Exclusive Sneak Peek: Fanime 2023 Unveiled

Fanime is making a triumphant comeback after its second year back from the COVID-19 pandemic. The convention began in 1994 with just 200 attendees at California State University Hayward and has since grown to attract around 34,000 attendees in 2019 at the San Jose McEnery Convention Center. Fanime has earned a reputation as the "24-hour party con" due to its around-the-clock gaming and video programming rooms, as well as its late-night shuttle service until 2am. Most attendees come from word-of-mouth recommendations from friends and family, with a majority being local to the Bay Area. Despite last year's curfew and vaccine and mask mandates, Fanime's staff has been gradually easing restrictions and extending events this year.

A Look Inside Fanime 2023

Attendees and volunteers alike are most excited for the Artist Alley, which offers a unique opportunity to connect with and support artists in a more personalized way. Unlike other events where attendees can feel overwhelmed and crowded, the spacious layout between booths and walls at Fanime allows for a more relaxed atmosphere. This also provides staffing volunteers with more opportunities to network and spend time with friends due to the steady flow of attendees. Fanime strikes the perfect balance between being too big or too small, and the diverse cosplay scene is an added bonus.

The Cosplay Wrestling Federation (CWF) hosted a parody of Whose Line Is It Anyway? during two weekend nights, featuring cosplayers from various franchises. CWF founder initially experimented with the "game show" concept at Anime Los Angeles 2014, based loosely on The Air Guitar World Championship, resulting in a wrestling show without actual wrestling. As the popularity of CWF grew, the team began appearing at other conventions across the country, leading to the division of their panels into two parts. Each event attracts more audience members to participate as "contenders," making for a unique experience. Starting as a passion project among friends, CWF's philosophy is centered on the audience's reaction, as the good guy is only as good as the bad guy. Passion is a necessity for the entirely improvised show.

Lowkey's creativity extended beyond just the panels as they also had their own booth in the Dealer's Hall. This indie clothing line, founded by two friends in 2015, combines Los Angeles and Japanese-style fashion to create a unique approach to fashion and pop culture apparel. The brand's name, Lowkey, reflects their desire for a simple yet stylish aesthetic.

Inspired by The Legend of Zelda, Hero Wares and Supplies has created a castle town themed shop that any fan of the series would love. The shopkeeper initially started as a passionate crafter, nurturing his inner artist, and providing assistance to fellow adventurers. After five years of experience, he realized his heroic duty to provide creative and useful wares for adventurers across the country, and became a traveling merchant. His knightly wares are crafted from inspiration found in movies and games, making each shopping experience unique and personalized. We were fortunate enough to encounter him at Fanime, the location where his journey began.

Getting Back into the Groove of Things

The reemergence of conventions after a 2-3 year hiatus has been met with some challenges for Fanime. While the convention is slowly regaining its former glory, low staffing levels have caused miscommunications and a lack of event planning. Consequently, attendees felt there was not much to do, and neighboring hotels held events that many were not informed of. Furthermore, the Artist Alley was overcrowded with attendees, making it difficult to navigate. Returning visitors also noted a lack of variety in guest appearances and confusion with registration due to a change in location. Despite these setbacks, the convention still had enjoyable aspects and potential for improvement as it returns to its former status.

For those who wanted to keep the party going, "Park Con" was the place to be. Unofficially associated with Fanime, this outdoor gathering took place in a nearby park, just a short distance from the convention center and surrounding hotels. Attendees brought their own snacks and drinks, and danced the night away to music provided by fellow fans.

Fanime pre-registration is now open and available. Follow their official Twitter for regular updates.