Daniel Perales

Hi All! New York Comic Con/Anime Expo NY has just ended at around 5PM. My thoughts? Well, let me do it as a review as 2 separate events. First off, New York Comic Con: Javits Center The Good: Line management and crowd control has improved quite a bit. In the queue area, they were letting people in by the row instead of having people snake around a line. It felt like people were able to move quicker that way. Despite having the "Anime" part in a different venue, companies like VIZ, Crunchyroll, and FUNImation still made their presence felt in the showroom floor with their very large display booths. Also, the newcomer "GKIds", who are now the US distributor for most of the Studio Ghibli films, had a decent sized space. Shenron the DBZ dragon that was at this past Otakon was also on display there. Most anime industry panels were still being held on location. They had a shuttle bus going between the 2 venues leaving every half hour. Free Wi-Fi internet (slow, but enough for web browsing and email). The Bad: Even though a shuttle between the venues were being provided, keeping them on schedule was very sporadic at best, and some of the staff/volunteers that I've asked weren't even sure where to catch them. The weather didn't help (it was mostly misty and some light spotty rain for the first few days). Their version of their digital guide was incomplete and kept crashing on my android phone when I tried to access certain sections. I did have an iPad, but their app was only good if your device has iOS 10 and up (mine only goes up to iOS 9). Some of the usual big hitters on the show floor has cut down a bit on some of their elaborate displays. The Javits used some sort of floor covering instead of the carpeting that they used to do before. The Ugly: The only ugly thing I can think of is just how expensive the food is there (but that is a given). Given how sporadic the shuttle was, people actually decided to make a 3/4 of a mile trek on foot if they wanted to go to the AX part and back again to the Javits. Overall, I did enjoyed this year's Comic Con. AnimeExpo NY: Pier 94 The Good: "Eleven Arts", another anime distributor in the states were there (probably the only anime distributor that had a table there). The show floor was kind of spread out in sections. Eleven Arts had some of their movies screened there. Small food court. The Bad: Location - Location - Location! People wouldn't even know if anything was going on inside because there wasn't really anything to show that there was an event going on unless you come pretty close. The place was like a big warehouse with not so high ceiling, and the 3 big event spaces (far apart from each other) were only separated with metal rods and curtains, there were no physical walls. The floor wasn't even covered. The Ugly: Turnout was very light for the first 2 days. Overheard certain vendors and artists saying they fully regret coming over. Bathrooms, or the lack of them. I only seen one area where it was and they were marked "Ladies", and the Men's was marked "All Genders", and both entrance were literally opposite of each other. The men would use the urinals while the ladies would quickly run to an empty stall hoping that no one sees them. You had to have a separate badge (an extra expense) to attend. It sure felt that this was a last minute addition. Overall, when anime fans says that NYCC looks down on them, having most of the small anime merchandise vendors and fan artists in this location doesn't help their case. But it was still better than the past Liberty Anime Con a few weeks back in my opinion.

Well, I'm off to NYCC/AXNY. I'll let you know my thoughts about them.

Never forget....

Not all the time. I also used Hotels.com to reserve my room for this past Otakon. I stayed at the Westin Washington DC City Center with the room rate of $101 a night. The hotel was only a half a mile away from the convention center. A word of caution: To get these fantastic rates you most likely have to pay upfront and no refunds if you have to cancel. Be sure to read carefully before you book.

I'm personally disappointed at the hotel rates. I thought Otakon could have done better with the pricing.

No begrudge taken. I'm just wondering if this thing with NYCC and AX is only a one time deal like AX did with Big Apple Anime Fest a few years before? One thing I like about NYCC is that I enjoy pop culture which includes anime. I just wish anime fans were more vocal to tell Reed Pop just want they want more often. I always fill in their survey after the show that I like more anime content. Anyway, if New York anime fans really want a con just for anime, I personally recommend Anime-NYC which will be held a month later in the same venue. Badges are still available as of this date.

After 2 hours and 10 minutes (not including a verbal warning from my supervisor), I manage to get in the portal. I manage to get a room at the Henley Park Hotel.

Still getting 404 on both my PC and phone.

My boss is already telling me to get off the computer Good luck to everyone else.

Even my phone is saying 404

Still 404 since noon.

Unfortunately a few people are going to be out today. Of course my boss is pissed, but they did scheduled the day off months in advance. I try my best to see if I can get on by the time reservation opens. One thing I'm glad is that they are limiting rooms to 2 per session. At least it will somewhat slow down the immediate room hoarding problem.

Hi all! I received by badges for this con in the mail 2 days ago. Is anyone else going?

Unfortunately, the time when hotel reservation opens up, it will be at one of our peak times of work of the day (we can't even look at our screens, much less using the computer at that time).

Which some of us won't be able to.