New York Anime Fest Whine
To be honest I don’t really want to go to New York Anime Fest, but I am.
One big problem I have with it is the venue. There’s nothing inherently wrong with the Javits Center, but it is a well-oiled convention machine. One first has to realize that most anime conventions here and elsewhere, domestic and abroad, are just giant shows where vendors of all kinds get together to peddle wares–from the actual goods to services to ads to licenses to shows and everything in between. The Javitz Center is a large space, and it is staffed with experienced people who grinds this kind of stuff through day in and day out. Big conventions happens in NYC just about weekly. It feels impersonal and “feels like work,” to be honest. It’s sort of far away, but I have to commute to go to it, so maybe that’s why.
Here is where being a local con actually worsens the experience, ironically. And it’s not a short commute. But at the same time because it is a much more pro exhibition, the odds of me missing out on some crazy night life involving VIPs and friends is much lower compared to a con inside of a hotel or at a more homely con. No big deal.
If I had my way I’d just go to one or two days; alas I pretty much have to go to day 3 and 2, and I will be in Midtown for day 1 even if I don’t go. Sigh.
It is hardly unexpected that the organizers of NYAF is a corporation that is trying to raise up this kind of geek fanfare; anime is under a spotlight. This year, unlike last, there’s actually a few guests that can and will draw fans. At least I can thank the Heavens that there’s no large jrock draw this year, but at the same time it looks like I have to really make a choice when it comes to programming.
For one, NYAF is one of the few cons where going to karaoke OUTSIDE the con center would make the most sense. Anyone? NYC is not a place where you are likely to run out of things to do, especially if you’re with a bunch of friends.
Maybe it’s just because I’m an old geezer when it comes to anime cons this day and age (and I haven’t been to that many, that long ago), I still remember the day when I could (and did) go and see Shoji Kawamori signing autographs at a table, in a hotel at Arlington, VA. So. Surreal. But no, these professionally-produced cons, as trends go, work the guests differently than pure fan cons. The total amount of a famed guest’s work product as a con guest is portioned out “professionally” among a growing number of fan attendees, each getting their slice of view behind seas of other bobbing heads in a panel room. Or in line for an autograph ticket. Or at a sponsored booth autograph session. What’s worse is that the fan has to focus on the guest programming to make it work.
Not that there’s anything wrong with that per se, but at the City that Never Sleeps, information and the US dollar are currency for the con goer to purchase some degree of comfort and happiness. This is why NYAF is/was selling “VIP” passes that let you skip lines, get first dibs at autographs and special events, some memorabilia and peace of mind if you’d pony up $150. The normal cost of the 3-day con pass is comparatively affordable at $55. Actually, NYAF has gone out of its way over the course of the past couple months to make new varieties of these VIP prices (focused on only certain guests and events) at $100 or $125 due to high demand. I don’t blame them; it’s a smart move that makes sense for this venue, this location and this organization. But it doesn’t rub you the right way.
Sadly due to my overwhelming apathy at first, I missed out on those $100 Rie Tanaka passes. Well, at least I have saved myself like $45? But that means I don’t get to save time, I have to camp lines, and I will have to do those 10-minute powerwalks from the Javitz Center to, say, 55curry or Burgers & Cupcakes for lunch. Hm, I should try out that Thai place down the block, maybe it’ll cost less per gimmick. Or better yet, I can just sneak in some Chipotle on the way there? Recommend good eats, if you got any–I prefer good location above all else, so maybe some choice Hell’s Kitchen eatery?
Sadly, what I am really whining about is just that I don’t want to camp for hours for a ticket, and then go get an autograph a couple hours later. I don’t want to camp panel lines either. That’s not to mention all the other line-con activities like getting pre-regged and going into the exhibit hall, or looking out where I should be camping ticket bright and early Sunday morning. Or my terrib-long commute Sunday morning with not a lot of sleep.
I want to hang out kool kats like Moy and JP, LOL along with Hinano, and say hi to some new and slightly less new faces. Maybe shake RieRie’s hand :3 So that is why I am still going, I guess.
If this is going to be a less taxing convention experience, I might actually try to enjoy myself at one of those industry panels, or at the Funimation state of the industry panel. I should go say hi to Sirabella because he is lol. And there’s still that Otaku USA thing with Patrick Macias. But alas, there’s only so much you can do in so little time, fighting so big of a crowd.
Or am I just whining that I should have but didn’t buy the expensive VIP passes, and now it’s sold out? Like this guy?
You make it sound like I’m JP’s suitcase ;_;
On the topic of karaoke, that’s what I’m doing for my big 25th birthday bash!! =D
Which karaoke place do you recommend, by the way?
And lol, how are you JP’s suitcase. You are more like his master.
Sssshhhiiiii**** sorta forgot NYAF is this friday hahaha and totally didn’t see the VIP thing for Rie Tanaka. Meh, probably would have missed that anyways since this was sorta last minute.
But yea, you got my cell so we definitely need to chill again. And I swear, if we do end up going to Chinatown I know of a few places (or at least can ask my friend) that are pretty good food-wise.
Omo - the only reason Mike got a ticket was because I (Ray at Anime Diet) wanted a Tanaka Rie autograph (I love female seiyuus) and I paid Mike via Western Union (because I really am in Taiwan). Otherwise he’d not gotten the ticket at all. He never thanked me! Ghar.
Ray: Doh! Too bad you can’t make it back here :( At least you got a proxy working for you.
moy: Ya, we can do that. Will give you a call/txt when I get in Friday or something.
Ew Chinatown. *puke* Dx
I like to go to Japas (there’s a bunch of them these days). Last I went to was Japas 55, they have the most amount of japanese songs (that are actually working)
Looks like Japas 38 and Japas 55 are the two to choose from. Lazy omobutt doesn’t want to walk across Manhattan though, easily 20+ minutes walking distance.
I don’t really fancy Chinatown too, mainly because Javits Center is out of the way. Walking up 9th ave for food sounds like a better plan. Or split a taxi.
Or you know what, I want to try out Ippudo…really have to take a cab to get there though.
Since Author linked I figure I need to elaborate a bit:
http://ani-nouto.animeblogger.net/2008/09/23/is-seeing-rie-tanaka-worth-100/
YES.
Long answer: Because you get more than just a guaranteed autograph ticket. You also get a free con t-shirt, some random junk, a 10% discount on other NYAF merchandise sold by them, and lines cut. Considering the T-shirt is 15+tax by itself, that already cuts the differential down to $30. Even if you don’t take advantage of the other perks, that will save you hours of time. To me it’s a good deal.
I might go on Saturday, but it all depends on work, as in I wait all week for the client to get back to me, which they won’t until Friday and then need it by Monday.
Don’t forget you can meet me and I’m a kool kat as well! :)
Also, lines were not that bad last year, at least to get in or for panels. For autographs and such I’m not sure.
super rats: hope you can make it! you got my #, drop a txt or call :)
DS: meow?