Anime Expo Day 1

I attended the first official day of Anime Expo 2008. Although it has moved from Long Beach to L.A., it's not that different. Tons of screenings, panels, and a dealer room full of vendors selling DVDs, comics, model kits, swords, goth clothes, toys, and more. The best part has to be the cosplay. Yes, maybe 1/3 to 1/2 of the attendees are dressed up, but it still takes guts to walk from your hotel or car in your anime-inspired gear.


The doors opened at noon and I arrived around 12:45. There were lines going around the building and it was hot! Even hotter in leather vampire outfits. Maybe cooler for the dude dressed like Astro Boy in shorts and boots.


I'm always impressed by the big cosplay groups, and how can you not get a warm, fuzzy feeling when you see them find other groups that are fans of the same series. (Honestly, I'm not sure what show--or shows--the attendees above are depicting.)


I saw a few outfits that weren't actually anime gear, but more like Japanese pop culture influenced. I saw Pepsi Man, but he took off his mask for a breath of air so I didn't get a picture. Above, Hard Gay. Hoo!


Amongst the tables of merch, this booth stood out. Airbrushed anime girls on canvas!


Artist Alley was also full of big-eyed versions of anime favorites. And it's cool that they do that, but I really dug this guy's stuff. He's from Japan so we couldn't really talk and I didn't even get his name, but I bought three pieces off his table for a buck each! That was the extent of my purchases--besides that it was just soaking in otaku paradise.


The Expo goes on through the weekend, so check it out if you get a chance. There are concerts on Friday and Saturday afternoons and costumed events, too! It's probably too late to enter the masquerade ball or midnight tea, but not too late to be a voyeur.


One tip: Don't fill up on the overpriced, mediocre convention center food. On the way out you can get a snack from a helado cart or even a Downtown Dog if your stomach can handle it.