Traditionally, anime conventions run over a weekend (Friday to Sunday). You usually pay for your entry on-line in advance, especially for bigger events where you get given a con-badge for the weekend (see below). Ideally, it is a good idea to arrive on the Thursday and leave on the Monday if possible so you won’t miss much while travelling and leaving. If you are busy and cannot arrive until Friday night or you will need to leave early that that is fine. You can come and go as you please.
Conventions are generally a relaxing experience. Sitting around in the bar area and taking photographs during the day and they become parties at night.
On the Friday (sometimes Thursdays depending how smoothly organisation is going) is the day where the conbags and conbadges are handed out .Conbags tend to contain an information pack, timetables for events, times for the anime screening rooms, a map of the venue, freebies and leaflets. On the Friday afternoon this is usually when the con officially starts.
The Opening ceremony is where the convention’s committee introduce themselves, get introduced to the guests (voice actors, musicians…ect), be informed of timetable changes and general information regarding the event such as health and safety. Some informative panels and anime screening usually start in the late morning/early noon.
All conventions will have a Masquerade and this is a staple to any event. This event centres entirely on cosplayers which would allow them to walk on-stage to show off their costumes. Some events judge them while most of them are just done for fun.
It’s basically a cosplay catwalk show!
Anyone who cosplays can be entitled to this privilege and it is required to fill in a simple form on-line before the event. On the day entry would usually not be allowed unless there is spaces left. This event is traditionally on the Saturday.
Sundays traditionally do an event known as the Omake which involves goers going on-stage to perform on-stage, including singing, dancing, stand-up comedy and short acts. Cosplay is optional. Like the masquerade, anyone at the con is entitled to taking part and must fill in a form to ensure a space is guaranteed.
Panels tend to give informative speeches about anything from ‘what anime to watch’ to ‘make-up effects’ as well as martial arts. They can be about Cosplay, anime, manga, Japanese Culture and video editing, as well as many other subjects that can relate to anime and Japanese culture. Yaoi, yuri and hentai panels are popular but are age restricted for obvious reasons. Some panels have Q and A sessions with special guests such as voice actors and notable people of their respective industry. Look into your conbook for a timetable.
Pretty much all conventions most likely have a gaming room. As the name suggests it is a room dedicated to gaming! Retro classics, Just Dance and Dance Dance Revolution are some of the many great examples to expect here! For Anime conventions there will most likely be anime showing rooms so sit back for an hour and relax! Members may even submit their own work for the AMV competition.
For each night there are parties. For Fridays and Saturdays they tend to do either raves, rock, 80’s and 90s…ect. Sundays often does a formal/ball event combined with a final rock/90s party so be sure to dress appropriately. If you would rather get changed at some point midway that is perfectly fine.
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