Looking back on this past year, I believe that everyone can agree New York Comicon was better than Anime NYC this past 2021…
For that one Friday anyway.
There were definitely some scuffs and rough spots during this year’s Anime NYC, but it did smooth itself out when the organizers finally got a handle on the situation regarding the lines. Anime NYC 2021 definitely brought some solid hitters to the show and it has aided in what would’ve been a quiet end to the year of conventions in New York. While I personally felt that this year was one of the weaker Anime NYCs, it still had the same love for Anime, Manga, and Japanese culture.
However, at the time of writing, it was revealed that there was one attendee that was exposed to the Omicron variant of COVID-19. You would’ve expected something like this to happen at a bigger venue like New York Comicon, but it wasn’t the case. While they had security and staff checking for COVID status, it was too much for the crew and it overloaded them. If Anime NYC had done something similar to NYCC, like having the empty lot across the center to check for attendees’ status, perhaps it would lessen the chance of such an event. Alas, they did not conduct such a method and it led to a pretty bad first day that left many angry, furious, and disappointed. While the situation has developed after a few days since it placed a spotlight on Anime NYC. For better or for worse.
But even from that story and reactions from it, there is still no denying it did also bring a weekend of respite in such tough times. If you can bear with the rough opening day, it was satisfactory overall.
Another Brief Respite in a time of Uncertainty
Now you are probably asking, “Why bring this event up after many months?” “Why not write up soon after the event?” Admittingly, due to daily responsibilities and other stories that piled up soon after I couldn’t squeeze time in unless it was the weekend. And only if I am free on said weekends. But now that we are in a better state a few months after, I feel there is some clarity I can write in regards rather than an immediate review. Plus it seems that the organizers have learned their lesson since.
As with New York Comicon, to open a convention during a pandemic is on one hand foolish and should not happen for safety. On another hand, it granted a good time for otakus in New York. Putting aside the COVID check for and line management a moment, the opening area by the entrance is what you expect from prior years. There is the Fate Grand Order banner as they have set up every year since the first year. Some main differences are the Attack on Titan art exhibit out by the entrance and naturally the different banners of anime for the season. Spotlighting animes like Ranking of Kings, and Mamoru Hosada’s Belle film. There were distractions for any kind of fan should you seek it.
There was something that Anime NYC offered that was different from priors years. A major increase is the anime voice actors and autograph sessions that were available at the center and the main floor was all utilized for the event. Similar to the New York Comicon, there were booths and stalls for shopping and the artist alley is always a pleasure to traverse and visit. If anything, it was nice to travel to the center and the floor again. Though course with the world situation as it is, some booths had to downsize to maintain space in between like New York Comicon prior. But overall, it was held in good fashion and followed the regulations of the center. Though it was a bit of a letdown that they can’t use the entire center and the extension further down.
The Mihoyo Trouble
If there was one major booth that was eventful, it was the Mihoyo booth for Genshin Impact and other properties. I don’t need to say how successful Genshin Impact has been since its launch. When it was said that there would be merchandise to buy from the series, needless to say, it was a big target for many attendees. But it was then announced on their official Twitter that unfortunately that the merchandise for Genshin Impact was held up at Customs, and would not make it in time for the event. So now they had to make a change for attendees who want the goods but don’t know this news.
As you would expect from conventions, people immediately rushed to the booth to get the goods and it created a big crowd. Even with COVID guidelines and management, it became too many people in a single spot especially when it’s right in front of an entrance to the exhibit hall. Management then decided that whoever is the first 100 to be at the booth, they will be allowed to write their email address to sign on to buy the Genshin Impact goods online later on. At the time of writing, I was able to get my acrylic stands about 4 months after the event. They even covered shipping costs, which was nice of them.
Though you can probably imagine the rush and chaos when racing to get a spot. So now you get some fans pissed off not being able to get the good they have been waiting for. And at the time of writing and being able to buy from the online pop-up store, prices greatly differ as compared to stores like Kinokuniya. For example, character acrylic stands sell for 15$ each on the online store. In retail stores, they sell at 25$ each. So in the end, if you weren’t lucky at Anime NYC, you would be paying much more now.
The Gamble and Change
So asides from the bad initial Friday and the Mihoyo booth trouble, overall, the convention went well as usual. Though if there is constant criticism for its conventions, it will be of crowd size and direction. Especially in regards to the COVID response of the one attendee. The organizers and Head of Anime NYC Peter Tatara acknowledged the roughness and areas that needed improvement for that year in his post-show message. So in order to alleviate the crowds and congestion, they have decided to cut down the limit of the tickets being sold. Limit being badges this year at 4,500 3-Day, 14,600 Friday, 14,600 Saturday, 14,600 Sunday, and 400 Professional Badges. Limit of 2 for the 3-Day pass and limit of 6 for a single-day pass. With the prices baseline with the 3 Day being $95, the single-day selling at $65. That is before tax and convenience fees. So in total, you would pay about $110 for a 3-day. Course it be due to the recent world event in Ukraine and the rising costs around. They have acknowledged the price increase, but sadly it had to be done to cover the costs.
The tickets went live on March 31 and as you can expect, the 3-Day pass sold out within the hour it went live. Naturally, people were not happy with how quickly it sold out. Though in hindsight, this is what happens with New York Comicon tickets every year. So it really depends on how you feel. This is what the organizers have to choose in regards to the calculus of costs, sponsors, locations, and other factors that can change instantly. To balance the logistics and sponsors while trying to please the fans and attendees. Many will say that this is a fair trade, while others will say otherwise. Naturally you can’t please everyone, so Anime NYC had to make a firm choice. Whether it was a good call, we will just have to wait till then.
Personally, I feel this decision was justified. When I was there for the first day, it was clear that it did not have an organization like New York Comicon in its handling of COVID checks. Course it was expected with the difference of budget between them. And the limit of badges to cut down on overcrowding and to ease the burden of staff and attendees is a fair trade. Even with Anime NYC being the smaller venue compared to NYCC, it can be seen as a benefit for attendees and for general safety. Now it will depend if they can balance it with the quality of exhibitors, panels, and the guest list. And now with the new variant warnings of COVID, it will be a challenge if they can keep the safety while satisfying customers.
Whether or not the organizers of Anime NYC have learned from their mistakes will remain to be seen. Will they take a serious stance on the safety of COVID slowly resurging? Can they balance the price of admission while keeping a quality that is reminiscent of the first year? Will attendees know better and prepare for the situation? So many questions that need to be asked. I can only hope that the world and people have learned since then.
The sooner we learn from this event and the past year, the sooner we can get back to life and enjoy anime, manga, and the convention life again.
