Otakon 2006 ~Aug.4-6~ Baltimore, MD

[dragonclaw]

As of this morning Otakon's pre-reg is officially open. There are some changes this year so I'll just post the message from the site.

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HOME / Registration

Registration


Otakon 2006 pre-registration is now open!

Before you jump into it, PLEASE READ THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION CAREFULLY:

Full instructions for the secure online registration system are available on the first page of the registration process. You must agree to certain terms and conditions to complete registration.

First, we have raised our membership fee by $5. The at-convention rate will be $60. Why? Basically, because our costs have risen. This year we will have additional facilities and safety measures, improved signage, and improved internal communication. We're also facing increases in travel and lodging costs for guests and staff.

Second, we have simplified our pre-registration discounts to a single rate, rather than the confusing and difficult to enforce tiered system we have used in previous years. The discounted rate will be $50 for everyone who pre-registers by July 4, 2006. Those who plan to pay by check should be aware that your check must be RECEIVED by this date, as well. After July 4th you can still pre-register for Otakon at the at-door rate ($60). This will continue up to July 21st.

Third, we will no longer offer a group discount; however, we will allow for multiple registrations under a single payment. Handling group discounts (and issues related to them) has been our biggest source of confusion, complaints, and problems. The original purpose of the group pricing was to encourage anime clubs to attend, back when we were starting out; in recent years, it was costing us money and time, and anime clubs represented only a very small percentage of those requesting a group discount. Attempts to reform or improve group handling were unsuccessful. This change simplifies our registration, allows greater flexibility for payment, and saves the convention money.

Fourth, we will continue to have a membership cap, but the cap will increase from 22,000 to 25,000. This reflects two things: first, we will have the First Mariner Arena for Saturday, primarily to host the Masquerade; second, we monitored our space usage last year, and this number reflects what our planning staff was comfortable with. Moving one of our best-attended events out of the BCC opens up our main events space not just during Masquerade, but also during pre-masquerade walkthroughs -- and virtually assures that anyone who wants to watch the Masquerade is able to do so. This also allows us to reclaim additional programming space that was used as overflow/simulcast space during Masquerade last year.

Finally, if you pre-registered last year, you should renew your membership rather than create a new one. It will save you time and allow us to keep our records in good shape. If you don't remember your member ID or password follow the directions here to look it up.

We realize that these changes may mean a significant price increase for some people -- but we, the Otakon Staff, feel that the benefits the increase allows us to offer all of our members, makes it well worth it.

If you have any questions regarding pre-registration for Otakon please contact the Otakon Pre-Reg department through the form on our website

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[TnAdct1]

So that I don't have to worry about doing it at Katsucon, I pre-regged for Otakon on Thursday (regulars on the Otakon board and mailing list were allowed to pre-reg early). Hotel and registration is done. All that's left is saving up money for the convention (which won't happen until after Katsucon).

[kio]

Wow, already? Thanks for posting that. I was just talking about Otakon earlier this week but I wasn't expecting pre reg for a while yet.

Well, I think we'll be going again this year. I don't mind the price increase so much if it means things will run smoother and be as efficient as possible at the con. I think its only $6 more than I paid last year to pre-reg., so no biggie.

I just hope that we can get an affordable hotel closer to the con center this year (which means we should probably need to get on that asap). That way we'll be able to spend all the in between travel time at the convention. /images/graemlins/happy.gif

[Vicious]

So ($55 * 20,000 attendees = $1.1 MILLION) was not enough to 'cover their costs'??? They need $1.2 million dollars to put this con together? That's some BS!!! I'd love to see the paperwork to see how this 1.2 million dollars is being used.

[kio]

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Vicious said:
So ($55 * 20,000 attendees = $1.1 MILLION) was not enough to 'cover their costs'??? They need $1.2 million dollars to put this con together? That's some BS!!! I'd love to see the paperwork to see how this 1.2 million dollars is being used.

[/ QUOTE ]

I was thinking this, too. I remember (albeit vaguely) reading or hearing somewhere that the cost of renting out the entire Baltimore Convention Center for three days is astronomical. I would guess that a great deal of the money goes just to that. But outside of the obvious things like paying the organizers; the people who deal with the registration; and producing the con materials (badges, flyers, etc.) it'd still be interesting to know where all the money gets spent. Security, maybe? Or maybe they pay for the volunteers lodging while they're in Baltimore? Taxes?

[Caesar]

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kio said:
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Vicious said:
So ($55 * 20,000 attendees = $1.1 MILLION) was not enough to 'cover their costs'??? They need $1.2 million dollars to put this con together? That's some BS!!! I'd love to see the paperwork to see how this 1.2 million dollars is being used.

[/ QUOTE ]

I was thinking this, too. I remember (albeit vaguely) reading or hearing somewhere that the cost of renting out the entire Baltimore Convention Center for three days is astronomical. I would guess that a great deal of the money goes just to that. But outside of the obvious things like paying the organizers; the people who deal with the registration; and producing the con materials (badges, flyers, etc.) it'd still be interesting to know where all the money gets spent. Security, maybe? Or maybe they pay for the volunteers lodging while they're in Baltimore? Taxes?

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And add the 1st Mariner Arena on top of that. I think two years ago, the L'arc concert really put them back.

[dragonclaw]

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kio said:
Wow, already? Thanks for posting that. I was just talking about Otakon earlier this week but I wasn't expecting pre reg for a while yet.

Well, I think we'll be going again this year. I don't mind the price increase so much if it means things will run smoother and be as efficient as possible at the con. I think its only $6 more than I paid last year to pre-reg., so no biggie.

I just hope that we can get an affordable hotel closer to the con center this year (which means we should probably need to get on that asap). That way we'll be able to spend all the in between travel time at the convention. /images/graemlins/happy.gif

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I would definitely get on to finding that hotel if I were you. From what I understand a few of the Otakon hotel rates have already sold out, and as if having 25000 anime fans in town for the con isn't enough, the Baltimore Orioles supposedly have three home games against the New York Yankees the same weekend. It's gonna be a madhouse.

[kio]

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dragonclaw21974 said:
I would definitely get on to finding that hotel if I were you. From what I understand a few of the Otakon hotel rates have already sold out, and as if having 25000 anime fans in town for the con isn't enough, the Baltimore Orioles supposedly have three home games against the New York Yankees the same weekend. It's gonna be a madhouse.

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Ah crap, thanks for the heads up. I'll definitely get on this today then. I guess this is what we'll be splurging on this year. I certainly don't want to have to deal with driving around, let alone finding/paying for parking space with all of this going on.

[jecca-neko]

The much higher price (I was always a group registration person) has given me yet another reason to not go. So it's official. I'm not. Oh well. I've gone for 4 years in a row.

[PatrickD]

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dragonclaw21974 said: the Baltimore Orioles supposedly have three home games against the New York Yankees the same weekend. It's gonna be a madhouse.

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My second favorite baseball team: whoever is playing against the Yankees.
Go Baltimore! /images/graemlins/sdsmiley.gif

[PatrickD]

As someone very familiar with convention budgets, this doesn't seem out of line to me. I haven't seen Otakon's budget, but I could definitely understand it needing to be that large. Running a convention is NOT cheap. Stuff adds up really fast.

[Gatts]

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Caesar said:
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kio said:
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Vicious said:
So ($55 * 20,000 attendees = $1.1 MILLION) was not enough to 'cover their costs'??? They need $1.2 million dollars to put this con together? That's some BS!!! I'd love to see the paperwork to see how this 1.2 million dollars is being used.

[/ QUOTE ]

I was thinking this, too. I remember (albeit vaguely) reading or hearing somewhere that the cost of renting out the entire Baltimore Convention Center for three days is astronomical. I would guess that a great deal of the money goes just to that. But outside of the obvious things like paying the organizers; the people who deal with the registration; and producing the con materials (badges, flyers, etc.) it'd still be interesting to know where all the money gets spent. Security, maybe? Or maybe they pay for the volunteers lodging while they're in Baltimore? Taxes?

[/ QUOTE ]

And add the 1st Mariner Arena on top of that. I think two years ago, the L'arc concert really put them back.

[/ QUOTE ]

Don't forget that you need to pay for L'arc not just the arena. That includes feeding and lodging the band. Promotional materials. Flying them over from Japan. Makeup artists. Lighting specialists. Managers etc.

Say that you have one vocalist, a drummer, a keyboardist, and two guitar players. Then say they have ten members that handle all of their other functions. That's 15 people that you are flying over from Japan and paying for separate rooms for each one. Then you are feeding those 15 people from three to five days depending on when they come in. It's certainly not cheap and the more popular the artist, the more expensive they are going to be.

[Vicious]

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PatrickD said:
As someone very familiar with convention budgets, this doesn't seem out of line to me. I haven't seen Otakon's budget, but I could definitely understand it needing to be that large. Running a convention is NOT cheap. Stuff adds up really fast.

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Really? Over a million dollars seems alot for a con to me. I've never run one, so I'm sure you know alot more about it than I do. But that does seem like a whole lot to me.

[Vicious]

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Gatts said:

Don't forget that you need to pay for L'arc not just the arena. That includes feeding and lodging the band. Promotional materials. Flying them over from Japan. Makeup artists. Lighting specialists. Managers etc.

Say that you have one vocalist, a drummer, a keyboardist, and two guitar players. Then say they have ten members that handle all of their other functions. That's 15 people that you are flying over from Japan and paying for separate rooms for each one. Then you are feeding those 15 people from three to five days depending on when they come in. It's certainly not cheap and the more popular the artist, the more expensive they are going to be.

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Let's say a ticket from Japan is $2000 per person. Let's say rooming and feeding a person for 3 days is $300 per person. So we're at less than $35000. Let's say they have a promo fee. I can't see it being more than $50000. So L'arc cost them max $100,000. Where is the other million dollars going? I guess knowing how much it costs to rent out the Baltimore Convention center would help alot in sorting out these numbers.

[Vicious]

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PatrickD said:
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dragonclaw21974 said: the Baltimore Orioles supposedly have three home games against the New York Yankees the same weekend. It's gonna be a madhouse.

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My second favorite baseball team: whoever is playing against the Yankees.
Go Baltimore! /images/graemlins/sdsmiley.gif

[/ QUOTE ]

With them jacking up costs (not that I care about the $5 at all, but the principle of the thing since they are so much more expensive than most other cons I've attended) and the fact that it's a madhouse there without the Yankees in town, I'll probably be passing on Otakon this year.

[jecca-neko]

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Vicious said:
Where is the other million dollars going? I guess knowing how much it costs to rent out the Baltimore Convention center would help alot in sorting out these numbers.

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There's also the fact that Otakon makes money from Otakon merchandise, charging dealers fees, etc. So it's a lot more than just membership charges.

[Judeau]

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kio said:
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dragonclaw21974 said:
I would definitely get on to finding that hotel if I were you. From what I understand a few of the Otakon hotel rates have already sold out, and as if having 25000 anime fans in town for the con isn't enough, the Baltimore Orioles supposedly have three home games against the New York Yankees the same weekend. It's gonna be a madhouse.

[/ QUOTE ]

Ah crap, thanks for the heads up. I'll definitely get on this today then. I guess this is what we'll be splurging on this year. I certainly don't want to have to deal with driving around, let alone finding/paying for parking space with all of this going on.

[/ QUOTE ]
Priceline is your friend. I paid 80 bucks a night for a 4* hotel room overlooking the bay (Marriott Waterfront/Courtyard) last year. It was about a 12 minute walk away from the con, but it was really nice and there was a Whole Foods supermarket a block away.

Of course, if you don't want to try your luck at Priceline, I know someone who might be willing to share a room with you. /images/graemlins/wink.gif

[PatrickD]

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Vicious said:
Really? Over a million dollars seems alot for a con to me. I've never run one, so I'm sure you know alot more about it than I do. But that does seem like a whole lot to me.

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Yeah, it seems like a lot at first...but when you consider the costs of renting an entire convention center, travel costs and lodging for guests, tech gear (lighting, staging, curtains, sound equipment, video equipment, etc.), registration (25,000 badges and program guides!), tables and chairs and pipe/drape for artists' alley and the dealers' room, video game setups, advertising, insurance, storage (where con stuff sits the rest of the year), truck rental for transporting from storage, union labor, etc, etc... Even for something relatively simple like an AMV ballot, costs add up. (Check and see how much 25,000 photocopies costs!)

Trust me, it's not out of line.

[Gatts]

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Vicious said:
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Gatts said:

Don't forget that you need to pay for L'arc not just the arena. That includes feeding and lodging the band. Promotional materials. Flying them over from Japan. Makeup artists. Lighting specialists. Managers etc.

Say that you have one vocalist, a drummer, a keyboardist, and two guitar players. Then say they have ten members that handle all of their other functions. That's 15 people that you are flying over from Japan and paying for separate rooms for each one. Then you are feeding those 15 people from three to five days depending on when they come in. It's certainly not cheap and the more popular the artist, the more expensive they are going to be.

[/ QUOTE ]

Let's say a ticket from Japan is $2000 per person. Let's say rooming and feeding a person for 3 days is $300 per person. So we're at less than $35000. Let's say they have a promo fee. I can't see it being more than $50000. So L'arc cost them max $100,000. Where is the other million dollars going? I guess knowing how much it costs to rent out the Baltimore Convention center would help alot in sorting out these numbers.

[/ QUOTE ]

Well, that's just L'arc. Remember that in 2004 Otakon also has Angela as a guest. While I'm sure they weren't anywhere near as expensive as L'arc, I'm definitely sure they had their own backup band members and roadies.

Also don't forget lighting, equipment, instruments, mixing deck and so on. Also rental vans to transport guests to where ever they need to go. That stuff isn't free, but all of that is just on the Japanese band end. Remember there are American guests that get feed too. Oh and none band Japanese guests. Don't think that just because Kumiko Kato and The Indigo were the musical guest last year, Toshifumi Yoshida didn't get to eat. Plus translators. I'm sure that there were fan translators around to help out here and there for free, but if a guest came from a big studio, they probably had their own translator that they brought with them. But still, this is only guests.

Projectors for each video room. A computer and DVD player for each video room. Plugs, cables and wires. (we all know how much monster cables cost, even if they don't use monster brand cables, it's still going to eat into a budget) Buying shirts for all of the staff. Radios for all of the senior staff members and most of the security staff to quickly handle a problem that may arise. Cash registers, computers and, from what I saw last year, scanners for the registration line. A merchant account to process credit card payments (those aren't free). Lamination machines for badges. Renting out convention security (con security staff don't do it all).

There are so many things that it's hard to list them all. I think you are underestimating the number of costs that are involved in running a convention that large. With a small convention you may be able to get buy with people bringing in their own laptop, but in a larger con with more video rooms, you run out of people willing and able to lend out their stuff to be used and you will either need to purchase or rent equipment to fill in the spaces.

Of course there are a few parts I'm not sure of myself. Things like Puffy AmiYumi. I know they had a panel last year, but I don't believe they were a scheduled guest. I believe they just showed up because they had free time. Also the video game room is mostly run by contributions. Then there is always the possiblity they may be trying to save up some extra money in case they need to move to the DC Convention center which is larger than the Baltimore one. They might need to move to a larger location since Otakon has run at capacity the past few years. Moving out of the BCC would probably cost more them more money than they have saved up.

But all of that last bit is just random assumptions. The main point is that you are underestimating the costs of a convention. Especially one as large as Otakon.

[tstidm1]

I believe that it takes $1.5-2 million dollars to run Otakon. The con I work for (Anime USA) cost quite a bit of money to run. Nowhere near the amount of money Otakon does, but Conventions aren't cheap endeavors. We also aren't in a convention center, so when we fill the room block we basically have the meeting space for free.

[iserlohn]

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Vicious said:
So ($55 * 20,000 attendees = $1.1 MILLION) was not enough to 'cover their costs'??? They need $1.2 million dollars to put this con together? That's some BS!!! I'd love to see the paperwork to see how this 1.2 million dollars is being used.

[/ QUOTE ]

Considering that Otakon is a non-profit corporation, you can easily do so by filing a request with the IRS for a copy of their tax returns which should have a general outline of all expenses for the convention.

And yes, location rental for the BCC is in the six figure range.

[jecca-neko]

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PatrickD said:
video game setups

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A good bit of that equipment is donated. Some of it by video game companies (RedOctane likes to advertise their DDR pads, for instance), some by the membership, etc.

[Vicious]

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Gatts said:
The main point is that you are underestimating the costs of a convention. Especially one as large as Otakon.

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I'm sure there are costs. But not over $1 million worth. I mean max they spend on all american guest combined is $10,000. That includes airfare, hotel, and food. You mention Monster Cables and equipment not being cheap. Either this equipment has been bought and already paid for or they're renting it. They're not buying this equipment over and over every single year. See what I'm getting at. T-shirts cost them maybe $5 a pop. Even if they give out 100 of them, that costs them $500. And then what about the profit them make off of Otakon merchandise? All I'm saying is $1 million is alot!!!

[BoogiepopLain]

Sweet, I can't wait for Otakon, it's my only vacation every year. /images/graemlins/happy.gif

Hanging out with all the great AoD folks will be awesome too. We should totally have dinner the same place as last year after Pre-reg. /images/graemlins/happy.gif

[shojobaymonster]

Woo Wee, The pre-reg is a breeze...especially to the fact that if you had already registered last year at Katsucon or online, you won't have to re-enter all the information, because they have it stored in their database. Chat with ya later!

[dunno001]

I'm not an expert, but let's try looking at some numbers:

First, Maryland has a 10% admissions tax for all pay-to-attend events. Of $1.2 million in admissions, there's $120,000. There's also an extra fee for reselling space (dealer's room), an electricity fee, if reg is online, an internet fee, non-maintenance people are extra, and there may even be another fee to Aramark for other things sold in the DR. (Aramark also has an exclusive contract for things like t-shirts and posters.) And security? Extra. And this is just for the BCC.

[Pelianth]

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dunno001 said:
I'm not an expert, but let's try looking at some numbers:

First, Maryland has a 10% admissions tax for all pay-to-attend events. Of $1.2 million in admissions, there's $120,000. There's also an extra fee for reselling space (dealer's room), an electricity fee, if reg is online, an internet fee, non-maintenance people are extra, and there may even be another fee to Aramark for other things sold in the DR. (Aramark also has an exclusive contract for things like t-shirts and posters.) And security? Extra. And this is just for the BCC.

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And he hasn't even gotten into covering the insurance costs...

[tstidm1]

Otakon and it's parent corporation Otakorp is non-profit, so I believe they don't have to pay the amusement tax in Maryland. I am not a Non-profit lawyer, so don't quote me on this.

[LOUiE]

Just preregistered today along with my will-be wife when it comes around. Should be fun. I missed last year but had been the previous two years. /images/graemlins/happy.gif

[guyver83]

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Boogiepop Lain said:
Sweet, I can't wait for Otakon, it's my only vacation every year. /images/graemlins/happy.gif

Hanging out with all the great AoD folks will be awesome too. We should totally have dinner the same place as last year after Pre-reg. /images/graemlins/happy.gif

[/ QUOTE ]

if everyone who came last year wants me to coordinate it again I have no problem doing it at the same place I had fun at it too. As of right now I plan on going and I think I'll be rooming with AJ again this year.

BTW for those who care.. it looks like i'll most likey cosplay as ippo and guts this year.. maayyybbeeee depends on if i'm in shape (which I should be)

[BoogiepopLain]

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guyver83 said:
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Boogiepop Lain said:
Sweet, I can't wait for Otakon, it's my only vacation every year. /images/graemlins/happy.gif

Hanging out with all the great AoD folks will be awesome too. We should totally have dinner the same place as last year after Pre-reg. /images/graemlins/happy.gif

[/ QUOTE ]

if everyone who came last year wants me to coordinate it again I have no problem doing it at the same place I had fun at it too. As of right now I plan on going and I think I'll be rooming with AJ again this year.

BTW for those who care.. it looks like i'll most likey cosplay as ippo and guts this year.. maayyybbeeee depends on if i'm in shape (which I should be)

[/ QUOTE ]

I'm fine with you coordinating it this year. /images/graemlins/happy.gif

I may be cosplaying as Captain Aizen from Bleach, provided I have also gotten into a smaller shape. Healthy Eating + Hour of DDR a day = Smaller Boogiepop Lain

[guyver83]

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Boogiepop Lain said:
[ QUOTE ]
guyver83 said:
[ QUOTE ]
Boogiepop Lain said:
Sweet, I can't wait for Otakon, it's my only vacation every year. /images/graemlins/happy.gif

Hanging out with all the great AoD folks will be awesome too. We should totally have dinner the same place as last year after Pre-reg. /images/graemlins/happy.gif

[/ QUOTE ]

if everyone who came last year wants me to coordinate it again I have no problem doing it at the same place I had fun at it too. As of right now I plan on going and I think I'll be rooming with AJ again this year.

BTW for those who care.. it looks like i'll most likey cosplay as ippo and guts this year.. maayyybbeeee depends on if i'm in shape (which I should be)

[/ QUOTE ]

I'm fine with you coordinating it this year. /images/graemlins/happy.gif

I may be cosplaying as Captain Aizen from Bleach, provided I have also gotten into a smaller shape. Healthy Eating + Hour of DDR a day = Smaller Boogiepop Lain

[/ QUOTE ]

hey no more imma get slapped by a yaoi paddle this year.. but hey funny shit always pops in my head.. BTW.. imma stay FAR AWAY from you seth.. your like bill collectors.. makin me lose money /images/graemlins/tongue.gif

[dragonclaw]

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guyver83 said:
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Boogiepop Lain said:
[ QUOTE ]
guyver83 said:
[ QUOTE ]
Boogiepop Lain said:
Sweet, I can't wait for Otakon, it's my only vacation every year. /images/graemlins/happy.gif

Hanging out with all the great AoD folks will be awesome too. We should totally have dinner the same place as last year after Pre-reg. /images/graemlins/happy.gif

[/ QUOTE ]

if everyone who came last year wants me to coordinate it again I have no problem doing it at the same place I had fun at it too. As of right now I plan on going and I think I'll be rooming with AJ again this year.

BTW for those who care.. it looks like i'll most likey cosplay as ippo and guts this year.. maayyybbeeee depends on if i'm in shape (which I should be)

[/ QUOTE ]

I'm fine with you coordinating it this year. /images/graemlins/happy.gif

I may be cosplaying as Captain Aizen from Bleach, provided I have also gotten into a smaller shape. Healthy Eating + Hour of DDR a day = Smaller Boogiepop Lain

[/ QUOTE ]

hey no more imma get slapped by a yaoi paddle this year.. but hey funny shit always pops in my head.. BTW.. imma stay FAR AWAY from you seth.. your like bill collectors.. makin me lose money /images/graemlins/tongue.gif

[/ QUOTE ]

I just can't talk myself into cosplaying even though it looks like I will be in pretty decent shape by then as well (35 lbs down 35 more to go.) I might change my mind once it gets closer to the con, and I get closer to being in good shape.

I'm all for you setting up the meet-up. You did a great job last year, and the restaurant people were very nice.

I can't wait for this year, and since for some reason I don't seem as interested in the Yaoi stuff anymore I won't have to stand in line for an hour to actually get into that panel. More time for other stuff, and I intend on doing some things this year that I haven't done before.

I really look forward to seeing everybody again this year.

[guyver83]

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dragonclaw21974 said:
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guyver83 said:
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Boogiepop Lain said:
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guyver83 said:
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Boogiepop Lain said:
Sweet, I can't wait for Otakon, it's my only vacation every year. /images/graemlins/happy.gif

Hanging out with all the great AoD folks will be awesome too. We should totally have dinner the same place as last year after Pre-reg. /images/graemlins/happy.gif

[/ QUOTE ]

if everyone who came last year wants me to coordinate it again I have no problem doing it at the same place I had fun at it too. As of right now I plan on going and I think I'll be rooming with AJ again this year.

BTW for those who care.. it looks like i'll most likey cosplay as ippo and guts this year.. maayyybbeeee depends on if i'm in shape (which I should be)

[/ QUOTE ]

I'm fine with you coordinating it this year. /images/graemlins/happy.gif

I may be cosplaying as Captain Aizen from Bleach, provided I have also gotten into a smaller shape. Healthy Eating + Hour of DDR a day = Smaller Boogiepop Lain

[/ QUOTE ]

hey no more imma get slapped by a yaoi paddle this year.. but hey funny shit always pops in my head.. BTW.. imma stay FAR AWAY from you seth.. your like bill collectors.. makin me lose money /images/graemlins/tongue.gif

[/ QUOTE ]

I just can't talk myself into cosplaying even though it looks like I will be in pretty decent shape by then as well (35 lbs down 35 more to go.) I might change my mind once it gets closer to the con, and I get closer to being in good shape.

I'm all for you setting up the meet-up. You did a great job last year, and the restaurant people were very nice.

I can't wait for this year, and since for some reason I don't seem as interested in the Yaoi stuff anymore I won't have to stand in line for an hour to actually get into that panel. More time for other stuff, and I intend on doing some things this year that I haven't done before.

I really look forward to seeing everybody again this year.

[/ QUOTE ]

well for cosplay.. i more promised some peeps on aod that I would so meh.. why not..

[youth]

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guyver83 said:

if everyone who came last year wants me to coordinate it again I have no problem doing it at the same place I had fun at it too.

[/ QUOTE ]

Not sure yet if I'll be making my 5th consecutive Otakon this year, but the location last year was great what with the view & nice weather.

[guyver83]

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youth said:
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guyver83 said:

if everyone who came last year wants me to coordinate it again I have no problem doing it at the same place I had fun at it too.

[/ QUOTE ]

Not sure yet if I'll be making my 5th consecutive Otakon this year, but the location last year was great what with the view & nice weather.

[/ QUOTE ]


don't worry youth we got plenty of time before we start asking.. etc..

[BoogiepopLain]

[ QUOTE ]
dragonclaw21974 said:
[ QUOTE ]
guyver83 said:
[ QUOTE ]
Boogiepop Lain said:
[ QUOTE ]
guyver83 said:
[ QUOTE ]
Boogiepop Lain said:
Sweet, I can't wait for Otakon, it's my only vacation every year. /images/graemlins/happy.gif

Hanging out with all the great AoD folks will be awesome too. We should totally have dinner the same place as last year after Pre-reg. /images/graemlins/happy.gif

[/ QUOTE ]

if everyone who came last year wants me to coordinate it again I have no problem doing it at the same place I had fun at it too. As of right now I plan on going and I think I'll be rooming with AJ again this year.

BTW for those who care.. it looks like i'll most likey cosplay as ippo and guts this year.. maayyybbeeee depends on if i'm in shape (which I should be)

[/ QUOTE ]

I'm fine with you coordinating it this year. /images/graemlins/happy.gif

I may be cosplaying as Captain Aizen from Bleach, provided I have also gotten into a smaller shape. Healthy Eating + Hour of DDR a day = Smaller Boogiepop Lain

[/ QUOTE ]

hey no more imma get slapped by a yaoi paddle this year.. but hey funny shit always pops in my head.. BTW.. imma stay FAR AWAY from you seth.. your like bill collectors.. makin me lose money /images/graemlins/tongue.gif

[/ QUOTE ]

I just can't talk myself into cosplaying even though it looks like I will be in pretty decent shape by then as well (35 lbs down 35 more to go.) I might change my mind once it gets closer to the con, and I get closer to being in good shape.

I'm all for you setting up the meet-up. You did a great job last year, and the restaurant people were very nice.

I can't wait for this year, and since for some reason I don't seem as interested in the Yaoi stuff anymore I won't have to stand in line for an hour to actually get into that panel. More time for other stuff, and I intend on doing some things this year that I haven't done before.

I really look forward to seeing everybody again this year.

[/ QUOTE ]

Wow, 35 pounds! That's awesome! Not that you needed to loose any. /images/graemlins/tongue.gif

[machineger4]

Haven't pre-regged yet, but I'm looking forward to my 2nd Otakon. I had a blast last year (the big highlight being my victory in the Game Show), and hopefully this year will top it. I look forward to meeting some of you guys.

[cairber]

We will be missing Otakon for the first time in 4 years!! It's ok tho', our baby is due July 24th!! /images/graemlins/catgirl0.gif /images/graemlins/sdsmiley.gif

We've decided to do ACEN instead! I hope everyone has a great time!!

[guyver83]

[ QUOTE ]
cairber said:
We will be missing Otakon for the first time in 4 years!! It's ok tho', our baby is due July 24th!! /images/graemlins/catgirl0.gif /images/graemlins/sdsmiley.gif

We've decided to do ACEN instead! I hope everyone has a great time!!

[/ QUOTE ]

#2 right? congrads!

[Caesar]

[ QUOTE ]
cairber said:
We will be missing Otakon for the first time in 4 years!! It's ok tho', our baby is due July 24th!! /images/graemlins/catgirl0.gif /images/graemlins/sdsmiley.gif

We've decided to do ACEN instead! I hope everyone has a great time!!

[/ QUOTE ]

Well, Otakon isn't until the next week. /images/graemlins/sdsmiley.gif

[cairber]

[ QUOTE ]
Caesar said:
[ QUOTE ]
cairber said:
We will be missing Otakon for the first time in 4 years!! It's ok tho', our baby is due July 24th!! /images/graemlins/catgirl0.gif /images/graemlins/sdsmiley.gif

We've decided to do ACEN instead! I hope everyone has a great time!!

[/ QUOTE ]

Well, Otakon isn't until the next week. /images/graemlins/sdsmiley.gif

[/ QUOTE ]

My husband said the same thing! Then he jinxed us by adding.."or the baby could come early" /images/graemlins/shy00000.gif /images/graemlins/stunned0.gif.

Yup, #2 coming. /images/graemlins/catgirl0.gif

[Judeau]

[ QUOTE ]
guyver83 said:
BTW for those who care.. it looks like i'll most likey cosplay as ippo and guts this year.. maayyybbeeee depends on if i'm in shape (which I should be)

[/ QUOTE ]
Dude, I saw you last year at the Geneon panel and didn't know I had paid admission for a gun show. You got a permit for those things bro?

[Judeau]

[ QUOTE ]
youth said:
[ QUOTE ]
guyver83 said:

if everyone who came last year wants me to coordinate it again I have no problem doing it at the same place I had fun at it too.

[/ QUOTE ]

Not sure yet if I'll be making my 5th consecutive Otakon this year, but the location last year was great what with the view & nice weather.

[/ QUOTE ]
Except that it was pouring rain while I was in the registration line. California doesn't have too much rain in August. I wasn't ready for that.

[ QUOTE ]
Judeau said:
Except that it was pouring rain while I was in the registration line. California doesn't have too much rain in August. I wasn't ready for that.


[/ QUOTE ]

When it comes to Otakon, I made a habit to carry a small umbrella with me when I get on the registration line. In fact, I was carrying an umbrella (strapped to my belt), all weekend long, just in case it rains when I'm going between the hotel and the convention center.


Danny

[LOUiE]

Anybody have space in their room for two people(1 male/1 female)? The hotels are basically sold out now and since I now seem to have only two people, I went to book a hotel with this confirmed but they are all sold out. If not, I'll look into a farther away hotel and renting a car. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks. /images/graemlins/happy.gif

[xyz]

[ QUOTE ]
LOUiE said:
Anybody have space in their room for two people(1 male/1 female)? The hotels are basically sold out now and since I now seem to have only two people, I went to book a hotel with this confirmed but they are all sold out. If not, I'll look into a farther away hotel and renting a car. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks. /images/graemlins/happy.gif

[/ QUOTE ]

I have space in my room. It's at Days Inn.

Yeah, hotels seem hard to come by this year...and no hope of priceline like the last several years! /images/graemlins/sdsmiley.gif

[LOUiE]

Now I just need a room for Thursday night. Any help? /images/graemlins/sweat200.gif

[mrtuan]

My brother Eobert and I are planning on going to Otakon again this year (our 2nd time). We had a great time last year at both the con and the AOD meetup. So we will be interested in going to a 2nd meetup at the same restaurant (Capitol City Brewing). Most likely after pre-reg like last year. So if anybody is keeping count add 2 to the AOD meetup...

[tstidm1]

I am settled on Thursday-Sunday for OTakon. Just waiting to see how the rest of the guests and all shake out.

[TnAdct1]

Otakon has confirmed two more guests for the convention: J-Rock band MUCC and dub actor Yuri Lowenthal (Sasuke from Naruto).

[aquastar831]

Most likely, I'll be skipping Otakon this year. 22,500 peopole was big last year and insane. It'll be even more so with the cap now 25,000. Don't get me wrong. My friend and I had a lot of fun last year, but that was just too many people for me, and it took awhile for us to get into the dealers' hall. Plus, I have to pay off my expenses from when I went to Shiokazecon back in April.

[guyver83]

[ QUOTE ]
aquastar831 said:
Most likely, I'll be skipping Otakon this year. 22,500 peopole was big last year and insane. It'll be even more so with the cap now 25,000. Don't get me wrong. My friend and I had a lot of fun last year, but that was just too many people for me, and it took awhile for us to get into the dealers' hall. Plus, I have to pay off my expenses from when I went to Shiokazecon back in April.

[/ QUOTE ]

booooo on you! /images/graemlins/sdsmiley.gif

[dragonclaw]

Here are the newly announced guests

Kouta Hirano
Mangaka


Creator of Hellsing

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


Makoto Tateno
Mangaka


Creator of Yellow

[Caesar]

[ QUOTE ]
dragonclaw21974 said:
Kouta Hirano

Makoto Tateno


[/ QUOTE ]

I hurt my jaw when I yawned so deeply over those.

[dragonclaw]

More new Japanese guests announced

Hirotsugu Kawasaki
Director

Hirotsugu Kawasaki is one of the most amazing action-oriented Japanese directors, and an immense fan favorite. A former assistant and protege to two of Japan's most lauded directors, Katsuhiro Otomo and Hayao Miyazaki, Kawasaki has brought his own special vision to some of the classics of the Japanese animation industry.

Kawasaki got his start providing and supervising key animation of such classics as Laputa: Castle In The Sky, Akira and Ghost In The Shell. His true talent and vision were realized in his first amazing collaboration with Otomo, the “Stink Bomb” short from Otomo's animated anthology Memories. After seeing the talent within the young director, Otomo chose Kawasaki to make his directorial debut with the feature-length manga adaptation, Spriggan. With Otomo's full support behind him, and the help of the esteemed animation studio Studio 4°C, Kawasaki created an action-adventure masterpiece. He followed Spriggan with another collaboration with Otomo and the equally legendary director Rintaro, taking the key animator position for Otomo's adaptation of Osamu Tezuka's Metropolis.

Within the past few years, Kawasaki took up a position as key animator for the first feature-length film based on the smash hit anime and manga, Naruto. He returned to the Naruto source material to write and direct the second Naruto movie, Gekijyouban Naruto Daigekitotsu, which saw release in 2005.



--------------------------------------------------

Masao Maruyama
Producer

The founder of Madhouse Studios, Masao Murayama has had a hand in the Japanese animation industry for almost forty years. Murayama-san was born in 1941 in the Miyagi Prefecture. After graduation from Hosei University in 1963, he went to work as an animator for Mushi Production. He later went on to help produce Unico, based on a story by Osamu Tezuka, of Astro Boy fame. In 1972, Maruyama-san had a direct hand in the establishment of the burgeoning new animation studio MADHOUSE, and in 1980 he was inducted into the board of directors.

No matter the wide range of mediums in which Madhouse Studios deals including television, OAV, and theatrical release, Maruyama brings the same level of quality to every production. Regardless of the subject matter, Madhouse always brings something new to the table, and he is internationally known for exceptional animation. Maruyama is also acknowledged for his eye in finding young talent to bring into Madhouse.

Since Madhouse’s inception, Maruyama-san has produced an amazing library of animation including Barefoot Gen, Dagger of Kamui, Record of Lodoss Wars, Urusei Yatsura, Vampire Hunter D, Ninja Scroll, Cardcaptor Sakura, Trigun, Perfect Blue, X, Boogiepop Phantom, Chobits, PitaTen, Abenobashi Maho Shotengai, Ninja Scroll, Dragon Drive, Gungrave, Gunslinger Girl and many others. Some of his latest work can found in the planning of recent TV series Black Lagoon, Kiba, Nana and Tokyo Tribes.



--------------------------------------------------

Nobuteru Yuuki
Character Designer

In 1989, Yuuki became the character designer for Five Star Stories and Angel Cop, both projects showcasing his unique talent. He followed those projects with such shows as Record of Lodoss War, Battle Angel, Battle Royal High School, the X movie, Vision of Escaflowne, the Escaflowne movie, and Heat Guy J. Not content to work in just one industry, Yuuki has also done designs for a number of video games, including Chrono Cross, Seiken Densetsu 3, Dragon Force 2, Sword of Mana and Legend of Mana.

Of late, Yuuki’s focus has moved toward animation directing. He serves as animation director for various episodes of Sousei no Aquarion, Mushishi and Noein. Yuuki has also provided character designs for the new Xenosaga television series


------------------------------------------------------


Ayako Kawasumi
Voice Actress

Kawasumi got her start in 1998 when she was chosen to be the voice of Melfina, the lead female in the hit Sci Fi anime Outlaw Star. From such an auspicious start, she moved on to playing two supporting cast members in other anime: Mika Iwakura in Serial Experiments Lain, and Natsuki Mogi in Initial D. Since then Kawasumi has played an exceptional list of leading and supporting roles in anime, including Lafiel in Banner/Crest of the Stars, Chidori Kurumi in Ayashi No Ceres, Mahoro in Mahoromatic, Ruriko Ikusawa in Gate Keepers, Kaori in Kanon, Kurau Amami in Kurau: Phantom Memory, Koishi Herikawa in Please Teacher!/Twins!, Megumi Shitow in RahXephon, Elie in Rave Master, Hikari in This Ugly And Beautiful World, Akari in To Heart, Aoi Sakuraba in Ai Yori Aoshi, and many, many more. She has also performed theme songs for Banner of The Stars, Mahoromatic, Piano, To Heart, Brave King GaoGaiGar Final, Oku-sama wa Joshi Kousei, and Ichigo Mashimaro.

Kawasumi continues to push her talent forward with each role she plays. In addition, she juggles a solo musical career, as well. These days, fans can catch her as the voice of Hinako in the King of Fighters game series, Fuu in Samurai Champloo, Matsuri Sakuragi in Ichigo Mashimaro and Saber in Fate/Stay Night. Otakon is proud to welcome Kawasumi to her first American convention appearance.



-------------------------------------------------------

Hidenobu Kiuchi
Voice Actor

Kiuchi entered the industry doing small roles in various series, including Yu-Gi-OH, Whistle!, Prince of Tennis, and Rurouni Kenshin. His star began to rise when he was cast as the voice of Yuushi Oshitari in the fan favorite Prince of Tennis anime. Since then, Kiuchi has moved slowly into starring and supporting roles in a number of anime, among them Eiichi in Aishiteruze Baby, Toji in Peach Girl, Chief Yamagawa in Full Moon wo Sagashite, Jose in Gunslinger Girl, and Zentaro in Idaten Jump.

This year, Kiuchi continues to do one-shot roles in Rockman.EXE Beast and Ergo Proxy, while taking a supporting position in other series. Among them, Nero in the current season of One Piece, Ryuuren Ran in Saiunkoku Monogatari, and Ren Honjo in Nana. He also stars in Monster as Dr. Kenzou Tenma, and Cluster Edge as Hematite Ramsbeckite

---------------------------------------------------------


According to the forums there is at least one more confirmed Japanese guest, and they have said that there will be another musical act that will be announced some time in early June(that could be the other confirmed J-guest though). I think that they also stated that they were waiting on cofirmation for a few more dub actors but I can't remember if that was before or after they announced the most recent additions to the dub actor list

[TnAdct1]

[ QUOTE ]
dragonclaw21974 said:Ayako Kawasumi
Voice Actress

Kawasumi got her start in 1998 when she was chosen to be the voice of Melfina, the lead female in the hit Sci Fi anime Outlaw Star. From such an auspicious start, she moved on to playing two supporting cast members in other anime: Mika Iwakura in Serial Experiments Lain, and Natsuki Mogi in Initial D. Since then Kawasumi has played an exceptional list of leading and supporting roles in anime, including Lafiel in Banner/Crest of the Stars, Chidori Kurumi in Ayashi No Ceres, Mahoro in Mahoromatic, Ruriko Ikusawa in Gate Keepers, Kaori in Kanon, Kurau Amami in Kurau: Phantom Memory, Koishi Herikawa in Please Teacher!/Twins!, Megumi Shitow in RahXephon, Elie in Rave Master, Hikari in This Ugly And Beautiful World, Akari in To Heart, Aoi Sakuraba in Ai Yori Aoshi, and many, many more. She has also performed theme songs for Banner of The Stars, Mahoromatic, Piano, To Heart, Brave King GaoGaiGar Final, Oku-sama wa Joshi Kousei, and Ichigo Mashimaro.

Kawasumi continues to push her talent forward with each role she plays. In addition, she juggles a solo musical career, as well. These days, fans can catch her as the voice of Hinako in the King of Fighters game series, Fuu in Samurai Champloo, Matsuri Sakuragi in Ichigo Mashimaro and Saber in Fate/Stay Night. Otakon is proud to welcome Kawasumi to her first American convention appearance.

[/ QUOTE ]
...and Spirit of the Stage has another reason to hate me. :p

[ QUOTE ]
According to the forums there is at least one more confirmed Japanese guest, and they have said that there will be another musical act that will be announced some time in early June(that could be the other confirmed J-guest though). I think that they also stated that they were waiting on cofirmation for a few more dub actors but I can't remember if that was before or after they announced the most recent additions to the dub actor list

[/ QUOTE ]
Although it's doubtful, here's hoping that one of the Japanese guest is another Ichigo Mashimaro regular (preferably one who has attended an American convention before and also provides the voice of a certain "Honya-chan"). /images/graemlins/catgirl0.gif

[eobert]

Kawasumi Ayako at Otakon makes me happy.

[jecca-neko]

[ QUOTE ]
Eobert said:
Kawasumi Ayako at Otakon makes me happy.

[/ QUOTE ]

She's actually the first voice actress Otakon's had that I'm actually interested in. Ooooh, but I decided I wasn't going to Otakon again this year (already been 4 years in a row!). Hmmm....

[Caesar]

[ QUOTE ]
jecca-neko said:
[ QUOTE ]
Eobert said:
Kawasumi Ayako at Otakon makes me happy.

[/ QUOTE ]

She's actually the first voice actress Otakon's had that I'm actually interested in. Ooooh, but I decided I wasn't going to Otakon again this year (already been 4 years in a row!). Hmmm....

[/ QUOTE ]

I'm having similar feelings. The guest list is perking up.

[tstidm1]

I am still underwhelmed by the guest list. I wish the guest list had more English VA's on it. I don't know how much Seiyu draw to the con.

[Kyosuke]

I am going to the con even if Ayako Kawasumi wasn't there, but it's definitely a bonus! Plus it's the first time I could make it in 4 years, so I'm pretty excited about it.

(first post in forever...I need to start browsing these forums again)

[youth]

[ QUOTE ]
dragonclaw21974 said:
More new Japanese guests announced

Ayako Kawasumi
Voice Actress

Since then Kawasumi has played an exceptional list of leading and supporting roles in anime, including Lafiel in Banner/Crest of the Stars, Chidori Kurumi in Ayashi No Ceres, Mahoro in Mahoromatic, Ruriko Ikusawa in Gate Keepers, Kaori in Kanon, Kurau Amami in Kurau: Phantom Memory, Koishi Herikawa in Please Teacher!/Twins!, Megumi Shitow in RahXephon, Elie in Rave Master, Hikari in This Ugly And Beautiful World, Akari in To Heart, Aoi Sakuraba in Ai Yori Aoshi, and many, many more. She has also performed theme songs for Banner of The Stars, Mahoromatic, Piano, To Heart, Brave King GaoGaiGar Final, Oku-sama wa Joshi Kousei, and Ichigo Mashimaro.



[/ QUOTE ]

This actually makes me more interested in Otakon then AX now since I've decided to try to make one or the other. I'm not familiar with the name, but the list of her works there does spark some memorable roles like Lafiel & Mahoro(I'd ask her to resight the "ecchi thoughts are bad" line /images/graemlins/catgirl0.gif).

[dragonclaw]

For those of you interested in the musical acts.

There was a rather interesting post made by the guest relations guy about the next musical guest that will be announced on or a little after 6/6/06 over at the forum after someone asked why MUCC was removed from the website and if the second musical act was going to be Hyde.

Here was his response

"MUCC is still confirmed as one of our musical acts for Otakon 2006; we just had to take their info off of the website until 6/6/2006 in order to synch up with the Japanese announcement of that show. There will be one other musical guest announced on 6/6/2006, but it won't be Hyde. Hyde is, however, certainly a possibility for 2007.

We will, however, have one more musical guest announced sometime after 6/6 who is even more famous (and unexpected) than Hyde. We can't say anything more about that until it's announced, but you'll all be surprised."



Sounds rather interesting. I don't usually go to the concerts (except for Angela two years ago), but if it is someone good and it doesn't interfere with any industry panels I may go.

[guyver83]

[ QUOTE ]
dragonclaw21974 said:
For those of you interested in the musical acts.

There was a rather interesting post made by the guest relations guy about the next musical guest that will be announced on or a little after 6/6/06 over at the forum after someone asked why MUCC was removed from the website and if the second musical act was going to be Hyde.

Here was his response

"MUCC is still confirmed as one of our musical acts for Otakon 2006; we just had to take their info off of the website until 6/6/2006 in order to synch up with the Japanese announcement of that show. There will be one other musical guest announced on 6/6/2006, but it won't be Hyde. Hyde is, however, certainly a possibility for 2007.

We will, however, have one more musical guest announced sometime after 6/6 who is even more famous (and unexpected) than Hyde. We can't say anything more about that until it's announced, but you'll all be surprised."



Sounds rather interesting. I don't usually go to the concerts (except for Angela two years ago), but if it is someone good and it doesn't interfere with any industry panels I may go.

[/ QUOTE ]

they bring someone like High and Might color I'd go or shit.. hah bring Buck-Tick I'm down.

[dragonclaw]

[ QUOTE ]
guyver83 said:
[ QUOTE ]
dragonclaw21974 said:
For those of you interested in the musical acts.

There was a rather interesting post made by the guest relations guy about the next musical guest that will be announced on or a little after 6/6/06 over at the forum after someone asked why MUCC was removed from the website and if the second musical act was going to be Hyde.

Here was his response

"MUCC is still confirmed as one of our musical acts for Otakon 2006; we just had to take their info off of the website until 6/6/2006 in order to synch up with the Japanese announcement of that show. There will be one other musical guest announced on 6/6/2006, but it won't be Hyde. Hyde is, however, certainly a possibility for 2007.

We will, however, have one more musical guest announced sometime after 6/6 who is even more famous (and unexpected) than Hyde. We can't say anything more about that until it's announced, but you'll all be surprised."



Sounds rather interesting. I don't usually go to the concerts (except for Angela two years ago), but if it is someone good and it doesn't interfere with any industry panels I may go.

[/ QUOTE ]

they bring someone like High and Might color I'd go or shit.. hah bring Buck-Tick I'm down.

[/ QUOTE ]

Just found out that there are actually 2 more musical guests.
The first one will be announced on 6/6/06 and it isn't the big one. The second one will be announced soon after 6/6/06 and it is supposedly a big one.

[dragonclaw]

Another Musical Act
-----------------------------------------------------------

Nana Kitade
Musician


"A guitar-strumming girl wonder, 18-year-old Nana Kitade represents a new breed of female rock star, equally admired for her musical ability and recognized for her unique fashion sense.

As a child, Nana Kitade was determined to be a singer, devoting herself to the piano at age 3, writing lyrics at 12, and picking up the guitar by her 14th birthday. Upon graduating junior high, her passion for singing took Nana to Tokyo.

Her lucky break came in 2002 when she was discovered at an audition for Sony Music. In October of the following year, she made her sensational debut with the single “Indelible Sin - Kesenai Tsumi,” chosen as the ending theme song for the popular TV anime series Fullmetal Alchemist. With her songs popping up in numerous TV dramas, animation, and video games, Nana was able to reach new audiences and score four top-selling singles. Finally in August 2005, she released her highly anticipated first album, 18 - eighteen.

Nana boasts a natural ability to put her experiences and inner conflicts into powerful music and lyrics. Combined with her incredible stage presence, it’s almost impossible not to take notice of Nana. Famous for her signature “Gothic Lolita” look, Nana has become a fashion icon for teenage girls. Her face adorns the covers of countless fashion magazines, and the streets of Harajuku overflow with Nana wannabes dressed in her elaborate style of corsets, ruffles, and lace.

With her talent, charm, and eye-catching style, Nana’s bright future is undeniable"


The way it sounds over on the forum is that there is one more music guest announcement to go, and that it is big.

Don't know when it will be announced though.

EDIT: The last musical guest will be announced on June 20th.

[geraldr]

OK, yeah, I'm very under whelmed. If this is their second big musical guest announcement, then yeah, Expo has totally schooled Otakon. Well, there is still over a month to go so they may still surprise us but that's all for musical guests so that's a big disappointment.

Even the Japanese guests are a bit disappointing, but I'm keeping my hopes up since there is lots of time to go. I mean Expo got frigging Tohru Furuya, they GOT AMURO RAY and KASUGA KYOSUKE! And so far we, well, we get the director of <i>Spriggan</i> /images/graemlins/depresse.gif. Well, I've got my hopes up that Otakon can pull it off and there's always the excellent Masao Maruyama.

[tsu_na_mi]

[ QUOTE ]
dunno001 said:
I'm not an expert, but let's try looking at some numbers:

First, Maryland has a 10% admissions tax for all pay-to-attend events. Of $1.2 million in admissions, there's $120,000.

[/ QUOTE ]

Memberships are not subject to this fee. If OTAKON sold "tickets", that would be another story. This is why the con sells "memberships".

[tsu_na_mi]

[ QUOTE ]
Redneck Otaku said:
I believe that it takes $1.5-2 million dollars to run Otakon.

[/ QUOTE ]

Alas, no. OTAKON does not run in the red in multiple six figures. OTAKON does, however, cost over $1.0M since last year, if not two.

[tsu_na_mi]

[ QUOTE ]
jecca-neko said:
[ QUOTE ]
PatrickD said:
video game setups

[/ QUOTE ]

A good bit of that equipment is donated. Some of it by video game companies (RedOctane likes to advertise their DDR pads, for instance), some by the membership, etc.

[/ QUOTE ]

Less than you would think. Whiel Red Octane probably does donate pads, and some peopel donate systems for the weekend, the big expense is in the TVs, big-screens, and video projectors w/ sound systems, none of which are donated.

[tsu_na_mi]

[ QUOTE ]
Vicious said:

Let's say a ticket from Japan is $2000 per person.

[/ QUOTE ]

Let's say $it varies from $1800-$2800 for coach, and $4000-6000 for business/1st class. Some guests come in in the big seats.

[ QUOTE ]
Let's say rooming and feeding a person for 3 days is $300 per person.

[/ QUOTE ]
Simply looking at the hotels page tells you the cheapest hotel (Days Inn) is over $125/night with tax. The Hyatt can run close to $200. And guests do not stay for 3 days. They usually are there for 4-5, sometimes longer. The con takes JGoHs out for a trip or two, plus they have a ~16 hour flight so you have to leave a lot of extra time for them to adjust to the time change, etc.

[ QUOTE ]
So we're at less than $35000.

[/ QUOTE ]
Guest budget has not been that low since 1999. I spent $50K in 2000, and I know it's over $100k now (not including special projects like L'arc). L'arc involved flying in not only the band, but managers, japanese techs/roadies, etc. I think it was around 20 people total. Not including the local techs at the arena.

[ QUOTE ]
Where is the other million dollars going? I guess knowing how much it costs to rent out the Baltimore Convention center would help alot in sorting out these numbers.

[/ QUOTE ]
Rental of facilities is six figures for the whole BCC for 5-6 days (we have to get it Wed->Mon for move-in & move-out). Decorators run six figures (dealers booths, reg booths, union labor, etc.). A/V is six figures (all our A/V is done by a professional company that does concerts, etc.). Publications is expensive (30k or more copies of program guides, pocket guides, badges, ballots, etc.) and probably runs into six figures as well. Staff lodging (hotel rooms for staff) for 2-4 nights each is also pretty expensive (we have ~400 staff that work the con, and most stay in staff lodging, 4 to a room). Days Inn $125/night x 80 rooms x 4 nights = $40,000. Capital outlays (one-time expenses) come along all the time, too. 200 toolless assembly art displays (so we don;t need to hire union labor to assemble them), $20,000. Custom registration software (so we can clear 20,000 registrations by Friday Afternoon) $25,000. Electricity, Trash removal, cleaning fees, an internet line for credit card transaction processing. Bonded security personnel we are required to have. Event insurance. Legal fees (to review contracts, file for trademark, etc.) Phone bills, mailbox, postage, and other correspondence-related items.

Before you know it, you've spent a million dollars.

OTAKON 1996 ran on a budget of around $30-35,000. The primary reason we can't do that now is that in order to cope with the number of people attending, we have to rent much larger facilities, pay outsiders to do some of the work (because we have 400 staff, not 1000), and because prices go up year after year after year.

I believe this year's budget is around $1.25M. And by the time the con comes around, and some new proposals to get someone at the last minute, or buy something, we will no doubt spend more. It happens every year. But believe me when I say we try to spend every dollar we expect to take in.

Of course, we do have a small surplus every year, which serves as a disaster fund (for the year only 10k people show up when we budgeted for 20k) and as startup capital for the new year. Back when the budget was $30K a year, a few of the con elders could front the money, or bail it out (and did one year), but not anymore. We have to pay huge deposits for the space, hotels, and other costs we incur before we sell any registrations. We probably spent $200K on the 2006 event before we opened registration.

None of the staff are paid. God, I wish we were sometimes. And the con spends as much of the money we take in as we can, without spending TOO much that we LOSE money. Don't believe me? Join staff. The budgets are available to staff members, and as someone mentioned earlier, our tax returns are available from the IRS.

[jecca-neko]

[ QUOTE ]
Tsu-na-mi said:
Don't believe me? Join staff. The budgets are available to staff members, and as someone mentioned earlier, our tax returns are available from the IRS.

[/ QUOTE ]

I wish I could join staff for the reason that I think I can help Otakon change for the better. After several years of going to Otakon I'm tired of the same old crap happening that could be fixed fairly easily and most of it doesn't cost Otakon a dime, they just need to try something new.

But see, there's that little problem where staff wants you to gopher for at least a few years first. Yeah, gopher for a couple years and give up your entire weekends for practically nothing with only a *possibility* to get onto staff. Um, no. I don't like those odds. If I want to do volunteer work I'd rather go back to my cat rescuing volunteer work. At least I felt like I was making a difference.

Sorry for the rant, but with you bringing up all of those really old posts I couldn't resist.

[tsu_na_mi]

[ QUOTE ]
jecca-neko said:
I wish I could join staff for the reason that I think I can help Otakon change for the better. After several years of going to Otakon I'm tired of the same old crap happening that could be fixed fairly easily and most of it doesn't cost Otakon a dime, they just need to try something new.

[/ QUOTE ]

We used to have a suggestion box. I know we have a feedback panel. Come and make some suggestions. We are open to new ideas. But bear in mind, we have already tried many of the things people continue to suggest, and many have not worked out as expected. So if we don't immediately switch to a sugegsted way of doing something, there is probably a reason why, other than "We didn;t think of it so we're not doing it that way."

[ QUOTE ]
But see, there's that little problem where staff wants you to gopher for at least a few years first. Yeah, gopher for a couple years and give up your entire weekends for practically nothing with only a *possibility* to get onto staff. Um, no. I don't like those odds. If I want to do volunteer work I'd rather go back to my cat rescuing volunteer work. At least I felt like I was making a difference.

Sorry for the rant, but with you bringing up all of those really old posts I couldn't resist.

[/ QUOTE ]

The reason we want people to volunteer first is, we get a lot of really eager people who want to be staff, but when faced with the amount of work and responsibility that entails, they bail. Often with no warning. So it works two ways--after volunteering, you know what to expect, and we know what we can expect from you. Plus, you get many of the perks that staff gets--in fact, we have TCGs (Totally Committed Gofer, like a gofer elite) that want to stay TCGs and not become staff (TCGs get some unique perks).

Anyway, no need to apologize. I just get annoyed when people who have no idea what it takes to run a convention say things like "There's no way running OTAKON costs a million dollars!" It costs all that and then some.

Part of the reason, I described above. Another factor is we've built up some kind of tolerance for spending money. It used to be we'd fight over $100 for a particular item. Now, if it's not at least $1000, no one notices, and unless it's $10,000 no one raises an eyebrow. When money was tight, we made up for it with labor. We hand-built videogame lock boxes, art flats, sign holders, etc. much cheaper than we could have had them made, or bought professional equipment. Now, a decade later, most of senior staff is in their 30s or older, many with families, and we no longer have the time for such endeavors. So we spend money to get things done instead. If we didn't, there would be no con.

[Vicious]

[ QUOTE ]
Tsu-na-mi said:
I just get annoyed when people who have no idea what it takes to run a convention say things like "There's no way running OTAKON costs a million dollars!" It costs all that and then some.

Part of the reason, I described above. Another factor is we've built up some kind of tolerance for spending money. It used to be we'd fight over $100 for a particular item. Now, if it's not at least $1000, no one notices, and unless it's $10,000 no one raises an eyebrow. When money was tight, we made up for it with labor.

[/ QUOTE ]

I would be one of the people who said that there is no way it could cost a million dollars to run a con. And I could be wrong, becuase I have no idea what the true costs of it are. But you just admitted to noone raising an eyebrow unless something costs over $10,000. Probably not the best thing to admit to.

[dunno001]

[ QUOTE ]
Judeau said:
Of course, if you don't want to try your luck at Priceline, I know someone who might be willing to share a room with you. /images/graemlins/wink.gif

[/ QUOTE ]

Heh... on that note, I should ask if anyone still does have a spot in their room I could jump in?

[Mononoke]

[ QUOTE ]
Redneck Otaku said:
I am still underwhelmed by the guest list. I wish the guest list had more English VA's on it. I don't know how much Seiyu draw to the con.

[/ QUOTE ]
Cons always have tons and tons of Dub VAs on the guest list. And then the studios bring more just for the fun of it. This is one area where you'll basically never be lacking.

I think they bring way too many English VAs to conventions; I'd rather there be one or two and then have the rest of the money used for something else. But I guarantee you they'll listen to your opinion far sooner than mine!

[Mononoke]

[ QUOTE ]
Tsu-na-mi said:
Less than you would think. Whiel Red Octane probably does donate pads, and some peopel donate systems for the weekend, the big expense is in the TVs, big-screens, and video projectors w/ sound systems, none of which are donated.

[/ QUOTE ]
So you have to rent them or buy them once. Renting is cheap, and even buying a lot of equipment isn't that big of an expense when amortized over the multiple years you'll use it.

No need to make it out to be so expensive.

[Mononoke]

[ QUOTE ]
Tsu-na-mi said:
We used to have a suggestion box. I know we have a feedback panel. Come and make some suggestions. We are open to new ideas. But bear in mind, we have already tried many of the things people continue to suggest, and many have not worked out as expected.

[/ QUOTE ]
You also have the Otakon ML. Not that it helps any. My experience from all three avenues says that suggestions made by staff are given weight, and suggestions made by Joe Member are taken with a "you don't know how hard it is" mountain of salt / skepticism. See, you even said it yourself: you won't listen to suggestions "you already tried". Well what if I thought of a different way? I'm dismissed with "we already tried it" and you won't even ask how maybe it could be made to work.

What you SHOULD do is give a run down of the budget, the logistics details, and say "we'll give you all the info you need, and if you can find a way to make your suggestion work, we'll do it." That way the member tries their best and either makes it work, or doesn't. Either way the member goes away feeling like they were heard, rather than the trite "we tried that."

So let's see if you're good as your word. Will you listen to THIS suggestion?

[ QUOTE ]
The reason we want people to volunteer first is, we get a lot of really eager people who want to be staff, but when faced with the amount of work and responsibility that entails, they bail. Often with no warning. So it works two ways--after volunteering, you know what to expect, and we know what we can expect from you.

[/ QUOTE ]
Not good enough. If people bail, you get more. This is how every volunteer organization works. It's easy to get in the door, and if you want to really contribute, you can. Quickly and easily. You can make a difference the first day, if you know enough to. I've worked with cat resuce organizations, faclonry organizations, and raptor medical organizations; it is only with Otakon that I have had the problem of being dismissed.

There's none of this "waste a year or two gophering before you can make a difference." If you want to gopher, that's great because it's a necessary job. But if you want to change the way the con is run today, not 3 years from now, gophering just isn't going to cut it. I think you're just used to the old guard and are afraid of new talent. Once you have power, you don't want to lose it, and all.

[Vicious]

[ QUOTE ]
Lamhirh of the Stars said:

Cons always have tons and tons of Dub VAs on the guest list. And then the studios bring more just for the fun of it.

[/ QUOTE ]

That might be true for cons that are near dub areas where they can just drive to the con if they feel like making a cameo - LA, Houston, Dallas - but not for something like Otakon which is in Baltimore and the VA's would have to fly in.

[LordBaltar]

[/ QUOTE ]
So you have to rent them or buy them once. Renting is cheap, and even buying a lot of equipment isn't that big of an expense when amortized over the multiple years you'll use it.

No need to make it out to be so expensive.

[/ QUOTE ]


Well $24,500 for JUST TV rental is not spare change one might find in one's couch. It is always interesting to see people make comments about how cheap it is to run a convention who have no idea what things really cost.

Yes we rent them. We rent quite a few of them. So many that the cheaper alternatives like Rent-a-Center refuse to deal with us anymore- they can't handle the volume.

We could purchase TV's, and yes the price would be amortized over several years. However, then you run into climate controled storage, maintanence and repairs, transportation to and from the convention center, insurance.

Dave is not making anything out to be expensive - it really is expensive to run a convention.

Craig Ruch
Comptroller Otakorp Inc 2006

[dunno001]

[ QUOTE ]
LordBaltar said:
Well $24,500 for JUST TV rental is not spare change one might find in one's couch. It is always interesting to see people make comments about how cheap it is to run a convention who have no idea what things really cost.

Yes we rent them. We rent quite a few of them. So many that the cheaper alternatives like Rent-a-Center refuse to deal with us anymore- they can't handle the volume.

We could purchase TV's, and yes the price would be amortized over several years. However, then you run into climate controled storage, maintanence and repairs, transportation to and from the convention center, insurance.

Dave is not making anything out to be expensive - it really is expensive to run a convention.

Craig Ruch
Comptroller Otakorp Inc 2006

[/ QUOTE ]

Not to dispute anything said here, but myself being staff for a different (and MUCH smaller) convention (but not the complete organization), I can say that ownership definitely does have its ups and downs.

As a smaller con, we have fewer equipment needs. Typically, we run 3 video rooms, so 3 sets of video equipment, right? Wrong. We have 4 sets on site, so that if one piece does crap out, it can be replaced. And with bare minimums, you don't have much flexibility should you want to do something extra in another room. Renting gives you the option of planning "We want to do X on Saturday, so have an extra 2 projectors, screens, etc for us on that day." To buy all this outright is very hard to justify, and even more taxing on the budget.

So what benefits does ownership entail? Yes, it is cheaper when slowly written off for depreciation. (IIRC, we got a good deal on projectors, so that they would be paid off in 3 uses.) Also, by using the same equipment, the con staff becomes familiar with it, and can just get it set up on their own, however they'd like. And we know the options for the electronics, so if there's tweaking needed, it's easy to do.

LordBaltar covered many of the negatives (storage, transport, insurance), but of course, there are more. The maintenace mentioned also includes replacing those parts that wear out- like a projector bulb. One of those will almost run you the cost of a rental. Transport also has the risk of damaging the equipment, something that would not have happened if it were rented on-site. And even theft can be a problem- sure, you're out the money either way (paying the hotel or the remaining cost of the item), but then when you need to replace your own item, there's a chance that the same model may be discontinued, resulting in the needs to know how to work multiple of the same item. Also, should you move, some of your equipment may not work in the new the new area. This is why the con I work for has 8 projector screens: 4 front projection and 4 rear. (That, and we're truthfully not a big fan of those tripod screens. The new quick-sets we have are nicer.) In Otakon's case at the BCC, this isn't a problem, but I do recall that there was some talk last year about finding a new venue, if only because they're outgrowing the BCC. (Obviously, I don't know if anything has happened on this.) Should they move, there is still the chance of problems then arising. (Oh, and some places require you to pay someone to check your equipment if you don't rent theirs, negating some of the potential savings.)

So the real question is, is it feasible? In my case, 3 cons use our equipment, so if costs are defrayed among all 3 cons, the purchase cost is just slightly more than the rental, and it makes the continual costs much easier to absorb. But for a large con like Otakon, there aren't too many conventions that would need that much stuff, so the cost would fall onto just them, and that much more also means a bigger storage unit, meaning higher monthly fees. I don't have access to all the financials, but I think I can see why Otakon chooses to rent- it's easier, and worth the slight premium.

[Vicious]

[ QUOTE ]
LordBaltar said:
So you have to rent them or buy them once. Renting is cheap, and even buying a lot of equipment isn't that big of an expense when amortized over the multiple years you'll use it.

No need to make it out to be so expensive.

[/ QUOTE ]

[ QUOTE ]

Well $24,500 for JUST TV rental is not spare change one might find in one's couch. It is always interesting to see people make comments about how cheap it is to run a convention who have no idea what things really cost.


[/ QUOTE ]

That price you just quoted is 1/40 of the Million dollars that everyone is claiming it costs to run Otakon. Actually, they're claiming a million plus, but I'm giving the benefit of the doubt here and will go down to a million. Now if you can explain to us where the other 97.55% is going.

[iserlohn]

[ QUOTE ]
Vicious said:
That price you just quoted is 1/40 of the Million dollars that everyone is claiming it costs to run Otakon. Actually, they're claiming a million plus, but I'm giving the benefit of the doubt here and will go down to a million. Now if you can explain to us where the other 97.55% is going.

[/ QUOTE ]

http://www.otakon.com/contacts.asp

Send a request to the Con Chair for the tax records. Since Otakon is a non-profit, they have to show where all their money goes and the documents are a matter of public record.

[aquastar831]

[ QUOTE ]
Vicious said:
[ QUOTE ]
Lamhirh of the Stars said:

Cons always have tons and tons of Dub VAs on the guest list. And then the studios bring more just for the fun of it.

[/ QUOTE ]

That might be true for cons that are near dub areas where they can just drive to the con if they feel like making a cameo - LA, Houston, Dallas - but not for something like Otakon which is in Baltimore and the VA's would have to fly in.

[/ QUOTE ]

An exception being Anime Vegas where a lot of VAs went last year to hang out. And why not? Vegas is fun! I probably won't be able to go to Otakon this year unless maybe I elect to do work for one of the dealers. I may be trying to go to Anime Vegas for Labor Day weekend.

[LadyFae]

ok guys.

At this point I think the entire discussion of whether or not otakon costs a million dollars, and complaints about their staffing structure, have been beaten to death here.

I'd suggest if either party would like to discuss it further, that they take it offline, or at least to the Otakon forums.

I'd like to get back on topic discussing the event itself and the possibility of a gathering.

*sprinkles*

The Lady Fae

[Mononoke]

[ QUOTE ]
LadyFae said:
At this point I think the entire discussion of whether or not otakon costs a million dollars, and complaints about their staffing structure, have been beaten to death here.

[/ QUOTE ]
I disagree. We were just starting to discuss things that really need to be aired; it was nowhere close to beaten to death yet.

*sigh*. Just when it was getting good. You're really no fun sometimes /images/graemlins/sad.gif.

[iserlohn]

Since nobody else has posted yet...

via the Otakon BBS:
We're pleased to announce that Yoshiki, founder of X Japan and renowned music producer, will join MUCC and Nana Kitade as a guest of Otakon 2006. Yoshiki will be participating in a panel discussion of his work and signing autographs, but unfortunately we will not have the pleasure of having him perform a concert at the convention this year.

A full announcement, including bio, will go live on the Otakon website on Friday, 6/23. We hope that you all are as excited as we are to be welcoming one of the pioneering figures of Japanese independent rock to Otakon!

[machineger4]

Well, that is an unexpected announcement. When they said the third guest was bigger than Hyde and an unexpected one, Yoshiki did come to mind but I thought he was too big and was a far-fetched idea. I know this probably won't appeal to everybody, but Otakon did quite a job on the musician front.

[RedComet]

With Yoshiki being at Otakon, I may have to try and be able to go to Otakon for the first time.

[Caesar]

[ QUOTE ]
Machineger4 said:
I know this probably won't appeal to everybody, but Otakon did quite a job on the musician front.

[/ QUOTE ]

I guess this means Otakon is turning into more of a J-Pop convention.

[dragonclaw]

[ QUOTE ]
Caesar said:
[ QUOTE ]
Machineger4 said:
I know this probably won't appeal to everybody, but Otakon did quite a job on the musician front.

[/ QUOTE ]

I guess this means Otakon is turning into more of a J-Pop convention.

[/ QUOTE ]

I'm kinda confused about why you would say that. They have 2 Manga artists, 2 Voice actors, 3 Anime production artists, 2 Web comics, 6 Dub Actors, 1 Jpop Artist, 1 Jrock artist, and Yoshiki doing a panel not performing. There may also be more guests to be announced. From what I understand the Jpop artist is actually the opening act for the Jrock artist so instead of seperate concerts it's like one big one. I mean only 3 out of 18 guests are musical acts.

The amount of Musical guests isn't any different than the last few years. They had Larc and Angela two years ago and last year they had the Indigo and a few small bands plus Piano Squall and a panel by Puffy Ami Yumi.

Expo is doing the same thing. They have a concert and now they have announced a big name in Mana, but he supposedly isn't performing just doing a panel just like Yoshiki.

[jecca-neko]

[ QUOTE ]
dragonclaw21974 said:
From what I understand the Jpop artist is actually the opening act for the Jrock artist so instead of seperate concerts it's like one big one.

[/ QUOTE ]

Wait, Nana Kitade doesn't get her own concert? Stack that as another reason not to go. I wasn't interested in seeing MUCC.

Why does this matter? If she had her own concert the lines would not be as ridiculous to watch it as people who may have only been interested in seeing MUCC and not her would not be in line. Also it's a pain to get up and leave after one concert is over. Trust me, I did this for Kristine Sa/TMR. I gave TMR 2 songs just because I was in the middle of a row - didn't like... should've left during Kristine since I didn't care for her either.

I loved angela and the Indigo at Otakon so I was hoping that, if I did go, I'd get to hear someone so good I'd be inspired to buy their albums (like what happened with the previous 2 mentioned artists).

[Vicious]

[ QUOTE ]
jecca-neko said:


I loved angela

[/ QUOTE ]

I remember those guys. I was sitting in the panel room in the front row center and this lady tried getting me to move so they could have seats. I was like - hell no. And she told me she was with the con and they were guests from Japan. So I moved down 2 seats and Angela sat right next to me. I had no idea who they were or anything. I just thought the guy had a cool looking Kimono. /images/graemlins/catgirl0.gif

[dragonclaw]

[ QUOTE ]
jecca-neko said:
[ QUOTE ]
dragonclaw21974 said:
From what I understand the Jpop artist is actually the opening act for the Jrock artist so instead of seperate concerts it's like one big one.

[/ QUOTE ]

Wait, Nana Kitade doesn't get her own concert? Stack that as another reason not to go. I wasn't interested in seeing MUCC.

Why does this matter? If she had her own concert the lines would not be as ridiculous to watch it as people who may have only been interested in seeing MUCC and not her would not be in line. Also it's a pain to get up and leave after one concert is over. Trust me, I did this for Kristine Sa/TMR. I gave TMR 2 songs just because I was in the middle of a row - didn't like... should've left during Kristine since I didn't care for her either.

I loved angela and the Indigo at Otakon so I was hoping that, if I did go, I'd get to hear someone so good I'd be inspired to buy their albums (like what happened with the previous 2 mentioned artists).

[/ QUOTE ]

I don't really understand it either, but that is what was reported on the forums. It could change when the final information comes out. I don't really care for what I have seen of Mucc so I will probably skip the concert.

Angela was very good, but I wasn't a big fan of the Indigo though.

I really go more for the Industry panels, dealers room, and people watching than for the concerts so whoever they got really wouldn't matter to me. (although had they gotten High and Mighty Color I would have been very happy)

[Caesar]

[ QUOTE ]
dragonclaw21974 said:
[ QUOTE ]
Caesar said:
[ QUOTE ]
Machineger4 said:
I know this probably won't appeal to everybody, but Otakon did quite a job on the musician front.

[/ QUOTE ]

I guess this means Otakon is turning into more of a J-Pop convention.

[/ QUOTE ]

I'm kinda confused about why you would say that.

[/ QUOTE ]

All of the "big" announcements are centered around music. The stars are all music based. The other guests would be just as feasable at Katsukon as Otakon. Otakon, being bigger, I would expect bigger guests.

Since you focus on dealers room and industry panels, the guest list doesn't seem to make a difference in your experience. I'm exactly the opposite. The events and anime rooms are a big draw for me and the people I go with.

Bah. I'm off topic and bitching. I'll leave it alone. I don't think I'll be going this year.

[dragonclaw]

New guest
Kazuto Nakazawa
Character Designer


A designer, a director, an animator; Kazuto Nakazawa has worn many hats over the course of his awe-inspiring career. His artwork and talent have evolved over the years, as he has worked on everything from El Hazard to Kill Bill. Nakazawa continues to amaze and excite fans all over the world with his singular vision.


Guest Cancellations

Due to scheduling conflicts dub actor Richard Epcar and voice actor Hidenobu Kiuchi will not be attending.

[guyver83]

[ QUOTE ]
Caesar said:
[ QUOTE ]
dragonclaw21974 said:
[ QUOTE ]
Caesar said:
[ QUOTE ]
Machineger4 said:
I know this probably won't appeal to everybody, but Otakon did quite a job on the musician front.

[/ QUOTE ]

I guess this means Otakon is turning into more of a J-Pop convention.

[/ QUOTE ]

I'm kinda confused about why you would say that.

[/ QUOTE ]

All of the "big" announcements are centered around music. The stars are all music based. The other guests would be just as feasable at Katsukon as Otakon. Otakon, being bigger, I would expect bigger guests.

Since you focus on dealers room and industry panels, the guest list doesn't seem to make a difference in your experience. I'm exactly the opposite. The events and anime rooms are a big draw for me and the people I go with.

Bah. I'm off topic and bitching. I'll leave it alone. I don't think I'll be going this year.

[/ QUOTE ]

aww no caesear is no fun. your kids cosplaying is one of the cuttes things ever!

[jecca-neko]

[ QUOTE ]
Caesar said:
Since you focus on dealers room and industry panels, the guest list doesn't seem to make a difference in your experience. I'm exactly the opposite. The events and anime rooms are a big draw for me and the people I go with.


[/ QUOTE ]

The anime rooms never do much for me as I can't stand watching anime at Otakon. Their projection screens usually have ceiling light on them so it's hard to see and they keep the volume turned down way too low so you can't hear it.

But I do agree with your events reason. Industry panels don't seem to matter as much nowadays as most stuff isn't announced there anymore and, besides, AX got the big announcements versus Otakon. The dealer's room doesn't matter as much with so many online stores selling the same stuff for much cheaper. All that's left then to be truly excited about is the events. If Otakon had more interesting non-musical guests, then I wouldn't feel so disappointed about the guest situation (I mentioned my disappointment with the musical situation earlier).

If I wait a couple of weeks I can go to the MD Renaissance Festival. That's cheaper to get in and that never fails to have events that interest me, especially for the admission price. Otakon doesn't feel worth it this year.

[BULLDOG1]

[ QUOTE ]
jecca-neko said:
The dealer's room doesn't matter as much with so many online stores selling the same stuff for much cheaper.

[/ QUOTE ]

I think it depends on just what sort of "merchandise" is wanted.

While I will almost never buy DVDs or manga at the dealer's room of a con due to this reason, it is not always the case when it comes to figures (i.e. Kotobukiya's 1/8 scale PVC figs).

I've compared prices of such figures at online retailers as well as eBay vs what I've paid at various cons and found that I've saved quite a bit......with 1 lone exception (I guess it's somewhat appropriate that I overpaid on my first ever purchase in the dealer's room of an anime convention).

If someone can show me an online retailer that sells these figures (especially the Comic Party and To Heart figs) for $20 (or less) with free shipping......then, I may give up buying them at cons. /images/graemlins/wink.gif

A.J.

[Caesar]

[ QUOTE ]
jecca-neko said:
If I wait a couple of weeks I can go to the MD Renaissance Festival. That's cheaper to get in and that never fails to have events that interest me, especially for the admission price. Otakon doesn't feel worth it this year.

[/ QUOTE ]

Yeah, I'm going to the beach the week before, and I figure I could stay a couple extra days, relax, and play an extra round of golf as opposed to the stress of dragging my family around Otakon.

[Caesar]

[ QUOTE ]
Bulldog said:
[ QUOTE ]
jecca-neko said:
The dealer's room doesn't matter as much with so many online stores selling the same stuff for much cheaper.

[/ QUOTE ]

I think it depends on just what sort of "merchandise" is wanted.
A.J.

[/ QUOTE ]

My kids want lots of stuffed toys that they'll play with for two weeks and then forget. /images/graemlins/anger200.gif

[youth]

Well I just committed to attending Otakon for a 5th consecutive year after booking a flight last weekend. Anime Central 06(my local con) was disappointing guest wise, but I'm looking forward to Otakon this year with Ayako Kawasumi(she sealed the deal for me c'mon she's the voice of Mahoro & Lafiel!). Also look forward to seeing some familiar faces again.

Since I have transportation ready I'm now in need of floor space so I thought I'd ask here(before doing the Otakon board like I did last year) if anyone has space for one guy non-smoking in a hotel within' 5 blocks of the BCC. Coming in Thurs afternoon & leaving Sun afternoon & I'll just need a room key & hoping to keep the price to less then $200.

[jecca-neko]

[ QUOTE ]
Caesar said:
[ QUOTE ]
Bulldog said:
[ QUOTE ]
jecca-neko said:
The dealer's room doesn't matter as much with so many online stores selling the same stuff for much cheaper.

[/ QUOTE ]

I think it depends on just what sort of "merchandise" is wanted.
A.J.

[/ QUOTE ]

My kids want lots of stuffed toys that they'll play with for two weeks and then forget. /images/graemlins/anger200.gif

[/ QUOTE ]

You're surprised? This is what kids do. I don't really understand it myself. I was one of those rare kids that when I really wanted a toy I'd play with it a lot.

Notice I say "when I really wanted a toy." My parents did buy me toys for birthdays/Christmas/random surprises sometimes that they thought looked neat, and it did entertain me for a little while, but then I shoved it in my closet and went back to my favorite toys.

[Mononoke]

[ QUOTE ]
Bulldog said:
If someone can show me an online retailer that sells these figures (especially the Comic Party and To Heart figs) for $20 (or less) with free shipping......then, I may give up buying them at cons. /images/graemlins/wink.gif

[/ QUOTE ]
You'll note that an online retailer is still cheaper than $20 + con admission + hotel + transportation, however. Even if those fixed costs are divided over multiple figures and other merchandise.

[BULLDOG1]

[ QUOTE ]
Lamhirh of the Stars said:
[ QUOTE ]
Bulldog said:
If someone can show me an online retailer that sells these figures (especially the Comic Party and To Heart figs) for $20 (or less) with free shipping......then, I may give up buying them at cons. /images/graemlins/wink.gif

[/ QUOTE ]
You'll note that an online retailer is still cheaper than $20 + con admission + hotel + transportation, however. Even if those fixed costs are divided over multiple figures and other merchandise.

[/ QUOTE ]

Huh?

How does con admission, hotel and transportation play into this?

I mean...it's not like buying stuff in the dealer's room is the sole reason for me to go to a convention.

Those costs (BTW, you forgot to include food/snacks/restaurants /images/graemlins/tongue.gif ) are a given for attending a convention.....regardless of whether or not I buy anything in the dealer's room. /images/graemlins/sweat200.gif

As I see it, the only fair comparison is the total price paid for the specific item in a dealer's room vs the total cost for ordering it via an online retailer.

Example: At a con earlier this year, I was able to get two 1/8 scale Kotobukiya figures for $30 in total........as compared to online retailers that wanted $25-$30 each + shipping.

A.J.

[Mononoke]

[ QUOTE ]
Bulldog said:
How does con admission, hotel and transportation play into this?

[/ QUOTE ]
The total cost of the item incorporates not only the sticker price, but also tax, admission, hotel, transportation, and as you mentioned, food. Why? The cost of doing business, as it were. Regardless of whether you went to the con for things beyond the dealers room.

The bottom line is that you had to pay those costs in order to be able to purchase the item. The "total cost" of the item therefore includes some percentage of all those other costs. Not unlike amortizing the cost of an asset over all the years you used it, the sum total of your fixed costs is amortized over all the activities you did while at the con. Including dealer room purchases.

[Caesar]

[ QUOTE ]
guyver83 said:

aww no caesear is no fun.

[/ QUOTE ]

I may try to make the Thursday gathering if the logistics work out for me.

[guyver83]

[ QUOTE ]
Caesar said:
[ QUOTE ]
guyver83 said:

aww no caesear is no fun.

[/ QUOTE ]

I may try to make the Thursday gathering if the logistics work out for me.

[/ QUOTE ]

If sat is boring.. i'm always down for o's vs spankees!

[BULLDOG1]

[ QUOTE ]
guyver83 said:
[ QUOTE ]
Caesar said:
[ QUOTE ]
guyver83 said:

aww no caesear is no fun.

[/ QUOTE ]

I may try to make the Thursday gathering if the logistics work out for me.

[/ QUOTE ]

If sat is boring.. i'm always down for o's vs spankees!

[/ QUOTE ]

Saturday....boring......at Otakon?

That's always been my most active day at the con. /images/graemlins/sweat200.gif

A.J.

[xyz]

[ QUOTE ]
Lamhirh of the Stars said:
The total cost of the item incorporates not only the sticker price, but also tax, admission, hotel, transportation, and as you mentioned, food. Why? The cost of doing business, as it were. Regardless of whether you went to the con for things beyond the dealers room.

The bottom line is that you had to pay those costs in order to be able to purchase the item. The "total cost" of the item therefore includes some percentage of all those other costs. Not unlike amortizing the cost of an asset over all the years you used it, the sum total of your fixed costs is amortized over all the activities you did while at the con. Including dealer room purchases.

[/ QUOTE ]

I would calculate it the way you do as well and really if I am to use my budget for the con for my anime DVDs instead I can clear quite a few titles on my wishlist. But you know I'm still inclined to buy novelties at the con. These tedious calculations are easily glossed over and justified just because buying an item in a dealers' room is not about buy an item but the experience of seeing all these goodies at various merchants at once, doing the window shopping thing, and letting myself loose(just like when people are on vacation) after being so calculated all year.

[alexd00]

[ QUOTE ]
Lamhirh of the Stars said:
The total cost of the item incorporates not only the sticker price, but also tax, admission, hotel, transportation, and as you mentioned, food. Why? The cost of doing business, as it were. Regardless of whether you went to the con for things beyond the dealers room.

The bottom line is that you had to pay those costs in order to be able to purchase the item. The "total cost" of the item therefore includes some percentage of all those other costs. Not unlike amortizing the cost of an asset over all the years you used it, the sum total of your fixed costs is amortized over all the activities you did while at the con. Including dealer room purchases.

[/ QUOTE ]
In Bulldog's case (and for most people) I would think that the costs related to attending the con are sunk costs and should not be factored into purchasing decisions (and any pricing comparisons including those costs are going to be skewed).

For example, we will assume that Bulldog goes to Otakon this year. He will spend $X in "con attendance expenses". In the dealer's room he sees a figure he has been thinking about purchasing. It is being sold for $20 (all taxes & fees included). Online, after accounting for shipping & other fees, the lowest price he can find is $25. Using a very complex formula, he determines that amortizing his con attendance expenses over his various activities would add about $10 to the "total cost" of the figure at the con.

Even though the estimated "total cost" of the figure is now $30, it's obvious that he should still buy the figure at the con, because he is saving $5 compared to buying it online. If he buys the figure at the con he has spent $X + $20 to attend the con and buy the figure. If he buys the figure online, he has spent $X + $25 to attend the con and buy the figure.

If you were to base a decision on the "total cost" of the figure vs the internet price, it wouldn't be concerning where you should buy the figure, but rather whether or not you should be attending the convention (i.e. he could save $5 if he buys the figure online and does not go to the convention). Since I don't think that Bulldog (or most other con-goers) will agree with that conclusion, I would say that price comparisons including amortized con attendance expenses aren't really giving you information you can apply.

Now, if you are just trying to get a different perspective on how you spent your money at a con, and are not using the data for any decisions or comparisons, then amortize away. /images/graemlins/sdsmiley.gif

(Is it odd that throughout the whole Otakon thread, this is the post I felt compelled to reply to?)

[Mononoke]

[ QUOTE ]
Alex D said:
Since I don't think that Bulldog (or most other con-goers) will agree with that conclusion, I would say that price comparisons including amortized con attendance expenses aren't really giving you information you can apply.

[/ QUOTE ]
Interesting thoughts. I'll agree that if Bulldog went to a con, and then found a figure he wanted for a decent price, he should buy it and not worry about the sunk costs of attending the convention.

From something Bulldog said earlier, though, it sounded like the major reason he goes to cons is because he can find cheap figures there. I may be misinterpreting what he meant, but that's where the thought of "wait a minute, if you're going to the con mostly for that, online would be cheaper even with shipping included..." came from.

[ QUOTE ]
(Is it odd that throughout the whole Otakon thread, this is the post I felt compelled to reply to?)

[/ QUOTE ]
Not really - Otakon itself isn't very interesting given how bass-ackwards their management is. /images/graemlins/devil.gif

[kit-kat]

Newly announced guest:
Monica Rial, Voice Actor (Dub) /images/graemlins/happy.gif

[Mononoke]

[ QUOTE ]
kit-kat said:
Newly announced guest:
Monica Rial, Voice Actor (Dub) /images/graemlins/happy.gif

[/ QUOTE ]
Complete with prizes stuffed in her cleavage, no doubt.

[BULLDOG1]

[ QUOTE ]
Lamhirh of the Stars said:
I'll agree that if Bulldog went to a con, and then found a figure he wanted for a decent price, he should buy it and not worry about the sunk costs of attending the convention.

[/ QUOTE ]

And this has been the case for almost every figure I've ever purchased at a con. /images/graemlins/wink.gif

The lone exception was the first figure I ever bought at a con.......as I mixed up the average online price for it with another figure and ended up paying a bit more than I should have......or would have, had I remembered correctly.

[ QUOTE ]
Lamhirh of the Stars said:
From something Bulldog said earlier, though, it sounded like the major reason he goes to cons is because he can find cheap figures there. I may be misinterpreting what he meant,

[/ QUOTE ]

Yup....you misinterpreted what I meant.

"Shopping" in the dealer's room is secondary to attending panels and other con-related stuff.

It's most certainly NOT my primary reason for attending anime cons.

For the most part, I browse the dealer's room whenever I have some "free time" during a con.

What it comes down to is that I usually won't pass up a good deal for a figure that I want.....that is, if I find such a deal.

FWIW, I passed up on a great deal while at Sakura-con. /images/graemlins/sad.gif

To me......hunting for bargains in a DR is sorta like treasure hunting......given that it isn't very easy since dealer's usually have relatively high prices.

Another reason is to find OOP or very hard to get items.

Until recently, I had been searching for an OOP volume of Parasyte.....which I finally found in the DR at A-Kon....after 7 unsuccessful attempts at previous cons and multiple attempts via other online sources.

FWIW, I didn't even purchase anything at my first con....Otakon 2004....as I hardly spent any time in the dealer's room that year as I was a bit too busy with other things that year.

Since then, I've learned how to better schedule my time at cons so that I have some time to browse. /images/graemlins/wink.gif

I look at any figures that I purchase as a souveniers of the con.....since I will tend to associate each figure with the specific con that I purchased it at (especially if I got it at a great price /images/graemlins/wink.gif ).

A.J.

[guyver83]

hi guys.. yeah.. otakon is coming up soon.. yeah.. otakon.. you know con on east coast.. yeah.. you know fun, games, booze with local balt girls (oh thats me) yeah..

[machineger4]

[ QUOTE ]
kit-kat said:
Newly announced guest:
Monica Rial, Voice Actor (Dub) /images/graemlins/happy.gif

[/ QUOTE ]

Yay! It was cool meeting her last year.

[LadyFae]

[ QUOTE ]
Lamhirh of the Stars said:
[ QUOTE ]
Alex D said:
(Is it odd that throughout the whole Otakon thread, this is the post I felt compelled to reply to?)

[/ QUOTE ]
Not really - Otakon itself isn't very interesting given how bass-ackwards their management is. /images/graemlins/devil.gif

[/ QUOTE ]

And yet...you are posting in the Otakon thread.

If you don't find it interesting, then why waste your time in this thread? Better to leave it for those who are interested in the subject. /images/graemlins/catgirl0.gif

*sprinkles*

The Lady Fae

[Mononoke]

[ QUOTE ]
LadyFae said:
If you don't find it interesting, then why waste your time in this thread?

[/ QUOTE ]
Because I know a lot about Otakon, know the Baltimore area, and usually go anyway because the con is 10 miles from my house?

I like to bust con management's chops because there are certain things I know they can do better. Even if they don't listen, maybe one day they will. I can give them a hard time and provide useful information at the same time: it's the best of both worlds! /images/graemlins/sdsmiley.gif

[dragonclaw]

Quoted from the Otakon website:

"Otakon fans probably know by now that Puffy AmiYumi is touring the East Coast in July. Unfortunately, the girls will be back in Japan by the time that Otakon rolls around, but the girls didn't want to leave you all out of the fun.

As their way of saying "Hi!" to all the fans at Otakon, the girls have left a little present for us: tickets to their show right next door in our nation's capital at the intimate 9:30 Club.

Two lucky winners will each win a pair of tickets to Puffy AmiYumi's July 9th performance at Washington DC's 9:30 Club. This members-only drawing is open to anyone who has pre-registered for Otakon 2006.

Since this contest is only available to members and we want to give as many of you a chance to enter, we're extending the deadline to pre-register at the early-bird rate to July 7th. Only pre-registrations paid for by credit card after July 4th will be eligible for the drawing, as we'll need to confirm your registration before you can win the tickets.

The drawing will take place at 8PM on Friday July 7th, and the winners will be contacted by phone before they are announced. So please be sure that the contact info you've provided us is correct!"

[LadyFae]

Please see the new Otakon Part 2 (http://forums.animeondvd.com/showflat.php?Cat=6&Number=1386205&page=0&view=coll apsed&sb=5&o=&fpart=1) thread for more discussion of the upcoming Otakon.

For information on the Otakon AOD gathering, check the new split thread here (http://forums.animeondvd.com/showflat.php?Cat=&Number=1385503&page=0&view=colla psed&sb=5&o=&fpart=1) .

*sprinkles*

The Lady Fae