Kirarakim

Thank you and thank you for not being condescending and telling me anyone can update Wikipedia as though I didn’t know that. I imagine the Wikipedia article was first edited when Otakon first reported the 29,000+ total attendance number but not updated to reflect total membership I see the 2018 number was updated but I wonder now if the other years are accurate or just a mismash of unique membership and total attendance numbers. Also do we have both numbers for this year yet to compare to last year?

I am pretty sure who ever posted on Wikipedia didn’t make up the numbers and they came from somewhere. And also Wikipedia IS a reliable source when the article uses good sources Here is ANN also reporting on the 29,000+ attendance that is what Otakon itself reported back in 2018. Maybe they updated the number since then. But that could also mean the number for 2019 could go down too https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/press-release/2018-08-13/otakon-2018-attendance-numbers-rise-again/.135455

Wikipedia mentions different numbers for last year. It has it 29,000+ last year and 28,000+ for this year. That was what I was going by. But if those numbers are inaccurate and it went up then good.

I mentioned the lack of industry too. Those of us who have been going to Otakon a long time really feel the change. It’s just depressing. I don’t think it helps that Otakon is not really growing. They did go up a lot from 2017-2018. But attendance fell again this year a bit. That doesn’t bode well for the future. I think now anime industry saves their big East Coast booths probably for NYCC. I was glad at least that we got some strong industry guests this year that weren’t just companies bringing over dub actors to promote shows

Last years Otakon was probably my worst experience since going in 2005. I am happy to report that this year was a vast improvement and probably my best experience at Otakon since the con moved to DC This year there was nothing ugly for me Bad * The no outside food/drink policy. This may have been in ugly and could turn ugly in the future but since it wasn’t really enforced well it’s just bad. As others have said the price for food in the con is expensive. Even if you buy some food you may still want to supplement it with something else throughout the day. To force people to buy only the expensive convention food is ridiculous. I realize this is obviously the convention centers policy but someone at Otakon really needs to talk to them about this for next year. And there really are not enough water fountains to say you can’t even bring in outside water. * As for the convention food I ended up eating a Beef Bowl which was great and on another day a Burrito which was fine. But on Sunday I got pizza and it was literally the worse pizza I ever had in my life. I wasn’t expecting anything gourmet (despite that fact it was priced that way) but this Pizza was worse than any frozen pizza I had. I am not sure how Pizza one of the most simple foods can be messed up so badly * How the Promare line was handled. Again this could have been ugly for me if my friend and I didn’t get it but we got in just fine and the actual line management was well done. It’s just why have a Promare movie line up time on the schedule and not adhere to it. If people are allowed to line up whenever then just don’t put a time to line up on the schedule * Lack of industry presence again in the Dealer Room (although it was cool to see Animate there). Not something Otakon can really control but it was still sad * Missing a lot of stuff I wanted to do because there were a lot of hard choices this year. But that is actually also one of the Good things about this years Otakon Good * And going off my last bad point that also leads into my Good Points. There were so many amazing Japanese guests this year. One of the best guest line ups for me in a long time. I literally could not see everyone I wanted to and I missed a lot of great panels and some autographs I wanted but I also got to go to a lot of great panels & got autographs that made me really happy as well. * Speaking of guest and autographs Nagahama was great. He took a really long time in his autograph line because he drew unique sketches for everyone. He was also a really sweet man to talk to. * I was also really happy Funimation chose Otakon to bring over the new Japanese Fruits Basket cast. The panel with them on Saturday morning was super fun and I was also lucky to get that autograph too. The Seiyuu of Tohru and Yuki said it was their first time in the US. I hope they enjoyed their stay here and the welcome the US Fruits Basket fans gave them. * Autograph line management was extremely well organized this year and the staff working it were very pleasant * The Promare film was fantastic. I love that we got a special premiere like that and then got to hear from director, character designer and producer after the film. Events like this are what gets me excited about anime cons. * I was seeing a lot of people on Twitter say how much friendlier the atmosphere is at Otakon compared to AX. * The Discotek Panel. I like that this is on Sunday it’s always an exciting way to end the con. They always put on a great panel even if I don’t want anything they announced I can feel the excitement in the room. * I was too late to get my badge mailed this year and came on Thursday. My train ended up being delayed so I was afraid I wouldn’t get my badge in time. But when I got to the con there was no line at all. Whether you get you badge mailed at all the process has now become super efficient * Speaking of lines I was also super impressed how quickly the bag check line moved compared to previous years So overall an excellent Otakon for me. I hope next year will have a similarly strong guest line up.

30th Street Station someone else coming from Philly I see

For autographs from experience they form the line for the autograph an hour before the start of the official autograph time. And what I mean by form a line a stampede of people rushes to get in line as soon as the line is formed. So definitely make sure you are there at least a few minutes before the line starts. Also usually the rule is 1 autograph per session. So you can get in line again if the line is short but you aren’t allowed to ask for multiple autographs at once

You have to log into the members area to get the tracking number. It is not going to be emailed to you.

Actually comparing it to last year the lanyard type is the same but the hole in the badge is different. The hole is too small. I ended up giving up and using my Crunchy Roll lanyard which I got at Otakon a couple years ago. It was much easier to put on.

Got mine today, I love the design this year. However the lanyards are the absolute worst. I can't get the badge on and I am terrified I am going to break it trying.

My tracking was finally updated, whew was getting nervous. It sounds like it should be delivered today or tomorrow. But if it is delivered today and I have to sign for it I should be able to pick it up from the PO tomorrow.

I'm in Philly, PA and I just rec'd my notice from the post office, going after work to pick them up. I am in Phila too and I still have no tracking number. I don't know maybe it will be delivered today, although I won't be home to sign for it. I also think the July 4th Holiday excuse is ridiculous.I mailed something to a friend in Michigan through regular mail on July 3rd and she got it Monday.

Still have no badge or tracking number

Well I am not feeling well & taking today off. Maybe I will get lucky and it will be delivered today.

If we don't have to sign that would be fantastic. I am not home to sign & have to go out of my way to pick up packages.