Japanese -American- European Conventions: What's the difference?

[carmolita]

I hope this is the correct place to post this...I was courious as to the difference between American and Japanese cons..Such as: how are they constructed, what goes on at the events, what type do they have, are the guest stars just as open w/the public there as they are here (us) or do they walk around w bodyguards? (I heard that the japanese voice actors are treated like movie stars is that true?)Do they have as many(cons) as we do? What do they do that we don't?

And the European cons as well- what are their conventions like?

I would like to know because I would like to go to one abroad someday and wanted to know what to expect /images/graemlins/cool.gif

[pomru]

European cons aren't that much different from American cons, aside from the language spoken. A friend of mine went to AnimagiC (http://www.animagic-online.de/) over in Germany earlier this year, and from what he told me, he could have gone to a local con and ate at ethnic restaurants for a similar experience. The Europeans cosplay, shop at the dealers room, attend panels, and watch anime -- just like Americans do.

The Japanese don't have anime cons, but they do have comic markets and anime events. Comic markets are featured prominently in Comic Party and Genshiken. If you haven't seen either show, I guess a comic market could be described as an artist alley that has taken over a dealers room, a massive exhibit hall filled with artists selling doushinji and merchandise to lines (and lines and lines and lines) of fans. There are two major comic markets (http://www.comiket.co.jp/) during the year; one is held in the winter while the other happens in the summer.

Most anime events are glorified press conferences devoted to promoting a certain anime title. Some Japanese voice actors appear at these events, but their exposure seems limited to going onstage, chat with the emcee, and maybe perform a song or two. The voice actors may hold autograph sessions, but I haven't heard of them mingling with fans like the American voice actors do.

I don't know if you're aware that cosplay is handled differently in Japan. There are designated areas for cosplay with changing areas nearby, as cosplayers are discouraged from wearing their costumes everywhere.

[carmolita]

oooooooo- please tell me more /images/graemlins/icon_rolleyes.gif Why are the cosplayers discouraged from wearing their costumes everywhere in Japan? Is it considerd unethical? Exactly what do you mean by designated areas? Do you mean only onstage or in a certain room? I've heard that the japanese are masters at cosplay... /images/graemlins/cool.gif

Are the Japanese voice actors like superstars is that why they don't mingle w/the fans...?

Do you know if they have special guest at european cons? like they do at american cons..

[pomru]

[ QUOTE ]
yoko said:
oooooooo- please tell me more /images/graemlins/icon_rolleyes.gif Why are the cosplayers discouraged from wearing their costumes everywhere in Japan? Is it considerd unethical? Exactly what do you mean by designated areas? Do you mean only onstage or in a certain room? I've heard that the japanese are masters at cosplay... /images/graemlins/cool.gif

[/ QUOTE ]
Well, the Japanese are conformists, so they expect everybody to dress "normally" and not stand out from the crowd too much. Cosplay is tolerated in the same fashion as smoking -- you can cosplay (or smoke) all you want as long as you do it in designated areas so that people who don't care about cosplay (or smoking) aren't bothered.

For Comiket, there is a Cosplay Square on the rooftop of the convention center. It's the only area at the convention allowed for cosplay and photography. For every cosplayer, there are swarms of photographers, and if cosplay (and photography) were allowed anywhere in the convention, there could be massive traffic jams caused by spontaneous photosessions. If you've experienced such traffic jams at American anime cons, just imagine how much worse it would be in Tokyo where space is at a premium.

Anime Expo Tokyo was told to designate an area for cosplay and photography because the local stores and resturants didn't want cosplayers to scare away customers.

I forgot to mention that in Japan, photographers are expected to ask cosplayers for permission to take their pictures. It's far too easy to post pictures on the internet these days, so Japanese people are expected to respect others' privacy.

Here are some URLs for webpages about Comiket:
http://www.benher.org/FAQ_CM.php
http://www.usagichan2.com/Comiket68/
http://www.usagichan2.com/Comiket64/
http://www.usagichan.com/Comiket60/

[ QUOTE ]
Are the Japanese voice actors like superstars is that why they don't mingle w/the fans...?


[/ QUOTE ]
I don't think so. I'm guessing that it's a little paranoia from the Japanese voice actors' agents and managers who are naturally protective of their money-making properties. After all, these voice actors are stars to a community of fans who are known for their obsessiveness, which is just a hairline away from being stalkers...

[ QUOTE ]
Do you know if they have special guest at european cons? like they do at american cons..

[/ QUOTE ]
Sure they do. Koichi Ohata (director of Burst Angel) and Ichiro Itano (probably best known these days as the director of Gantz) were two of the Guests of Honor at AnimagiC 2005 in Germany. Masakazu Katsura (creator of Video Girl Ai, DNA^2, and I"s) was the Guest of Honor at Japan Expo 2004 in France. So America does not have a monopoly on special guests. /images/graemlins/wink.gif

[carmolita]

newtype : http://www.newtype-usa.com/events/ has this link for a con in japan called:.
Tokyo International Anime Fair is that something new and is going to be like the american and european cons? or is it a tradit6ional japanese con?

[Melazomah]

[ QUOTE ]
yoko said:
newtype : http://www.newtype-usa.com/events/ has this link for a con in japan called:.
Tokyo International Anime Fair is that something new and is going to be like the american and european cons? or is it a tradit6ional japanese con?

[/ QUOTE ]
Tokyo International Anime Fair, a.k.a TAF, is not really a convention per se. It's more like an industry conference comparable to E3 in terms of its functions. As such, it's not so much there so the fans can have fun--it's a part of it--but so the anime industry have a gathering ground. So TAF is a bit different than, say, Anime Expo or Otakon, which are a lot more fan-oriented in execution.

Here's an English link to the overview of TAF:
http://www.taf.metro.tokyo.jp/en/outline/index.html

[carmolita]

Correct me if i'm wrong -every one (the major production studios )is there to discuss and promote new and upcoming anime...is it more like a testing ground so that they can get feedback from the fans..?

[nakimushi]

[ QUOTE ]
yoko said:
Correct me if i'm wrong -every one (the major production studios )is there to discuss and promote new and upcoming anime...is it more like a testing ground so that they can get feedback from the fans..?

[/ QUOTE ]

I was in Japan on vacation last year and I actually attended TAF.

It was more booths promoting studios'/release companies' works, DVD releases, television broadcasts. They had a couple of screening rooms and some of the studios, for example Gonzo, had their own viewing areas in their booth/area.

They did not seem to be soliciting reactions and responses, or holding discussions. It was more geared towards promoting the new shows.

There were a few live interviews/vocal peformances, but it was difficult to get in the seating areas because it was very crowded.

All in all, it was interesting, but I probably would have enjoyed it more had my Japanese skills been better. I'm not sure I would recommend going to Japan just to attend this show, but if you happen to be there when it is happening (like I was) I would recommend it then. However, if you don't understand any Japanese, you may find it less interesting.