Anime Boston has done it again! At the closing ceremonies on April 22, the staff had confirmed over 11,500 attendees went to the Anime Boston, taking over the Hynes Convention Center for all three days. Cosplayers from all over the world came to this convention. Ria, traveled from Ohio in order to cosplay, the wearing of costumes in order to display ones love for anime, at the convention. Although the con was held on the second and third floors of the Hynes, attendees spilled onto the first floor. This years cosplayers were more diverse with their costumes than previous years. I even saw an impromptu photoshoot take place with a group of cosplayers that did every major character from the anime Full Metal Alchemist.
Convention favorite Greg Ayres and voice actor Brina Palencia attended as part of Funimation in order to promote the new anime BECK: Mongolian Chop Squad, about teenagers who want to start a band. Ayers also joined voice actor Michael Sintnikerlaas and director David Williams in a panel about anime on television. Sintnikerlaas commented on how, although anime is big in America, the DVD distribution and licensing industry is in jeopardy. “Because of piracy, the price of licensing doubles and it leads to distributors finding cheap shortcuts,” according to Sintnikerlaas. Ayers and Williams talked about video sharing websites like YouTube and programs like BitTorrent, where viewers are able to watch anime episodes for free.
The way that this industry works is also quite a draw for anyone in fields like business, communications, and art. Panels and workshops focusing on learning how to draw manga or how to create costumes for cosplay are some of the fun things convention attendees were able to do, especially if you are learning about fashion, or learning about the printing business.
It bothers me that convention has communication problems with attendees and press. Because of this and information about requests I did not receive in my emails, I couldn’t interview voice actors at all. A suggestion would just be a phone number, especially for press. Congestion, particularly in the Dealer’s Room, was frequent and it was annoying. Some staff members weren’t informed about certain events or panels operating, however, security was excellent. Directions to events were nonexistent for people who didn’t read the program given to them or lost it. (I had three. I didn’t read any of them and I got lost.)
Despite the drawbacks, I like this convention and I am already waiting for the next one. At the closing ceremonies, Anime Boston staff had announced the Providence Anime Convention coming in October 2008. If you are over 21 plus, get ready in the fall! Convention Staff already has set the next date for Anime Boston 2008 on March 21-23 2008 so get started on creating that costume!
Can’t wait for Anime Boston 2008? Here are some Anime Cons in New England coming soon!