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FanimeCon 08
written
by Sai Hashimoto
Fanime 2008 was a four day weekend packed with fun and excitement. There was really good entertainment ranging from Anime Music Videos, the Masquerade, to even Antique Café (AnCafe) performing. There were great guests, filled gaming rooms, and anime being played non-stop in the video rooms. It also got extra points for being well organzied (especially the registration lines that ran smooth like glass) with excellent staff and security.
I personally attended the swap meet, a great idea which more conventions should adopt. The swap meet is a place for fans like you and me to sell our used items and toys we simply don’t need or play with anymore and amazing prices. It is also a great place for you to score the item you always wanted for a good price.
The Anime Music Videos provided great entertainment and it’s location in the main hall was excellent for those who wanted to stop and catch a few before hurrying on their way to their next photoshoot. There was really good submissions this year that provided great LOLs.
The Masquerade was ran beautifully for the most part. People were filed in neatly, the skits came out orderly, everything was going great. The only flaws was mainly the large speakers that blocked the view for photographers in the press/front row who couldn’t hardly see a thing! The other flaw was it’s hurried awards announcement that seemed a little confusing and rushed. Over all though? A great show!
Having AnCafe attend was an extreme excitement for most people (Myself included! But I was more interested in attending the Black and White Ball that went smashingly well). Fans waited in line way before five’o’clock for their chance at obtaining AnCafe tickets. The concert was a huge hit with great music and vivid excitement.
Very few things could be found to be negative at this convention. One of the main issues was the price of food offered at the convention location. $8.00 for a hotdog and $4.00 for a soda? We sooner found ourselves trecking down the streets of San Jose to the local Bento and Bubble Tea place with it’s delicious food and lower prices (for more food!). While this is something that really isn’t in control with Fanime Staff, it was rather apalling of the convention building to try to reap funds from hungry and dehydrated attendees.
One last dissappointment, was the dealer’s hall. When I walked in I was shocked at how small it was! I had heard from many con-goers that it was a very weak dealer’s room with more generic (knives, gothic items, and random asian things that look like they belong in a chinese restaurant) items than quality anime/manga/video game goods.
Overall this convention was great other than those few issues. I believe Fanime is one of the best conventions on the West Coast (and maybe in the whole United States) to attend. Great people, excellent staff, excellent entertainment, busy, exciting, and most importantly, extremely fun. I look forward to attending next year.
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