We have arrived at waicon 2011 for day two. Nadia has gone to get changed into the sailor uniform and I’m left standing here holding plushies and writing on wordpress. As of yet I’ve not run into anyone I know but as they say the day is still young.

So the amvs were well AMVs I suppose not really a lot to be said about them, well not by me at least. Some of them were pretty funny or such but as such not much else to say. Finally spotted Tshakoyi after the AMVs sitting a couple rows back. Next is choir Sakura in the theater mostly just to see what it’s like. Then I dunno maybe some food.

Well the choir was rather epic after they had some initial volume level issues with the piano microphone. This was eventually solved by removing said microphone all together.
After a short while with the cosplay and karaoke finals coming up we decided to get some eats. So into the busport we went to get our tasty, tasty pies from the bakery place thing. Yes I stand corrected the name has nothing to do with green anything, though there is a place like that next door. After lunch a brief stroll around the traders hall was made before lining up for the cosplay. Currently there’s god only knows how many lines merging into basically chaos trying to get in. Doors are yet to open and I suspect entertainment and a descent into some form or level of madness and chaos may ensue.

Well that was a little surprising kind of anyway, not really any chaos or madness. After the doors were opened it was more of a slow crawl all the way to a seat. Some of the cosplay was awesome and or entertaining. Including a Naruto take on 12 days of Christmas, exploding bowls of radioactive noodles, beachballs into the audience and of course Master Chief playing the cosplay song on a laser guitar. For the moment we have left the theatre because Nadia would like to get some photos of cosplayers. Though not a great deal of that has happened. Filming the cosplay has killed the large camera battery and the all one is well small and low, as of yet I may have to use the stills camera to film for the ending ceremony.

As I was writing this last update I ran into Cyron and Rory once again. Though today I didn’t manage to vaguely troll them into believing that Karko may have been present. So far bought very little though that’s not hard with no money. Got a Hellsing journal and the second season of Druaga. Watched Spike Spencer’s voice acting panel briefly. While standing around before going to put value on nadias smartrider we did see Peter’s friends go past but Nadia refuses to speak to them because they may not remember her. Which they may not but mention Peter’s party and the liftage and they might. Walking around a but more again may go to see the other spike Spencer panel yet.

After returning from adding value to Nadia’s smartrider while looking at stalls on the way to the Spike Spencer panel titled ‘Don’t Kill Your Date (And Other Cooking Tips)’, we did indeed run into on of Pete’s friends again. Slightly surprisingly Nadia took my advice and basically said ‘hi’ and such. We then continued onto the panel, whihh turned out to be rather entertaining, as I’m somewhat beginning to come to expect from Spike Spencer.

Finally we headed to the last event for Waicon 2011, the closing ceremony with auction. Being the closing ceremony winners were announced for the various competitions including video games and the various awards for cosplay. However there was a change with the prizes being picked up from the front desk AFTER the closing ceremony rather than up on stage during it. We had to leave not long into the auction to be able to catch the last bus back to Kalamunda at 7:15. But we did get to see the bike prop made out of and I quote “yoga mats and toilet rolls” go for something like $230, though that was after the girl on stage offered a hug and kiss with it. The ensuing bidding battle was quite entertaining. The following item which was a large collection of stuff from the various vendors eventually after a very long drawn out series of bidding battles went for about $600. The last item that we saw, though we did not get to see the outcome of was a limited edition Waicon bag with a shirt and a few other pieces of merchandise.  Having said that I do have some information on a couple items that sold after we left, ah SMS and mobiles handy things they are. The bag ended up going for $210 and 5 boxes of pocky and a kiss from John (the MC/presenter guy) went for $90 I can only assume to a female though it is an anime convention and there are some odd people.

That is a rather large chunk of text I know but I’m not in the mood to clean it up any, certainly not helped by the fact that I did write this a few hours ago on the bus home. However it was using the iPhone application and it decided to crash and lose all my work, RAGE. On that note though I think that’s about everything I have to say on pretty much the whole day, time for some sleep now I think.

Of course in the mean time I was trying to find a cable or way to get some space freed on the video camera. In the end I found I could copy data to a microSD and then put it back in the stills camera and then copy to the PC and so on. Eventually I managed to do this for all but the manifest files (because Nadia has a copy on DVDs) and a couple of Waicon 2010 files that were too large.

Oh and I nearly forgot prior to all of this in the morning I decided to get the printing of the ticket things out of the way. So I go down stairs get the laptop and hook it up to the printer. I open the PDF file goto print and the printer isn’t there, shows up ok in the printers section just not to print with. So I check device manager and there’s two copies of it, neither of them working properly. In the end I had to delete both and download the driver file again and reinstall.

Eventually by the time Nadia managed to finally get back from work (not her fault of course), we still manage to be able to just catch a bus from Kalamunda to the city. Which is good for a few reasons means less driving, handy because I need fuel otherwise and also that I don’t need to leave the car in Midland or Bassendean all day.

So we arrive at Waicon around 1 or so I think it was in the end, on the way into Waicon itself I ran into the other Michael from Bigpond which was a little random. We head up to the desk, get the tickets all sorted and then head into Waicon proper. Not far in we run into Keiran (aka random Waicon guy, who we originally met at Waicon 2010 while on the couches before the Eminence concert) so we end up just walking around looking at stuff and such, well mostly talking at this point. As we’re standing there talking Rory and Cyron walk past, since when the hell do they go to Waicon? So more talking follows, a little later I see one of the people from my first Cert IV walk past and oddly enough they still vaguely have an idea who I am.

We walk around the stores a few times, while most of the other people are in watching the cosplay so it’s fairly quiet. As we’re looking through some manga, I see someone dressed as the joker for the Batman movie. While they’re passing I have a look at the makeup to notice they’ve actually used something to make it look like scar tissue rather than just red face paint. After they’ve passed by I hear a familiar voice, then I realize it’s actually Josh (my cousin) and again I think since when does he go to Waicon?

After a little more walking around we decide to go get something to eat, so we head back to the busport. Where we proceed to purchase some pies from a shop there, something like the Green something. Anyway, the pies were damn good, actual meat and such in them oddly enough. By the time we finish random Waicon guy needs to head back so we go back to the maid cafe/chill-out room. Though now there’s a live band, singing in Japanese oddly enough. Nadia gets a few photos of people with socks, some dude from I think One Piece with a massive hook hand and one with Bount-kun from Full Metal Panic – Fumoffu. Afterward we walk around a little more, have a brief look at the gundam stuff and the video games. While looking at the video games we run into one of Peter’s friends who’s volunteering for Waicon.

Again we head back to the main part of Waicon, run into Tshakoyi and her friends (who after a little bit of googling later, appear to have been cosplaying lucky star). A fairly short talk ensues but then they get asked for photos, so we head into the theatre. We catch the last few minutes of I think the first episode of Durarara! Before the Spike Spencer panel about his book and such starts. He reads a few stories from the book which are quite entertaining with all the voices and such. In between he answers a few questions and then sets up for some autographs and such. So we line up for all of this, takes about half an hour to get through the line, by which time we’re kind of pushing it before he has to go on stage again for the debate. Get the second last copy of his audio CD of the book which gets signed and a quick photo.

After this we settle in for the debate about Subs vs Dubs which is all very much entertaining. With the actual arguments, rebuttals and even just the banter be quite entertaining. Eventually it comes down to the decision of who won the debate. There’s a lot of yelling and noise for each side, no clear winner though. So then the MC tries for himself and gets much the same reaction. Eventually he declares a draw……………..with dubs winning. Before quickly correcting himself saying ‘I’m sorry, I dubbed it wrong’ and declaring that subs won.

Everyone drains out of the theater, we hang around a little rather than sitting in the bus port on the hard steel benches. Then we grab a drink from one of the few stores still open in the bus port though it is surprising that any are. After sitting for a while we head down to the bus which has the back open, we suspect due to overheating. Then we head home on the bus, the trip itself obviously a little unexciting, though a couple times the driver gets out and runs to look at the engine in the back. We get off at the bus station in Kalamunda and the bus drives away with the back still open.

We head up to the ATM so Nadia can get some money out then head back to the car and home. Arrive home, get ready for bed and now I’m sitting here writing this very entry. I think that pretty much covers most of the day, looking forward to tomorrow and day two of Waicon 2011.

Highlights include:
*****
Girl on Stage dressed as Sheik: “I don’t really like Final Fantasy”
Crowd: “…AAAARGH!”
Blair: “WHAT HAVE YOU DONE?!”
(solidarity, girl; i don’t get the hype either.)
*****
At the Yuri Panel…
Princess Skye: “OK, now you get to see girls kissing!”
Crowd: “YAAAAAAAAY!”
*****
John the cosplay MC: “Cosplay! Cosplay! These pants took three months to make!” (part of “The Cosplay Song”)
*****
Tiffany, a friend of mine from my old school (who is currently undergoing year twelve at the moment, good luck to her) is an Asian girl with a passion for Street Fighter… Witnessing a particularly enthralling match:
“Fuck him in the ass! THE ASS!”
*****
The Wakey Exercises!!! By some awesome Chobits cosplayers, whom I got photos and hugs from afterwards.
*****
Sarah, on seeing me in my plug suit running at me to glomp me:
“NO HUG! NO HUGS! THIS ARMOUR IS VERY FRAGILE!”
…*hugs waist*
*****
Sneaking into the photo booth before it was open, where random people were hanging out to escape the general chaos of the con. Talking about breasts for about five minutes with a room full of girls. Being taught the Boobies song.
“Breasts are awesome!”
“YAY!”
*****
Making the costume, Blair was painting his shoulder armour:
“Is this nub?”
…you had to be there.
*****
The general atmosphere of the Con is always awesome. You know, people are just there to have fun. Everyone is really happy, there’s such a great community vibe. Everyone’s always happy to give hugs and photos and talk about anime and manga or even boobies. It’s just so much fun because everyone is in such a friendly mood.

That’s all I can remember right now, but honestly the whole thing was an absolute blast. Bring on WaiCon 2010!

I considered adding in estimates for budgets for each event but it is much harder to generate without having specific knowledge of each event’s costs.

Whilst anyone can find out venue costs, it only takes the tiniest bit of experience to know that the venue costs only make up for a fraction of the overall event budget.

Just the ticket

Animania’s weekend passes are noticeably greater than the other events so obviously these are the numbers that some people focus on in order to single out Animania. I will not try to make up a defence for those prices but I will show below that in the bigger picture things are not so clear.

The day passes for an Adult at Animania are the same as Wai-Con, Manifest is also a very close second with their door prices only $5 cheaper than at Animania/Wai-Con. The day passes for a Child at Animania are only $2 more expensive than at Manifest. Animania also has the most generous definition of “Child” being up to 15 years. Manifest chooses 14 years, at Supanova a child is 12 years, Wai-con is only 11 years, and AV-Con does not appear to have child prices.

Where art thou?

I have ranked the location of each event based on closeness to CBD as well as time taken and bonus points for multiple public transport options.

1. Animania. Sydney Town Hall is No.1 for public transport, it is literally in the centre of the city right above the train station so you can take your pick of train and bus services. No free parking but plenty of parking stations around the CBD.

2. Armageddon. Melbourne Exhibition Centre is on the outskirts of the CBD and is accessible via Tram or a moderate walk from Spencer or Flinders Street train stations. Plenty of parking onsite.

3. Wai-Con. Perth Exhibition Centre appears to be on the outskirts of the CBD (my lack of familiarity with Perth is exposed here). It is a moderate walk (10-20 mins) from the city and some bus services.

4. Manifest. Melbourne Uni is a moderate to long walk from the CBD but there are trams and various parking options in and around the Uni.

5. AVCon. Adelaide Uni is at the “edge” of the CBD, so walking distance depends on where you are starting from. Your best option to get to Adelaide Uni is probably to drive. Failing that you can get a bus.

6. Supanova. Sydney Olympic Park is at Homebush, which any local will tell you is not exactly the centre of the universe. There is plenty of parking “at” Olympic Park but expect to walk 10-20mins or longer after parking. By train you have to change at Lidcombe which is roughly 20-30mins from the city. There you must take a connecting service to Olympic Park – so expect a trip of up to an hour if coming from the city by train.

How long is a Weekend?

Animania: 23 hrs (5-10pm Fri, 10-7pm Sat, 10-7pm Sun.)
Supanova: 20 hrs (6-10pm Fri, 10-6pm Sat, 10-6pm Sun.)
Manifest: 29 hrs (2-9pm Fri, 10-9pm Sat, 10-9pm Sun.)
Wai-con: 2 days only, who knows what times?
AVCon: 2 days only?
Armageddon: ?

Manifest has the longest running times but their preliminary schedule looks quite empty at several times in the day (perhaps this will change… soon). Animania is second place with running time of 23 hrs over 3 days.

The cold hard facts

Animania Festival
When: 28-30 September
Where: Sydney Town Hall, Sydney NSW
Last reported attendance: N/A
Ticket costs:

Adult:
Day pass: $30 (prepaid) – $35 (door)
Weekend: $49.50 (prepaid only)
Child (5-15 years):
Day pass: $20 (prepaid) – $25 (door)
Weekend: $34.50 (prepaid only)

Supanova
When: 12-14 October
Where: The Dome, Sydney Olympic Park, Homebush NSW.
Last reported attendance: 8,000 (year 2006)
Ticket costs:

Adult:
Day pass: $20 + booking fee for prepaid
Weekend: $30 + booking fee for prepaid
Child (6-12 years):
Day pass: $10 + booking fee for prepaid
Weekend: N/A

Manifest
When: September 14-16
Where: University of Melbourne, VIC
Last reported attendance: 3,500 (year 2006)
Ticket costs:

Adult:
Day Pass $15 (1.5 month prior) – $22 (prepaid) – $30 (door)
Weekend $27 (1.5 month prior) – $33 (prepaid) – $40 (door)
Child (1? to 14 years):
Day Pass $12 (1.5 month prior) – $17 (prepaid) – $23 (door)
Weekend $21 (1.5 month prior) – $25 (prepaid) – $30 (door)

Wai-con
When: 15-16 December
Where: Perth Convention Centre, WA
Last reported attendance: 700 (year 2005)
Ticket costs:

Adult:
Day pass $30 (prepaid) – $35 (door)
Weekend $35 (prepaid) – $40 (door)
Child (1? to 11 years):
Day pass $15 (prepaid) – $17.50 (door)
Weekend $17.50 (prepaid) – $20 (door)

AVCon
When: 20-22 July
Where: Adelaide University, SA
Last reported attendance: 1,450 (year 2006)
Ticket costs:

Adult:
Day pass: N/A (around $20?)
Weekend: $30 (prepaid only?)
Child: N/A?

Armageddon Expo
When: 13-14 October
Where: Melbourne Exhibition Centre, VIC
Last reported attendance: N/A (first time in Melbourne)
Ticket costs:

Adult:
Day pass: $16
Weekend: $28
Child (1? to 12 years):
Day pass: $10
Weekend: $17