Anime conventions can be fun but also come with some negatives:
1. Rowdy fans who scream and tackle cosplayers can ruin the experience for others and damage costumes. Conventions encourage keeping noise and physical contact appropriate.
2. "Ninja photography" of cosplayers without permission is considered rude, invasive and can be embarrassing if photos are shared online. Asking permission is a common courtesy.
3. While most attendees are respectful, conventions unfortunately attract some "creepers and perverts" who stalk, touch or violate cosplayers' personal space. Traveling in groups and having a friend watch your back are recommended defenses.
Anime conventions can be fun but also come with some negatives:
1. Rowdy fans who scream and tackle cosplayers can ruin the experience for others and damage costumes. Conventions encourage keeping noise and physical contact appropriate.
2. "Ninja photography" of cosplayers without permission is considered rude, invasive and can be embarrassing if photos are shared online. Asking permission is a common courtesy.
3. While most attendees are respectful, conventions unfortunately attract some "creepers and perverts" who stalk, touch or violate cosplayers' personal space. Traveling in groups and having a friend watch your back are recommended defenses.
Anime conventions can be fun but also come with some negatives:
1. Rowdy fans who scream and tackle cosplayers can ruin the experience for others and damage costumes. Conventions encourage keeping noise and physical contact appropriate.
2. "Ninja photography" of cosplayers without permission is considered rude, invasive and can be embarrassing if photos are shared online. Asking permission is a common courtesy.
3. While most attendees are respectful, conventions unfortunately attract some "creepers and perverts" who stalk, touch or violate cosplayers' personal space. Traveling in groups and having a friend watch your back are recommended defenses.
come to a convention if you Cosplayers work hard on their are also frequent scenes of center. A good move on their ANIME, continued can’t calm down. costumes, so the least you can theft. Large crowds make a part, really. Then, of course, there’s do is help them look their best. good hiding place for thieves, Probably the biggest bane of from Page 5 ‘Ninja’ photography. This is The Ugly and the Dealer’s room is not anime conventions is the typically defined as someone You meet all sorts of people immune to shoplifters, either. dreaded ‘Con Funk’. Found such group is, of course, the hy- casually taking a picture of at an anime convention: hard- That said, keep valuables mainly at the most massive peractive fans. These scream- someone else (usually in cos- core fans, dedicated cosplay- somewhere secure, and keep conventions, this massive at- ing, shrieking, sugar-fueled tume) without warning and ers, homeless people (yes, the items like cameras and cell mosphere of stink emanates human missiles have a tenden- then disappearing without a homeless sometimes hang phones close to you at all times. from the sweat and body odor cy to deviate from normal, so- trace, leaving the subject of the around big anime conven- Check to make sure these items of the more socially-inept at- cially-accepted behavior at a photo wondering where that tions), and those who are so- are still in their right place peri- tendees who seem to forget convention sometimes. This is camera flash came from. This is cially awkward. The people you odically. showering and basic human hy- somewhat understandable, a very annoying practice, and want to avoid most, however, A recent trend in anime con- giene in their excitement to at- since accessible Anime conven- not only can it be embarrassing, are the inevitable (and hope- ventions are, of course, the tend the convention. It’s really tions don’t occur that often, but this is something of an inva- fully few) creepers and perverts ubiquitous ‘paddles’, with hard to enjoy a convention and going to an Anime conven- sion of privacy, if not at the that lurk in the crowds of a con- words like ‘Yaoi’, ‘Yuri’ ‘Seme’ when the air inside carries a tion is a cool experience. very least, a rude thing to do. vention. Many horror stories and ‘Uke’ written on them. No scent that is the ungodly love- What’s not cool, however, is Let’s just say it’s not the most have been told (mainly by fe- one truly knows why these child of stale pizza, smelly tackle-hugging (or glomping) flattering thing in the world to male con-goers, though some exist, but quite a few people socks, farts, and used jock- fellow costumed attendees find a picture of oneself on the guys share their stories as well) have had the poor fortune to be straps (Ugh!). Word of advice: (who probably spent a good internet caught in the act of of cosplayers being stalked, on the business end of these follow the rules of human few months crafting their cos- say, stuffing your face with inappropriately touched, or weapons of mass irritation, cleanliness, use deodorant and tume(s) with their own blood, food, or picking your nose, or having their personal space vio- wielded by hyperactive fangirls apply it frequently, bathe with sweat, and tears) full force and generally looking rather hag- lated by some truly frightening who run around smacking the soap, and you will be a-okay. ruining parts of their costume gard. There is a thing called scumbags. The best defense derrieres of unsuspecting cos- So while going to an anime in the process; nor is randomly etiquette, and it’s a common against this, of course, is to tumed victims. In a legal con- convention is an exciting pros- screaming out the name of a courtesy, even an unspoken travel in groups and have a text, this can easily be consider- pect, it is best to plan ahead be- character or series or character rule, to ask cosplayers if you close friend watch your back. ed aggravated assault, and be- fore rushing into the fray, and pairing, etc. at a decibel count can take their picture. This And if something happens, cause of this, conventions have utilize common sense and cau- that would ordinarily be count- gives them some notice and lets contact con security immedi- taken to banning these items tion during your trip. Doing so ed as noise pollution. Keep a them decide whether or not to ately. outright from being sold or will help you spend more time lid on it, kiddies, and don’t fix themselves up for a picture. Believe it or not, anime cons used within the convention having fun at the con.