.:Fanime 2011:.

~.:Fanime Con 2011:.~

The convention being held at San Jose's very convention center, is sandwiched between the Marriott and Hilton Hotels.  Within are large exhibit rooms that house the Artist Alley, Dealers Hall, and Game Room.







Every Memorial Day weekend, anime-enthusiasts flock together to attend the Fanime Convention in San Jose, CA.  The 2011 edition, has been the busiest year so far~





.:Artist Alley:.
     Local artists, or even non-locals, brave out and compete for con-goers' attention by setting up tables and venues to display and sell their artwork.  Illustrations aren't the exclusive products, although that's usually what you'll find there.  Key chains, buttons, tote bags, cosplay accessories, galleries, and models are some of the things you'll find here. [Sorry no Pics ^__^; ]

...This is just the hallway-erhm, at least a quarter of it.  The road that leads to the much larger exhibit rooms, and video rooms

.:Dealers Hall:.

Manga, Models, Figurines, Anime, Music, Games, Books, Accessories, Posters, etc.

This is only 1 of 100 booths?  However, this is one of the larger stands,
 most are about half the size.
 (The displays are only the front part of the booth)

Anything that you wanna buy, can be found here.
Types of products range from age appropriate to the more risque adult section (although, usually in small quantities at select booths).
The Dealers Hall is my favorite place to be, as the con-goer has a huge selection of products that could usually only be bought online...or Japan, lol~
Not just that, but dealers may also sell some of their products at reduced prices--in addition, if you do buy your anime goods online...you won't have to worry about shipping costs, obviously.


This year, one of the re-attending stores upgraded their display from a crowded-barely-treadable-area to a beautiful display of Bandai Mech Models.

Yea, that's like a 1/10 scale Gundam in the background--about 5ft tall?

Besides a couple new additions such as two free mmo game displays, was the Cosplay Deviants booth.  Usually working in the East Coast, theses girls decided to travel all the way to San Jose for the well known Fanime convention.

.:Game Hall:.
Here you'll find lots of hard-to-find arcade games, brought over from Japan (at some point).  >.> some games don't even have English menus, so good luck with that.
-BlazBlue
-Street Fighter 4
-Street Fighter 3rd Strike
-ParaPara Xtreme 2
-Beatmania
-DJ Max Technica
-and more~


Among the arcade games is the "console game" section--which is the other half of the game hall exhibit.  In this large rectangle formation of tables hold a dozen selection of games.
-Mortal Kombat 9
-Guilty Gear
-Misc. Doujin Fighrers, lol~
-Smash Brothers series
-and More...
The Console games are free to play, you just have to line up--which isn't too bad, as most people standing around are mainly spectators.

.:Other features to check out:.
     Besides the main 3 exhibit halls are Video Rooms where you can watch select popular anime on the big screen.  And for the more daring con-goer, adult showings also make it's appearance on Friday/Saturday nights. >.> people go, the rooms are always packed~
     There's also the Karaoke room--people also partake in that activity as well~it's great for guilty laughs, but occasionally you'll hear someone that knows what they're doin', lol~
     Let's not forget about the Panels.  Panels are basically themed Q & A sessions with people that work in the anime industries.  This is the opportunity to meet the voice actors, illustrators and directors.  Every con, you'll get at least one guest that is the original Japanese voice actor or designer/illustrator.
One panel, atypical of what a Q&A session was initiated by the Spear Guild---something (I forgot the name)

A friend of mind partaking in a spear demonstration[right]--he did real well~

     It was great that the organizers of the panel allowed audience participation.  Not only was it an interesting Q&A session, but it taught con-goers valuable info about the use and history of a spear weapon.
Besides the main convention center, across the street is where the Black and White Ball is being held.  It's more formal than the Fanime Rave being held back at the convention center, and is all about ballroom dance.
     Within the same building is a great theatrical stage.  Here con-goers (when applied for) can perform skits or even a dance performance.  >.> some of the humor is...a little hard to follow~but at times it's an interesting thing to check out.


     So yea, sorry I don't have many pictures from the convention.  >.> I blame it on the last minute decision (quite literally) on going to Fanime.




so I'll update with a more thorough explanation on the different rooms and all~

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