I will not be attending Otakon 2008 – It’s a shame

A friend of mine who reserved the hotel and what not last year doesn’t feel up to doing it this year. Honestly, I’d take charge and do it myself but I’m not really up to it. Otakon is in the beginning of August and leave for Japan only a few weeks later. It would be a big waste of money for me. Well, not a waste. Hell, I want to go but I need to keep my money. Plus, I’d be in Japan which basically is the place to buy anime.

I’d love to go though. I always seem to find some kind of show to get into or some neat expensive crap. Like the first year I went to Otakon in 2006. It was my first anime convention. My friend and I drove up and stayed in his car to sleep. It was so freaking hot in that parking garage. We cannot believe we did that. I bought a bunch of useless garbage like Shana’s pendent from Shakugan no Shana, and the ring featured in Rozen Maiden. I got a Yakumo Tsukamoto figure that would only be signed a year later by Mamiko Noto. The big find this year, was the limited edition Tokimeki Memorial box on the PS1. We spent a lot of time kinda just wondering around trying to figure out what to do though. Got into 2×2=Shinobuden that year. Watched what they were showing there and then got the rest when I got home only to laugh my ass off.

Otakon 2007 we took some more people down and got a hotel room. I enjoyed it because I kinda wandered off more, but I still spent more time in the Dealer’s Room that year. I got a bunch of stuff. Mostly Mikuru figures, and most importantly the Higurashi no Naku Koro ni doujin games. I’m still in the beginning of that even after almost a year now. I didn’t even get to the point when Keiichi starts seeing shit. ORZ Wish I could read Japanese…Saw Mamiko Noto and got her to sign the for mentioned Yakumo figure, and saw Sakamoto who signed my Final Fantasy Tactics manual. My friend ended up getting drunk during the 4chan panel. Least it was at the end of the night so nothing big happened… But because of him I missed the Higurashi anime premier. I wanted to shout USO DA! I gave Lucky Star a second chance because I was watching its premier here, but I still ended up not liking Lucky Star in the end…

I honestly just like Otakon for the atmosphere, guests and the Dealer’s Room. Just seeing all these people gather together with similar interests is amazing. Although, I wish I could meet some new people while I’m there too… The panels are more or less fail and uninteresting. *cough* 4chan panel *cough* The line was better for the 4chan panel than the actual panel at Otakon 2008. Wtf?

So, as much as I want to go to Otakon I will probably not be attending since I need to save my money. I wonder if I’ll ever manage to go down on my own some time? I have this fear of driving long distances alone.