Daniel Perales

Hello All! So, another new anime con has been announced: Anime NJ++ DECEMBER 15-17, 2023 HILTON WOODCLIFF LAKE, NJ HUDSON VALLEY AREA This con is being organized by Media Blasters. Best of luck for them!

I actually been doing just that for the past few years. I always start reserving my room with the con's block just so Otakon can get credit for it. But there were times that I can book a room from the very same hotels for almost $100 less than the con's block from other sources (even when it means I had to pay for at the time of booking). I've yet to see any discounts so far this year. Still keeping a eye out for it.

I'm going to wear my mask if I have to.

Unless things changes, this is going to be my most expensive Otakon yet. I'm not knocking Otakon itself. My only gripe is the cost of the hotels itself. I don't think any hotel rooms is worth the price they're charging. Especially if you're only going to be in the room just to sleep and take a shower.

Hi All! I know that Otakon (and other cons, too), tries to negotiate to get the best rates for their attendees, but I'm beginning to see prices that are really way up there. High hotel prices were the absolute reason I stopped attending Katsucon.

Hello All! I'm surprised that no one here has mentioned this: https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2023-02-07/james-kaposztas-veteran-otakon-staffer-who-made-1st-known-anime-music-video-passes-away/.194577 R.I.P. old friend

Hi All! I know that Anime-NYC was held about 2 weeks ago. I was so busy at work and other things that I didn't have the time to put down my quick impression of it. This will be short. The Good: I haven't encountered any huge lines this year. Some of the big industry people came back with their huge booths in the Dealer's Room. Got to meet some old friends that I haven't seen in years. Able to go to most of the panels and screenings I wanted to attend. The Bad: Even though having to wear a mask was a policy at the con,

This Friday! Anyone?

As much as I like to drive, I decided to take the bus when both Katsucon and Otakon first moved to D.C, and later to train, when I saw just how hard and expensive it would be to bring my car over.

Hi All! Like the subject says. It's only about 12 days away as I type this. I'm looking forward to it. This is basically my last convention of the year, so I always try to make the most of it.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yE3A2AfOt1Q&t=1s

That screen is the largest screen in the area (perhaps the world). That "One Piece" ad took the entire top half of it. When you look at the center-left (look like bands), that's where "Good Morning America" is televised. You can also see McDonalds (where I pass by and sometimes eat there before work everyday). That whole hour felt like I was in the "New Year's Eve" crowd. People were chanting "ONE PIECE"! over and over again while the ad played on.

This is how it was (I was there) One Piece Film Red Times Square Takeover - YouTube

I finally got the time to post this here: Times Square Turns Red on October 8 for One Piece Film Red - Interest - Anime News Network It's going to be a great night to be a pirate! Take those once in a lifetime cosplay pictures in New York. I might show up is there's no panel going on at NYCC.

Hi All! I see the listings for the exhibitors and panels are live now. For Exhibitors: Bandai-Namco Entertainment Dragon Ball FUNimation Ghibli Good Smiles Katsucon (I really don't know why Otakon and AnimeNEXT don't have a table there) Kinokuniya Books Konami One Piece VIZ Media Panels & Screenings: Bleach-Thousand Year War Premiere Chainsaw Man Dub Panel and Premiere Crunchyroll One Piece Film Red Cast (Both English and Japanese) Panel VIZ Media Panel Like alwa

Speaking of trains, I just made my Amtrak train reservations for next years Otakon. Only cost me $62 round trip (New York to Washington D.C. and back).

I just got my NYCC badge in the mail last night. Now the real waiting begins.

Less than a dozen, out of 40,000. I would consider that's almost insignificant.

So did I, but most of the vendors I interacted with did had their's on like I did. I remember New York Comic Con threw a vendor out last year because they refused to follow the guidelines (wear masks).

I heard (2nd or 3rd hand information), that there were at least 2 vendors in the Dealer's Room caught Covid. Not sure if it was during or right after Otakon. Since the name of those vendors were not disclosed, I will just take it as hearsay.

Here in New York City, they made a huge deal about Anime-NYC last year. A person from Minnesota was tested positive when he got home from the con. My supervisor from work broke the news to me and I had myself tested that very night. Came clean. Anyway, it turned out that it was only him and half of the other people that he was hanging out with were the only ones that were affected.

Hi All! I'm just asking this particular question because people back home are asking me. People I know are still afraid of going back to cons because of it. I personally had myself tested 2 days after the con (tested negative), before I went back to work. I did the same thing when I attended New York Comic Con and Anime-NYC last year. Same results. I guess I've been pretty lucky all this time. I've been vaccinated and I always wear my mask when I take public transportation (including on the Amtrak train going to Washington and back).

I still log into the NYAF forum (it still around), just to check. I think I'm the only live person who still post there just for fun. Other con forums I used to be active was from I-CON, Katsucon, and AnimeNEXT, no longer have their forums. I miss the interaction that I had with everyone else. It felt more like being part of an extended family then just being a member of a generic message board. That's the way I kind of feel about this forum.

WOW! First off, I just can't think of anything to say on what you went through. I do understand, believe me, I know. God bless you for your strength.

Something similar I believe happened at Otakon'95 as well. This was the year when was at the "Scanticon" on Labor Day weekend. I heard there was a wedding reception going on somewhere else in that complex and some of Otakon's cos playing attendees kind of crash the party.