First, forgive me if something like this belongs in the anime forum, but it does include things about gaming and comics as well. Plus, I wanted to share my experience with everybody and this is the best forum to do so.
So... Sakuracon- here in Seattle over the past weekend. My buddy and planned to go the entire 3 days, but he had duty yesterday so we couldn't. Instead, he went on Friday for the day and gave me his pass so that I could go yesterday (I basically got in for free). Pretty cool experience. Thousands of people there, more were dressed up than those who weren't and the convention center was huge. 4 floors and dozens of rooms featuring things like AMV shows, gaming tournaments, merchandising areas, cosplay chess and lots of other events spread out over 3 days. Some people had so-so costumes, others had badass costumes and some even had funny ones (troll face was a good one). A lot of them were willing to do poses for everybody. It made me wish I had one, but even when we planned the trip a couple months ago I couldn't figure out what to go as. Although I know now, it's a matter of if I can make it. I'll tell you what it is I now want to go as at the end of this post.
Anyway, I took a crap load of pics, so lets get you guys looking at 'em...












This station here had some really great-looking airbrush picture of different anime and game characters. Was almost considering picking one up.




This guy stayed true to the character. He didn't say a word around anyone.


Not sure how this fail of picture was taken, but I decided to show it to you anyway.


Ghost, from the Call of Duty: Modern Warfare series.







This is from that same art station. Funny quick story- not even 10 seconds after I took this, someone over the intercom made an announcement for people to not take pictures of pictures, and that it was becoming a bit of a problem. Yeah, I looked around making sure I wasn't in trouble. I can understand why they didn't want that.


The "5" Paths of Pain.








Not sure who they were supposed to be, but she was carrying that big prop (maybe a cannon) around and it looked really cool.


Cosplay chess that I missed all but the last 3 minutes of.


I thought this was cute. A baby in a Squirtle costume.


The gaming room for tournaments and free play.


Cool female version of Gaara from Naruto.


What was going on out here was weird. A hug circle or something. Toss a bottle in the air and whatever person it's pointing at you walk, run or whatever to him/her and hug, basically tagging that person into the circle. I just watched for a while and didn't participate.



And Troll Face. What was funny (and awesome) about this guy is that he was doing the strut wherever he walked. I even watched him walk up to some random guy eating a hot dog, getting right in his face. The dude's reactions were that of surprise and, funny enough, slight anger from annoyance. Troll Face did his job well.


I left sometime after at pic was taken and went to hang with my buddy who lives in Seattle. I met up with him at the Space Needle with a few friends. I took this colorful pic outside on the ring walkway.


If you're into anime, or even if not and you're into gaming or comics, it would be in your best interest and well worth your time to go to an anime convention at least once in your life. At a big one like this here in Seattle there is a lot to do and even more to see. You'll have a good time. And as for what it is I plan on dressing up as the next time I go to one- this guy:



Hope you enjoyed the pics.

You're so lucky you got to go to Sakuracon! My friend and I were watching the niconico.com coverage of the convention for the past couple days and it looks so awesome! I recognize some of the featured cosplays in your pics.

Is this your first time going to an anime convention? It really is an amazing experience. People from all over the globe come here just to celebrate their love for anime and even dress up as their favorite characters. x3

Here, I get to go to Anime-Expo, which is the equivalent of Sakuracon but a bit bigger. So at least I'm lucky in that way.

And that girl with the big cannon I recognize as Black Rock Shooter from the series with the same name. I'm surprised she made something so huge (though the one in the anime is bigger).

Wow, one of the best conventions i've seen. Utterly speechless right now, especially after seeing all those gundams, so wish i was there.
Oh cool i also see david went dressed as cloud strife!

That looked like a great convention. I personally have never been to one but it looks like a pretty cool thing to be at.

Look like it was interesting! I never been to one of these . there are nothing of this kind where I live . The closest BIG city from me is Montreal with 6 hours to get there with a car...

Looks like a fun time! Thanks for sharing the pictures!

I've never been to Sakuracon, but a few of my friends have been there and said they had a good time. Even though I'm not really into that much Anime, I do think it would be a fun time.

You don't even have to be into anime. Just think of it as Halloween at a convention center with activities and such. These things, while called "anime" conventions, never have ONLY anime themes. Games and comics are a good part of it too. It's a good way to interact with a lot of people and see different things. There would probably be something of interest to you there.

I have never had the opportunity to go to one of these before, but after seeing the pictures, it does look like a good bit of fun.

Thanks for the pictures, I do not know that much about anime besides maybe a few, but I still think that it would be a great experience.