Are you a geek who’s big into anime, comics and games (ACG)? Then ACG events are just the thing for you! An ACG event is a fan convention which primarily focuses on pop culture media including comic books, video games, anime, movies and much more!
Here, you get to play games, buy pop culture goodies, meet and greet cosplayers and you can even be a cosplayer yourself if you want to! BUT before you set foot in your first ACG convention, here are a few golden rules to have a fun and safe time without impeding on other convention-goers!
1. Bring and use deodorant. LOTS of it.
It wouldn’t be an ACG convention if there are no large crowds, kan? And with every large crowd, unbearable BO is sure to follow. ? So don’t stink up the whole venue and make sure to apply enough deodorant before you enter! And it’s not enough to just use one before going to the con; have your deodorant handy in your bag in case your first application wears out in the middle of the day!
2. Bring as much cash as you can before you arrive!
“Cash is king” as they always say and that goes for ACG cons too! The overwhelming crowds at most ACG events tend to disrupt many people’s mobile connections, leaving them unable to pay for goods via e-wallet or QR. And don’t even get us started with the long lines at ATMs!
So don’t forget to cash out before you arrive at the venue so that you can avoid any hassles when you want to buy tickets, merchandise, food and the like!
3. Mark your weapon props appropriately.
As with most conventions and events, ACG conventions typically prohibit realistic replicas and imitation arms. So if you’re bringing weapon props whether you’re cosplaying or not, you’ll need to head over to the Prop Check Counter first to get your props appropriately tagged. Different events may have different guidelines for properly tagging weapon props, so make sure to do your homework beforehand by reading their Props Policy!
And last but not least, if your weapon prop is deemed too risky to tag, kindly cooperate with the staff members by leaving the prop at the Prop Check Counter or removing the item from the convention area.
4. Don’t block traffic. Only stand or sit in designated areas.
Speaking of large crowds, never underestimate the number of attendees for any ACG event regardless of how big the venue is! So on that note, make sure to keep yourself moving so that the hundreds or thousands of people in front or behind you don’t get held up in walkways. If you have to stop somewhere to check your phone or take a picture, make sure to do it in designated areas permitted by event staff!
And speaking of taking pictures…
5. Always ask for consent before taking pictures.
As we all know, an ACG event is the best place to scope out other geeks in awesome cosplay gear! So of course, who could resist wanting to take a picture with people costumed as your favourite superhero or anime character, kan? But before you do that, make sure you have their attention first and confirm real quick if they’re okay with you snapping a few photos of or with them.
To add to that, make sure that you communicate clearly what kind of pose you want them to make and if they’re comfortable doing such poses too!
6. Don’t just prepare for the con; be ready for the aftermath too!
Post-con ailments are not uncommon, especially for ACG rookies. So to help you minimise (or hopefully avoid) the effects of these post-con issues, here are a few things you can do to circumvent them:
- Con flu/disease: Being in spaces full of people makes it easier for you to catch illnesses from other unwell visitors. To prevent this, wear a mask throughout the day to keep diseases at bay. While you’re at it, have some medicine ready at home in case you do catch the flu, migraines and the like!
- Aches and pains: You’ll be walking and standing around for hours at a con which may lead to straining your back and feet. Whether or not you’re in cosplay, you should invest in some orthopaedic insoles to keep your feet comfortable! You’re also encouraged to stock up on pain relief patches; back and neck pains after a con should NEVER be underestimated!
- Post-Con Depression: A short period of dispiritedness will often come after a fun weekend at an ACG event, especially if you’re a first-timer! To alleviate this, consider doing something productive such as exercising, talking to a friend or colleague or maybe start making plans and prep for your next ACG convention!
But like they always say, experience is the best teacher. So just take a gander at one of the cons available throughout the year and most importantly, have fun! Speaking of available cons, here are some Malaysian ACG events in 2023 for your consideration:
AMIGO Grand Time 2023 [16-17 Sept 2023]
? 11am-8pm
? Vervea Trade & Exhibition Centre (VTEC), Penang
? RM50 per 2-day set
? Website | Facebook
Cos-Mic 2023 [3-5 Nov 2023]
? 10am-7pm
? Sunway Pyramid Convention Centre, Petaling Jaya, Selangor
? (TBC)
? Facebook | Instagram
Comic Fiesta 2023 (20th Event) [23-24 Dec 2023]
? 9:30am-8pm
? KLCC Convention Centre, Kuala Lumpur
? (TBC)
? Website | Facebook | Instagram
Also watch: Malaysian Cosplayers Answer The Internet’s Most Asked Questions
