Anime Mid-Atlantic Noob Advice.

[KatieElric-Chan]

Aren't I just infamous for these? I have one in the AZ and Otakon forums XD

So,I'm considering going to AMA now because it's in my city.
I started this forum to learn more about the people that attend AMA,and what they have thought of it and wether they recommend going or not!

Thank you for all of your help XD

[KurzesHaar]

Now that AMA is in a new venue that I've never been to in VA Beach, I can't say much about the hotel itself, though I hear it may be a bit small. Overall, the con last year was fun. It's not a huge convention, but definately sizeable and there are a good amount of cosplayers. The dealer's room had a good selection last year and the Artist Alley had some great artists. The Hall Costume Contest was well run, and the Masquarade was pretty good.
Even having the con move 4 hours away from me instead of 45 minutes away, I'm definately still going, so especially if you live close, I think it's worth it =)

[Nekko]

I went to AMA last year and while it's a great deal farther from me now I am glad it moved. Being in Richmond was a pain and last year all the security guards were on some kind of power trip... If anyone saw me last year I was the Umbrella dancing Temari. But the guards made me stop cause I was "Prostituting?" Also apparenty the slit in my skirt was too high. Girls and Guys walking around half nakid and I have to change?
*sigh* I hope this year with the change in venue we have a change in general attitude.

I really hope that the con is worth it this year.

[Southparkninja]

AMA 07 was not bad just my planning for it was. You know how some procrastinators work... well every thing worked out aside from me loosing my 3 day pass on the first day of AMA 07 >:( man that made me mad at myself.



but anyway AMA 07 was a great convention to attend. Yes, its not a Nekocon or like some of the larger ones but think of it this way the smaller cons will have less people and well that makes it easier to go home with some goodies like: artwork, swords ect......

Yes since the convention moved to VA beach which is no problem for me since i can get there in an hour. Thats if Williamsburg VA (64 east) is not backed up.

I recomend at least going for the weekend if not one / two days

[XoPinkuSpiderxo]

Like everyone has said AMA is a bit smaller than other conventions but for me that makes it easier to make new friends and be more easily recognized by everyone (especially if you participate in the masquerade.) Since the venue is new to me it's hard to comment about the security or hotel staff (both were pretty terrible last year) but it should go over alot smoother since the hotel it moved to has hosted several Neko's and Katsu's.

[Gogglegirl]

I've been going to AMA consistantly for...3 years now. It's a really nice con. I like to call it the "familly con" You see a lot of younger kids there, there are a good amount of the older generation (is that what you would call it? i dunno) there too. It's really relaxed because there aren't a zillion people there. Sometimes I find it a bit lacking in the events and things that I personally want to do, but it's still good. The dealer's room is really nice actually. They had A LOT of good stuff there last year (sooo many cute plushies!!! among..other things) The artists are pretty good too! The Masqurade is always good too. it's not insanely long and you get some good skits in there!

I have no idea about the location or the hotel because it's moved....so i can't help you there.

[KwEeNofKoRn]

Well this will be my first AMA and Im half excited, half not. Since its in VA Beach its a VERY long ride from where I live. 4 hours I think actually >_<. And i HATE car rides so it will be hell for me.

But i would like to get to know this con a little bit more until I actually go. Im aware its a pretty small con compared to others but is it still fun? I mean, is it somewhat like a smaller version of Katsucon maybe?

[Itachi4]

Hello I am new here and kind of new to AMA and was wondering if anyone could tell me what its like there. This is my first year actually going to one of these conventions and would like to know about it before I go.

[bekku]

Okay, first of all this hotel was where Nekocon spawned and it is probably my favorite location of Nekocon so far. The hotel is very tolerant of cosplay and the convention. The only thing they had a peeve about was if you carried real swords or guns without an orange cap, but other than that they didn't really mind about much else.

Yes, the place is small, and Nekocon at one time had to cut off at door registration, so pre-register if you really want to go in case maximum capacity is reached. The hotel itself, from what I remember, is really nice and easy to get around in. Also it's not too far from the beach if you ever want to go.

All I can say is I'm mainly going to relive my old Nekocon memories, but the place is a fun location.

[Itachi4]

Thank you for the advice thats pretty much everything I needed to know. So again thanks....now all I need to do is decide if I am going to cosplay or not lol

[GodivaScar]

Definately cosplay! AMA was my first con for cosplaying and the people couldn't've been nicer!!!! We were swarmed with cameras and we felt like rockstars! Cosplay!

[Itachi4]

it sounds awesome r u going this year? I wish I could cosplay but I am unable to so I guess I will just go and hang out

[GodivaScar]

I'm definately going this year, my boyfriend's on staff, and I know a lot of the people behind the con. Even with the location change, the con will still be about the same size it was just a couple years ago.

I'm sure there are a lot of boards about this here, but a lot of people cosplay with very limited resources. Some swear by Goodwill, others torment friends to make costumes. The con's a few months away, so see if you can pull something together. Remember it doesn't have to be complex to remind people of their fav characters!

[Itachi4]

thanks I will try to make a coustume if I can...thanks for the Advice I look forward to going

[Chikane-chan]

I've never been to AMA or Nekocon, but I plan on attending one of the two this year. I was wondering if anyone who has attended both could give me advice on which is more enjoyable. They are both about the same distance from me, so distance isn't really a deciding factor, but I can only afford one.

[fatalinjection]

I've never been to AMA or Nekocon, but I plan on attending one of the two this year. I was wondering if anyone who has attended both could give me advice on which is more enjoyable. They are both about the same distance from me, so distance isn't really a deciding factor, but I can only afford one.

Nekocon.

[Southparkninja]

Nekocon.

Nekocon has more to offer for what you're paying. It may have more people but there are more panels, events, shows and many other things.

[XxEmo SasukexX]

O_O;; I didn't want to post another thread, so I thought I would just come here. What kind of dance is at AMA? Is it like..a rave? I need to know so I can pick out the right outfit. xD;

[GreatSG]

Nekocon has more to offer for what you're paying. It may have more people but there are more panels, events, shows and many other things.

Strange cause as far as I've heard Nekocon gets worse every year and it was terribly boring the year I went.

AMA doesn't offer much more but i've ran a few panels there the last few years and they always get me a good setup.

[hmmjawhat]

Wow... "Nekocon has more to offer..."

I didn't know you could get much worse than Nekocon. I was considering going to AMA, but now I think I might pass...

[MoChan]

My impresion from the past times I went was that AMA had more to offer. Nekocon didn't have much in the event section, like concerts, but AMA did. Other stuff too, I wouldn't say that AMA is worse than Nekocon at all.
But thats my opinion.

[Jsc0114]

I'm glad I chose Anime USA instead of nekocon since nekocon sounds like epic fail. AMA was okay, but there was an epic pool party that i went too that made up for everything. It was a pretty good con even though i almost got my ass kicked by some drug dealers. Yeah we had to walk to our hotel.

[MoChan]

I'm glad I chose Anime USA instead of nekocon since nekocon sounds like epic fail. AMA was okay, but there was an epic pool party that i went too that made up for everything. It was a pretty good con even though i almost got my ass kicked by some drug dealers. Yeah we had to walk to our hotel.
Richmond has the number one crime rate in VA. (I was told when I went last year). So yeah, just some random info for yah there.

I'm kinda glad it will be near the beach this year though. When is Anime USA?

[XxEmo SasukexX]

So, like.. .-. Is Anime Mid Atlantic....lame, or something? o.O;; Me and all my friends are really lookin forward to it, but it seems from what people are saying it isn't very good?

[MoChan]

hey hey!!! Look forward to it!!! It's an anime convention!!! Of course it'll be fun!!!

I wouldn't trade it for the world :3

[XxEmo SasukexX]

hey hey!!! Look forward to it!!! It's an anime convention!!! Of course it'll be fun!!!

I wouldn't trade it for the world :3

Eh, true... Katsucon was my first con, and I loved it. x33 So I'm more than happy to go to any other anime cons I can.

[MoChan]

I know, just hanging out with the cosplayers makes it worth while! I dunno what a con would be w/o the cosplays~

[XxEmo SasukexX]

I know, just hanging out with the cosplayers makes it worth while! I dunno what a con would be w/o the cosplays~

Yup! lol. XDD Ehh, I look forward to it. :] I'mma do Shippuuden sasunaru w/ my boyfriend. <33

[MoChan]

cha~ how very cute! I will find you both and take a pic! >w<

[Kaoshima]

Okay, first of all this hotel was where Nekocon spawned and it is probably my favorite location of Nekocon so far. The hotel is very tolerant of cosplay and the convention. The only thing they had a peeve about was if you carried real swords or guns without an orange cap, but other than that they didn't really mind about much else.

Yes, the place is small, and Nekocon at one time had to cut off at door registration, so pre-register if you really want to go in case maximum capacity is reached. The hotel itself, from what I remember, is really nice and easy to get around in. Also it's not too far from the beach if you ever want to go.

All I can say is I'm mainly going to relive my old Nekocon memories, but the place is a fun location.

That's because VA has strict gun laws, namely, "Shadow Laws", where an officer is well within his rights to shoot first and ask questions later if he believes he's being threatened with a gun.

Lesson: Be careful with your props, kids! Especially if you're toting around a prop gun, make damn sure it has an orange tip.

I'm pretty sure it's legal to have live steel in public though, as long as it isn't concealed (concealed weapon, etc.), the reason they don't allow it at cons is partly because of the sheer number of people, the fact that some otaku unfortunately aren't all there upstairs (it's true, some chick at the last con I went to started poking me in the eye with a fork... :mad: ), and also, it's usually just the policy of whatever venue it's being held in.

[Shuichi_Huggler]

It's definitely worth attending, if you ask me.

Sure, the last two years weren't as good because of the strict rules and security (which, sad to say, were probably necessary what with all the crime that goes on down here), but AMA has been and probably always will be my favorite convention.

I'm hoping it goes back to that "homey" feeling this year, since it will be returning to a hotel location. Most of my best memories of AMA were when it was at the Sheraton and whatnot. It was just...better.

Anyway, AMA definitely has the best cosplay skits of all the cons I've been to (which include Anime USA, Otakon, Nekocon, and Momocon besides), so that's definitely worth going to see if you attend. Also people tend to be very friendly and accepting, not like at some other cons I've went to where people bashed each others' costumes ( ::coughnekoconcough:: ).

Finally, the convention staff are rather awesome. They always have some great jokes to crack, like the trashcan podium thing and other instances at cosplay and opening/closing ceremonies.

If you've got time, definitely go to AMA. =3

[XxEmo SasukexX]

Meeeep~ o.O Shuichi Huggler. :O What kind of dance is at AMA? Is it like..a rave?

[Shuichi_Huggler]

Emosasu: Pretty much. Not as good as Otakon's raves, of course, but the first I ever went to. Most anime convention dances are raves, after all. All glowsticks and DJs and black lights. If that's what you mean. =3

[XxEmo SasukexX]

Emosasu: Pretty much. Not as good as Otakon's raves, of course, but the first I ever went to. Most anime convention dances are raves, after all. All glowsticks and DJs and black lights. If that's what you mean. =3

Oh, otay. :] Yeah, I'm sure Otakon's is awesome...I can't wait to go. Katsucon was my first con and I went to the rave there, I thought it was pretty fun. Seeing how it was my first. XD Hah, anyways. I was just making sure because my friends wanted to get their whole rave outfits together. Xp Thank you. <3

[Shuichi_Huggler]

You're welcome.
If you go you should definitely have a blast.
Half of the fun of conventions is making it fun with crazy antics, after all. xD

[goth girl]

I've never been to AMA or Nekocon, but I plan on attending one of the two this year. I was wondering if anyone who has attended both could give me advice on which is more enjoyable. They are both about the same distance from me, so distance isn't really a deciding factor, but I can only afford one.


save up some money for the one june. Me and My step sis went to them last year and we had really good time. You should go and check it out. You never know you might make some new friends. They really cool stuff too. Hope you can make it.

[dExtrosien]

I have gone to AMA since the second year. It is always a lot of fun for me. It is the only con that I attend, mostly because I can't really afford to travel that much right now. There have been 3 different venues that I have been to now and they each made for different experiences each year. I kinda missed the Koger Center, but I got used to the Convention Center last year. I am really going to miss the huge event room. This year will probably seemed cramped compared to last year, but the staff is really wonderful and I expect it to be a lot of fun. I'd definitely recommend checking it out especially if you live nearby.

[Muffinyness3]

Me and my friends are considering this con one year. Is it worth a couple hour plus drive out there? :') How big is it compared to other cons?

[Fory-san]

This past year's NekoCon was somewhat of a bust for me (of course, I've been attending since the very beginning so I've seen it change quite a bit from its olden days). The last time I attended AMA was in '05 and that was only for one day. I've had to work every weekend it was going on, but when I found out it was going to be in VA. Beach this year, I am there. From what I experienced three years ago, it's a very enjoyable event. It's small so it's easier to run into friends of yours. Plus, I enjoy their interesting panels.

[goth girl]

Me and my friends are considering this con one year. Is it worth a couple hour plus drive out there? :') How big is it compared to other cons?

It is really big. The one me and my step sis went to in hampton was pretty small. This one in Va Beach is a whole lot bigger. Me an My step sis are going as Dir en grey cosplayers. I hope you can make it there.

[Windigo]

I've never been to AMA or Nekocon, but I plan on attending one of the two this year. I was wondering if anyone who has attended both could give me advice on which is more enjoyable. They are both about the same distance from me, so distance isn't really a deciding factor, but I can only afford one.

I say neko-con because this year they are bringing in 2 bands one of which is Echostream who i saw At katsucon and Otakon and they rock. So because something like this is a first for Neko I say hit it up.

[RandomCosplays]

I'm going to say, AMA 07 was fine not very crowded.. but AMA 08, ohmyfuckinggod, I got exicted on the first day of the con, and the second day of the night of the rave, really did suck.. I suggest one thing though. I am really castrophic(spelling?), I get really edgey when people are like ubber close in my face. There was a guy, who got into my flippin' face, and I started backing off, and afterwards, he laughed and walked off. I mean, I have had times when people at cons push me into a group of people and they make me mad. I get nervous when I'm in a group. D: That's why I did cosplaying, I actually at my second con, had to let someone hold me in order to comfort me. She was a great friend, for helping me out. I still thank her for that. But sorry to be random, but KatieElric_Chan, happen to remeber a cute Edward Elric at AMA 08 near midnight? It's me. ^_^

[KatieElric-Chan]

I'm going to say, AMA 07 was fine not very crowded.. but AMA 08, ohmyfuckinggod, I got exicted on the first day of the con, and the second day of the night of the rave, really did suck.. I suggest one thing though. I am really castrophic(spelling?), I get really edgey when people are like ubber close in my face. There was a guy, who got into my flippin' face, and I started backing off, and afterwards, he laughed and walked off. I mean, I have had times when people at cons push me into a group of people and they make me mad. I get nervous when I'm in a group. D: That's why I did cosplaying, I actually at my second con, had to let someone hold me in order to comfort me. She was a great friend, for helping me out. I still thank her for that. But sorry to be random, but KatieElric_Chan, happen to remeber a cute Edward Elric at AMA 08 near midnight? It's me. ^_^

You mean the one who became really buddy buddy with Sammy?
XD

[RandomCosplays]

You mean the one who became really buddy buddy with Sammy?
XD

Maybe.

[sazumebachi]

i heard ama is 18$ to get in is this true? if it is im going to start going to more cons in virgina!!! virgina rules!!! <3

[Spencer Sisters]

i heard ama is 18$ to get in is this true? if it is im going to start going to more cons in virgina!!! virgina rules!!! <3

Um. No.

I think the cheapest it ever was, was $20 pre-registration at Nekocon.

[Kaoshima]

... words fail me at this time...

[Crusader_8]

I would say both AMA and Nekocon are both equally worth going to. Partly because they're now both going to be at the Hampton Roads Convention center (I talked to AMA's owner to get that info although it's probably common knowledge now, I havent checked the site). Also, both cons are big enough to hold the attractions we love such as J-rock bands but small enough for the owners and staff to go the extra mile to ensure we all have a good time. They're also small enough cons for fans like me to chill with the voice actors, which is nearly impossible at Otakon. AMA has had a couple of bad years, both at the Richmond Convention Center, but it mostly due to Richmond itself: Richmond's reps would not lift the curfew for AMA, even though they lift curfew for rap concerts (VERY hypocritical imo), the convention center staff was very rude to con-goers, NOT the AMA staff, and the Convention center was simply charging way too much money and setting too many rules for the AMA guys to do their thing.

From my current understanding, the owners of Nekocon are mad at AMA for using the same convention center and have claimed AMA will hurt their business. Nekocon 2008 proved that wrong imo, since that was the biggest best-est Nekocon yet. I mean, it was the first time I had to wait in line to register! Either way, both cons being in the same place will encourage growth of a better business and better community for both conventions and con-goers alike.

[Kaoshima]

Nekocon's just butthurt because they think conventions are like gangs, with "turf" and stuff. It's stupid.

[BeautifulDirt]

I'm thinking of going to the next one since it's closer to me now.The only con I've ever been to was Nekocon (three times lol) so I know nothing about it! :D
Well, do they have a rave both nights? If they don't what do they usually do the other night?

Oh, also, there is a karaoke contest right? Are the sign-ups usually at the con?

[browneyedkitty]

yes, AMA does a rave (though i heard that last year there was a bit of trouble with the dj...), they do the anime karaoke, and last year there was (i think their very first) also rock band idol which was one of my favorite things. i found last year to be a bit cramped, but the move to hampton should help them with space and since this didn't have to be an elventh hour move like to va beach, the crowd should be bigger this year.

[spiritedaway55]

hi all =3 im soo glad i found this forum ^^ because i would like to announce that this year will be my first AMA adventure v(^_^)v woo hoo excited. i preregistered and everything :bigtu: i was wondering about the epicness of this convention. epic fail? great success? what are usually some of the events and whatnot. trying to get an idea of what it is like and who's all going. argg sooo excited XD oh why does it have you be so far away :waaaah: