I have to admit, I started the convention game pretty late in life. While my friends had been going to anime conventions since their teens it took me until I was 30 to get myself to one. And my first one? Anime Expo. It was 2016 and filled with crowds that I was not used to. I had taken my daughter who was only two (almost three) dressed as Sailor Jupiter. It was a complicated experience but it’s one that I’ll remember my whole life. I had gotten used to the chaos of Los Angeles area conventions but alas, it was time to move somewhere new for my family. So we moved to St Louis, Missouri. Luckily, I had known about Anime St Louis from a friend of mine who lived out here before I moved so this was always on my “to do” list for the area. I’ve got to say, going from something as big and crowded as Anime Expo really made me appreciate the toned down vibe of Anime St Louis. It was like a complete breath of fresh air.
Whenever you go to a con with friends or kids one of the things you worry about is getting lost. I’m happy to say that was not the case in this convention center. The St. Charles Convention Center was just the perfect size for what they had going on. 3-4 rows of vendor stalls, and two rows of Artist Alley stalls. Each row was front and back so it made for plenty of shopping along the way. Their talent was lined up against one of the back walls and their line system for each one was carefully placed on the floor with tape. It was an easy area to navigate and the layout was easy to memorize even if you forgot a map from the registration area (I forgot one).
The attendees really also made it a great place for kids too. Everyone that we saw with a protogen mask or furry cosplay really enjoyed talking to the kids. The kids were excited to go to this con and show off their newly painted dino masks and dino puppets they had made. It was almost like talking to Disney characters at Disneyland, everyone was genuinely kind and about half of the attendees brought their own kids too. This con was a very family friendly experience.
Badge Pickup
This year they offered badge pick-up at a local Anime store called Anime Eggroll. I took the opportunity to go during pick up days to pick up my badges, making entering the convention much easier because I didn’t have to go through registration. This was I believe the first year that they’ve done something like this and it worked out wonderfully for those that could pick up early.
Friday
Friday started later in the day and the dealer’s hall opened around 3pm. They had an opening ceremony at 4pm and after that the guests for the convention would be sitting at their tables ready for autographing anything you wanted them to. Friday’s vibe was buzzing with excitement as people shopped and got ready for the panels that would be happening later that afternoon. To be fair I believe that the panels were going on earlier than we started with them, but we wanted to get a full day of shopping in at some of our favorite stalls like Slackers and Anime Eggroll which are two brick and mortar locations that attended the con.
We were able to hit two panels that night. ‘Surviving Medocrity: Unkowns of Horror’ – a panel about some of the most obscure horror games, many of which I was only hearing about for the first time. And of course we made time for the ‘Magical Girl Mosh Pit’ – which is pretty self explanatory.
Of all the things on Friday the Magical Girl Mosh pit was easily my favorite. People ran around in a circle pit because we couldn’t actually mosh (against hotel rules) but everyone had a blast. Lots of pent up tension and stress melted away as we watched some girls dressed as “Sugo Chara” characters run around. There was even a really cool dancer that had previously been in a floppy eared bunny cosplay that took off their head and started twirling their long hair, headbanging to the songs that were played.
Saturday
On Saturday we lucked out and found parking fairly easily for being what’s considered late to the con. I’m a person who likes to sleep in and I was up late the night before trying to come down from that post-con caffeine buzz, so we got there around noon. The dealer’s hall was even more full and lots more people were navigating. There were a few chokepoints in the hotel area while walking to and from the panels but it wasn’t super bad. Plus we had a wheelchair so I would say that it was easy enough to get around for a person on foot.
The vibe for Saturday was still a chill one. Having gone to cons that are overpacked and oversold, this was a really welcome experience.
The convention’s panels were great, every room I was in was filled to capacity. The level of audience participation was equally impressive, especially for the imaginative and entertaining ‘Anime Name that Tune’ panel. Every attendee was actively engaged, trying to guess the name of the anime tracks being played.
As I prepared to get into the ‘One Piece’ panel, I found myself catching the tail-end of an exciting game show panel. Even though I had joined late, the audience was full of energy, and I was immediately swept up in the excitement. After the room cleared out for the ‘One Piece’ panel I decided to take a picture of the audience. The image captured the incredible diversity of the attendees as many of them were decked out in intricate cosplay costumes, showcasing their dedication and love for their favorite characters.
I moved on to a panel that had piqued my interest – ‘I’m proud of you and your cosplay too’. This unique gathering was somewhat akin to a support group but with a twist. It was basically a show-and-tell, a platform for cosplayers to share their experiences, challenges, and triumphs in creating their costumes. It was a heartwarming and encouraging session, a testament to the sense of community and mutual support within the cosplay world. I also heard that they had a discord that many of the audience was a part of which was a nice addition to the already supportive group of cosplayers.
Our next stop was the ‘Manime’ panel, an event dedicated to the display and appreciation of the manliest anime characters. The show was hosted by the charismatic duo Sammii Bold and Kevin Bolk, with the latter portraying Macho Man Randy Savage. They also had one of the guests up with them, The War Horse Jake Parnell. As someone with limited exposure to anime, War Horse’s candid reactions to some of the anime intros he was watching for the first time added a layer of hilarity to the event.
Some of the intros were so over-the-top, filled with dramatic explosions and other exaggerated elements that are a hallmark of anime, it seemed as though we might have broken War Horse’s brain! His wide-eyed, bewildered reactions were priceless, provoking waves of laughter from the audience. This unexpected comedy was a delightful addition to the overall experience, and it served as a reminder of the unpredictable and often absurd nature of anime.
The day at the convention was filled with laughter, camaraderie, and a shared love for all things anime. It was an incredibly enjoyable experience, with every panel and every interaction leaving a lasting impression. The energy, the passion, and the sense of community were a testament to the power of shared interests and the wonderful world of anime.
When we left the con life outside the venue was going strong. A DJ set up at one of the tables outside and people were dancing and playing with chalk drawing pictures and hanging out. There were a couple of people playing with glow balls like you would see at a rave. It was pretty cool
Final impressions
It was a breath of fresh air to be surrounded by good and happy people. Everyone in attendance at this convention was genuinely caring and considerate, their positive energy contagious. There was an infectious enthusiasm in the air, creating a welcoming and inclusive atmosphere, perfect for novices and seasoned convention goers.
The cosplay aspect of the convention was particularly noteworthy. There was an impressive number of cosplayers who had gone the extra mile to look like their favorite anime characters. They were dressed in colorful, intricate, and creative costumes that showcased their dedication and love for the anime world. Despite the many cosplayers, what was surprising was that none of them was active on social media promoting their cosplay. Their reason for attending wasn’t to gain followers or likes on their Instagram or Facebook pages. They went because they were fans of anime and had love for the characters they were cosplaying.
This unique aspect created a refreshing change of pace – a distinct lack of photographers and cosplayers blocking the entrance to take pictures. The convention wasn’t the usual chaotic rush to capture the perfect shot, making navigation easier and more enjoyable. Accessibility was a strong suit of this convention. Even guests with wheelchairs or children in tow found it easy to navigate through the crowds and stalls. This sense of convenience and consideration for all attendees further enhanced the overall experience.
As for what the convention had on offer, it didn’t disappoint. The merchandise was genuinely cool and catered to a variety of tastes. There was an abundance of rare anime artifacts and vintage items that would make any anime collector’s heart pitter patter. From iconic figurines to manga editions, everything that a fan could dream of was there. The sheer variety and rarity of the items was a testament to the convention’s attention to detail and commitment to providing a comprehensive experience.
Another highlight was the Artist’s Alley. This section was a treasure trove of hand-drawn posters and characters. The incredible selection exhibited the artists’ sheer talent, dedication, and passion for their craft. The intricate designs of the posters and characters offered a visual treat for the attendees, allowing them to take a piece of their favorite anime home.
All things considered, I would highly recommend this convention to anyone with a love for anime and cosplay, regardless of their level of experience. The convention was more than just an event; it was a celebration of anime and its passionate fan base, providing an accommodating, enjoyable, and memorable experience. The genuine coolness of the merchandise, coupled with the excellent selection in Artist’s Alley and the overall positive, inclusive atmosphere, made it an incredible experience that would appeal to convention goers of all ages and experience levels.
