Anime Matsuri 2019 - A Sev's Eye View

I didn't take a lot of pictures at Anime Matsuri. I prefer to see through my eyes and not a camera lens. Make of that what you will. My husband, daughter and son-in-law took a lot of pictures and they are slowly making their way to me. Most are family shots, and those I won't really share with the general public. Those are moments to be treasure by people who will properly appreciate their import in our lives.

We bought the Anime Matsuri tickets as a birthday present for me and a Father's Day for my husband mixed bag sort of thing. Plus, we wanted to Stand with Vic because recognize lies when we hear them with no corroborating proof to back up said allegations. Plus, we're both huge anime geeks. I tend to like older Anime like Speed Racer and Black Lagoon, while my husband is an indiscriminate harpy at the Anime buffet.

The top picture is one that Vic Mignogna was gracious enough to gift me with. He was a great guy. He got up and serenaded someone standing in line. They were being patient waiting for us Superpass Line Jumpers to get our goodies. I will say, except for the panels seating Superpass holders first, this was the only jump I made during my attendance. Simply because I wanted an autograph for my grandson who is a HUGE Broly fan. He's got a brand new bedroom and Oma's stepping up the grandparental games with stuff he really will like.

We got there on Friday because I was too sick to travel on Thursday. We got our daughter a day pass and she was a trooper and tagged along with us despite having a horrible headache. The Starbucks in the George R Brown was shut down for renovations. We hauled our cookies over the walkway to the Hilton and partook of their Starbucks goodness. We met Hero Hei in line and he sat with us. Talk about a nice guy. He's legit nice and very kindly asked after my daughter's headache. We'd gotten caffeine and Tylenol by that time, and she was on the mend.

That Umbrella Guy had a booth. I'm not sure why? For two days he was never at it. He did his press credentials proud and roamed the halls and level, live streaming the whole affair and attending panels and reporting on them on his YouTube Channel. I got to say a quick hello after Nick Rikieta's For The Fans Panel. One of the best panels I attended, to be honest, in ever. I've attended a lot of cons, too.

After the panel they basically had to throw us out to set up for the next panel. Ty Beard, Nick Rikieta, TUG and Hero Hei wanted to talk to everyone who wanted to talk to them. They were awesome and, as advertised, very much about appreciating the support of their fans. They then hiked a couple of ballrooms down to crash Vic's Panel, which Anime Matsuri live streamed. Their support for Vic and all of us is a testament to how it's supposed to be done. You don't get to take my money while lecturing me on how horrible I am. Period.

We spent way more money than we'd budgeted, but that's also factored in. Because I'd gotten sick shortly after Nick's panel and went home. On Saturday I was not much better, so I let my son-in-law use my pass so he and my husband could go and enjoy and I think drool over all of the cars. I'm not a car person but even I was dropping my job at some of the art on the cars. My daughter thought it was over the Godzilla store which was next to one of the car displays, but I can honestly say, I was impressed.

We got t-shirts, art work, cups, toys, wall hangings and saw some wonderful CosPlay. In fact, we were among the few "mundanes" present.

Now, here is where I will give a huge back pat to Anime Matsuri, I did not meet with any staff member or volunteer who was not incredibly helpful and if they didn't know the answer, they helped me find someone who did. The biggest problem was there was a booth or artist plan to help you find people you'd come to see and buy from. The long lines for autographs were handled expertly and I never saw any anger or short-tempers from waits. The people in Vic's line were very sweet about all of us line jumpers. In panels they had clearly demarcated areas for Day Pass and Superpass holders. It made seating go very, very quickly with only Superpass holders being checked as they went in.

Was it money well spent? Yes, or I would not have bought the tickets. Even though I was sick the whole time, still am, to be honest. They staff and everyone was great, very helpful with finding the rooms you wanted to go to. I never saw some of the things I've seen at other cons, like people hassling the CosPlayers or the artists in Artist Alley. I heard some haggling going on, but it was all respectful and good natured.

It was a very awesome experience. It brought home to me how much I miss the Heart of Texas Comic Con. That was fun and crowded as hell. They were supposed to be moving to the convention center and things just fell apart after that announcement.

I will be going back next year. I'm hoping my reason for going this year is all sorted out. Next year I will be going just because this first experience was so much fun.