SacAnime Summer 2011 Report: Part 5 - Epilogue

Before I get to my overall thoughts about this convention, there is a bit more to this report.

Since I got home late Sunday night, I didn't get the chance to swing by Aaron Brothers. So when I woke up Monday afternoon (yes, I slept in since I was convention tired), I went over to the store in Elk Grove to get the commissioned portrait and the autographed poster framed. In fact, I've been to this particular store to get all my signed merchandise and convention memorabilia framed: The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya poster from FanimeCon 2007 (my first big-time convention), the FanimeCon 2008 program book signed by members of GAINAX, and the Hardcore Synergy signed poster from Anime Expo 2010. While I got the standard poster frame for the signed SacAnime Summer 2011 poster (the same one I got for the Hardcore Synergy poster), I found this beautiful frame for the commissioned portrait and the art looks much more stunning in the frame. Even the staff were giving the artist much praise, and I hope she reads this because you did a wonderful job.

Most of the people that I talked to shared the main two concerns about this convention: the lack of anime viewing rooms, and crowd control.

Back in 2009, it was crowded because they condensed everything into the main building and didn't utilize the courtyard rooms. This year, they did use those courtyard rooms but was still crowded because the convention has probably reached full capacity. I've heard rumors of this convention finally moving to the Sacramento Convention Center or the Double Tree across from Arden Fair Mall. Wherever they move, they need to move quick because if the higher-ups wait any longer then this convention is going to get a visit from Mr. Fire Marshall, and when Mr. Fire Marshall visits a convention he's not there to buy some Hatsune Miku plushies.

Then we have the lack of anime viewing rooms. While I do agree with the man from Saturday about informing the attendees about the lack of anime viewing rooms, I have to look at it from an economic standpoint which I explained in the review video: if you can get another room with higher traffic, then you're going to go with that activity. Of course people are not going to be satisfied, but that's how the world of economics works. In the short run it might hurt them in the comments section, but in the long run it'll pay off for them.

Overall, I had a wonderful time reuniting with my hometown convention in my backyard. I didn't do it alone this time either: I would like to thank Robbie for supplementing my coverage and collaborating with me on a daily basis. Robbie is a very valuable member to me especially when covering Northern California conventions, and I hope that we get to collaborate on more conventions like this.

I had a ton of fun doing everything possible, hanging out with friends and acquaintances, and meeting old and new Guests of Honor. And like I mentioned before, the chips are falling my way allowing me to attend more major local conventions while attending the ones down in Southern California.

I would also like to thank Kazu of Run Around: Network for having me on his panel Saturday afternoon, the press staff and SacAnime staff overall for allowing us to cover SacAnime Summer 2011 and putting on a great show, and all the Guests of Honor for their interactions with us during the weekend.

That concludes our coverage of SacAnime Summer 2011. Look out for Pacific Media Expo 2011 coverage as we round out this convention year!

私のレポートを 読むためにありがとう。
Thank you for reading my report.

-SacAnime Summer 2011 Report End-