It feels like yesterday when Anime NYC arrived in 2017, promising to return Anime conventions to the East Coast. This spot has been vacated for a long time since New York Comic Con absorbed the then-New York Anime Fest. Fast forward to 2023, Anime NYC has become the top contender for East Coasters and is comparable to Anime Expo of the West Coast. With the backing of Crunchyroll, as well as support from Vtuber organizations such as Hololive and many manga/manhwa publishers, Anime NYC has become a place of entertainment and spectacle. While the growth has benefitted them, I can’t help but think that there was something lost in the transition. With some questionable aspects and critiques, I felt that Anime NYC 2023 had both enjoyable and “What the Heck?” moments.
This retrospect has been a long time coming, as it’s been stewing in my mind for quite some time, and getting it down to words was a task that I wanted to feel that summed up everything without leaving anything out.
During the beginning hours, it started as you expect. Thankfully, there was no grand opening ceremony, and it was off to the exhibits. As a medical press member, I must commend the staff for accommodating me and people with medical needs. When I disclosed my status, they allowed me to receive a medical bracelet. I was hoping that the majority of the booths on the floor had some accommodations for the medical attendees. I would expect it to be a standard for conventions these days. However, I was disappointed that most of the main feature booths I visited didn’t have accommodations.
One such booth was the Shift Up Studios’ Goddess of Victory: NIKKE booth. With the booming popularity of the game, it was a sure bet that many attendees would stop by this booth. Having a chance to score some goodies and an exclusive hoodie didn’t hurt matters. However, one must complete a fairly difficult shooting range to win the hoodie. Combined with the long line and crowdedness of the convention with a schedule of panels to attend, that last stamp would be a rare opportunity. At first, the person manning the booth was somewhat rude and said they had no accommodations for medical attendees. Thankfully I aced the shooting range on the last day of the convention and got the last stamp needed, and one of the employees helped me to get the hoodie. So, while I wish more booths had medical accommodations, it wasn’t enough to sour my experience at Anime NYC 2023.
Thankfully, other accommodations for medical helped make the experience better, such as allowing earlier placement for line autographs and panels.
Anime NYC continued with last year’s system of reservations for attending panels. There was a solid lineup, ranging from Undead Unluck’s mangaka Yoshifumi Totsuka and voice actress Moe Kahara, who voices Fuuko Izumo of the same show. We also had some of the English casts of Zom 100: Bucket List of the Dead attending, such as Zeno Robinson, Laura Post, Abby Trott, and Allegra Clark. So, if you were a Fire Emblem or a Persona fan, this was a great moment to meet the voice actors behind your favorite characters. Another highlight was that Crunchyroll held 2 nights of concerts on Friday and Saturday that weekend. It was also the first time that famous composer Hiroyuki Sawano was appearing in New York. The concert was held on the top floor of the Crystal Palace and not on the usual main stage of Hall D. That was reserved for the Hololive concerts and special appearances.
If I have learned anything about Hololive over the years, it is that it has grown, and many are dedicated fans. Many of them, locally and abroad, attended Anime NYC in swarms. It was a major part of Anime NYC that year. The first concert was a paid entry and starred Hoshimachi Suisei, with the appearance of the Hololive’s favorite rapping reaper Mori Calliope. I was a newbie in regards to Suisei, but after attending and listening to the concert, I can understand the work she has put in and why she was renowned in Hololive. The audience was full of blue glow lights, and her vocals put on an amazing concert. It is just an unforgettable experience. Especially in her performance of “GHOST“.
The second event of Hololive was the appearance of Hololive Advent, starring Shiori Novella, Koseki Bijou, Nerissa Ravenscroft, and the twin dogs Fuwawa Abyssgard and Mococo Abyssgard. This session is a Q&A in which they figure out what New Yorkers do in the city, like what the prime tourist spot is, and what is the most iconic food in NY. The session was fun, and I enjoyed hearing their knowledge and taking on New York. The booming success of Advent, since debuted, is just a sight. Now I cannot escape the rabbit hole of the Biboo tax and the dogs that want to protect people’s smiles with their Fuwamoco Mornings YouTube sessions. If you need a pickup in mood or some cheer, visit them on their socials and YouTube.
The last Hololive event I attended on Sunday was with Hololive Indonesia, starring Kobo Kanaeru, Pavolia Reine, Ayunda Risu, and Moona Hoshinova. This was the last stop of their virtual video concert tour viv: ID CRUISE. This concert is the highlight event for Hololive. The energy of this concert and the girls was just something else. The kuso gaki energy of Kobo, the grace aura of Reine, the chipperness of Risu, and the maturity of Moona. We talked in the A1 Podcast about how big the market for Vtubers is in South East Asia. Now that they had appeared in New York, it feels unreal. I am a fan of Pavolia Reine due to her artist Mom and Mangaka IIDA Pochi (Pochimaru), who has authored The Elder Sister-Like One. There is something about a Hololive concert, wherever it takes place, that you need to experience at least once. Maybe it is the unity of the fandom. Or it is the talents themselves having fun and singing. Just that when the show was over, it left you with a feeling of euphoria and good vibes. Perhaps in the same sensation as a good movie or any other music concert of your favorite talents.
There is one major criticism I must address. This applies to the Hololive concerts and their booth on the main show floor. Hololive was adamant in their statement before the event that whoever was at the concerts or panels, NO PICTURES OR VIDEO RECORDINGS allowed. Pictures were allowed on the show floor, but no recordings were allowed. If it is under the argument that there are no copies from anyone other than Hololive themselves, I can understand a little. But let me ask this. Will some fans want to watch an attendee’s shaky perspective video? Not likely. Plus, the lack of picture coverage of the concerts and panels was baffling to me.
This is coming after being able to take pictures of Chris Evans and the cast of Final Fantasy VII Rebirth at the New York Comi Con. Even though I and other press members were present, we were not allowed to take any pictures for coverage. This is one part of Anime NYC that needs to be amended. New York Comic Con has a dedicated section for the press. If they were scared of videos and media coverage, at least they would know that a part of the audience would be press and could warn press members of certain parts of the panel/concert. If it is under a cultural difference pretense, I feel it’s a bit backward. We can take shots of real people, but not of virtual avatars or Vtubers. This was heavily enforced as I noticed Javits Center staff and Anime NYC crew, patrolling as the concert/panel was happening. Even on the upper balcony, staff was overwatching and enforcing the Hololive events. Not as much during the Suisei concert as it was during the night.
The fact this was enforced on the main show floor exhibit is also baffling. You have hundreds of people coming and going in your space. Pictures were allowed when a talent would appear on the scene, but no video recording, even when your booth is right at the entrance of the show floor, is a bit much. Even standing far from their main screen hundreds of feet away, Hololive staff would say no. Hololive Staff-san, I can understand the part about no copies of the event unless it is from you. I’m very sure you have the corporation power to send cease-and-desist on any copies you find on YouTube or elsewhere. So unless the uploader has malicious intent to profit from it, most attendees would want to record it solely as a memento of the event. Plus, not allowing press people to do their jobs is rude. So again, for panels and concerts, have a dedicated section for press members so that you know who’s who aside from the badge indication. Let us do our jobs.
Aside from that critique, the rest of the event was overall enjoyable. The Onigiri panel and other events were another highlight of my experience. However, it was not to the point of overtaking my euphoria of meeting the cast members of Final Fantasy VII Rebirth and an autograph with them at NYCC. So, I have to give the point to New York Comi Con for 2023. Now setting sights for 2024, Anime NYC is preparing to be even bigger. On the eve of Anime NYC 2023, they released a statement in response to the changes at the venue and the date for next year. Instead of November again, it will now be held in the Summer August 23-25,2024. For reference, that is the same time as Otakon.
❗ IMPORTANT ANNOUCEMENT ❗
Anime NYC 2024 moves to August! Please read our full detailed post in regards to our new date announcement.
See you next year August 23-25, 2024! 🍎#AnimeNYC #ANYC #AnimeNYC2024 #ANYC24 pic.twitter.com/48AO4UKhGJ
— Anime NYC (@animenyc) November 16, 2023
So instead of bearing the cold, it will now be held in the Summer day’s heat. They have acknowledged that the lack of use of the entire Javits Center has limited them for the past few years, but they stated they will use the main Javits Center building for the first time. This means more tickets will be sold, and panels and features will be added to the event. Also mentioned is that ticket sales will be sold earlier this time around. Fans were taken aback by this as this would be another blind purchase before guest announcements. It was later that they moved the sales to January. The 3-day weekend and Anime NYC + badges ($129+ and $429+ base price, respectively) sold out within the hour it went on sale. It’s safe to assume that many had faith in the next convention, even with no knowledge of coming guests.
However, it seems that blind faith may have paid off. A month after the ticket sales, they started revealing the guest list. First, they announced Love Live! Superstar!! actors Sayuri Date (Kanon Shibuya), Naomi Payton (Sumire Heanna), and Akane Yabushima (Mei Yoneme). Continuing with prior years of Love Live! guests. Then we have Byrce Papenbrook, who has attended previous years. Attack on Titan, Demon Slayer, Sword Art Online, you already know him. The next one is arguably the biggest so far. They have managed to reserve the entire cast of Critical Role. Yes, THAT Critical Role. Matthew Mercer, Ashley Johnson, Marisha Ray, Laura Bailey, Liam O’Brien, Travis Willingham, Sam Riegel, and Taliesin Jaffe! Veterans in the industry. Normally available at the New York Comi Con, now appearing at Anime NYC.
The crowds will be big come August because the D&D, Anime, and Video Games fans of this cast will come in droves. With that much star power, they shared that six weeks before the event attendees can preorder autographs to redeem when meeting them. I’m guessing it is a similar preorder system to the one used in NYCC. However, if you can recall, the site for presales was flooded with traffic, and barely anyone could get through when checking out. So it was all luck. Here’s hoping that Anime NYC notes this and upgrades the servers as best they can. At the time of writing, the last recent guest announcement is that of veteran voice actor Steve Blum. Needs no introduction. The man is a legend in the industry and has been a gold standard to many. Spike Spiegel of Cowboy Beebop, T.O.M of Toonami, Wolverine in X-Men, and many more.
The current list looks to be a banger, with only more guests to be revealed later. However, some thoughts and questions need to be raised. Why now? Why not earlier? Could they have done this sooner? Some artists in Artist Alley and attendees I spoke to gave these questions, and some felt it was too late. Plus, it will compete with Otakon in the same month, forcing some to choose between the two. After experiencing prior years with the small sizes and underutilization of the center, which is only now to be upgraded, it seems underhanded. Is it due to poor organization? Logistics reasons? Was there not enough backing and sponsors to warrant the use of the whole building? Sadly, it is all speculation on why. There is one thing we can agree upon. Hopefully, they will reconsider partnering with the FBI and US Marines again when choosing sponsors. And perhaps bring back Anisong.
We’ll have to wait and see in August if these changes and improvements will be worth it. They got the guests to back it up, and hopefully, they keep their promise to use the entire Jacob Javits Center. For 2024, they will lead up first and New York Comi Con second. Will Anime NYC finally be the Anime Convention it was meant to be since 2017? Can they finally deliver? Only time will tell. Until then, See You Space Cowboy… at Anime NYC 2024!
