For all you newbies out there, a Japanese anime convention or "con", for short, is a large gathering of fans of anime, manga and games.
Anime conventions vary from one group of 100 people to 5000 people, and have a number of activities to do. Manga libraries, game rooms, panels, cosplay, dealer rooms, cafes host and guest speakers, such as voice actors, artists and writers. So no matter what their interests in relation to the anime, there's always something to do!
For anyone who has never been in an anime before Con, the experience can be both exhilarating and terrifying at once. I personally experienced the gamut of emotions in my mind first.
This list is intended to help any first time convention goer, or anyone who has already passed, but has been less fun than it wanted. Trust me when I say that these rules will really help if followed. Me and my mom are veteran attendees conditioning and live by them. They have served us well and I hope we can do the same for you.
1) Always pre-registration. In this way it will cost less money and you will not have to wait in long registration lines.
2) Never, under any conditions, using a fuzzy suit. Even if you go to the Arctic Circle. Do not put a fuzzy animal costume or anything remotely heavy, as it will be sticky and miserable.
3) Always wear appropriate footwear. That means no platform shoes, six inch heels, flip-flops, shoes or custom anime. I say custom made shoes, as received with more than enough time to get in, but do not want for fear of nicks, scratches, or stepping in something gross, while wearing them. Break new shoes in a convention is the presentation of himself to torture. So unless you like bleeding and pain in the feet, wear comfortable shoes already broken in shoes, school shoes, boots ... anything you know that is comfortable for many hours and many miles.
4) Okay, I know we all want to see exactly how our favorite character, even if they have blue hair to toe, but if you can avoid not wearing a wig. Not unless it's winter and used to wear wigs. Try to choose a character with your hair color or to die than if you are comfortable with that, or maybe buy some hair extensions from a place that sells them. That's how I avoid using them.
5) Always dress of the time and place. If half of the summer, choose a character with three coats as Ed Full Metal Alchemist and Tsubasa Chronicles Fai. Anyway, if you are in Canada during the winter, dress in a suit Yuko low as Gurren Lagann or Black Rock Shooter. I experienced this once and never again to wear three layers in the middle of summer.
6) Do not forget small things like a first small-scale, some bandaids Tums, Advil, and maybe even a little sewing kit in case an accident occurs. Also a healthy snack and water - not just sweets or junk, but a bit of food that is very nutritious. Always carry peanut butter and jelly sandwiches and granola bars. Plus it's good to know that food prices in the conventions are very steep, so be advised.
7) There are no large swords and accessories. Unless you are sent directly to a competition or will be a section where you want your picture to be taken, ditch the sword in your car or motel room. Try to choose characters who have small pods weapons or swords, so they are not poking the eyes of someone or drags a sword of 6 feet behind you all day like an albatross. Plus you have to have all the weapons controlled by the security agreement and get your well maintained. So if you lower the weapons, go with wood because it is lighter weight and Security will be able to say immediately.
You should also know that if you buy a gun, while at the convention, not allowed to start using it. You should go put it in your car or hotel room immediately. And comply strictly with employees located at the entrance and exit.
8) If you want to get an autograph on the lines of at least one hour before, and maybe even an hour and a half, depending on the size of the scam is. If you do not arrive on time, they will turn around, and they actually have a cutoff for the number of people who will leave on the line.
9) Get all the purchases made on Friday. They just things very quickly and Saturday is wall to wall people. Also, bring cash and ask if the seller has a debit. You do not want to be spending what little cash it has on you at a store that accepts debit cards. And remember, just because you can buy cheaper online figure does not mean that you are not getting a bootleg. In person you can see what you're getting, and covenants not have the rule of bootlegs. More online shipping will be charged, which increases the cost of any item.
10) Make a list for everything. I know it sounds stupid, but this will really help. You will end up without forgetting the things that you may have forgotten. Things like cosplay accessories, medicines, snacks, cameras, addresses, registration documents, or even the list of what you want to buy. I have listed all of 2-3 years and more than one time I stopped to forget something.