Sakura-Con

Sakura-Con  is an annual anime convention spanning three days, held during March or April at the Washington State Convention and Trade Center in Seattle, Washington. In the years before the twenty first century anime fans hatched a plan for an anime convention when they were unsatisfied with the amount of anime content represented at conventions such as Norwescon. Originally named Baka!-Con, (baka or ばか is Japanese for idiot,) the first convention was held at the Double Tree Inn in Tukwila, Washington in 1998. In 2000, Baka!-Con changed its name to Sakura-Con, (sakura or 桜 {alternately: さくら} is Japanese for cherry blossom).

Neku Sakuraba is the main protagonist in the game The World Ends With You

Sakura-Con's rapid growth prompted a search for larger venues. In 2004 and 2005 Sakura-Con had to limit its attendance to 5,100. Even with the attendance cap, Sakura-Con was ranked the eighth largest anime convention in North America in 2004 by paid attendance figures, and tenth in 2005. When Sakura-Con moved to the Washington State Convention and Trade Center in Seattle, Washington in 2006, it roughly tripled its capacity for attendees.Since its beginning, starting with 313 anime fans, Sakura-Con has grown to be much more than a local event. In 2006, only about half the attendees were from the area.

Girl as Link

The convention features a vast array of programming and activities, such as industry guests, various discussion panels, and anime screenings. It also sports a large and lively Exhibitor's hall where one can buy many things related to anime or Japan. Various contests are hosted, including anime music video, cosplay, fan fiction, and karaoke contests, as well as a fashion show. The event hosts multiple J-Pop concerts featuring popular groups such as The Slants. An art show and auction as well as a charity auction benefiting the Make a Wish Foundation are also hosted. A variety of gaming rooms provide console/video, PC/LAN, CCG, RPG, and tabletop gaming. Cosplay is an integral part of Sakura-Con.

The awesome thing about cosplay conventions such as this one is that you can be any character you want, regardless of your occupation, background, etc. Some people feel inclined to exactly mirror their character in both costume and body shape, but this isn't really necessary or encouraged as 1. the costumes can be very difficult to obtain or create, whether you don't have the materials to make it or it's just plain expensive and 2. most anime bodies are either equipped with a tiny waist and unrealistic proportions of their chest (females) or they are seriously buff or even rail thin (males). Also, a girl can cosplay as a male character and vice versa, they usually look fine either way.

Goku

Take Goku for example of complications; it'd be extremely hard for a guy to achieve that body type, unless they are already in possession of it. Hair styling/wigs also represents a problem. Also the outfits can be very intricate and complex, but generally only the more serious cosplayers attempt to achieve the desired look. You don't have to know a lot about anime or video games either, simple know your character, and go with the flow, but obviously it's better if you do know the series, as people will ask you about it. Don't worry about fitting in; random people will run up to you and hug you, and you'll probably get engaged in conversation about your character, etc...at conventions it is VERY easy to make good friends. At Sakura-Con there are places for video gaming, so you can also have fun kicking some butt in Brawl as your character.