by iserlohn » Sat Aug 16, 2003 3:03 pm
Otakon is definately where you want to go for a BIG con wiht lots of BIG parties, a BIG amv contest and, well, just BIG stuff in general, this is the place to do it. Otakon's also got top notch programming across the board, so if you want to hit up industry panels, there's plenty, cosplay stuff, plenty, sit on your ass and watch anime, plenty, see a bunch of cool live action stuff from Asia, plenty. Next year's con dates are already set (30 Jul - 1 Aug), so get booking now. Oh, and make sure you've got a mobile with lots of minutes.
However, if your goal in going to a con is hanging out with people and attending a wide selection of room parties, you want to attend Katsucon, which is Feb 13-15 2004 in Crystal City, VA. This is the second largest con on the east coast, and it usually draws some top name guests and has a good (although not as expansive as Otakon's) panel track with three or four video rooms, one of them going 24 hours. Katsucon is also THE party con - everyone and their uncle throws a party here and as long as you don't set fire to the room or do anything too bad, you're welcomed universally.
Of course, 5,000 people may still be too much for you, so then you go to small local cons like Anime Mid-Atlantic, AnimeUSA, etc. These cons are nice because they're small and intimate and you feel more at-home because you see the same faces over and over all weekend.
Like Ashyukun said above, a good con is one you attend. Even if the programming tracks are weak, that's when you find (or make) friends and create your own entertainment - such as getting people drunk and then videotaping their silly antics.
"I'm recording an album tonight. Funny material and laughter will be dubbed in later."
--Bill Hicks