Forum - View topicAnswerman - What Made The Big Anime Conventions So Big?
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Key
Moderator
 Posts: 18435 Location: Indianapolis, IN (formerly Mimiho Valley) |
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Of the big ones, the one I am most familiar with (by far) is Anime Central (aka Acen), which I have attended either as a guest or as a media rep several times over the past decade. Based strictly on an outsider's observations, my estimation is that the biggest three factors to its growing success are location, organization, and reliability. Despite some occasional quibbles about the layout of where things are, it has been a well-organized and well-run event which, year in and year out, is able to handily accommodate both the more intellectually-inclined fans and those there just to hang out and party. (And with a rave being just one of three major annual dances, they do know how to party!) Big events (Anime Hell is a particular favorite), big industry names from both the American and Japanese sides, nationally-renowned DJs, and even (more recently) full-scale concerts give major draws for everyone, and their dealer's room is nearly the equal of the largest gaming conventions.
Probably just as important, though, is the location. The convention center and hotels which host it are located immediately off of the junction of multiple interstates and right next door to one of the country's busiest airports (O'Hare), so it's easily-accessible, and its location in the Chicago suburbs makes it a regional gathering point. The wake of the Baltimore riots almost certainly kept Otakon's numbers artificially low this year, but I think Acen eventually passing them on attendance was probably inevitable. |
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xchampion
 Posts: 370 Location: Idaho Falls, Idaho |
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I've never attended any of the big anime cons. I have attended a smaller anime con here in boise which was cool. Its only about 5000 attendees but sometimes the small intimate cons are still good in there own way. I want to go to NYCC or SDCC but it probably wont happen. I have been to a convention in Utah called Salt Lake Comic Con that's got over 120,000 attendees this pat year in September.
 It was great but sometimes if a con is too big it can be a pain escpecially since you have to pick and choose what to do and see because you can't fit everything into your schedule. Overall I love going to conventions and will continue to do so.
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Beltane70
 Posts: 3970 |
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It's amazing how huge Otakon has become! I remember going to the very first one in 1994 and how small it was with only around 300 or so attendees. The dealers' room had only three vendors and was jokingly called the 'dealers closet' by some.
Ah, the memories! |
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Mohawk52
 Posts: 8202 Location: England, UK |
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People. Lots and lots of people.
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Ali07
 Posts: 3333 Location: Victoria, Australia |
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Hmm, after reading this, I'm unsure of any anime specific cons here in Melbourne. I've been to all 3 of the big pop culture cons here (Supanova, OzComicon, and AMCExpo). Had a great time at each, and anime also has a presence at each of these shows.
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Maidenoftheredhand
 Posts: 2634 |
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I expect once Otakon finally makes the move to DC it will pass Acen again in attendance. Even without the decline in attendance at Otakon (due to many factors including the riots). Otakon had to put a cap in place because of lack of space. Something (correct me if I am wrong) Acen did not have to do. Anyways I am thrilled Otakon is leaving Baltimore. DC is more expensive but Baltimore has very little to offer in my opinion. Granted I guess the convention center location in Baltimore was easily accessible but otherwise I won't miss my yearly visit to the city. |
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Joe Mello
 Posts: 2305 Location: Online Terminal |
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A lot of it is consistency, stability, and honestly time. I've been researching for an upcoming series of panels, but about 15-20% of anime conventions don't run the next year, a rate that's been fairly consistent since 2004. I don't know how that compares to businesses in general, but that's still a lot of shows. It takes the perfect combination to weather the turnover of the convention industry and most of the bigger ones have been around long enough to figure it out.
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Dfens
Posts: 462 |
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My local con didn't even break the top 10 which is understandable they just hit 15,000-18,000 attendees.
The thing I noticed if you want to grow and become bigger to attract more attendees you have to bring in more big name guests. To see and get autographs along with panels and concerts for people to want to to make the specific trip to attend said con. Also getting industries to set up a both and do events and make announcements. For me the smaller cons are all about business as usual they put on the same events and panels it's mostly a place to gather at with people you know or our your friends. And for many I've noticed over the years to dress up in or see people and take pictures of their Cosplay. Me personally I'm kind of tired of the con scene unless their is some hard to get big name guest or band to see it's not worth the headache to experience the same event year after year. |
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mewpudding101
Industry Insider
 Posts: 2209 Location: Tokyo, Japan |
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Living in Japan for three years, I realize that I miss American conventions. Why? Because there's a lot more... closeness? Official Japanese events are lot more business... Fans can't ask direct questions to staff or cast, or get an autograph... Even the "question corner" questions are 99% of the time questions made up by staff members to make the show/project look good. I do miss the creativity, the panels, the friendliness of American conventions. Some Japanese fans (not a ton, mind you) go to foreign cons to get closer to their favorite cast/staff members.
I think the comment I always hear from Japanese voice actors/actresses when I talk to them is, "EVERYONE IS COSPLAYING! OUTSIDE!!" because even at Comiket, you're only allowed to cosplay in certain areas of the center. And NEVER outside of the convention hall grounds. So seeing Solid Snake eating at McDonalds is probably an... interesting sight. lol |
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Redbeard 101
Oscar the Grouch
Forums Superstar  Posts: 16963 |
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I tell ya that is one of my favorite things about Otakon in MD. Just seeing all the various cosplayers walking down Baltimore. You can go to any restaurant, pub, store, the Aqarium, etc and boom, cosplayers. |
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The History Follower
Posts: 2 |
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I think what everyone else as forgetting as how old most of the top cons are too. Seven of the top ten got started before 2000. When they started there was less competition allowing them to make a name for themselves.
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Key
Moderator
Posts: 18435 Location: Indianapolis, IN (formerly Mimiho Valley) |
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Oh, you see this plenty at the bigger 'cons, too. Probably half or more of the attendees at Acen any given year are teenager just running around and hanging out for most of the 'con, with a relatively high percentage of them in some kind of costume. (I've attended the country's biggest gaming conventions and some other fan conventions, and I don't think I've ever seen as high a percentage of the attendees in costume as I do at anime 'cons.) |
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omiya
 Posts: 1849 Location: Adelaide, South Australia |
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At least the small events (e.g. mini-lives at record stores) make it clear what you can and can't do... being able to shake hands with favourite singers and thank them for their work is good even if there are no autographs or photographs allowed. The biggest Japanese event that I attended was the doujin music sale M3 on 26 April 2015, and it was great not only to speak with a Japanese fan but also to meet and get an autograph from Eiko Shimamiya. With Australia's location it seems that people here are more prepared to visit Japan than go to a convention to hear and meet Japanese artists. |
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gustave154
Posts: 89 |
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AFA SG is the biggest I have went to. Last year was pretty crazy as they recorded the highest attendance so far with 90000. Nice to see Anime still growing strong in my country.
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Triltaison
 Posts: 792 |
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Anime Weekend Atlanta is my local con. I've gone every year since '01, and it's been delightful watching it grow each year.
Whenever I get a chance, I try to say a thank you to a few of the directors -even if it's just a short little exchange. Since I come every year and always enjoy it, I like to let them know that their hard work is appreciated. |
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