Introduction

Over Thanksgiving Break, I attended an anime convention called Sugoicon. The expectation for all of us was to spend the weekend at Sugoicon wandering around aimlessly, admiring merchandise we could not afford, playing video games, and checking out cosplayers (people who attended in some form of costume or another). It was easy to spot people who had never been to a convention (like me) because they spent the entire time gazing around themselves in amazement. I had never seen so many people with the same interests gathering together with such enthusiasm.

Ethnography

To adequately explain Sugoicon and its attraction for many people, a few elements of the convention bear explanation. The first thing most people notice about an anime convention, and the most memorable aspect, is the prevalence of so-called cosplayers. Cosplay.com defines cosplayers as “the theatrical and flamboyant branch on the family tree of “otaku” (extremely devoted anime fans), the ones who design, construct and self-model their homemade costumes and props in homage to their favorite anime, comic, video game and Japanese rock band characters.”

Another item that is a veritable necessity at any anime convention is the video game Dance Dance Revolution, more commonly referred to as DDR. DDR is a game in which players attempt to match the directions given on a screen by pressing buttons with their feet, simulating dance steps. A player’s score is based on how accurately he can hit the buttons in relation to the music and displayed directions. A DDR machine is set up so that two players can complete side-by-side for the highest score.

Ethnographic Analysis

The purpose of an anime convention is so that like-minded people can bond in an environment where it is safe to be as enthusiastic about their hobbies as they wish. Whether this is through joining a population of beloved characters, or through DDR competition, the social nature of conventions is a given. Most people cannot commonly walk about dressed as cartoon characters, so cosplayers will often take any chance to do so very seriously. The opportunity to show off their costuming abilities (and admire the talents of others) is enough to bring many people from convention to convention, year after year. Cosplayers bond with other attendees by finding common ground. It is not unusual to find complete strangers dressed as characters from the same game or series taking photos together and exchanging contact information.

DDR players also form social bonds with one another, though in a slightly different fashion. The attendees who wait in line for the DDR machine are usually the most competitive and ostentatious. They are not just there to play the game. They can do that at home. They are there to compete with others and gain respect from their peers based on their gaming abilities. Even frequent DDR players are more competitive and more ambitious when faced with an audience and competitors from across the nation and occasionally further. DDR takes on a whole different meaning at a convention, and some players claim that they play the game so often to be more successful at conventions. There was no formalized DDR tournament at Sugoicon, but a hierarchy quickly evolved between the novices and the truly formidable competitors. Good DDR players are more or less respected wherever they go at a convention for their dedication and enthusiasm.

Convention Symbolism

What makes a convention interesting as a ritual is that it is full of symbolism. Every cosplayer is literally a walking symbol. To take on the identity of a particular character is akin to channeling a particular spirit in some religious rituals. Particularly revered characters often appear frequently at the conventions, and there is some informal competition to see who can portray the character most faithfully. It is a way of bringing a character to life that exists only in a form of folklore.

At Sugoicon, it occurred to me that the cosplayers were behaving a bit like participants in another kind of ritual. In rituals which include the re-enacting of some event of legend or folklore, each character must be depicted by somebody. Participants who do their part well honor not only themselves but also whomever is being portrayed. In the case of an anime convention like Sugoicon, the culture heroes being honored are anime, video game, or comic characters. In fact, at some conventions (though not Sugoicon) there are rooms dedicated to Live-Action Role Playing. In these rooms, cosplayers must spend the entire time “in character” to more effectively channel the character down to the convention. The ancient Greek tradition of revering heroes is alive and well at conventions where a particularly inspiring character can literally have a following that reaches almost religious intensity.

Another symbol at a convention is an attendee’s level of DDR skill. Mastery of DDR is a status symbol that displays dedication, as well as natural talent. At a convention of enthusiasts, dedication is highly prized, and increases one’s social status. Often the most impressive DDR players are considered almost a separate social class, and are treated accordingly.
One aspect of any anime convention is the Dealers’ Room. This is usually an enormous room filled with rare anime products as well as fantasy-style weaponry and clothing. The Dealers’ Room is part of what makes a convention special to many people. According to Sugoicon.org, in 2004 19% of attendees are attracted from across the country just to browse the Dealers’ Room. There are even foreign food products for anyone who wants to purchase them.

The consumption of a snack called Pocky is really more popular than one would expect, considering that Pocky is little more than chocolate-dipped stick-like cookies or pretzels, and the taste is somewhat less than spectacular. Many of the people with whom I attended did not even like Pocky, but ate it anyway as part of the “Convention Experience.” It seems that eating this with a group of fellow anime enthusiasts is a way to bond and find common ground. Even though each person may come from a radically different background, coming to a convention facilitates meeting like-minded people and experiencing the same convention rituals together.