I live in Australia and I’ve recently gotten into conventions. I’ve heard a lot of things about different types of conventions in Australia but want more information. What is the best convention in Australia?

I’m going to a con and Matt Mittlelman will be there and I was thinking of getting a one punch man figure or poster for my dad and having him sign it for his anniversary because bro LOVEs one punch man.

Or getting a video of him saying happy anniversary to my dad 💀

Does anyone know how much that would cost?

Hello all,

I have been a lifelong anime fan. Over the past couple of years, my interest keeps building for potentially going to an anime convention. I recently graduated grad school and have started making decent money where I could afford 2-3 big conventions a year semi-comfortably. I have been looking at several different cons of varying sizes.

I am later into my 20s and a guy. As for what I want to get out of the experience. I would like to go to a place where I could find people/friends who are into the same things I am is my main hope. I am not a huge drinker but I love a margarita and a good social event and party where it might be easier to make connections and friends. So like an after hours/party culture could be cool. I would also be going solo for at-least whichever one would be my first. The hope would be to find people at the first con that I could maybe join at a different con in the future.

Other than that, Im not super interested in like any particular VA autographs. Merch doesn't really draw me too hard. I am definitely interested in cosplaying but would most likely only do one cosplay and the rest be regular clothed. My job makes it hard for me to travel during August and early May, so probably not any cons around there.

Would appreciate any advice as I look ahead and try to make decisions on cons.

I’m at toon fusion Pittsburgh right now and I’m coming away from it pretty disappointed. There’s a complete lack of any sort of staffing at the event to the extent that the people running check in on Saturday that gave us our badges must have been 14 years old. There is AI art being sold, despite being banned, and nobody is here enforcing anything. I never received any of my vip benefits/perks and the line skips (which were the whole point of be buying vip) do not exist because everyone does whatever the fuck they want and there’s 0 staff to enforce anything. I feel like I got ripped off spending this much for the vip package and it’s really frustrating because I want to love this convention, but coming from out of state and receiving none of the stuff that was promised as well as seeing blatantly stolen art, on top of the VIP perks being completely worthless, I don’t know if I could recommend it.

One year I bought a foam sword from a con and I had to take it to prop check. They knew I got it from that sword vendor but were asking what the core was made out of. I kept saying I didn't know and that this is a foam sword. One of the ladies there ripped the sword out of my hands and started trying to rip it apart. The other lady realized what was happening and explained that it wasn't in a scabbard. They said core but they meant blade and nearly tore into the foam.
Ever since I've been wondering if anyone knows what would usually happen if props got broken during prop check?

Hi all,

I'm curious is anybody has been an artist or vendor before being 18 years old?

Also, is anybody aware of a convention where someone can be an artist or vendor under 18?

I'm curious about any potential legal concerns for the artist and vendor along with the convention. I'm thinking that a booth under a parent or legal guardian's name with the parent or legal guardian at the booth is a safe bet but am curious about those who may be 16 or 17 and wish to do that.

Edit: Thank you to everyone for your feedback! I should have clarified it's related to a con I'm involved with. Between this, usual work stuff, getting married soon, buying a house, and managing family concerns I've been underslept and a bit stressed which has impacted my cognitive abilities a bit as of late.

We're looking at expanding the eligibility pool of artists and vendors based on a request by a potential vendor but given the amount of experience on this sub I wished to get some feedback. We are local and have low cost vendor/artist fees (This year it is $25 for students at the university and $85 for non-students) and are expanding with a new location with it being the third year so it drawn in a lot more interest. With growth comes new challenges which can allow for improvements.

Overall, I look at cons as a way to positively impact the local and wider con community to improve outcomes in life while also ensuring it's a healthy environment that follows best practices and applicable law. In this case based on law and common practices, I think the parents will need to run the booth though we may allow for those who are 16 albeit with parents involved and at the booth but it requires a decision one level above me and general core staff consensus.

My 10 year old (and possibly 7 year old) has expressed interest in attending an Anime Convention. He started watching Demon Slayer recently, and has always like Pokemon and Yugioh type shows. He also generally seems like Japanese food and likes to draw in an anime style. We’ve also started building gunpla together.

I’m no stranger to big cons, I’ve been to plenty of major tabletop gaming conventions but all those are centered around the activity of gaming and are clear to me what you do at a con. I don’t know much at all about anime, besides what I catch when they’re watching shows but I’d love to take him to ACEN since we live nearby. The catch is I don’t really know what you do at an anime con…

I’m looking for input on what the experience would be like generally for a 10 year old just getting into anime, and his dad who knows less than that! Thanks in advance.

Facebook and DragonCon subreddit wouldn’t let me post this 🙄, even though I created a Reddit account and waited for enough seniority just to share my experience lol. So hopefully I can finally share here.

This was my first year attending DragonCon and first time cosplaying. I have attended other conventions, but nothing of this magnitude. The majority of people I met were so welcoming and amazing, which makes me eager to come back next year. However, I was really surprised at the rude people I encountered and want to get it off my chest.

First off, I am aware my cosplay was not and never will be on the same level as some of yall (the talent is just crazy)….but I wasn’t expecting a man to approach me and tear up my costume (im a girl). He started off by saying my wig is not the right color. Then he laid into me saying you’re missing this, that, this prop, that prop. Like bro, I know. I’m broke, I just graduated college. He told me if I had a rich guy like him, then I would have it, and stuck his tongue out and gawked in my boyfriend’s face. It was so obnoxious and disrespectful that if I didn’t have a level-headed boyfriend, there would have been a fight. And to be clear, this is not how the man’s cosplay character acts. He was actually wayyy out of character behaving like this.

Then, I was outside and a woman asked to use my lighter. She was so friendly when she approached me, but as soon as I gave her what she wanted, she turned cold. I was telling her a funny story (which was relevant to our location and no more than 15 sec long) and she just turned her back towards me while I was mid-sentence. Her boyfriend was listening to me but then she gave him a look and he turned away and wouldn’t talk to me anymore. Just weird behavior, i cant imagine treating random people like that, especially when youre asking for a favor.

I understand wearing the costumes can be hot and uncomfortable (mine was so bad for it), but why are we being rude?? I was definitely not expecting that from the cosplay community, as I am a part of other “nerdy” groups and havent experienced this gatekeepy-ness. I only attended one day, so to encounter this much rudeness, is a lot.

Overall, the good parts far outweighed the bad and i had an amazing time, but, still, i wonder what the heck is wrong with some of these people.

Can anybody tell me how the dealers room tends to be set up at AnimeUSA? From the few pictures I can find booths seem open (no dividers) & most merch is well-suited for tables. I have 300-400, cosplays, wigs, & props to sell & I was thinking about trying to get a booth there. (Last minute, I know.)

I don't want to go if it is going to be a nuisance having clothing racks & creates a headache for everyone in my booths orbit, including me. All my items are factory made but most are unique to my inventory so I need a lot of room to even put out a fraction of it versus having a sample out & pulling from a box.

I also just like to know what to expect as part of my general overthinking process. 😆

I purchased tickets to Risucon and bmore comic con and have plans to go to katsucon. I originally had plans to go with a friend but they cancelled. And i’d feel really anxious going alone but i don’t know how to meet people thatre also going and maybe find a group? I’ve checked for discord servers on their sites but unfortunately haven’t found any. Does anyone know of any? Or any options to help me connect with individuals?

I’ve started traveling for cons more most recently anyc but was kinda disappointed by the lack of idol events but that might just be me because it’s my biggest reason I go to conventions. I know about us idolfes but it doesn’t seem like there’s much for cos idols which I don’t mind but that’s just what I do but I still plan on going eventually. But I wanted to see if anyone had any recommendations for conventions with a big idol scene that’d be worth the money. I am in the Midwest but I don’t mind the travel anywhere

I’m in the Austin Texas area, and plan on going to ikkicon in January. I was thinking about cosplaying a character with realistic looking Glock airsoft guns with an orange tip. I could be getting events mixed up, but I’m pretty sure I have seen some form of tactical call of duty inspired cosplay at every con including this one back in this previous January. So far, I’ve gone to GACC, colossal con, and ikkicon. I tried looking up pictures on social media of people’s experience with realistic looking gun props, and they seemed fine posing with all sorts of fake orange tip assault rifles and hand guns. The policy strictly says against this, so what exactly constitutes realistic and what are some of attendee experiences?

I work in the fandom industry and am trying to do more business with major anime production studios.

What would be the best conferences/conventions to attend to meet the most anime and Vtuber related production companies?

I've always been curious about anime frontier but I'm hesitant as it would be a 4 hour trip to me. Is it worth it? And what's the scale? About as big as say ikkicon or colossalcon or smaller? Thanks!

Hey everyone! I’m getting excited for Anime USA this fall int he Northern VA area, but I always dread catching the ‘con crud’ and being wiped out or run down for a week after. I figured next time I go to any convention I should try and prep and do my best to prevent getting too sick.

I’ve been putting together a little ‘survival kit’ for myself with things like:

• electrolytes, throat lozenges, herbal teas
• sanitizer, wipes, and KN95 masks (say what you want, but they helped me with pollen)
• blister care for walking around all day, and maybe sample packs of common meds one needs in case of headache or low back pain.

Out of curiosity, what would you all pack to survive a weekend con? Would something like this actually be useful if you could just grab it ready-made near the venue? Or do most of you prefer packing your own?

Not trying to be salesy—I’m genuinely curious if this is something con-goers would even want. Just want to learn from folks who’ve done this more than me. Thanks!

Hey everyone, my name is Ryan. I recently volunteered at this past weekends Animeverse Chattanooga. I was the handler for Brittney Karbowski (1st time being a handler). After the convention, she mentioned being her handler for upcoming events (not sure how true that is). She complimented me on my performance. If that’s true how do I manage to do so? Do I just pay my way to these events or contact her agent and explain what was mentioned to me? I’m retired and have honestly nothing to do with my life and really enjoyed being apart of an organization. I don’t really want paid but to get flights and book hotels one after another could potentially become expensive. Just would like some suggestions. Thanks.

hi!! i just went to my third convention this weekend, and i am dying to go to more cons!! i am in arizona so i would love to find more anime cons in arizona!! does anyone know of any? the only other one i know of is uwu con.

I’m doing my first stand for a market. I have many different print sizes for same artwork. How should I group them? By size? By artwork? Do you like self serving stands? Update that’s what my stand ended up looking like https://www.instagram.com/p/DOQI35YiNQj/?igsh=MXJsMTlrZWk1MDZnMw==

At anime impulse in Anaheim, CA this weekend. Does anyone know the name of the booth that was selling kimonos and yukatas? They were by the front of the convention hall, and I meant to go back at the end of the day but forgot.

Matsuricon in Columbus, OH, has claimed for years to be a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt charity with the aim of promoting Japanese anime. Unfortunately, it turns out this appears to be a fraudulent scheme to collect hundreds of thousands of dollars tax free, with zero dollars going towards their intended goal.

Keep in mind that all charities under the 501(c)(3) umbrella are public record and are required to file a Form 990 for anyone to view or request. This form shows board members, number of meetings held during the year by the board, all assets and all liabilities the 501(c)(3) currently has. It's a tradeoff for their tax-exempt status.

A review of their 501(c)(3) status from the State of Ohio, where they are registered, shows they are not in compliance and have not been since at least 2023. Their most recent filing with the Ohio Secretary of State is from 2023. (https://charitableregistration.ohioago.gov/Charities/OrganizationDetails?Id=12197751).

A further check on the IRS charitable website search using the provided Employer Identification Number, 82-5407766 (EIN) filed under their Ohio records, is even worse. It shows Mastsuricon has not filed a Form 990, as required by law, since 2020. In addition, according to the IRS, Matsuricon's 501(c)(3) status was completely revoked as of 2-15-2025, with the revocation posting date on 5-12-2025. https://apps.irs.gov/app/eos/details/

What does this mean?

1. Matsuricon has lied to the community regarding their status.
2. Matsuricon board members have not filed a Form 990 since 2020, which means there is ZERO accountability for any of the money received from vendors, guests, etc.
3. Because Matsuricon hid behind a revoked tax exempt status, their members did not have to pay taxes on any of the monies brought in over the past 5 years. In essence, they pocketed it all and did nothing to help the community with it. Regardless if they claim they did so, there is no official record with either the State of Ohio nor the IRS to support their claims, if any.
4. That's all I have on this now. If anyone has any further information, or was adversely affected, please feel free to add to this thread. I am contacting the Ohio Department of Revenue and Department of Commerce to follow-up. This post was to inform the community of fraudsters within our midst stealing our money and claiming to be something they are not, all while pocketing hundreds of thousands of dollars of our hard-earned money.

Currently lined up in a hall for anime impulse/k-playfest/etc. Anyone know why they aren’t letting anyone in ? Or when they will start letting people in ?

Anime Boston is on my list of cons to go to mainly because I want to visit Boston and spend a few days in the city and because I was always interested once I heard JAM Project played there years ago.

But how is it? Is it more focused on panels, vendors, or something else or is it balanced? I know Katsucon is the King of cosplay cons on the east coast.

Anime magic ink'd in roseville is happening the same weekend as the comic con in peoria. I've been to neither (new to the area). Anime magic ink'd is a little farther, but I'm much more into anime. I'm a little nervous because I can't find any attendance rates or old schedules.