The Case for Cons

Last year, I had the pleasure of going to my first anime convention. It was an incredible experience with amazing cosplay everywhere, panels with new and interesting content, and so many different creators that I nearly burned through all of the money I had. It was honestly one of the best days of my life but the most beautiful part, was the community I found. Everywhere I looked there was a woman who looked like me having the time of her life. Whether she was buying merch at the artist alley, or dancing to anime openings at a sing along panel, or posing for pictures in her bomb cosplay, they were there and then it hit me- even though these are expensive women, specifically black women, that like anime or manga or K-pop or whatever NEED to be going to these conventions. Period!!

Now, I understand the hesitation, I really do. The idea of going to a con is very unappealing upon first thought. Many of us are introverted and shy and while there is nothing wrong with that, it does make being around half naked strangers celebrating what could possibly be one of your guilty pleasures, very intimidating. Also, EVERYONE IS BROKE and spending 90 dollars on a convention when you've been stealing toilet paper from the janitors at work seems crazy but when you're almost guaranteed to have a life changing experience, it's worth it. I could really go on and on about why you should suck it up and sell blood to go to a convention but I think it's easier for me to break it down in the only way I know how- with a slightly disrespectful list of reasons and rebuttals:

Reason 1: Sis, I don't have food in my fridge and I'm so broke I don't have the $1.75 to do my laundry

Reason 2: It's weirdos at these Cons I don't wanna be around weirdos

Reason 3: I'm a weirdo and I only like niche things and my interests won't be represented

Reason 4: I live in Nowhere with Eustass Begge and my cowardly dog courage and there's no conventions here

Reason 5: I'm dusty as hell and I hate to have fun and feel like I'm among my tribe 

Rebuttal 1: I get that. We've all been there and by all means, you need to have clean underwear before you even think about going to a convention. I know it's hard but if you really want to go, it can be done. If you save $10 dollars a week, you will be able to afford to go to a $90 dollar convention in 9 WEEKS. Also, there are smaller conventions that are just as good as the larger ones but also more affordable. Anime Expo and Anime North are great, but not everyone can afford them. The convention I went to last year, Otakon, is $95 dollars for the entire 3 day weekend. Blerdcon is $55 for the whole weekend and is literally FOR BLACK NERDS. You can hack a cheap convention experience I believe in you!!! 

Rebuttal 2: I dOn't wANna Be arOUnd WeIRdos... okay sis, maybe you should worry less about judging people living their best lives and fix the lace on your cosplay wig worrying about weirdos. You can't call anyone weird and all the music you listen to at the gym is in another language you have never even attempted to learn. Just go and try not to be so judgmental, damn.

Rebuttal 3: There is literally something for everyone. There has to be or else these cons won't survive. Be it the idol sing-a-longs or the hentai hours late at night, the people who run cons understand that more niche =more money because of how unrepresented these interests are at other cons. THEY WILL HAVE YOUR THING so don't worry about it. Also, ignore raggedies like rebuttal 2 and you'll have a good time. Go and be great in your weird!

Rebuttal 4: More people than you think are interested in anime or manga. It isn't a secret that millions around the world love it. So more than likely there is something close to you. If you live in Illinois there's Anime Midwest in Rosemont. If you live Hartford, Connecticut there's ConnectiCon. There is a convention for almost every state in the United States and in several countries including Mexico, Australia, and Germany to name a few. If your interested in finding more check out animecons.com for a full break down of upcoming conventions and their locations!

Rebuttal 5: I have no help for you. If you proudly claim to be dusty here is no answer for you, truly. Stop being dusty?? Honestly, enjoy your life. Stan your favorite zaddy in public. LIVE omg you won't regret it and you will meet people and take great pics of amazing cosplay. It's a win- win miss dusty so try not to get left behind.

Now that I have perfectly solved all of your issues and concerns, I hope y'all make your way to these conventions. Us weeb women deserve to enjoy ourselves and have a good time. We also deserve to meet each other and support each other, be it in our content, our cosplay, or whatever. I'll see you guys there!