I can definitely say that this Anime Expo was insanely interesting. I overall had a lot of fun, but there were some crazy mishaps. Before we go full into my article, let’s hear from some attendees!

 

I ran around (randomly) to find the greatest answer to the greatest question I could think of 10 seconds before clicking record: What is the worst anime of all time. You will hear some familiar people and hopefully have fun listening, too!

 

 

Don’t worry, Shukai episode 7 will be out NEXT WEEK so you can hear our experiences from this year’s AX! Below I have a slideshow of those I interviewed as well!

 

 

 

Anime Expo 2017… AHHHHHHH. I have never been to a convention that turned around so quickly. If you read the news stories, are in one of the Facebook groups, or saw the smoke signals, the first day was amazingly horrific. I will have to admit that I wasn’t affected by the badge pick up or waiting to get into the con, however, that energy definitely prevailed the halls.

I have gone to four Anime Expos prior to this year (2012-15). I missed last year, which all I hear are horror stories, because of my father’s wedding. This year, as I knew, was going to have an immensely larger number from the year prior. If you didn’t happen to know, AX 2016 hit 100,420 attendees which was 10% more than 2015. This year, the numbers “reached 115,726 including Pre-Show Night, marking a 15% increase of attendance from 2016,” exhibitors, press, professional, and volunteers. Holy. Crap.

So what are the bad things, Tyler?

Well buckle up Bessie, I have to start with the physical aspect. Every year I enjoy being in the crowd on Day 1 watching the ‘Opening Ceremony’ and going in with everyone. Nothing makes me more hyped than *slowly* charging for those exhibit room doors. The prior years I never had an issue. This year, one of the 3 escalators was down and they were trying to squeeze that ungodly amount of people (picture seen above, an hour beforehand, so imagine what it looked like when the doors opened) going up 2 escalators. The cast of Shukai and I were squished, pushed, pulled, and terrified.

It amazes me how SDCC can handle it’s attendees, but AX has issues each year. I understand that it is hard to control a crowd, however, I would think safety would be one of the top concerns while putting together a con. From now on I think I will just wait until I can just walk in…

Another thing that ticked me off is the same thing a lot of cons don’t control (and this may be stupid, I guess): wagons. Seriously. Stop bringing your goddamn kids unless they are well-behaved and/or in a stroller. I almost messed up 4 or 5 wagons last weekend and it was terrifying. While I am on the subject, how about teach your kids how to act when there are 100,000 people around them. Don’t run, push, or not pay attention when walking. I hate terrible parents…

What is worse than waiting to get to a con? Waiting for the shuttle to take you back to your hotel. Needing to go home when you have a crap ton of swag, purchases, backpacks, and a body pillow…. wait what? You just want to fucking go home. Saturday night was so enraging, waiting an hour and a half for our shuttle to come pick us up at 8PM to drop our shit off, while the volunteer shuttles were arriving every 5 minutes (or less). I am very happy that they are taking care of the volunteers, without them, we wouldn’t have a fun con, BUT COME ON. The location switch from Saturday and Sunday actually helped out alot, so I am insanely grateful for that. Thank you.

The last complaint, may come as no surprise, is the volunteer/line situation. Holy crap for panels and whatnot there was barely any communication or knowledge as to what the hell was going on.