Anime Boston or Anime Expo?

Question

I just recently began to become interested in Anime and wish to attend either Anime Boston or Anime Expo, however I will only be able to attend one. I was curious if anyone could advise me which of these would be a better experience for a first time anime convention goer?

Answer 1

I've been to both shows, and they are both great in their own way. If someone asked which I would go to, I'd say Expo in a heartbeat, but I've done conventions of various types as a fan for 15 years now, and as a professional behind the booths for around a decade. For your first show, it really depends on how you react to crowds. Expo is huge, and there isn't another show quite like it in the United States. (Otakon's close, but each has it's own feel.) Boston's a good show, but a good amount smaller, last I checked. If you're worried about crowds, head to Boston and test the waters, and do Expo next year. If you're fine with crowds, go to Expo and enjoy. I mention this because my sister has been to both shows to visit me while I was working (she having lived in Boston and California at various times), and while Boston was a breeze for her, the wall of sight and sound in the dealer's room at Expo were a bit too much that first time. If you don't feel good, you're not going to have a good time, right?

Either way, do some research. Go to your favorite search engine(s) and search "anime convention survival guide". You'll find quite a few. While not every one of them is going to apply every single trip, getting advice from those who have been there. My own advice: Budget yourself (food, lodging, spending money, etc.) and then bring at least 1.5 times that, just in case; bring a camera, preferably digital with a laptop to transfer the pics off each day; make sure not to over do it and get a decent amount of sleep; be sure you have your lodging booked as far in advance as possible; head to the artist's alley when you have time, it's worth it; many dealers have specials on the last day of the show, so watch for them; snag freebies when people are giving them out; Don't be afraid to ask people about things, whether it's about the product they have or the costume they're wearing. Most people at the show are there because they love anime, just like you, even if they're in the industry.

So, head to Expo, unless you have crowd fears. ^_^

Hope this helps!

- R.J. (WatcherX, who has been to eleventy-billion conventions thusfar...)

Answer 2

Anime Expo would be bigger, yes? Then it should be better. ^_^ There would be more things to look at, to buy, etc. Also, there would be more fans to talk to. So my advice is, go to the bigger one. =)