[ShadowYin-Yang]

I don't think I've seen a thread like this on here. I think they exist? But I somehow missed it if they do.

Yes, it's part of my homework but it's also something I'm wondering too. I know plenty of reasons, but some probably apply more to some people than others. So yeah, answer away?

[Cherry_Wolf]

I think there is a thread similar to this on here, but I'm not entirely positive. I think the other thread is ACen specific, this is in general. So yeah

Anyways- I go to anime conventions mainly for the atmosphere. I am thankful they exist cause it gives me an opportunity to be with many fans of so many things I love. I love the energy of the con-goers; I love seeing the efforts they all put into their cosplays! I go because they are fun and a place I can feel at home away from home.

Yeah, sorry my answer is so plain haha!

EDIT: oh! and the friends too Meeting up with friends I rarely see or meeting people I've made friends with over the net for the first time is always the best when done at conventions! It gives you something to connect with and do! (I did that this year and it was one of the best times of my life)

This post has been edited by Cherry_Wolf: 07 September 2012 - 08:09 PM

[-JUNK-]

I also believe there is another thread out there similar to this.

But I also go for the atmosphere. I also go for the friends I rarely get to see and spend time with.
Some people drive more than 2 hours to get to a convention I'm sure there are some people that make a road trip out of it because they live so far.
But with the people I've made friends with at ACen they have made a huge difference for me. I love you guys! ;__:
I love the cosplays folks do and the organizations to get friends together and plan for a fun weekend.
Weekends that some people may never forget. Being either good or bad.

[HiroEcks]

To creep! <,<

[obakasan]

Mental stimulation.

[obakasan]

... and it keeps me off the streets for a few days....

This post has been edited by obakasan: 07 September 2012 - 07:37 PM

[Isamu]

HiroEcks, on 07 September 2012 - 06:54 PM, said:

To creep! <,<

You sick man.
I attend so people can enjoy my company.

[-JUNK-]

Isamu, on 07 September 2012 - 08:20 PM, said:

I attend so people can enjoy my company.

I have enjoyed that company.

[GITS SAC Motoko]

FRIENDS!!!! It's my three day vacation to worry about ABSOLUTELY NOTHING except for the next panel/thing I'm doing that day that has to do with anime or video games. My ultimate getaway. And for panels, cosplay, and four days of no sleep

[KirbyFanOne]

I guess at this point to try and find people with a like mindset. In a week I'm going to Nan Desu Kan in Denver in the hopes of trying to network personally and find some cool people, but to be honest, this particular trip is because I feel I deserve a break from my real life. I've been a good boy all summer and this is my reward to me.

As far as cons in general, I'm not the most outgoing gentleman. Anytime I go out is either 1: Shopping for what need be, 2: Fooden of the eatenism, 3: occasional outdoor adventures, or Q: Going to work. Never been much for the nightlife, bar-hopping style of living which seems common amongst my generation, so I've shoved my face in front of a computer screen. It's always nice to try and get out for a weekend and see new faces and places.

So to be perfectly honest, it's to try and get me out of this rut. Sad thing is most people I get close to with these things turn out to be too far away to hang out with on a regular basis, which in turn makes me

[Isamu]

-JUNK-, on 07 September 2012 - 08:30 PM, said:

I have enjoyed that company.

Yes you have , and I have enjoyed your company.

[sentinel28a]

I agree with Cherry Wolf--primarily the atmosphere. 20,000 people with the same interests and ideas as you. Where else can you get into a stimulating conversation about how awesome/how sucky Anime Series X is?

Ben Da Mad Irishman
"Besides the internet"

[MsLovelyCookie]

The topic is: What IS the big draw of ACen for you? It's in the General Convention Items > ACen Discussions/Questions if you didn't find it yet.

For me ACen started out as a way for me and my friend to get Manga in bulk, anime followed soon after, then it became a vacation get away for us. Now it's for the cosplay watching, seeing how creative everyone can get. I have seen a few of my forum friends in person but I would like to see more.

[NinjaJedi007]

Meeting people is the best part for sure. Sure the convention is sweet, but it's the people that make it what it truly is. Creeping is also another favorite thing to do.

[ShadowYin-Yang]

Wow, thank you guys! That was a lot of quick responses.
Yeah, I was asking generally for conventions and not specifically ACen.

[TaiyakiOni]

I go to hang out with my friends that I don't see a lot during the year. Whether they're an hour away or in another state far away, I like to see them and conventions allow us to get together and have fun.

[The Fujoshi]

I work at a convention center so it's a habit of going to conventions.

Also it's a good way to just mingle and do something outside of your comfort zone....and collect rare stuff. (Like freebies and contests goodies,) in terms of anime conventions.

Conventions are like the circus that comes once or so often a year.

[Kii]

I guess I go for the atmosphere and because I love to cosplay.It's fun to have a few days where you meet people who worked on the anime you enjoyed and basically get to submerge yourself in your hobby without it being irresponsible or weird.
I don't really talk to people extensively at cons that I don't already know, so I can't say that the 20,000 people enhances the experience. I'm actually really shy and horrible about making conversations with strangers. But I guess all of the people at conventions gets me pumped, in a way.
Conventions are just cool all around.That's why.

[IshokuOsero]

I just enjoy wandering around, doing massive people watching, and attending a few panels here and there. I'm not much of a social person and I'm quite shy, so I'm not very good around people unless I already know what's going to be talked about (like with panels)... but I like the overall experience just fine, so that's why I attend when I can.

[Katie Sama]

I attend conventions for numerous reasons. First, I love the fact that I can be amongst a crowd that shares similar interests. The students, at my college, don't exactly know what anime is. So, I would never openly talk about this stuff to anyone there, but when I'm at a convention, it's very refreshing and I feel like myself. Second, It's a chance to hangout with my best friends and dress up as characters that we love. Cosplaying has become a bonding hobby for my friends and me. The last reason is because I enjoy going to panels and exploring the convention as a whole. It's a little adventure for me^^

[Valkyrie]

My biggest reason is to hang out with my fellow con-buddies - especially those on IRT. In a group like ours, some of us live as close as 15 minutes away to at least a state or three. And sometimes, even if we get along really well, we only get to see each other a few times a year because of that distance or time constraints. Thus, having the opportunity to meet up at a con (whether you're working or not) is a big deal.

Another reason is because VACATION TIME. Seriously, vacation time is awesome. And spending it with friends at a con makes it even better.

[Snow_Storm]

Conventions are a great place to network and meet other people for me. Plus, a great place to make new friends and stuff like that.

[magishine]

GITS SAC Motoko, on 07 September 2012 - 08:55 PM, said:

FRIENDS!!!! It's my three day vacation to worry about ABSOLUTELY NOTHING except for the next panel/thing I'm doing that day that has to do with anime or video games. My ultimate getaway. And for panels, cosplay, and four days of no sleep

^ This! Also getting my butt handed to me by Voldo

[Noiz]

I attend because it's one of the only places I feel like I can actually have fun at! I'm a very shy person and going to conventions help me get that shyness out of my mind. Also, I love to make friends!

[Mock-Kappa]

Various reasons:
1. Break/change from reality of the everyday and not have to worry about the stress of my job.
2. See people that I only see in the flesh at the cons.
3. Check out certain cons to see if I'd recommend them to my students.
4. Something to do.
5. Someplace to get things for my collections that I might not be able to get at other places and or pester different local artists.
6. At one time, I would have said to find that special someone who has the some of the same interests of mine. (Can't complain, I did find love.)
7. To be reminded and face the memories of years past in order to move forward (well at least ACen 2007 and 2008).
8. Meet new and interesting people.
9. More random con stories, that if I wasn't there or had the photos, I myself wouldn't belive.
10. Mini-Vacations.

[Mock-Kappa]

11. Get ideas for future cosplays.

This post has been edited by Mock-Kappa: 11 September 2012 - 07:06 PM

[Goldeneyeuro]

To purchase things, to cosplay and see cool cosplays, to practice photography, to hang out and meet up with friends I wouldn't see otherwise, to meet new people, to discuss and share interests/advice with others, to help my friends have a good time by taking charge of either the hotel room or transportation...

And for my hometown convention, to help out as a staff member.

[NinjaJedi007]

Goldeneyeuro, on 11 September 2012 - 08:18 PM, said:

To purchase things

For sure. I try to get at least one item at any con that tickles my fancy. Cool gaming apparel is tough to find!

[CrimsonAnime]

I wanted to answer this when it was first posted but I wasn't able to get the keyboard on my phone to work at the time.


Anywho - I attend cons because it makes me happy. I don't do much to spoil myself. I try to keep my money close by and the most I may do is buy some cookies or a soda every now and then. I also don't fit in well with most "normal" activities so even if I have fun, I often find that there is something lacking to make it perfect.

Attending the convention allows me to spoil myself. I spend about a years worth of money for 1 weekend (that's when adding badge, hotel, cosplay materials, and con money), get to hang out with friends that I sometimes only get to see at ACen, and not worry about the real world. I also get to be myself fully when I go and show off my hard work even if it is not the best. And I even feel a little popular when people stop me and ask for a picture. It's not a feeling I get a lot.

[Noiz]

A better update lul:

• Get all the bad memories out of my mind.
  
• Meet new people
  
• Become well known
  
• Make all my friends who couldn't attend jelly. XD
  
• The only place where I feel like I can get crazy!
  
• Get all that shyness out of me. I actually changed a lot thanks to conventions.
  
• Have new and fun memories.
  
• Laugh about all our ACen lul moments!