What It’s Like to Skip an Anime Fest

Over the weekend, I would have been at a local anime convention named Erie Anime Fest. I’ve exhibited at that con four times over the past year and a half. Well, it was not “Anime Fest” this time around – the schedule was changed to something I had nothing I could present. As we first told in a press release back in March, a new type of convention named Pokékon – a convention dedicated to all things Pokémon, was put in its place. It was blood-boiling, and there was nothing I could do. Whenever an organizer stumbles upon a trending topic to host a convention, they get the most attention by using that topic to host a con.

Once I found out about this, I ultimately decided to skip it because I didn’t really have anything related to Pokémon to present on hand, though the two Mythos of Phantasmagoria games that I’ve directed and produced play similarly to Pokémon but its gameplay falls more in line with Undertale and Final Fantasy. If you go to the Visit page on this website, there is a fine print disclaimer about Anime Fest not being available at all times. That said, I have hopes of Anime Fest returning in November, but that’s no guarantee.

How a Typical Anime Fest Plays Out

If you are presenting at a convention, they usually require months of preparation. For me, it involves updating the demo reel that shows every game that I’ve worked on, and also a binder that visitors can flip through to know more about Drillimation Systems. My day typically begins with me heading down to the nearby McDonald’s and eating a set of hotcakes. After all, I know I have a long day ahead of me. Afterward, I head down to the hotel where the convention takes place. I clock in, set up my table, get plugged in, and play the demo reel on loop for eight hours.

The vast majority of that time is spent with me sitting at the booth and interacting with guests. Despite having “anime” in the name, what might surprise you is Drillimation Systems is the only doujin circle to show off Touhou Project-related content, which caught the eyes of a few guests, including one who was a featured artist at Touhou Fest across the country in Torrance, California.

Typical Reactions and How My Day Played Out

My parents weren’t impressed with the convention’s replacement. In fact, on the day of the convention, what I did instead of my normal stuff was continue what I was currently working on at the time. I didn’t even do the first task of going to McDonald’s, nor go to the hotel.

I’m mostly independent – it is understandable that life confers its strengths and weaknesses when you’re living by your lonesome. I find conventions as a way to meet new players who might not know a thing or two about me, or greet existing fans who know Drillimation in person. What about conventions outside my hometown? I may have invites to attend other anime conventions across the country, as well as internationally on all sides of the globe.

That said, let’s hope the odds for November are in my favor. If things don’t align right, I’ll just have to seek what I can.