Big conventions, like Anime Expo and Otakon, may have certain advantages going for them, in terms of high-profile guests, industry panels, huge numbers of cosplayers, and so on; but smaller cons are often quite simply more enjoyable. People who attended Mikkakan, back in the day might concur. And, like that earlier con, the joy this past weekend at ConnectiCon was not due only to the relatively uncrowded conditions or to the very modern (and air conditioned!) convention center, but was also palpable in the camaraderie and festive atmosphere of the con goers. Even a reporter from the Hartford Courant emphasized this, in a sympathetic article.
The outside (above) and impressive interior (below) of the Connecticut Convention Center.
After an enjoyable first day, in which I enjoyed exploring the dealers room, watched most of the AMVs, took some pictures, and met up with some friends, I happily returned for Day 2 on Saturday. The only lingering distress involved those Higurashi trading figures I pictured in my previous post–I was happy to get Mion, Rika and Satoko, but ended up getting two more Mions in my attempt to get one of the two available Renas. At least each figure comes with three facial expressions to choose from. On Saturday, though, I was happy to get the three main Kashimashi girls without a repeat figure.
Yasuna, Hazumu, and Tomari.
Perhaps the most interesting thing on Saturday was the lecture Jennifer Yoo did on the Shinsengumi. In the same day, she also did three other hour-long talks on the “True History of Samurai Anime,” as well as “How to Become a Samurai in One Hour” and “How to Become a Ninja in One Hour.” I had seen just a little of her talks at Anime Bostons in the past and was happy to experience a full hour of one. I’ve long been somewhat obsessed with the Bakumatsu period and while I knew some of the things she was talking about, I also learned some new things too. The presentation was very good and I was surprised to learn she was only still in High School! The Shinsengumi session had a good number of people attending, but when I stopped by her presentation on Ninja the place was so packed (standing room only) I could not easily fit in. I guess the name recognition of Ninja (especially with so many Narutards running around, lol) is a lot bigger than the Shinsengumi. More people need to watch or read Rurouni Kenshin!
Jennifer Yoo wore the Shinsengumi uniform.
I can’t help but compare this convention with last weekend’s Anime Next. In several ways, Connecticon was superior, including the setting, the overall quality of the AMVs and the cosplay, and in the number and variety of the fan-run panels. On the other hand, Anime Next did have more industry-run panels, as well as Japanese guests and a J-Rock band. ConnectiCon, though, is technically a multi-genre convention, with a large number of web comics guests. Speaking of ConnectiCon’s panels, there was one I stopped into briefly on Friday night called “How to Talk to Girls.” It was more general than that, though, as it covered a wide spectrum of romantic relationship issues between self-acknowledged geeks. :) But I missed another panel Friday night (at 11 PM) called “Late Night with 4Chan.” I can only imagine what that was like XD
It’s the convention’s mascot character, Brianna Bunny!
I’m not sure why, but I haven’t gone to an anime convention Masquerade in a few years. Maybe I don’t want to wait in line for hours to get a good seat or stay that late. Anyway, I returned on Day 3 to hang out get more cosplay photos. It’s always a little sad when it’s time to leave the special atmosphere of a convention, particularly one as fun as ConnectiCon. I’ll look forward to next year, and in the meantime, everyone can enjoy some cosplay pics I took. I’m trying out some different image hosting sites, so I’ve also made available elsewhere some more pictures from AnimeNext! Everyone check them out and help me identify characters I don’t recognize! And here are a few more pictures:
Probably not Danny Choo :)
Why are these
One of the two long convention center hallways, with part of the Artists Colony
to the left, and panel rooms to the right.
There were also many game rooms–this one had tabletop gaming going on.
Loading ...
Very nice review of the convention. You’re right. Connecticon was a lot more enjoyable than AnimeNext. I would say CTCon is the best small con I have been to so far. Last year’s AnimeUSA was pretty good too. I do have to say one thing about the bag policy from both CTCon and AnimeNext. CTCon did not allow people into the video gaming room with their bags, but they had a bag check-in service right next to the video game room entrance. On the other hand, AnimeNext did not allow folks to go into the dealer’s room with their bags and they did not have any bag check-in service what-so-ever! Don’t tell me they didn’t have enough space for that, I checked and saw a large empty area next to the dealers “section”. Yes, I shouldn’t call that a dealer’s room, they just used some huge black curtains to divide up the convention center (looks more like a warehouse) into sections/”rooms”. Anyway, I enjoyed and had a lot fun at CTCon then AnimeNext! Job well done, CTCon……….I’ll be back!
Hi Im linking to your review on my con news site. Great report. looks like fun!
Nice wrap up of Connecticon. I identified a few of your mystery photos, via comments on your Flickr gallery.
Ray >> I didn’t really go in the gaming room much because of the bag issue. I know Best Buy had stuff for sale in there, but I never really looked at it. I was glad to go to a Best Buy afterwards to get that second Haruhi box!