JX: Day one impressions


It's roomy

It's been a busy day for us here on day one of Japan Expo USA. Tim and myself were running all over the place trying to see what this convention has in store for us. You know, in between guest interviews and such. We were able to make it out onto the show floor from time to time to see just how different this convention is compared to others in the US.

Believe me when I say, this is not your average anime convention.


Japan Expo isn't so much about anime and manga. It's more of a celebration of Japanese culture in general. I believe that is why the show floor is set up in the fashion it is. Mainly that the dealers room, which is a highlight at any convention that you go to, and the panel and exhibits share the same space. This open room interaction might sound like something more hectic then it really is. It's more way more open then you would expect which is nice in the fact that you can walk around with ease and pop into something that is happening on a stage fairly easily. Yet this set up doesn't distract from one another like you would expect. The sounds around the convention show floor are confined in the spaces where the stuff is happening. So a panel that is going on next door doesn't overpower the autograph sessions next to that. No one booth or exhibitor is overstepping the other.

Out on the floor I saw so many thing in just in a single walk around. It wasn't that far of a walk to get to anything that you might want to see and do. Weather it's buying something at the dealers booths, picking up information about traveling to Japan, looking at art in the Wabi Sabi exhibit, or catching a panel by a person working in the industry. Almost the entire con is right there on the show floor. It's pretty crazy! The only thing I did not see too much of is actual attendees. This made the place look pretty empty. It was kind of sad seeing it not that full, but everyone contributes it to the fact that school just started and was probably there instead of here. Also to note that the con closes at 7pm every night. This is the first con that I have ever been to that had an actual closing time. It's nuts to think about and I am not sure why they don't have any off hour things planned for the people staying at the hotel. It's probably because since the entire con is basically in the dealers room that everything is shutting down early.

I'm eagerly awaiting to see what tomorrow holds. I still have cosplay photos to take so everyone please bring your A game. 


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Josh Totman
Josh TotmanContributor   gamer profile




Filed under... #Cons #culture #Japan Expo #otaku culture


