size="-3">Reprinted from my column on theOtaku.com

This week, let’s talk about

the meat of convention events: the panels, viewing rooms, Dealer’s Room, and Artists’

Alley.

Panels
The meat of the convention, “panels” is a term that covers

most every scheduled event. The larger events will be mentioned later, so let’s just focus on the

average panel.

Typically, panels are educational in some way. This might be talking about

the popularity of Fullmetal Alchemist in Japan and how Christian influences shaped the show, or it

might just be telling you what’s going on with Naruto around the world, from franchise options to the

current storyline. Culture is also often covered at these panels, varying from playing Go to putting on

an authentic tea ceremony. The variety of panels depends entirely on who is in the area to lead one. If

you feel brave enough, most cons allow people to sign up to lead panels in the months before the

convention.

Industry panels are another typical type, talking about what the different

anime and manga companies in America are releasing in the coming years. Some groups, Funigirls is one,

give out prizes and hold contests at their panels. This can be a great place to see trailers for

upcoming anime. At the big conventions, like Anime Expo and Otakon, these panels might also include

first time announcements about big new releases. One downside is that sometimes the panels are

extremely boring, consisting of a guy, a DVD player, and a list of facts.

Creative panels

are the last, most common type of panel, though they do also fall under educational. Here you can learn

to draw in a new style or work on sewing a UFO catcher. Many cons provide the materials for free,

though some may charge a few dollars extra for these panels, to cover the high expense of materials.

These are a great way to have something to show off after the convention.

Viewing

Room
Anime conventions started as a place to see new anime and watch subtitled tapes that

had been painstakingly translated by fans. While there will be new releases and premiers occasionally,

now it is more of a chance to watch what is currently released. Companies are getting stricter about

fan subs, and many fans find that the viewing room is not as big of a draw as it used to be. AMV

contests and fan videos, though, continue to be popular and draw in the crowds.

size="-3">Artist – Cinnie
Keep your eye out

for that life altering item from Japan. Then be prepared to explain the price tag to your

parents/spouse/friends!

Dealer’s Room
Here is where you

fulfill all your anime dreams and go into severe debt after the weekend. Make sure to have cash on

hand, since only about half of the dealers are usually able to take credit cards, and the ATM may very

well run out of money by the end of the weekend, especially if I need to use it. Trust me, going on a

quest for the nearest ATM in an unfamiliar city is a bad way to kill a few hours.

Dealers

tend to carry a large variety of anime t-shirts, action figures, pillows, dolls, and everything else

you can imagine. While some of the stuff is available in America, many times you can find odd little

things you will never see again.

In order to use your first time in the most effective way,

try to have some idea of what you are looking for. If you just want to browse, late in the afternoon on

Friday or on Sunday are going to be your best times. Early on Friday will be the rush, and there are

typically too many people at each store to really get to browse. I always have a list in my mind of

what specifically I am looking for.

Prices will vary, and unless you really want

something, it might be best to keep shopping around. I have bought many a toy only to see it two stores

down for ten dollars less. It is a trade-off though, because if you really want it, then you might want

to get it before someone else does. Take a look around the store and see how many of the item they

have. If it’s the only one, then it might be better to risk overpaying in order to get the item of

your dreams.

Manga is another great thing to buy at conventions, because most stores that

specialize in manga will have convention specials. There is also a much larger selection of DVDs, but

since dealers don’t get them at the same kinds of discounts as Wal-Mart and Best Buy, the prices can

be somewhat high. A lot of dealers will make deals with people who are buying multiple titles.

Artists’ Alley
Here is where artists show off their wares. Everything in

the Artists’ Alley is going to be hand produced, though the original artwork may be being sold as

prints or in a book. It’s a great place to find new artists and get costume pictures of your favorite

characters. Want to see Phoenix Wright and Miles Edgeworth making out? Someone there will draw it for

you.
Cosplay props and jewelry are also often sold here, along with statues, dresses, pillows,

stuffed dolls, and whatever else some creative person has figured out how to bring a new anime spin to.

Dating Games, Anime Improv, Quiz Shows, Karaoke, and More
There are many different

names for the things above. Some may require you to have signed up ahead of time, while others are on a

first come, first serve basis. If there is a prize involved, it’s more likely that there will be prior

sign up.

These events are what give a convention a new edge, and once it’s successful at

one con, others will pick up on it. Recently there have been AMV Iron Editor contests, Anime

Triathalons, and ramen eating contests. There will always be new, fun events coming out, so read

through your program to see what the convention offers.

Next week, we’ll talk about those

who are attending the con with you: the guests, the AMV creators, and cosplayers.