#crunchyroll expo

[8bitdigi]

Bay Area Fan Conventions to Plan for in 2023

From minor events to major conventions, this is a guide to all the fan conventions that will take place in the Bay Area in 2023.

Conventions to Plan for in 2023 Happy 2023, it’s time for the Bay Area fandom community to start planning which conventions they want to attend. Chances are that you had a blast last year and are excited to make new memories. Or, it has been a long time since you attended one and you want to make the most of it in 2023. That is why we have created this guide to help you plan. From major events…

[oddpyromaniac]

Wake up babe new dashcon just dropped

[ashleabechaz]

O Hi there frens here I am at CRX Melbs, I am booth no 18 in the Arts District!

Feel free to come say hi but also tickets are sold out and there are thousands of people still waiting in line 😂 uh oh

[sarah-rhiannon]

see ya at table #34 at CRX AUS in Melbourne this weekend! ✨

[heidiblack]

Convention Artist Alley Review: Crunchyroll Expo

Convention: Crunchyroll Expo

Location: San Jose, CA

Date: August 5-7

Table cost: $323.75

Table size: 8’ 

Application: Juried

Fandom/audience: Anime

Items for sale: 11x17" posters (fanart and original), coloring book, zines (fanart and original), comics, pins (original), resin coasters and jewelry  (including primogems), leather keychains (by my sister)

Mask policy: Required in all areas

Previously attended? Yes, in 2017.

Pros: Visiting friends in California, back in the bay area! Large, well-known property (crunchyroll) that spares little expense and makes an outright huge show, convention artist alley staff were very friendly and checked in with us regularly, smoothly run.

Cons: California so everything is expensive, tables were crammed together, audience seemed to be guys more interested in ahoge/hentai/waifu bs, allows proxy selling (including the person next to me who was selling stuff by someone else already in the alley) and no policing of work (they say they encourage original art, but someone near me had essentially traced logos on shirts they were selling), requires event insurance (only event I’ve ever done that does)

Most popular item(s): Posters (59); Zines and pins (23 each), primogems (22)

Least popular item(s): Commissions (2)

Upon entering the venue we were accosted by many helpful staff directing us exactly where we needed to go (hooray!). Vaccine card checks and masks were mandatory. As soon as we checked in the artist alley liaisons introduced themselves to us and let us know they were happy to help with anything we may need.

My friend and I set up on the thursday before the show, giving us time to go have fun in San Jose afterwards (oh how I missed California, even if it did catch fire while I was there).

I have done crunchyroll expo before on its first year (2017?) when it was in the Santa Clara convention center.  I find that California shows tend to not be impressed with my work (they largely like the work of people like sakimi-chan and other digital artists). Unfortunately, the attendees were more impressed by the proxy seller to my one side and the seller on my other side who sold ahoge face masks and traced shirts.

The tables were 8’ each, which was nice, but they were also smooshed directly up to each other, making each row very packed.  With many artists creating booths that wall off their sides it made each table feel very claustrophobic, and assaulted attendees with just a constant sensory stream.  By the time they reached my table in the second to last row I could see their eyes glazed over - your work had to be incredibly different to entice them.

Additionally, the “guests” were these hololive AI v-tubers, which I had no merch of, and seem to attract the “stereotypical otaku guy,” who is not my audience in any way.

Crunchyroll also requires all artists to have their own event insurance (with coverage up to $2m) - they are the only show that requires this, which just adds an extra cost to an already expensive show.

I did make a commissioner cry (from happiness) when I handed her the commission I drew for her, which is always extra special.

Gross sales: ~$2000

Recommend/will attend again? It is such a big name show, but I can’t justify flying out for so little return. Had I still been local to San Jose it would have been much more affordable.

Other 2022 convention reviews:

Otakon

Gem City

Dokidokon

Anime Midwest

Anime Ohio

Huntington Toy & Comic Con

Momocon

SPACE

Causeacon

Indiana Comic Con

Ohayocon

Anime Zap (featuring 2021 review links)

These reviews take a lot of time and effort, but I think they are something the artist alley community needs! If you would like to support me so I can keep doing these, please consider donating or buying from my shops!

Help support Heidi Black by donating or sharing with your friends.

Storenvy

Etsy

[boba-is-a-soup]

I just wanna show off how cute I am here that's all--

Look at me go I am so good also please don't mind the mask everyone forgot that it existed lol

[pensamentsisomnis]

[zancorvid]

Interior @ Crunchyroll Expo 2022 (Sun 8/7)

[8bitdigi]

CRX 2022 | An Interview With Mary Franklin on Organizing Crunchyroll Expo

A look at the challenges and fun of organizing Crunchyroll Expo with Mary Franklin, Head of Events at Crunchyroll.

Mary Franklin – Head of Events at Crunchyroll A Firsthand Look at the Challenges of Organizing Crunchyroll Expo After a turbulent few years, organizing the first live Crunchyroll Expo since 2019 was going to be a challenge. A challenge that Mary Franklin was ready to take on as Crunchyroll’s Head of Events. Taking the lessons learned from past events, Virtual Crunchyroll Expo, and feedback from…

[draconli]

Sorry, Tumblr fans! I could not post anything much about Crunchyroll Expo, especially, since Tumblr still bars me from posting pictures directly from my phone! Hopefully, one day, it will change! 

Anyway, here are some commissions from this past weekend: Karin (Koihime Musou), Melia (Xenoblade), Yamato (One Piece), Saya (Saya no Uta), Goddess (Ar Tonelico Z), Roxy (Mushoku Tensei), and another goddess (Ar Tonelico Z)

[beneaththetangles]

Vtuber Events, Anime Announcements, and Musical Acts Rocking Out at Crunchyroll Expo 2022!

With Crunchyroll growing in its share of and prominence in the North American anime industry (case in point: news of CR’s acquisition of Right Stuf dropped during the convention), it’s no surprise that Crunchyroll Expo has become one of the country’s preeminent anime conventions. Big guests and big announcements marked this past weekend’s 2022 event. Our man Joseph was there, and found the entire event quite extravagant (in a good way), while also getting to indulge his primary interest—the vtuber events.

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The effort put into creating a branded look and feel of Crunchyroll Expo is quite unlike most anime conventions. Everything from the decorations to the convention center itself was made to transport attendees into “New Crunchy City.” When walking into the exhibit hall, attendees were greeted by Crunchyroll Hime who welcomed everyone to a cityscape dotted with futuristic decorative elements and Japanese-styled skyscrapers.

Mascots directed visitors toward a variety of districts, from the arts district to the shopping district. The crew members’ uniforms were easily recognizable and quite memorable, so lost souls could get help if needed. I’m not sure if it was deliberate, but even the convention center was colored orange and white, which further immersed visitors in the Crunchyroll experience. The amount of detail the team put into making this city come to life was immense.

There was a lot to do, but I was primarily there for Crunchyroll Expo’s big exhibit, designed for vtuber fans and including one-of-a-kind experiences and meet and greets. I have to say: Crunchyroll shattered my expectations with everything they brought.

[redsnerdden]

Crunchyroll Expo 2022: What was Announced

Crunchyroll Expo 2022 News Roundup: What was Announced #CRX2022 #Crunchyroll #anime

During the weekend (August 5th through the 7th), it was Crunchyroll’s big Expo event. They unveiled a ton of new information regarding new, and upcoming anime series that will be coming to the streaming service. Just like the SDCC Coverage, we’ll be sharing summaries and links to the proper news stories. TONIKAWA: Over The Moon For You ~Uniform~ Gets a New Visual, Premiered at the Expo Image…

[kingkanchome]

This year was my first time at a CRX. Had a pretty good time. The lack of anything Zatch Bell made me sad. Not even in artist alley.

[shannanigansart]

ITS DAY 2 OF CRX! I’m here at Arts District T103! Come stop by and say hi!! :D also check out Sterling’s side quest for a free vinyl sticker!

[elektricangel]

🖊 Bungo Stray Dogs exhibit at Crunchyroll Expo 🖊

Fun fact! Chuuya and I are the same height, so if that's a life-sized Dazai, then the height difference is accurate 😅

[zancorvid]

Free Swag Booth @ Crunchyroll Expo 2022 (Sun 8/7)