Day 0
I’m not sure if it’s because they mail badges out now or if people are still returning to the post-COVID world but Day 0 was dead. Almost no cosplay, very few people hanging around outside the convention, and a very quiet hotel lobby.
Day 1
Let Linecon begin. Anime Expo has always been a mess when it comes to the crowds. They’ve made some progress over the years but with the size it is now they really need to do more. Line chaperones need to be a thing. People cut like crazy, and even worse sometimes you join a line only to find out it goes nowhere. The five way intersection of West Hall is also an accident waiting to happen. They need people moving the lines along.
Day 2
The lines today were much better. After 11am there are basically no lines to enter the con. Security is very fast as well. I was grateful for the mid 80s temperatures, both for comfort and smell in the con. In previous years the Westin Bonaventure was the place to be after hours. It had shuttered the last couple cons mostly because people were being dumb. I’m glad to see it has returned.
Day 3
My final day at Anime Expo 2023 as I’m heading to the beach later tonight for some camping. Mostly focused on taking pictures of cosplayers and meeting up with friends I haven’t seen yet.