Are you ready for Sakura-con?
So you’re sad Emerald City Comic-con is over and PAX and Girl Geek Con are a long ways off; you need to go to Sakura-Con!
Pro Tips to surviving Sakura-Con!
The most important tip I can think of (which may be a little late by the time you read this); pre-reg if you can, and then pick-up your passes on Thursday. It will save you from the headache that is the registration line. PAX and Emerald City Comic-Con run their registration process better than Sakura-Con, I had one friend give up after standing in line for about three hours on a Saturday. If you do have to buy your passes at the door arrive EXTRA early and bring your favorite manga, food and water. As with all the cons in the downtown Seattle area, if you leave for lunch/dinner it’s worth it to grab food outside the convention center. Go at least three to four blocks away to avoid the huge lines.
The great thing about Sakura-Con is that there is always something to do even if you don’t get into the panel of your choice. There are several theaters set up so you can sample various anime, AMVs and movies; you can do a little table top gaming or catch up on your reading in their manga library. Everything is open super late. And this year Tully’s should be open twenty-three hours a day Friday and Saturday. (Really, if you need coffee in that ONE hour, maybe you should reconsider sleep)
Also, the guidebook is mobile this year – take a look!
As far as specific events keep in mind this year they are pushing Sword Art Online and Fate/Zero pretty hard.
Pannels and what to expect for 2013:
Friday
Opening Ceremonies 10:00 AM – The Seattle Consulate of Japan will address the convention, possibly in samurai armor. (Fingers crossed maybe it will be a Gundam suit)
Cruchyroll Industry Panel: 1:00 PM – Check out how the website is handling the conversion to a legitimate business rather than honorable tradition of piracy. And possible hints of upcoming shows they will be picking up.
Foam Sword Fighting Tournament: 3:30 PM – The title is self-explanatory, but if you want to get inside line up at least forty-five minutes early. If you’re lucky you can battle your fellow otaku to the death. If you don’t get your hands on a foam weapon; watch the battles from the side-lines.
Funimation Industry Panel: 4:00 PM I like their streaming service since unlike Hulu it is commercial free. But sometimes I get stuck just watching the little loading bar move at a snail’s pace. Almost no chance of this happening, but my favorite extra form Full Metal Alchemist Brotherhood was the out-takes, announcement of more out-takes would be keen. I would love the chance to remind them to change their slogan “You should be watching,” since you only see it when YOU ARE WATCHING THEIR SHOWS. The panel will also run on Saturday at 11:00 AM.
The AMV Contest 6:00 PM – Anime Music Videos or AMVs is always worth your time. Line up about half-hour ahead of time if you want decent seats. The comedy AMVs and movie trailer AMVs are normally the best entries. You are almost guaranteed at least two AMVs about Final Fantasy VII: Advent Children, and there are screenings of all entries on Saturday and Sunday.
The Masquerade Ball 8:00 PM – Create a mask, dress up nice and dance the night away (or at least two and half hours of it)! The music will be a little more update this year with some salsa dances. Need help constructing your mask? A panel runs from 1:30 PM to 5:00 PM to help you out. There is a dance lesson at 6:15 PM if you want need to pick-up a few steps. If formal and fancy isn’t your thing there is also the Friday Dance: The Epic Glow Gala 9:00 PM to 2 AM. Expect musical styles such as J-Core, Kpop, Happy Hard Core, Trance, Electro House and more.
Saturday
Cosplay Contest 12:00 PM – You’re awake before noon? Congratulations! Most of the attendees are cosplaying, which means any cosplay contest should be the best of the best. So if you enjoy cosplay or even just appreciate good costume design you need to check out this contest. Maybe you’re just a creeper there to stare at girls; I guess this would be your thing too.
Viz Media Panel 2:00 PM – Viz publishes manga and anime such as One Piece, Bleach, Naruto, Deathnote and Vampire Knight. More importantly Viz published the first manga I ever picked up Rumiko Takahashi’s Ranma ½. And hey, they also publish Excel Saga and that Blue Exorcist manga.
Cosplay Chess Main Game 3:00 PM – a scripted chess match with Cosplayers as the pieces. Past years have included a Scorpion, Panty & Stockings, Edward Elric, Jesus, Dr. Who, Lina Inverse, Zapp Brannigan & Kip battling it out. Show up at least a half hour early if you want to get inside. My favorite match is still the year with Phoenix Wright.
Eir Aoi & Luna Haruna Concert 7:00 PM – This year’s musical guests perform on the main stage. Eir Aoi performed Memoria, the first ending theme for Fate/Zero, Aurora, the fourth opening for Mobile Suit Gundam AGE and Innocence, the second opening for Sword Art Online.
Saturday Dance: The Epic Glow Gala 9:00 PM – one more go with glow sticks, DJs, and raving.
If Japanese pop music isn’t your thing check out:
American Voice Acting Panel with John Swasey, Stephanie Sheh and Vic Mignogna – All three have played hundreds of roles in probably any anime dub you can imagine, and each one has experience in multiple roles including producer, director and music composer.
Sunday
If you are still holding on by Sunday here are few more events. In past years there has been an opportunity to purchased discounted three day passes for the following year.
AMV Contest 2013 Reshowing 12:00 PM – Couldn’t get in on Friday? Here is your second chance!
Charity Auction 2:00 PM – If you need a truly unique item to take home from the con here is the place to acquire it. Plus as a bonus it all goes to a good cause.
AMV Contest Winners 3:00 PM – And if you don’t have time sit through the whole AMV contest here is just the winners.
Editors note: Sakura Con is always a good time for people watching – Check out the amazing CosPlay outside the con, and brave a day in the convention if you’ve never gone before, it’s really worth a few hours! Cheers!
Just going to chime in here and mention that they’re also world-premiering AMV Hell 6.66 Saturday night at 10:00PM in room 6A, as well as having the best panel of the entire con, “Where Fanfic Goes to Die,” at 12:15AM Sunday morning in Panels 2 (room 4C-2) where they stage live readings and occasional acting-outs of the best worst fanfiction I’ve ever encountered.
Also, if you go to the rave you’re supporting the worst part of the weekend — unless they finally figure out soundproofing this year, which is unlikely. If you go to the con specifically FOR the rave, you are objectively history’s greatest monster. Of course, I’m pretty sure I’m way past the offical otaku expiration date.
GET OFF MY LAWN, YOU KIDS, WITH YOUR HETALIAS AND YOUR BLACK BUTLERS.
WHY IN MY DAY WE HAD TO PAY $50 FOR A DUBBED VHS WITH TWO EPISODES ON IT
OR SHIP TAPES TO SOME GUY ACROSS THE COUNTRY FOR FIFTEENTH-GENERATION FANSUB COPIES
What I’m trying to say is that I’m really incredibly happy there are also several panels aimed specifically at the 25-and-up crowd this year.
It is true. The rave is so loud that it drowns out the other panels next to it. I think I edited a crack about needing drugs and glow sticks.
AMV Hell is always great, didn’t realize was the premier. Damn. I think I would swap add that as a must see.
No idea about “Where Fanfic Goes to Die”. I might check that out now.