My adult daughter, Rudy, loves conventions. The energy, the people, the community…a good convention brings joy to her soul. Anime Boston combines all of that with her passion for Japanese art, culture, and food! This year, the annual spring event was held at Hynes Convention Center in Boston, Massachusetts. You can purchase daily tickets or tickets for the entire three day event. Early bird tickets are also an option that give you deep discounts! Or, you can volunteer to be on the Support Squad and work for the convention while attending. The convention has blocks of hotel rooms available for discounted rates, as well. The Hynes Convention Center is also located near three different MBTA subway stops in downtown Boston making it easy to find. This convention is inclusive, accessible, safe, and fun for everyone. In fact, you might be surprised at the extensive list of activities and panels available. Let’s look at some of the highlights from this year!
First, Anime Boston is one of the most accommodating and accessible conventions around. From providing quiet rooms and gender neutral bathrooms, to offering closed-captioning and early seating, the organizers have tried to create a space that is enjoyable for all. One of my daughter’s favorite spaces is the Manga Library where you can read and just take a break from the action. I love an event where all who attend can feel welcome and at home.
So, let’s talk about what you can expect at the convention. One of the bigger ticket items is meeting the special celebrity guests. Voice actors, artists, singers, cosplay stars, and more are available for meet and greet and autograph experiences. This year, guests such as Steve Blum and Kaiji Tang had autograph sessions. Rudy met Juliet Simmons and had a lovely chat!
You can also attend panels and workshops to make crafts, learn about travel, exchange cosplay items, have trivia or D&D games, see a circus, listen to a concert and so much more. One of Rudy’s favorite things to do is visit the Maid Cafe. With a reservation in advance, you can enjoy a beverage and snack while the maids sing and dance and make you feel so special, just like the Maid Cafes in Japan. Another of her workshops this year was stretching with Move w/ Sarah. Held first thing in the morning after a long weekend of running at a convention, this workshop really got Rudy and her friend Akira loosened up and energized for the last day of fun.
In addition, Anime Boston offers After Dark events such as a Burlesque show, a Drag show, raunchy improv games, and more, all included for the price of your convention ticket. You can also visit Artist Alley to find unique art from a variety of vendors. Prints, keychains, plushies are only a taste of the goodies that will tempt your eyes and your wallet.
While you can bring your own food, it is worth noting that the convention offers yummy treats from local food vendors, as well. It is always nice to have options, and they even offer vegetarian and vegan fare. Another fun aspect of the convention is you can create a little avatar that will pop up on the screens around the convention from time to time. You can play games, earn points, and do fun stuff with your little creation. In the closing ceremonies, everyone’s avatar gets shown. It is a nice way to bring the Anime Boston community together even more.
Happening every spring in Boston, Massachusetts, Anime Boston is a truly unique experience for anyone who is a fan of anime, manga, Japanese culture, cosplay, and the community therein. These people are so kind, generous, and welcoming, and I hope that if you’ve never attended an anime convention that you’ll give Anime Boston a chance next year. See you there!