Conventions

Conventions are an excuse to gather in huge numbers of otaku, either purely anime fans, or mixed in with Sci-Fi nerds and gaming geeks. The largest California conventions are Anime Expo (AX for short) in Long Beach, and Fanime in San Jose.

Anime Expo

The largest anime expos in the US, growing roughly 25% per year, since starting in 1992 with 1,750 attendants and growing up to 40,674 attendants in 2006. Each year they pull in some amazing guests, but the lines for presentations, signings, and the dealer area are rather ridiculous.

Happenings of Importance or Interest

• 2001 (or 2002?): Super Fanboy took all the time at the Shoji Kawamori panel, asking about technical details of a nuclear reactor in Earth Girl Arjuna, ignoring the fsking fact she was able to fly and stuff. Unfortunately, the fanboy was not punched, even once.

• 2001 (2002?): Paul got confused by going-straight lanes and turn-lanes, only to be pulled over by local police and have his (accidentally) uninsured car towed, extending the weekend stay through Monday.

• 2006: Manga Super-team, CLAMP, and j-rock icon Mana appeared publically for the first time in the U.S. (and for CLAMP, the first time anywhere) causing much fangirl-ism. Daniella met Mana and swears it was better than sex. She also met Crispin Freeman whom she stalked for a half an hour in the exhibt hall so that her best friend could come down and get his picture and autograph.

• 2007: Well it hasn't happened yet, but AX moved back to Long Beach after a long absense and much the chagrin of some people who live closer to Anaheim...

Fanime

The smaller of the two conventions (roughly 1/4 the size of AX), running in northern California since 1994. It was something of an off-shoot from AX, which originated San Jose, but has remained smaller over the years.

Happenings of Importance or Interest

• 2006: Annaliese's ruler of badassity.