[Scienceisgood]

Hey guys;

I was just wondering, but, are there any anime cons in the UK coming up this year/next year? I have never been to one and would like to go. However, from what I have seen, unfortunately the American ones are infinitely more epic to look at.

[vin]

There's lots all over the country. And vary alot in terms of what they offer and cost. The london expo is the largest probably the cheapest. But there's not really all that much aside from a big room to buy things and new games to try. It does get very crowded. There's alot of smaller ones around the country at various times of year which last several days and have alot of different events going on. But these can be quite expensive.

[Carecup]

(Original post by vin)
There's lots all over the country. And vary alot in terms of what they offer and cost. The london expo is the largest probably the cheapest. But there's not really all that much aside from a big room to buy things and new games to try. It does get very crowded. There's alot of smaller ones around the country at various times of year which last several days and have alot of different events going on. But these can be quite expensive.

Are you referring to MCM? I thought about going to that but I was kinda looking for an anime specific con rather than a general nerd con type of thing.

[vin]

(Original post by Carecup)
Are you referring to MCM? I thought about going to that but I was kinda looking for an anime specific con rather than a general nerd con type of thing.

yeah mcm expo started as more of a sci fi thing but includes alot of others now. It might be worth having a look at if its near and you've not been before.

[helen-a-ravenclaw]

Kita-con is an all anime hotel based convention that used to be held in Northampton, but has been moved to Birmingham in the past year.

I believe there's also a convention called Fuyu-con which is another anime hotel based convention but I'm not sure where it's held.

For sure MCM Expo in London is the biggest convention for the UK, and while it is a general convention, you do get a high proportion of anime people attending.

There are loads going on in the UK, just use google and I'm sure you'll find all that you want to know ;3

[Tabris]

You'd be quite surprised.

I have little-no interest in cons at all, the only interesting things are usually exclusives that only seem to ever happen at American cons, Comiket or WonFes, things are over-priced and I don't think I could hang around for more than a few minutes.

But, over the last year or so I've heard about dozens of conventions that are both anime specific and a bit more general, so you just have to keep an eye out. Like people have said, MCM is supposed to be the biggest and most popular one and it does get quite a bit of attention.

[LickOfPaint]

(Original post by saey)
IF you're in London there is the London Anime Con (google it), it's for over 18s only due to their insurance.

I've never actually been myself, but it's a biannual event in north london. It's also quite cheap to get in.

I went along last year and it was just...awkward.
Lots of unsociable people gathered together to read books and watch random episodes of random anime.

Seriously, that was it! It was even hosted in a bar, but no one drank anything.
Most bizarre.

[vin]

(Original post by LickOfPaint)
I went along last year and it was just...awkward.
Lots of unsociable people gathered together to read books and watch random episodes of random anime.

Seriously, that was it! It was even hosted in a bar, but no one drank anything.
Most bizarre.

Heard alot of bad things about this one. Really couldnt reccomend it, especially with the reputation the group running it have.

[PKAuroraBeam]

There's Amecon coming up this August, it's the largest UK run convention held at Keele University. It's the standard panel/event/gaming/anime convention with parties every night (where you can buy drinks or take your own). Though it is 18+. Never been to it before but i'm going this August, just went to Kitacon and it was pretty awesome.

[Einheri]

(Original post by LickOfPaint)
I went along last year and it was just...awkward.
Lots of unsociable people gathered together to read books and watch random episodes of random anime.

Seriously, that was it! It was even hosted in a bar, but no one drank anything.
Most bizarre.

You've pretty much described 90% of people attending anime conventions anywhere in the world.

[QHF]

If you live in London anyway it's worth a giggle, but I wouldn't bother travelling for the MCM expo.

[python05]

(Original post by QHF)
If you live in London anyway it's worth a giggle, but I wouldn't bother travelling for the MCM expo.

Me and a few friends are heading up to MCM on Saturday next week, you are definitely correct. It's fun to have a look around; but the feeling I got when I went in October was that of a massive boot fair. It was cool and all, but not what I was expecting really. Still I'm going back, and if anyone from here is; let me know!

[helen-a-ravenclaw]

(Original post by python05)
Me and a few friends are heading up to MCM on Saturday next week, you are definitely correct. It's fun to have a look around; but the feeling I got when I went in October was that of a massive boot fair. It was cool and all, but not what I was expecting really. Still I'm going back, and if anyone from here is; let me know!

I'm going to expo next weekend!

I can see why people wouldn't like expo, it's not like a hotel con with lots of panels, events, screenings etc but for me it's great because each year I always meet a few people who become great friends and it's one of the few times we can all meet up together due to everyone being scattered all over the country.

It's my fifth year on the trot going to may expo, and I can't wait!

[harufi]

MCM Manchester! Ran for first tim last year, and it was brilliant, £6 for fast-track entry in Manchester Central, lots of stalls, artist alley, robot wars and guests.

YCCon (Doncaster) is a lot smaller, 2 rooms, everyones very sociable but its not exactly a "con" compared to the others, moar like group dancing :P

[WheepingRose]

Sunderland and Sunnycon. The first year Chris Sabat and Veronica Taylor it was awesome well worth the trip Next year who knows but it will be better.

[VickyDoodle]

MCM Expo's kinda crappy, but if you wanted to go there I'd suggest Telford (in Feb) over any of the London ones.
There's LFCC in terms of general nerdy-ness by they have an Anime/Cosplay/J-Culture Zone.

Kitacon's amazing, but it isn't running this year - normally held every April.
AnimeLeague put on Alcon every September, but there's also London Anime Con (LAC) which is next weekend and other times through the year, and ALCL (AnimeLeague Club London) on the first Sunday of every month.

There's also Auchinawa,Bunkasai Festival, J-Culture Con, Amecon/Ayacon, Fushicon.. keep an eye out for GemuCon next year.


(You can tell I'm a lot into the con scene.. ¬.¬ I crew for AL and am also helping to set up a new convention next year.)


Edit: Gunna jump to the defence of AL here. There's been a lot of negative talk in the last few years about the group, although never having been to LAC, Alcon's great as a cheap thing to hang out with friends. The parties aren't quite up to scratch with Kitacon but for the price you're paying it's worth it. It's easy to make a lot of new friends.

[Herbadacious]

The only ones I've been to have been MCM Expos (I live in Telford, and the Expo is the only good thing about this town!) but one I've been hoping to go to is Alcon. That's at the start of september, however, so it's not looking likely

[Ja-m-ie]

I'd have to agree about the American ones and the Japanese ones are fantastic too.

I went to Comiket about a month ago and it was mind-blowing. There were so many people! If you're interested, I made a vlog on it: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7iwXVjDeg1s