Get ready to pack your cat ears, schoolgirl uniforms, and outrageously large swords because anime convention season is upon us. Cons are the place for anime fans, or Otaku, to truly be themselves. You can come in costume, meet a super famous J-rock star, or attend panels around your favorite series. The largest and most famous con is Anime Expo (or AX), and it is less than one week away. This event boasts an annual attendance of over 45,000 otaku and floods the LACC (Los Angeles Convention Center) and its surrounding area. Its notoriety is such that even mainstream news website cover it. It is one of the few cons that has become widely recognized, even to the point of being a household name. Given that the next largest con (Otakon) is merely half its size (and on the east coast), this is no surprise. For over 20 years AX has the most prominent example of anime fandom in the U.S... however, that all could change.

As your reading this, in the halls of the Anaheim Convention Center, another convention is being prepared -- one that occurs during the same weekend as AX and for FREE. This is highly unusual as Anaheim and LA are a stone’s throw away from each other, if you have access to an automobile (which is everyone in Southern California). This convention, known as AM2, is a complete newcomer to the scene, but if you look closer you will find that there is more to it than would seem. In its inception, AX’s original venue was in Anaheim. What’s more is that AM2’s staff are mostly AX veterans. The plot thickens when you consider the size and scope of AM2. Typically new cons are only one or two days and begin humbly. They attempt to establish a name and fanbase before expanding. However, AM2 is a three day con in a very notable and expensive venue. While this is not explicitly stated, AM2 certainly seems to be positioning itself as a direct competitor to AX.

AM2 is no chump, and its events and guest of honor are in no way trivial. It will feature such notable people as Akihiko Yamashita (the director of Howl’s Moving Castle and Ponyo) and the J-pop girl group SCANDAL (who has been featured in FMA and Bleach). Certainly the most notable Attendee will be Masao Muruyama, who founded the animation studio MADHOUSE. He personally has been involved in titles such as Card Captor Sakura, Trigun, Death Note, and the critically acclaimed Paprika. Event wise, it has the normal con fare of anime showings, panels for every series you could think of, a dance (with some very high profile DJs) and a masquerade. In this sense AX does have it beat, as it goes beyond what a con of smaller size and stature can offer. Its more unique events include Anime Singled out, AX Idol, Battle of the Bands, AMV chef (an otaku take on Iron Chef), and Last Comic Standing. Even its cosplay events go beyond just a masquerade competition, with a tea ceremony, chibi masquerade, and masquerade ball. The question, then, is do these events justify the extra cost?

AX, is by all means a bigger con. Its guest list is larger by almost 3 times, its run time a day longer, and its venue bigger. But this comes at a price. Its most expensive ticket runs at 150$ dollars for exclusive seating rights to panels and exhibits. However most people will get general 1,2 and 4 day passess. These will be between 50-70$. It should be noted that AX has gotten more expensive over the years. In 2008 a two day pass was $40 where today it is 55-65. AM2 does have its own costs. While it is free to enter, some select events, like entry into the AMV contest, will require a ticket. However all of its more important events (Dance, Masquerade, Concert) are completely free. It has a similiar VIP pass as AX, but it is also at a fraction of the cost (at most $50). What this really does is beg the question, why we go to cons? If it is for the atmosphere, the cosplay, and the social aspect, than AM2 will have you covered. This puts AX in an interesting position, as its biggest draw is its name. For some, such as competitive cosplayers, those looking to make industry contacts, the press, and aspiring artists, this can mean a lot. For others, AM2 is a worthy alternative, but since when was this needed?

The next part of this article includes information on AX’s history and more behind the reasons of AM2’s creation. It includes quotes from an inside source, who prefers to be anonymous.

In the early days Anime Expo was a far cry from the mega convention it is now. Its first location wasn’t even in southern california. It was not until its third year that it would move to Anaheim and then with an attendance of only 2,000. It would inhabit this location for the next 17 years. Growing in size 20 times. Given its proximity to Disneyland, this is not surprising. My source had the following to comment with regards to this locale:

“Anaheim has a costume friendly attitude, as it is near Disneyland. Its convention center is a fine size, easily accessible, with lots of food and a large variety of nearby hotels. I understand why ax left there in the beginning, because their term was up, however, instead of working with the very helpful union , they tried moving to new things - much more costly places that made life very hard for everyone trying to attend/vend/cosplay. It has been an arduous affair.

Just as san diego learned to embrace comic-con, Anaheim learned to embrace Anime Expo, and we were both sad to part.”

If things were so great in Anaheim, than just why did AX move from it? Well, according to my source and several others, this was the same year that a change in management. A new management that sought bigger things. A higher profile con with more attendance and bigger names, and this mean that it would outgrow the limited capacity of the ACC. Indeed, upon moving to Long Beach, AX’s attendance grew almost 8,000. However this was not without its own problems:

“In Long Beach we suffered from hate crimes, hotels that were too far from the convention, and a union that made AX almost impossible to function."

“The crimes we experienced there weren't even directed at ***** for appearing bi-sexual. They were directed at our group for no other reason then that we attended the convention, and cosplayed (dressed up). One occasion in Long Beach we were egged. A group of girls not even legal to be driving chased us all the way back to our hotel (which, thanks to the location of the convention was quite a walk, over 8 long blocks) egging us. In the end, they didn't notice a red light, crashed into the car in front of them (a father and his four kids heading home from the con) jamming their back bumper into their wheels so hard they couldn't move.”

News like this wasn’t uncommon. Several complaints and threats of boycotts caused the con to be moved to downtown LA. But, ask any student of USC, and you’ll know that this area is notorious for its crime. Furthermore the surrounding areas hotels and food venues are much more higher, and there is no free parking... anywhere. While the location is less than ideal, the venue is. After moving to the LACC, AX’s attendance again jumped 6,000. Furthermore many events utilize the Famous Nokia theatre. It would appear that what is good for the con isn’t as good for the fans, something many realize.

“A lot of the staff who helped create the name AX are now moving back to AM2 for the freedom to do a con the way they want. The name AX still holds a lot of sway. That's why three people in my party are going up to AX just to compete in Masquerade, for the name. World Cosplay Summit only picks from certain cons, and AX is one of them.

Anime cons are moving from being cult, to being mainstream, and becoming a family event, much like comic con. People who attended AX high school and who are loyal to it, have family and younger siblings who are now coming with them. This doesn't take away from the 'party' atmosphere, which still goes on at night. However i do feel that the rougher neighborhoods are inappropriate places for me to bring kids. I have had a number of very close shaves, and Anaheim is far safer."

And so AM2 is born. If anything we find that it is both a spiritual sequel to AX as well as being its chief rival. What does this mean for you? Well, in this final week many have already laid out their plans and the jury is still out on AM2’s success. As I am personally heavily involved in the anime community, I can safely say that AM2 doesn’t have the same kind of hype that AX does. But in a few years this could change entirely. AX has the established name and fan base, but AM2 has the value and solid programming.

“It's all about who you know, and the staff who knew people, who cared about the anime world... well, a lot of them have moved to AM2. So I'm not surprised a lot of their big names followed them.”

What is certain is that when cons collide... we benefit. So which con will you guys be attending? Anime Expo or AM2?