All of the above, buckaroo.

>asking a board as if it were a shared consciousness
>any year before 2067

>>6854491
Not OP, but how would you phrase it 'right'?

>>6854491
I'm asking to get everyone's thought on it, not a shared opinion. Like >>6854497 said, how else could I have worded it?

>So /cgl/...Why do you go to cons?
To socialize and most importantly to have sex.

There is no other answer. Anyone saying otherwise is just a pretender. The moment you pass a law that prevents people on cons from socializing and having sex (somehow) then that's the moments conventions stop existing.

>>6854482 (OP)
>See cool cosplay
>talk with people about shit you like
>find collectibles and rare swag for a reasonable price (when you consider things like shipping, availability, and so on)
>hang out with friends
>get away from your life and related responsibilities for a weekend
>maybe room party and get a little wasted and relax
>People watch. Oh lawdy, the people watchin'
>If you've got a 3DS, fill out your friend pass
>Find folks to play games with
>Do that random con-going shit like singing songs with strangers, sitting on the floor and doodling with random folks
>take a ton of photos

Not sure how your life is, but I find conventions to be a good stress reliever.

They're social lubricants for like-minded individuals.

You actually have enough people to play really really really good games of Mafia / Werewolf

I go for guests. Specifically concerts.

For the local ones because they're local and I get in free.

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>>6854520
this nigga knows what's good.

I go to forget

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>>6854520
Cons are also one of the places where I can dance badly and still get cheered on by others or have others just as bad enthusiastically join in.

>Cosplay
>Cosplay
>I actually like/go to pannels
>Dealer's Room
>Cosplay
>Seeing people dressed up in J-Fashion
>Cosplay
>Make friends with strangers

You getting the pattern? But seriously, aside from cosplay I really like the social aspect. As sad/lame as it sounds, I really do feel genuinely safe to completely be myself at cons. I feel comfortable going up to complete strangers at cons to compliment them on an outfit/costume when I wouldn't do the same outside. I guess it's 'cause I know I'm amongst my kind and I'm happy to socialize with them. (Even though I know a lot of 'em are creepers, snobs, or weebs.)

>>6854520
Basically everything this gentleman has said.

Fanime 2013 here I come.

I agree with all the posters...and yet...I don't feel completely myself. Sure I can make good, even very good conversation, but deep/meaningful? I dunno. I just...aren't connecting. Sure I can kinda get to that point close to flirting, but can't actually...flirt. The lesson, don't be like me. Embrace it all. Don't let anything hold you back. Don't let fear overtake you like it did me.

>>6854520
Lies.

>>6854514
Truths.

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>>6854886
I feel ya dude, that's some deep shit

For couple cosplayers who go to cons, how it is with flirty people? Are there a lot of people who hit on your man/woman?

>>6854482 (OP)
To cosplay, to see cosplay, to take photos, and to meet people. When I first started going to cons I was excited about the dealer's room and finding doujinshi, but you honestly get much better selection and prices online, even if you're ordering direct from Japan.

When it comes to comic cons, usually to get great deals on trades and other stuff. Anime cons, mostly just to fuck around, play video games and go to panels

>>6854514
Well some of us never get to have sex.

Also going to Phoenix Comi-Con soon. Want to go as Dr. McNinja. What kind of faggots will I attract?

>>6855065
Also I'll be in the fighting game room pretty much all times of the night a panel isn't going on. Meet me up and let's play some 3S.

>>6855065
>>6855066
I'll be there on Friday, might see you around.

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>>6854482 (OP)
Reimu Touhouvania

I go because my friends go. I don't particularly give a shit about anime or cosplaying, but it's a good excuse to party in a hotel room and get drunk during the day.

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>>6855026

Didn't mean to depress :(

Maybe a few more cons and Ill have it down pat, who knows? Or maybe after I've had my tour of duty overseas

Still go to cons.
Old as fuck.
Actually can see who is going to hook up by early afternoon.
Release creeper status
Used to actually try and discuss costume things with cosplayers and I used to make my own things. Now nobody will talk to me
Sometimes the really young girls hug me and I feel very uncomfortable as their mothers eye me down.
Run from show to show with my head down and my friend in tow.
Sadly I still have a great time.

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>>6859492

Damn man, thats got even me depressed

Personally, Ive always seen people love our old folks at cons. They gain almost legend status. Just at ACEN, we had this really old Mario and Peach, and most everyone adored them!

And you can tell who is going to hook up?

>>6859813
It's just the larger audience for Anime-centric cons are young to very young in age. The age group is much more spread out in more diverse genre Cons like D*C

Well yes I get that, but how does that let you 'see' who is hooking up?

>to cosplay
>to lolita
>to hang out with friends
>to meet other people that like the same shit I do
>volunteer/staff
>buy shit
>mini vacation
>sometimes I go to panels

>>6859813
it really isn't hard.

Eliminate the ones that are clearly broadcasting they aren't going to (other at home, just not into it). Match up people. Account for loneliness.

It isn't a special skill. You just have to be outside the crowd to notice it.

Cons provide an escape. To dress up, be goofy, act like a slut, and not have to worry about running into people I know and embarrassing myself.

>>6860072
>act like a slut


no one acts like a slut. When you act like one you ARE one. Just saying.

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>>6860072
>act like a slut
Congrats, you are one of the reasons why cons can be horrible and con-goers have a shitty reputation.

>>6860072
b8

>>6860059

Well when you put it that way, I know what you mean. I so wanna be with the people ;_;

>>6860075
yeah seriously. I don't get the whole 'i'm gonna be a slut today.'

You either are or you arent. Just like pretending not to be an asshole.

dress like a slut and fuck with no remorse

>>6860120

Wait, we have a shitty reputation? I thought it was just a weird one

>>6859492

Go to DragonCon and you'll hook up with people your age guaranteed.

>>6860950
omg you sound like a buttfrustrated virgin who will never have sex with me, fedorabeard

i dont do the sex
and i dont do the drank
ive been thinking about doing the weedjuana
I go to panels, lots of panels. Go to maid cafes. The masquerade, amv contests, photoshoots, meet ups, take video, show off my dolls, meet lots of people. I do a bit of everything.
Hopefully ill be working in the artist alley soon if i get my shit together.
though i had a TERRIBLE time at katsucon, and a mediocre time at zenkai so sometimes i feel like quiting and just going to fur faggot cons

>>6861040
Seconding this. Dragoncon actually has people 25 and older! gasp

>>6861184
Were you at Katsu this year? I was there as well and aside from the delicious burrito a friend bought me from bajas, i had a miserable time. The security even stopped me from going into my own panel. I never got a wrist thing when i bought my overpriced badge, and they were like 'you need to be 18+" and i'm like "holy shit.. I'm 28 years old. " and showed them my ID and they were still being general assholes, sending me all the way down to con ops and shit to get my wrist band. It was 1am panel. fuck you, katsu

>>6861209
Not the other anon but, yeah I went. It was so terrible it's not even okay. So freaking poorly run. People are blaming the jews but, even without them it was a mess. I'm going next year because I have my group all together and all but I'm probably just a bit hesitant. I feel like I wouldn't miss much if I didnt go. They seemed to being having a bunch of issues with panels too. Which is a major reason I even go to cons.
I ended up getting high and doing a bunch of embarrassing things I was so bored.

>>6861209
I was, and it was over priced, badly staffed, poorly put together, and there was NO quality control.
made me really depressed, and hesitant.
it was my first time to katsu also, and with the way /cgl/ praised it i was surprised

>>6861246
damn, i'm sorry that was your first Katsu. Mine was back in 2007 and i had a blast. But it's definitely changed greatly since they moved to the Gaylord hotel and became a huge con.

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>>6861184

>so sometimes i feel like quiting and just going to fur faggot cons

Don't give up, there is ALWAYS hope!

>Have fun
>Walk around
>Take pics
>Have fun
>Get pics taken
>Nerd out
>Have fun
>Buy swag
>Good friends
>Have fun
>Nowhere near the meanness of normal life
>Chance to be as I am

You get the drift

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Mainly I go to hang out with friends. Sadly the one this weekend, a number of them couldn't make it down or up or were working.

A couple said they feel they are getting too old and the crowds are getting too young and they just feel creepy being surrounded by high schoolers. Meanwhile, there were a couple of panels about older fans at anime cons, but we couldn't get in because they filled up quick. So some of us

Also... fucking Homestuck/Bronies/AventureTime every fucking where you look. I was laughing and raging. Kids today. I remember when I thought it would be funny and contrary to dress up as a comic book character to go. Now it seems 1/4 to 1/2 the people aren't from anime or J vidya.

>>6854491
I shudder at the thought of /cgl/ with a shared consciousness, or any board for that matter.

I'm not a cosplayer, but it's something I'd really like to do someday.

But, I've been told that because of my age (I'm 26) people will automatically think I'm a creep and a peso for going to conventions that a lot of younger people go to.

Am I too old to get into this?

>>6868337
pedo*

>>6868337
But you are probably a pedo anyway.

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>>6864250
I share your sentiments, grandma simpson. I remember when I saw a few spiderman cosplayers and xmen people when the movies were coming out. Now it seems nothing but Mar vel,DC, homestuck, adventure time...

Do people even do japanese related cosplay at cons anymore??

I go to gaming cons now and everyone does at least gaming related cosplay save for the occasional Doctor who idiot.

I'm a twenty year old guy, would it be weird if I went to A-kon with no costume or even friends? I was thinking of going with a friend but he may have to work this weekend

Since I'm a dude I always feel like a creep going to cons. Even more if I take some cute girls picture.

>>6870592
But that's just continuing on tradition and giving back to the attention whore community.

I only go to meet up with internet friends. I wish I knew how to meet new people at cons; I just hang out with the same few people the whole time. Maybe cosplaying would help?

>>6870615
Your issue most likely is not having something to instigate a conversation with others.

>notice what they are cosplaying
>carrying around a lighter to light the smokes of random strangers
>cosplaying something popular
>commenting on a conversation you overheard
>going to events
>just going and talking to strangers
>noticing the sad people all alone and cheering them up


If its not that, they you are just socially retarded, but it's a con, so that happens.

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I guess I go because I have fun there?

I mean, yeah, I'd like to get laid at one sometime, but let's be honest, that ain't happening. I can barely get with regular girls why would any of them really care about me at a con, especially if they think like they do on /cgl/.

And yet, I still go. It's because there are fun panels, things to buy and just in general good times with friends to be had. Hell, this last Phoenix Comicon I practically followed John Schnepp around like a fanboy and bought a Metalocalypse comic book that he signed for me. That alone was worth the experience.

To cosplay and to meet new people

There's a lot of slutty girls there these days.

If you're somewhat good looking/have a good bod, it's a good place to pick up chicks.

Cosplay chicks may be trash, true, but my dick isn't complaining.

It's the one time a year me and my brother get to hang out just me and him

Hopefully to find new friends, sick ass hotel parties, contacts, ideas, potiental love interest, or gang out some cosplay deviants. It's win win no matter what.

How old is too old for cons? I've been out of college for a few years and I'm worried I'll be immediately labeled a pervert if I go.

>>6871695
I'd say once you are in your mid-late 30's it's time to move on to dragon con, but there isn't a set rule. As long as all your friends are the same age as you, i dont see a reason to stop going.

Also, saying "just out of college"
is very vague since you can be any age in or out of college.

>>6871702
I'm in my mid 20s. I've never been to a con and whenever I've mentioned it to my friends, I've gotten comments that make me question if I'd even be welcome since there is also a younger crowd that attends.

>>6871900

Are you me?

Add on my usually conversation topics that are nothing like the younger crowd makes me feel even older

>>6868337

No. Only you can make it creepy for everyone.

21 and I've been going for 4 years.

I go for the fandom and to socialize, I've met a lot of really cool people and made a bunch of friends. My non-con friends would never think I go to these things or dress up in costumes. Parents think it's for kids playing dress-up but whatever. I don't think I'll be doing this in my 40s or anything like that.

It's a great feeling to go there and realize that there are other people who love what you love. Some are crazy, some are awesome, some at stupid, some will make you fell stupid, but it's a vibe that's hard to capture elsewhere.

>>6872764
Haha, we could go to a con together and talk about our arthritis.

>>6872776
My concern stems from the fact that I'm quiet, and more than once I've had a friend tell me that at first they thought I was quiet, but nice, and came off as weird. And then they got to know me a little better and they think I'm cool.

;_;

>>6872824

Just be yourself honestly. What attracts me to people in general at these things is how chill they are. As long as you're chill you're good. One of my buds are kind of quiet but he's mad chill.

Staffing and shopping at swapmeet/dealers/artist alley mostly for lolita or other cute shit. It gets easier every year not to spend any money at the dealers, but there are always good deals at the swapmeet and I feel good about supporting talented artists and getting something unique.

>>6868337

We had a grandma/grandpa or at least really really old (white hair, weathered face old) couple doing Mario and Peach at ACEN

They were universally adored

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Honestly, I really REALLY wouldn't worry about being too old for cons

A lot of my friends are 24-26, and they for example set up the massively popular speed dating panel

Actually, the older you get, from what I experience, you get more and more brownie points, BECAUSE you are old and yet like all of this stuff.

(...also the girls can often attracted to older guys...)

>>6871900
Oh never? I've been going since i was 16, and i'm 27 now, so i never thought about it being creepy. I still don't see it an issue. Go and bring a friend who isn't a jerk and have fun. I'm sure you'll meet other people as long as you're nice and not awkward.

>>6872918
That's freaking adorable . Reminds me of the 80 year old Sophie (howl's moving castle) cosplayer

>>6872926
I didn't look at it like that. I'm fine with younger women, just not underage obviously. :P

What irked me is that the first couple of people that I told about wanting to go to a con immediately made comments that I would be seen as a perv and not to go at all. Then again, they don't go to cons so I'm not sure why I listened to them.

>>6872928
I actually don't have any friends that would be into cons. Most of my friends, even gamers, still see nerd/geek culture as immature and childish (yet they play games more than I do...).

I've been weary of going alone because I wasn't sure what to expect, but after missing Anime Boston yet again I regret it and decided I'm going to every con from now on.

>>6872992

>listening to people about cons who don't goto or enjoy cons

Well at least you know better than to listen to them. And yah, that type is familiar everywhere. Just ignore them and come on down. Well...what do you look like?

Also, just because they say they are of age doesn't mean they are...be careful. Then again if you lonely and autistic you likely not going to go out looking for pussy anyways. Just saying, sometimes it finds you

>>6872926
the older you get the more money you have to blow on conventions
fuck yeah, being old

>>6872992
i keep picturing you as a neckbeard, but i'm sure you're not. Just go and enjoy yourself. Wear something anime related and browse the dealer's room and artist alley. I've gone to cons with one friend and ended up meeting 2-3 new ones. You can even meet people alone. Go to panels and sit down next to someone and say hi. Sometimes 'hi' is all it takes. I hope you do go and have a good time.

Is wearing video games (american) /comic cosplay sto cons looked down on???

>>6873201
At anime focused cons? usually. It should at least be Japanese related.

>>6873201

Not the ones I been to like ACEN

>>6873201
Not as far I know.

Skullgirls is American, as is Justice League/Marvel/etc, most notably Deadpool.

>>6873201
Some people will look down on you for it silently, but that's true of pretty much anything. Nobody's going to give you shit unless it's MLP/Homestuck. My brother and I are working on Jace and Jayce costumes, respectively, neither of which are Japanese or even animated.

>>6873216
Did someone just say... weeaboo?

Either way, Fanime has a LOT of Marvel/DC cosplayers, along with Western video game cosplayers, and no one gives them shit - it might be because a good majority of them are only there to cosplay and don't get into the con proper.

>>6873124

> Fear of underage jailbait
> Too introverted to start a conversation.
> Leave alone

>>6873106
Haha well I'm 5'10", brown hair, blue eyes, but overweight (working on it!). I don't think I'm autistic; I'm just quiet. :P

>>6873124
hahaha, I'm not a neckbeard. I actually shower, shave, etc.

Next con I'm just going to go and see what happens. If I don't, I'll just regret not going again.

>>6875657

Well trsut me, you good to go dude

Or at least better off than me

>>6874546

Expand your horizons friend!

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>>6854852
HELL YEAH NIGGA! YOU KNOW WHAT IT IS!

My main reasons to go are to see great cosplay as well as special guests (Japanese voice actors especially). The atmosphere is also very happy and energetic and conventions are just nice, memorable things to go to.

Is it just me or is the average seagull really, really dull?

i go to cons for all the little funny moments that occur when a large group of people with a common interest are all in the same place, its like theres all these inside jokes but everyone is in on them, even if you dont know the person

>>6885090
the average seagull just wants to nerd out and see guests to nerd out over

>>6868337
No, you're not too old. My first con was when I was 29.

>>6868337
>people thinking you're a creep for being older.
I can kind of see this. Just out of curiosity, at what age does this supposedly start?

>>6887886
Cool! I've decided I'm going to my first con in two months. I'm 26.

>>6892761
I was told this years ago in my early 20s. T_T

>>6892761
when you start looking like grandpa to people. 30s or higher. people in their 20s are just going to look like college kids. once you hit the "I look like I'm someone's dad/mom" age is when people will start wondering why you're there (especially if you're on your own).

I'm 27 now. I'll still be going even when I'm at the above "I'm someone's dad" age.

First of all it's a social interaction event.
For all I know regular IRL interactions between fans or researchers of a certain subject are not very frequent, and conventions are the grand meeting that connects everybody.

As for myself, I go to conventions because it's one of the only places in which I'm happy. Even if nothing special happens, a convention day is a day to remember. I also volunteer to increase my own influence and help out, as well as go to presentations about various interesting subject. I even attempted to hold a presentation on my own, but I was rejected down due to the poor handling of the administration.
I don't go to conventions because of merchandise because ordering things online is cheaper. Unless it's something absolutely rare or an amazing joke, I won't buy it.

Cosplay isn't a huge aspect in conventions for me. The cosplay tournaments and showcases are a fun thing to watch while chatting with friends in the auditorium, but it isn't an activity I enjoy as much as other things. The "cosplayer elite" are pretty much fatigued by their work so I don't attempt getting near them and wasting their precious attention time.

Conventions here are close to our homes(30-80 minute ride by bus to the majority) and are only one day. No hotels, no rooms. Straight from 10AM to 10PM, and some volunteers stay the night before the convention to help around.

I've been to around 10-11 conventions so far. Some of them were abysmal and others were so grand I could never forget them, and the layout of their buildings are engraved into my mind so deeply I could explore them without opening my eyes.

People in their late 20 aren't all too much visible in conventions. People who enter their 30's tend to sink into their lives and forget anime. The original group that started the conventions is most likely long gone.

I go to conventions for the atmosphere of the cosplayers and the random occurrences that goes on.

>>6861031
Just an horrible reputation with virgin I assume.

>>6854520
>If you've got a 3DS, fill out your friend pass
Shit, I never thought of this. I need to get myself to a con asap.

>>6861202
Is 25 really that old for a typical convention? I thought these things typically gathered older crowds.

>>6854482 (OP)
I go cuz feels like i fit in some where. Meet people like me. Srsly no normalfag will ever share the same interests as me. thus the name normalfag

>>6870592
same, like if i take a pic of any girls that r good looking im like shit they probably think im a fucking perv and get so much anxiety.

bumpity bump

>>6896314
anime conventions, the vast majority are younger folks. there's a growing college/working contingent because we were that age once. conventions like dragoncon and san diego comic con have a much higher age range for similar reasons but anime is still fairly young as a popular medium.

>>6897139
Originally, anime con's had a much older demographic that was overwhelmingly men. This was when neckbeards were the only people watching anime around 2000 and before. Eventually though, the pokemon generation took over. They were re-inforced by the cartoon network generation a little later. Now the age is creepy back up again as the pokemon genaration grows up.

To hang out with the tripfag circlejerk collective. I cosplay, go to some panels, etc, but Im mainly there to see my friends.

>>6896312
The first con that I've been in my life was A-kon, a couple of weeks ago, and I run out of battery on my 3DS for all the street pass hits that I got.

Buying stuff you otherwise can't buy unless online
Seeing sweet ass cosplays
Seeing all kinds of people
Just having fun
Taking pictures ( with cosplayers, panels, etc. )

and to think I've only done 1 con so far ... october please come fast again