A few weeks ago, I was back in Dallas, TX for A-Kon, the longest running anime convention in the country (they started in 1990 !) as well as one of the largest in the South. A-kon means something special to me as this was my very first anime con I attended. Back in the 90s, I was a student at the University of North Texas. I've been watching anime for a few years - or perhaps the correct term would be I recognized what it is - as I've seen cartoons as a kid that I had no idea it was anime - Battle of the Planets, Robotech and Speed Racer. Akira was what made me realized the potential of anime. I would say without Robotech, Akira and A-Kon, I wouldn't be standing here today with Cosplay in America.
(Registration line at A-kon on Friday morning)
Back then, A-kon was a much different beast. It was called Project A-ko, a play off an anime called Project A-ko which is pretty hilarious parody of anime cliches at that time. My first A-kon I had a chance to meet Adam Warren who was behind the US version of the Dirty Pair . I actually commission a drawing of Kei and Yuri for like $20 ! Original artwork for which I'm sure today he would charge far more.
Back then before the internet made it easier to watch anime, you had to trade VHS copies of fansubs or go to a con to watch anime in their video rooms so back in those days, these rooms were packed ! Today when I poke my head in, there's not that many people and some are taking a nap in the back.
Dealer room was much more Japanese-related - i.e anime, manga, figurines, cels and a lot of grey market bootleg stuff. I didn't see people selling raver gear, t-shirts, kilts, wigs, hoodies or stuff like that.
The age of attendees were around college age unlike today where it is younger now - high school age.
When I went A-kon had an attendance of only a few thousand. Today ? Over 21,000. The con is roughly the same size as Anime Boston or Fanime or Anime Central though in a much smaller convention space - which by the way, A-kon will be moving to a new hotel next year, the Hilton Anatole a few miles northwest of their current location. Yay !
A-kon has two artist alley locations - lower and upper level. Lower level pretty much open all the time and you'll have to take your stuff with you. I mean, you can leave your PVC pipes and all but your art work, you have to take it down and pack it up. Upstairs they close it at 9 pm so you can leave your stuff there overnight.
Registration lines are long and busy on Friday and Saturday. I can't comment too much as was with a vendor so I didn't wait in line.
In general folks here are down to earth and nice. I've spoken to different people and many tell me about the Texan hospitality. People are just plain friendly here !
I didn't get a chance to explore the con as I normally would due to my booth hours - I was behind the table from 9 am to 9 pm - 12 hours which left me pretty exhausted. I would post helpful hints but seeing how A-kon is moving to a new hotel next year, doesn't make much sense.
This weekend (June 15-17, 2012), I'll be at AM2 wandering around. I don't have a table or booth so this will be a chill con for me though I'll still be uploading photos live from the con to my Facebook page. Follow that for up to date info.
By the way, just for kicks, here's my video from last year
