The Problem with Anime Expo

Travis Lionel
Jul 10, 2017 · 5 min read

This piece will be based on my personal experiences and the experiences of those around me and the conclusions we’ve reached after attending Anime Expo for years.

Anyone who has been in the anime community for a while has either heard of or attended an anime convention. For those who haven’t, an anime convention is a large gathering of anime fans usually hosted in a hotel or convention center. Here, one can meet voice actors, play in tournaments, take pictures of cosplayers, and more anime or loosely anime related events. Anime Expo, or AX as it’s normally called, is the biggest anime convention on the west coast of the US boasting hundreds of thousands of attendees every year, though some would say they like to embellish their numbers. Regardless, no one can deny the popularity of AX. However, many would state that it’s far from the best convention to attend, with some pushing not to attend at all.

AX is run by the Society for the Promotion of Japanese Animation, also known as the SPJA. The SPJA has been experiencing changes in management since 2009 on an almost yearly basis, which could be the cause of the mismanagement. But, the biggest issue is that the SPJA doesn’t care about its fans. With hundreds of thousands of attendees, they can’t cater to every fan. However, compared to their contemporaries, SPJA really doesn’t care and is starting to show with some of the stunts pulled this year.

Security Theater

Security theater, as described by Wikipedia, is “the practice of investing in countermeasures intended to provide the feeling of improved security while doing little or nothing to achieve it.” AX 2017 was filled to the brim with security theater.

Security guards were expected to check the bag of every single person who walked through the front door, which they did, but not thoroughly. Most of security only looked inside the bag briefly, didn’t bother to move anything around, and then shuffled it to the side. While holding up the line in order to check someone’s bag at an already crowded convention center, colloquially named “line con”, is frustrating enough, knowing that the bag checks don’t actually protect those who attended left a sour taste in many mouths. Security also failed to check even badges. On top of it all, everyone was expected to step through metal detectors, which were not stationed at every entrance and failed to actually work. These things held up the line up to six hours for some.

To make matters worse, there were no actual police at the convention center, other than the amount that would normally gather if a large crowd were to take form. No officers walked the convention floor, and none of the hired security were allowed carry weapons. Should a terrorist attack actually go down, no one would be there to protect us. While bomb squad members were on the premise, they were not on the clock and instead attended the maid cafe. It was a wonderful time.

Add to this the very little communication between staff and security, and AX was a recipe for disaster.

Staff

The SPJA is technically a non-profit organization. As such, they have a very small team of staff. Instead, they rely on volunteers when it comes to the actual running of the convention. The method is simple: someone volunteers, and they get a free badge. This is how most conventions function as it allows those without money to attend and lets the convention save a couple bucks. However, with a company as large as the SPJA, they need actual staff.

The problem with volunteer staff is that they aren’t trained very well. Many volunteers have no idea what they’re supposed to be doing. They often receive contradictory information to the disdain of the attendees and exhibitors. Some find themselves on a power trip, with little information to go on, causing a conflict of interests between fans and volunteers. Some simply don’t care, and allow fans to do as they please, which can cause issues down the line with other staff members.

AX needs an official, paid, staff. It’s not treasurers and presidents that keep a business running, but the working class. Paid staff have more incentive than a badge and, depending on where you volunteer, a hotel room. They can be put through training for longer than a couple hours before Day 0, if they receive that.

AX also needs explicit written rules scattered around the LACC. Many staff and attendees find themselves not knowing the actual rules of the convention center and the event itself. This would also lessen conflict as most issues can be easily solved with a thirty second overview.

Theft of Ideas

Despite its position and label as a nonprofit organization, the SPJA has often acted with the thoughts and actions usually associated with big business. One of these issues is the theft of ideas.There are often times where someone will create something for or during a convention whether it be for profit as a panel or something everyone does for fun. Every year in Concourse Hall, a group of people known simply as the AX Dance Crew, how many of them were actually connected being questionable, would appear with their speakers and, at times, DJ’s and perform. This performance was usually for fun, but could also be for the entertainment of others. This event would often draw large crowds. Along with that specific group, it was not uncommon for attendees so show up with instruments and simply play live music.

This year, the SPJA sold that same space to Crunchyroll. Chairs and tables were removed for the sake of an “arcade” and a live DJ was stationed. None of the original dancers or performers were contacted. They took a concept started by attendees and basically stepped on everyone who participated in the years before. This has probably been done with other events as well.

Final Words

Are these the only issues that plague AX? No. However, many people expressed disdain at these specific issues post-event. As the convention high wears down and more issues come to light, they will be presented. Anime Expo used to be very exciting and the go to convention. However, as it tries to force itself to become the Comic-Con of Japanese pop culture, it loses its identity and its hardcore fans look for alternatives. However, it is also too big to fail lest at least half of the attendees leave. However, it is developing competition. Anime Los Angeles (ALA) is slowly gaining ground that AX loses. Former fans of AX also flock to another four day convention, Fanime, which boasts that it’s designed for and by fans. As this writer’s first ever convention back in 2011, I hope that AX can become great again so I can continue to attend. Sleep tight.

P.S. AX prices are too damn high. ALA was only $70 on site and Fanime was $85. Meanwhile, AX 2018 is $82 and scheduled to go up as the con gets closer.

The Blanket Fort

A place where everyone can pretend to stop being an adult, but with the freedom being an adult gives you. The Blanket Fort seeks to talk about animation, gaming, and general geek culture while at times tying together with politics and western society as a whole.

Travis Lionel

Written by

A writer and journalist with a passion for nerd/geek culture and photography. Politically driven, he seeks to walk the line between politics and pop culture.

The Blanket Fort

A place where everyone can pretend to stop being an adult, but with the freedom being an adult gives you. The Blanket Fort seeks to talk about animation, gaming, and general geek culture while at times tying together with politics and western society as a whole.

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