Lemme tell you a little something about Anime Overload - it's probably gonna be bad. Maybe it'll get better in the future, but for now it looks pretty bad (and it's really just Ikkicon 3.5 in disguise anyway). I've been to the center they're planning to use once for a gun show. It's...not the biggest place around. No decent hotels around there either, and it's sort of in a ghetto part of Austin. I did some research into it too, and the website is mostly blank and looks like something kept in a GeoCities time capsule. Doesn't bode well, honestly.

So if you do go, don't have really high expectations unless you want to get turned off on cons forever. Just try to enjoy yourself and not get caught up in all the "they ruined this con with bad planning" drama and you should be fine wherever you go.

>>2547829
oh my...o-o;...I guess I'll prob avoid Anime Overload for my first time lol Thanks for the honest opinion it's a big help =)

I have been attending most of the con's you listed (Hi fellow TX fag) so I'm just going to give you my opinion of all of them and then let you decide. If you've never been to a con then no matter what you end up picking to attend you're going to have a first con high so even a terrible con will still come off as pretty good.

Chibi Ushicon: Just happened last weekend. I did not attend, but I did go to the original Ushicon back in the day. From what I've heard it was insanely small (like less than 100 people small). It is also run much differently then any other con. If you're a first timer I would skip it, unless you live in the area and are really really bored.

Mizuumi Con: Day con in San Antonio. Not worth it unless you are a local.

Kamikazecon: Years ago the first KKC happened, and then it took them 5 years to hold another one. It will be on the smaller side in terms of size. It will also probably have a short lived lifespan.

Anime Matsuri: Second largest con in the state. They offer a ton of programing, they're located in a good hotel with plenty of food in walking distance. It is also the next con in texas, so if you're itching to go to a con I would suggest them. You will hear a lot of people complain about it on here, it had a terrible first year. Since then they have listened to attendees and improved vastly. This is probably one of my favorite cons to attend now.

A-Kon: SUCKS. It's the biggest con in the state, it is also the oldest con in the country. Despite having over 20 years under it's belt it is still run like a 3rd year con. The staff is rude and unorganized, the con has outgrown the hotel and it is expensive to attend. As a newb I'd say go see it for yourself, but brace for it being terrible.

>>2548065

Omnicon: Small con out in the middle of nowhere. Don't bother unless it's less than 2 hours from where you are.

Anime Overload: a 2 day con. It's located in the barrio of Austin and in the same building a gun show is held every 2 weeks. It's also hot as balls. Only go if its for the LULZ.

San Japan: Good con, fair size. I have nothing bad to say about this one. I would hold it as a high contender.

Anime Fest: 4 day convention. Afest has an awesome laid back attitude. It is always a good time and it is my personal favorite as far as cons in texas go.

You can also take note of Oni-con OP, but they had a shitty year last year so I think it's going down hill. It's in Houston in October...(usually)

I would go for AnimeFest. good starter con.

lol. AM is shit. less the long-history community feeling that afest and other cons have and more of the give-me-your fucking-money-nerds! feeling.

>>2548086
See, as I said, people on this board will claim that AM is crap, but I suggest to anyone to go and see for themselves.

I've never felt that way, the con offers far more programing then most and the badge cost is not excessive.

>>2548157
I don't like it. The staff is rude and the lines are long. If you're actually there for the con you spend literally half of the time in line.

>>2548065
>>2548068
wow...I fucking love you! thank you! I have heard people talk shit about AM but I think I'm willing to give it a chance =) Thank you so much!!!

>>2548221
You sure you're not thinking of Akon?
Because that sounds like Akon.

>>2548223
No problem OP, Enjoy your first con!

i got a question about AM...Do you have to pay for parking & the tickets??? I planned on pre-registering in april but I'm having a hard time knowing how much i should save

>>2548252
fucccccccck...you guys are making me worry about going to AM

>>2548254
I am pretty sure the parking is free at AM. The hotel is located across the street from a mall so even if hotel parking is charged, there is free parking within walking distance. I'm pretty sure its all free though.

You're going to need a badge if you want to actually go to any event at the con. Pre reg-ing will save you money.

>>2548812
I don't think that can be counted as a good thing...

A-kon was pretty awesome. Going again this year. It shouldn't be too bad, OP.

>>2549344
Thanks nigguh.

>>2549344
yeah but you're posting under "Vic is a pretty cool guy" how much is your word really worth?

>>2549394
Well experience the fucking con yourself, then draw your own conclusions.

>>2549445
I have. It fucking sucks.

>>2549348
Ok ok, I lol'd.

why do people hate A-kon and AM so much? o-o

Anime Fest is incredible. The staff is very relaxed and is almost family like. I also think its the best one to volunteer for, I had a blast and you get a free pass for the entire con. The hotel its at is nice, and its just got one hell of an amazing environment. Do it :]

Akon has overgown its location, and people there are rude. If you want a good Dallas con, go to Afest.

>>2550371
People hate Akon because they are notorious for having a terrible and rude staff, security staff in particular. They also have a sub par cosplay competition and a reputation for being generally unfriendly to cosplayers. (that whole professional fiasco 2 years ago) The con itself is redundant. They never have new panels or events. The Dealers room is terrible (half the dealers aren't even animu related) and they have overgrown the hotel.

People hate Anime Matsuri because it had a shit-tastic first year. Many people that attended the first have sworn the con off and continue to preach its suck without knowing of the improvement they have made since that initial year. People also dislike the fact they they have big name guests (Miyavi) or seem to "throw money around" by having these guest, advertising, or offering large and unique events (fashion show, car show, ect.) They run themselves more like a business then any other con so many con goers see them as terrible and "not for the fans." (which is retarded since all cons are run to make profit...as all cons are businesses.)

Feel free to add on to that, but I think I got the general consensus correct.

AM was my first con back in 2009, It didn't seem so bad to me, I had a much better time at it than I did at Akon or...Shudder...Onicon 09, I'll be going back to it this year

Afest is the best con in Texas.

>>2547829
mmmmhmmm

i think it is fucking stupid that people cry about a-kon's staff (yes i agree they suck) and yet praies afest's staff. why is it fucking stupid? because they have the exact same staff. maybe not the same con heads/chairs, but the security, cosplay, etc. people are the same.

protip: ALL texas cons suck. the reason to go to a-kon is because it's the biggest and has the most shit for you to do. and who cares if the cosplay competition is subpar there? newsflash: all cosplay competitions at all texas cons suck.

>>2553141
Have you BEEN to afest?

Every year I attended akon, at least one little shit on their staff was a bitch on a powertrip towards me/someone I know/someone I witnessed.

Every year I've attended Afest I have never run into/heard/seen any staff member act like a jackass.

>>2553141
Well Akon's sucks more mr. negative.

>>2553109
Their forum is full of spambots too.

>>2553141
Thus is our key point. Same volunteers, completely different Staffers/Heads. Akon is run by the volunteers because the Staff Heads are too busy drinking and trying to fuck fifteen year olds. Afest is run by the Staffers and the difference is huge.
OP, here are my two cents and I've done conventions all across the South.

Akon is terrible. Just avoid it at all cost. Too expensive, samey year to year, cramped.
Afest is very enjoyable. Great hotel, good pricing, something new year to year, great photo locations.
Ikkicon started great but has been going downhill. The owners just cant keep up with it and it shows. This is a fun but wild con. Expect the cops to be there several times.
Anime Overload - It's so ghetto, guest have left the moment they saw the "hotel".
San Japan has been slowly getting better. Biggest issue is that it's held in two different buildings about a block apart. This is a good middle of the road con.
Oni-Con was great, had a tough couple of years but I think they are back ontop of it now. This year sounds promising.
Anime Matsuri - I went year one. Fuck off. I need another year or two of good reviews to even consider returning.

Akon and Afest are two sides of the same coin. Same City, same core of attendees/volunteers, same season. And yet it's amazing how much NICER Afest is. I keep hoping Akon will get their shit together and make it better but the money keeps pouring in so they are not going to change anything.

>>2554738
>>Anime Overload - It's so ghetto, guest have left the moment they saw the "hotel".

LOL, right, "hotel"


>>San Japan has been slowly getting better. Biggest issue is that it's held in two different buildings about a block apart. This is a good middle of the road con.

They're in a new location this year, so that won't be a problem

>>2554755
And that is why I hate akon.
You would think after 20 years they could get it at least half way right.

what do you all mean by shit cosplay competitions????shitty cosplayers or just shitty set up?