Announcing a new anime convention for the Central California area

It’s no small secret that Otaku no Podcast is very California-centric when it comes to anime convention coverage. Unfortunately, financial reality being what it is, I can’t really afford a trip to any of the non-California conventions, both in terms of money (or the lack of it) and in terms of time. I’m even not able to make it to many of the ones in our home state, thanks to the generally sucktacular (and virtually nonexistent) intercity public transportation system. (Life sucks when you live in California and can’t drive.) If not for what little public transportation we have, such as the wonderful Bay Area system, or the LA Metro system, I wouldn’t even be able to make it to the few cons we do go to. Which is why, when I heard about a fairly new (only in its 2nd year) convention starting up fairly close to us, my ears perked up.

Anime Five Cities (which, as mentioned before, is only in its 2nd year) is a small fan-run convention in the San Luis Obispo area. They claim to be the central coast’s first anime convention, and I believe them. It’s being held at the Ludwick Community Center in downtown San Luis Obispo, CA on Saturday, June 18, 2011, from 11 AM till 7 PM. (Hey, I told you it’s a small convention…)

Guests of Honor include voice actress Lauren Landa, illustrator Irene Flores, and the fine guys and gals of the AniMaid Cafe. Also, even though it’s a small con, they’ll also have some traditional con favorites: some live programming, dealer’s room, artist’s alley, video screenings, and even a cosplay competition.

Pre-registration is open until June 4 and will run you $11; after that, tickets will cost you $14 at the door. Attendance is capped at 400, so don’t delay.

Some of you might blow off smaller conventions, thinking that the only cons worth going to are the big ones. And some people I know (perhaps certain Otaku no Podcast cohosts) have the exact opposite view, that the big cons are way too much trouble and the only ones worth attending are the smaller, fan-run events. Me, I see merit in both, and I have this “discussion” with that co-host in question at least two or three times every year. What I’ve said to her time and time again still stands: each has its merits, and I will continue to frequent both large and small cons. You can’t beat the large cons for the sheer star power they can attract (in terms of guests of honor, etc.), as well as the sheer awesomeness of their dealer’s room and breadth of live programming. At the same time, the smaller cons are great because you get to meet and hear from some of the lesser-known (but just as interesting) figures in the industry, and get to know your fellow fan in a more intimate setting. And you should definitely support the smaller cons too, because, well, even the big guys had to start somewhere…

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