Anime Boston 2023: How To Navigate Large Conventions
by Tito W. James
After Covering C2E2 then diving headfirst into Anime Boston, I thought I’d give my tips on getting the most out of the Con experience without breaking your body or wallet.
Make a list of what you’d like to do: At Anime Boston, I usually buy a manga, an anime figurine, a naughty book, a poster, get an autograph, and a cosplay photo. It’s fine not to hit every item on this list, it’s just a simple way for me to make each convention experience special.
Eat Healthy Food: Convention food like hotdogs and pizza may look good but it will probably upset your stomach. It’s important to eat and stay hydrated especially if you’re traveling and recovering from jet lag. Eat food that’s easy on your body and save drinks for special occasions. If you insist on breaking this rule, then at least pack some Imodium.
Arrive half an hour to an hour early for popular Panels: Arriving at Anime Boston can feel like being Waldo in a Where’s Waldo? book. The convention spreads across multiple floors and buildings. I nearly didn’t make it to the Oshi no Ko premier because it was in another building. Arrive early and scout the location of panels you want to return to later if you think it will be popular.
Budget yourself: It helps to pay in cash so you can see it disappearing rather than just swiping a credit card. When buying expensive items like anime figurines, ask yourself: Do I love the character and the toy? It this item good quality for a good price? Will it look good in my home?
Finding hidden gems: The best thing about going to Anime Boston is finding Japanese pop-culture that you can’t easily purchase online. Many anime are hard to find on DVD and the less popular shows can easily disappear from a streaming service. Buying anime on DVD is usually more affordable at a convention than on Amazon.
Stay well, stay sane, and have a good time!
