length of your stay and what you plan to get (and whatever items unexpectedly catch your eye) and cash up accordingly.
Cosplayers, consider a change of clothes
Cosplay can be a fun way to express your fandom in style. But if you know that your cosplay isn’t the most comfortable or the design is too complex to walk around in all day, having a change of clothes on hand can be helpful. You don’t have to bring anything too cumbersome; a regular shirt and sweatpants are perfectly fine. Just so long as you have something easy to slip into, when the day is done.
Of course, if you can manage it, there’s nothing wrong with wearing your cosplay out in the street or when grabbing a bite to eat outside the venue. Seeing a regular restaurant full of cosplayers can be another fun part of the experience!
Arrive early for special booths and merch
You may have your sights set on a special booth that has con-exclusive merch or special items that you can’t get anywhere else. The thing is, other people in the fandom will be aware of this too and those lines can fill up quickly. You’ll want to arrive at the venue as early as possible before the show floor opens to line up and guarantee your purchase. Don’t be afraid to wake up early or even be the first at the door some two or three hours before the convention begins.
Have a go-bag handy
It pays to have a bag on hand for all the essentials. Nothing too bulky, considering you’ll probably be carrying it around all day. But it should be a convenient and secure bag that can fit most of your belongings. It should be something that can fit a phone, charger, wallet and even meds and health items as needed.
Tote bags are your friends
The last thing you want to do is have too many merch bags to carry around by the time the show floor closes. Have a sizeable tote bag ready that can hold all of the things you buy instead of getting new bags at each booth. It makes it easier to keep track of your items by having them all in one place.
Hotel attendees, book early
If you’re staying at a hotel for the duration of your visit, book early. Like, as soon as the dates for the convention are announced. Rooms can fill up fast if you wait for too long, especially if the hotel is close to or at the show venue itself.
Don’t forget to rest!
Anime conventions are fun, but they can be overstimulating and exhausting with the enormous crowds and constant walking. Whenever you can, find places to sit and snack on something so you can regain your bearings.
Reserve your post-con meal outside
You’ll likely be starving by the time a day at the con is done and you’ll be looking for dinner (if not crashing at home or in your hotel room). If you know you’ll still be in the area by the time you want to eat, have a reservation ready. Nearby restaurants will fill up with other con attendees walking in with the same hunger pangs as you. Get ahead of the curve and reserve for you and your friends so you can eat as quickly as possible.
Wash up. Seriously.
This last one is definitely not a joke. You’re going to be in a large space surrounded by people. Do yourself and others a favor by washing up and putting on deodorant before arriving at the venue. It doesn’t have to be fancy, just a quick and clean shower beforehand will do wonders for yourself and those around you.
Take these tips into consideration and your first anime convention will be a great one!
