Anime Boston: Beginners Guide to Anime Cons

Anime Boston

Nendoroid Airi Anime Figurine

Join About Figurines April 6-8, 2012 for Anime Boston held annually at the Hynes Convention Center in Boston, Massachusetts.  This Friday through Sunday event is one of the largest anime convention events in the country with expected attendancearound 20,000 people.  Anime Boston is a three day celebration about Japanese animation and culture.  It is open tothose 18 years or older.  Anime Boston features these popular anime convention activities:

• masquerade
• anime music video contest
• video programming rooms
• artists’ alley
• art show
• karoke
• game shows
• live & video games
• manga library
• dances and balls
• special guest stars
• anime industry representatives

The New England Anime Society is the parent organization for Anime Boston.  It is a non-profit organization dedicated to furthering education about Japanese language and culture.  It also hosts other anime conventions and anime screenings in the northeast.  Some donations and proceeds from the event help support the Central New England Chapter of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society.  This is the 10 year anniversary of Anime Boston which began in 2003.

Future Anime Boston Convention Dates

• Anime Boston 2012: April 6-8, 2012
• Anime Boston 2013: May 24-26, 2013
• Anime Boston 2014: March 21-23, 2014
• Anime Boston 2015: April 3-5, 2015

Event location is the Hynes Convention Center at 900 Boylston Street, Boston, MA 02199. The official convention hotel is the Sheraton Boston Hotel at 39 Dalton Street, Boston, MA 02116. Some convention events will be located within the Sheraton, which is attached directly to the convention center.

Anime Boston Registration Rates At The Door for 2012:

Adult Rates:

• Weekend Pass (3 Day Pass):  $55
• Friday Pass: $35 Saturday Pass:  $35 Sunday Pass:  $30
• Children Rates:  Accompanied by paying parent or guardian
• under age 5 are FREE under age 12 are $10 less than adult rate.
• over age 12 are same rate as adults

Anime Con Hours of Operation:

Daily starting at 8 a.m. Panels and most activities start at 10 a.m. Anime movies run from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Evening dance and events run well past midnight.

Anime Boston Hotels

• Sheraton Boston Hotel  39 Dalton Street, Boston, MA  (800) 325-3535
• The Colonnade Hotel 120 Huntington Avenue, Boston, MA (800) 962-3030
• Boston Marriott Copley Place Hotel 110 Huntington Avenue, Boston, MA (800) 236-2427
• Hilton Boston Back Bay Hotel 40 Dalton Street, Boston, MA (617)236-1100

Special Guests Attending Anime Convention

The following anime celebrities have individual events:

• Haruko Momoi
• Kanako Ito
• Takamasa Sakurai
• Caitlin Glass
• Carli Mosier
• Chris Smith
• Christopher Ayres
• Greg Ayres
• Tom Wayland

Beginners Guide to Anime Conventions

If you are going to attend Anime Boston 2012 we make the following recommendations:

• Safety:  Boston is a huge metropolitan city.  Pay special attention to your safety when outside the convention.  This means your hotel, transportation, and restaurants should be chosen with care as you might in any major city.  Of course walking alone especially at night should be avoided.  While inside the convention you will meet people who may or may not have your interests at heart.  Protect your identification and money.  I caution against providing too much personal information to those persons you just meet.  I also caution against sharing drinks, food, or pills with those you just met.  Finally, your cell phone needs to be kept charged.
• Pre-Register or Register Early:  Avoid the longest lines by registering online which also has the lowest costs to attend the event.
• Attend with Friends:  Friends are a great resource for safety, fun, information, and companionship while attending an anime convention.  Also they can help with makeup, cosplay, directions, or even money should something happen.  Budget your Money: Anime Convention are great fun but generally are not cheap entertainment.  It is not unusual to spend $200 on anime figurines, costumes, collectibles, dvds, art work, or any of the other items available at the swap meet or through artists alley.  Staying within your budget will provide you the best opportunity to have fun throughout the entire event.
• Expect Long Lines:  Some of the longest lines you will find occur at anime events.  Expect them and plan for them so you see all the event you want to see.
• Plan your Days:  A little planning will insure you see all the events you want to see.  Arriving two minutes before your most wanted event generally will mean disappointment.  Also remember to plan for meals, water, transportation, showering, and sleep time.  Forgetting to eat or sleep will ruin your event and health for the Saturday and Sunday sessions.  Carry bottled water with you each day of the event.
• Bring Identificatin:  Identification will be checked upon entering the convention center and at many of the individual events.  It is mandatory that each person have their own proper picture identification with them.  Read the identification policy to avoid problems.  I would bring more than just a drivers license.  Government issued picture identification such as legal State ID, college ID, or drivers licenese are generally some of the best ID’s to have with you.  Sharing ID’s or fake ID’s will get you banned from the event.  Note that many evening events are restricted to those 18 years or older.  Those attending daytime events under 18 must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian.
• Weather:  Plan on it being warm, cold, wet, windy, humid, both inside and outside the event.  Weather can always be a factor in enjoying your event.  Plan for the worst.  Bringing an umbrella, plastic poncho, or jacket can save your event.
• Cosplay:  You do not need to dress up for Anime Boston.  However if you do want to cosplay have your costume ready well in advance of the event.  Do not try to sew the costume the night before the event.  Plan on problems by bringing a small sewing kit, masking tape, hair dryer, and both dress and comfortable shoes.  Give some thoughts on where you will change into your costume.
• Make Friends:  Part of the fun at an anime conention is the variety of people you will meet at the events.  Open up and talk to those around you.  You will meet some interesting people and share some wonderful stories.  Also the event staff can be a great resource for event information, directions, and advice.
• Event Variety:  Even if you enjoy the game room or artists alley you should not spend all your time in your favorite area.  Anime convention offer a number of ways to expand your enjoyment of anime.  Spending all you time in one area may be fun in the short term but frequenting a number of activites will give you a better opportunity to explore anime and meet people.
• Room Arrangements:  This is a large event in a major city.  Hotel rooms are not cheap downtown.  Do not arrive in Boston without having your room arrangements registered at the hotel of your choice.  The 2012 event is held on Easter weekend which may or may not make booking a hotel easier.  If you choose a hotel not downtown you will want to plan for travel time, directions, and parking into your budget and timeline.  Boston also has bus and subway transportation which you may want to consider.
• Cameras:  You are encouraged to bring your cameras.  Note however some activities have picture taking restrictions.

 Anime Convention Activities:

Anime Music Video Contest:

An exhibition and competition of fan-created music videos with an anime theme. Entries must not be shorter than 30 seconds or longer than 6 minutes in length.  Categories There will be 5 finalist videos per category.  The new category lineup will be as follows:

• Romance:  Best uses audio and visual to best create a romantic mood.
• Drama:  Videos that capture and emotion in the form of art.
• Action:  This video is a rollar coaster ride of options to stimulate your adrenaline and excitement.
• Comedy:  Funny, jovial, comical situations.
• Run/Upbeat:  Feel good videos such as dance but not limited.

Cosplay Events

Masquerade

The Masquerade is a Saturday night theatrical performance in which groups of fans display their costuming skill and perform short skits based on their favorite Anime or Video Game. These skits can be dramatic, comedic, dance-based or just plain wacky! A panel of staff and celebrity judges present awards to the best performances and costumes. Advanced registration is required for this popular event. The Masquerade is just as fun to watch as it is to participate in!

Hall Costume Contest

Another opportunity for competition, this contest allows cosplayers to sign up ahead of time to have their craftsmanship evaluated by a panel of experienced judges. Advanced registration is required; no entries will be accepted at the door. Prizes for the best costumes and costume designs will be announced at the Masquerade on Saturday night.  Fashion show exhibition held during the Masquerade Intermission.

Anime Convention Activities:

Artists’ Alley: Section of convention where talended artists display and sell their creations.

Anime Music Video Hentai Contest:   Adults Only Admitted contest of submitted anime videos screened before a live audience.

Art Track:   Activities with actist selected to showcase anime to the public.  Participate in discussions, panels, exhibits.

Charity Auction:   Auction items include manga, anime, art, anime figurines, costumes, and event merchandise with proceeds to benefit the Multiple Sclerosis Society.

Cosplay Games and Programing:   Game show type event dressed in cosplay who paly Chess, Dating Games and more.

Game Shows

Phoenix Ball:  Celebrate Anime Boston in style with music and dance at this years formal ball.  Formal dress required.

Swap Meet:  Opportunity to swap, sell, and exchange items you bring to the event.  Collectors and enthusiasts invited to attend.

Live Gaming

Hours of Operation:

• Friday: 9am – 3am
• Saturday: 9am – 3am
• Sunday: 9am – 3pm

A board game library with over 50 board games is available.  Check your event packet for times and locations:

• Shadowrun Missions Imaginary Friends
• Doctor Who: Adventures in Time and Space “Terror Cotta”
• Red Dragon Inn
• D&D 4e Essentials Children of the Snake God
• Tanto Cuore Deck Building Game
• Big Eyes Small Mouth, 3rd edition “Saviors of a Dying Age”
• Shadowrun Missions AB 2070: Post-Apocalyptic
• D&D 4e: The Lost Cistern of Aravek (Dark Sun)
• Last Night on Earth
• Dominion Deck Building Game
• World of Darkness: Changeling: The Lost “Les Fleurs du Mal”
• Shadowrun Missions Xolotl’s Box
• Pathfinder: Master of the Fallen Fortress
• Arkham Horror
• D&D 4e Essentials The Scorpion Queen
• Maid RPG
• Munchkin Quest
• Really Bad Idea CthulhuTech RPG
• Steve Jackson Games MiBs
• Frag! Gold Edition
• Learn to Play GURPS

• Mouse Guard

• Star Wars Saga
• Doctor Who: Adventures in Time and Space “Saving Time”
• Shadowrun Missions Garage Sale

Magic The Gathering

Registration for all Magic the Gathering Events opens at 9am and closes at 11am.

• Fill & Fire: 8-man Innistrad Booster Draft
• Fill & Fire: 8-man Innistrad Sealed Deck (3 Innistrad/3 Dark Ascension)
• Fill & Fire: 4-man Commander (EDH) Chaos
• Fill & Fire: 8-man Standard Constructed – Single Elimination
• Fill & Fire: 8-man Legacy Constructed – Single Elimination
• Fill & Fire: 8-man Modern Constructed – Single Elimination

Additional Convention Information :

Bios of Celebrity Guests:

Haruko Momoi:  A writer, singer, and composer and noted Japanese voice actress.

Kanako Ito:  Contributes vocals and music to the soundtracks of Nitroplus games.  This is her first live American performance. She frequently performs at live tours in Japan.  She performed at Brazil’s Sana 9 anime festival and at Japan’s Animelo Summer Live since 2009.

Takamasa Sakurai:  He  is general advisor on Japanese pop culture, cultural diplomacy, and fashion.  He has served for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, leads the Japan-China Youth Friendship Exchange Program, and served as judge for independent anime contests.  He is also a jurist for the World Cosplay Summit.

Caitlin Glass:  Best known for the role of Winry Rockbell in Fullmetal Alchemist, Caitlin Glass has been working in the anime industry since 2004 as a voice actress and ADR director.

Carli Mosier:  Voice actress Carli Mosier began working at ADV films since 2004.  She appeared as Loki Ragtnarok in Mythical Detective and as Tsubasa Maijima, Godannar, and Kei.  She is best known as the sexy Detective Yukika in Nerima Daikon Brotheers. She has appeared in many other popular movies.

Chris Smith:  Voice actor for over 25 charactors including Bren and Jon Ace in American anime series Monsuno on Nickelodeon.  He is best know for work on the game Skyrim.

Christopher Ayres:  Actor and voice actor since the age of 6 he is currently a voice character and ADR director for ADV Films and Amusement Park Media.

Greg Ayres:  DJ, Singer, and Rocker Greg Ayres is a live and animated rocker.  He is Hideki in Nerima Daikon Brothers and Koyuki in Beck:Mongolian chop Squad.

Tom Wayland:  Actor, voice actor,Director, rock and roll musicain Tom has produced or directed hundreds of anime programs including Now & then, Revolutional Girl Utena, Alien Nine, and The World of Narue.

Hynes Convention Center Information

• 193,000 square feet of flexible exhibit space accommodating up to four concurrent events
• 71,644 square feet of flexible meeting space – including 38 permanent rooms
• 24,544-square-foot Grand Ballroom
• 60,000 square feet of registration and function space
• Fiber-optic backbone links and T3 service, with complimentary wireless access in Coffee House
• Climate-controlled, all-season facility, connected by sky bridges to hotels, restaurants, and shopping
• Cafeteria and coffee house in central lobby accommodates 400 to 500 people

You are likely to find some or all of these types of anime figurines for sale, or exchange at Anime Boston.

Scaled PVC Figures (figurines)

Cast Off PVC Figurines

Figmas

Nendoroids

Vocaloids

Garage Kits