Highlights
- Anime Los Angeles 2024 featured a wide variety of activities, including an authentic maid café experience with live performances and licensed merchandise available. Dreamland Maid Café aims to open a physical location in Los Angeles.
- The convention also offered opportunities for shopping, with vendors like First Stop Cosplay and Treefrog providing cosplay supplies, accessories, and unique handmade products. Anthony Wang Shoes showcased designer sneakers inspired by anime, while Epic Cosplay offered officially licensed wigs.
- Food was another highlight of Anime Los Angeles, with Okamoto Kitchen, an independent food truck business, standing out with its anime-inspired menu. The team behind Okamoto Kitchen also produced an anime about the food truck industry, showcasing the competitive nature of the business.
- The convention had some organizational issues, including a lack of proper signage and clarity about accessibility. Screening schedules and after-dark events were not well-displayed, and there was a lack of seating and trashcans in certain areas. Staff were criticized for their lack of knowledge about ADA access and accommodations.
- Despite these issues, Anime Los Angeles is open to feedback and has continuously improved over the years. Attendees can look forward to future conventions with better programming and accommodations.
- Follow Anime Los Angeles on Twitter to stay updated on registration and announcements for future events.
At the beginning of this month, Anime Los Angeles held its 19th installment in Long Beach, California. Content creator, Kaho Shibuya returned as an Honored Guest for her fourth consecutive time at ALA; Featured Guest, Zack Davisson, popular folklorist, as well as the translator for Devilman, held his own booth in the exhibit hall; and Hidetaka Tenjin, veteran illustrator and concept artist for model kits such as the Gundam franchises, made his appearance as a Guest of Honor.
In total, around 28 guests from the industry paid a visit to the convention this year, not including the famous Cosplay Wrestling Federation, which once again brought audiences to tears (in a good way, of course!) But even for those who prefer exploring, Anime LA still had plenty of options.
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This year was not lacking in terms of activities. Dreamland Maid Café had their own room on Friday of the convention, only through reservation. True to an authentic maid café, the table layouts of and composition of the room were similar to that of @home-cafe's interrior. Every hour a live performance was put on by the maids reminiscent of Maidreamin's choreographed dances, including the latter's theme song, Dreamin Passport.
Licensed Dreamland merchandise was sold, such as glow sticks, 3D uniform keychains, cups, and more. For those who have never been to a maid café, Dreamland provided an accurate experience, right down to the unique designs of the uniforms. As an extra touch, when it was time to be seated, at the ring of a bell, the staff collectively welcomed you in, making for a personable experience. Samples of their main menu were offered, such as a cute animal parfait with ice cream, custard, and a sweet mix of cereal flakes at the bottom. Though Dreamland is a traveling maid café with multiple partners throughout the country, a physical location is planned to open in Los Angeles, California.
Retail Therapy Made Worthwhile
Excessive shopping for those we don't need to can add to a lot of issues, but luckily there were plenty of fundamentals sold for one's everyday needs. A perfect way to put all your Christmas money to good (and guiltless) use.
Conventions are not conventions without cosplay - but even the best need a hand sometimes. First Stop Cosplay had their own section to in the exhibit hall, including patterns (with a difficulty level), packs of sewing necessities, totes, and more. A small business that originated in Irvine, California during 2021, First Stop Cosplay began making their rounds in 2022.
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Currently, there are about 15–20 employees, with a pattern maker in-house. Their primary goal is to make cosplay more accessible by sharing original designs and catering to a multitude of learners. As a result, the company now has licensed Persona cosplay designs.
Near the front of the exhibit hall was Treefrog (also known as Smelly Panda). They believe in bringing cultures together and making connections with their audience. Family owned, with a category of almost everything: Treefrog's concept was born in Santa Fe Springs, California.
Their primary goal is to bring Japanese convenience to the masses; handmade products such as tsurikawa, stained-glass, and eco-friendly air fresheners included. They believe that smell alters experience, and aim to produce air fresheners that not only smell real, but evoke a sense of nostalgia. Most convention vendors don't have a specific location preference, but Treefrog holds a special relationship with ALA, starting from attendees, to volunteers, and finally exhibitors; they never forget their roots.
Having some comfortable shoes is a must, especially when walking around a lot at a convention. Anthony Wang Shoes is a designer, most known for his gundam-based sneakers. Inspired by anime, Wang wanted to make an Asian concept footwear brand that was directed towards a targeted audience. His philosophy? Sneakers + anime = unique. Cosplayers and even Kpop idols such as Black Pink and Lisa have worn his shoes.
Fashion is nothing without accessories, and even cosplayers still want something accessible. Epic Cosplay had their own booth with two officially licensed wigs, meaning they're considered official merchandise for the franchise they're being sold for. But the process is far from easy - the pitch is the first part. If the company accepts it, business begins. Over the course of weeks (or months), the company works with the inhouse stylist to get the perfect look and texture befitting of the franchise itself.
Anime Food is the Best Food
It's not uncommon to see food trucks outside the convention center, but there's one in particular that takes its brand to the next level. Okamoto Kitchen is an independent traveling food truck business, debuted in 2016 at Anime Expo. Two years prior, the idea blossomed as a project between a group of friends. Before launching their brand, the team invited influencers to demo their products, and provide feedback to ensure a successful launch. Soon after, the team networked with fellow industry professionals to produce an anime about the food truck industry in the United States. Like other anime based on real life professions, a lot goes on behind the scenes, including how competitive it can be.
Staying true to their roots, about 85% of the anime was worked on by themselves! The owner is a VFX artist who has experience in Hollywood films, so he was in charge of most of the digital aspects. For the production itself, Okamoto Kitchen partnered with Studio Enji, under Kadokawa, for their pilot episode, and then collaborated with Studio Nine Lives to make the OVA!
Forging Your Own Art
Gizmo Forge's setup debuted their newest set of handmade products. 10 years ago, the owner worked in HR, but did 3D printing on the side. She decided to pursue the latter as a career. Her business model was to make things that she herself would want to buy. As of 2024, her works include jewelry (with adjustable sizes), plushes, real wood carvings, sculptures, and more. Though her business is a video game focus, Gizmo Forge's products still hold a variety of options and appeal to anime fans, making Anime Los Angeles the perfect venue.
Making Room for Improvement
While the staff was friendly and activities were mostly accessible, there was confusion about accessibility. For first time attendees, the lack of proper signage led to asking for directions. For example, the seaside rooms (a section of the convention center) were out of the way--which isn't an issue by itself, but the signs posted were lacking clarity.
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Marketing and visuals are everything, and if there isn't enough care put into it, it won't get the message across. For screenings, a list of anime showings was only displayed a couple of times. What also frustrated con-goers was a lack of after-dark (or 18+) events.
Cosplay Wrestling Federation, which incorporates mature humor as part of its appeal, was toned down to a PG-13 level. And panel seating didn't leave enough room for comfortable seating. Moreover, a lack of trashcans meant attendees had to hold onto their unfinished food or scraps. Additionally, many feel that programming times were scattered, and most panels weren't scheduled until late at night. Finally, fans felt that staff were under-educated on ADA access and proper accommodations.
Anime Los Angeles is very receptive to feedback and, over the years, they have only improved. To another year and another con, let's look forward to being treated in 2025!
Follow Anime Los Angeles's official Twitter page to keep up to date on registration and announcements.
Inside Anime Los Angeles 2023
One of California's most popular anime conventions, Anime Los Angeles returns with another year of festivities.