ACEN Anime Convention - Chicago 2010 - Part 2

The tour of Chicago's ACEN anime convention continues. As you read in part 1 the convention center held the main exhibit hall and artist alley. But there was a whole other part of ACEN at the Hyatt hotel, the gaming part!

The Hyatt Hotel

The convention center was connected to the hotel via a convenient enclosed walkway. Walking in this hot tunnel made me realize what an ant colony must be like, if the ants were smelly costumed anime nerds. ;-)

The tunnel spilled out into the Hyatt lobby. It was overrun with costumed fangirls and fanboys.

I walked down the stairs toward the basement where all the gaming areas were set up. I passed by a guy dressed like the postman from Zelda Twilight Princess. Someone else recognized the character and yelled out, "Deliver that mail...you got people counting on you!" Priceless.

Down in the basement there were rooms containing areas for table top gaming and card battles as well as areas for video gaming. (There were also some rooms with people giving panel discussions and showing video clips from anime shows. I was gonna take some pictures of these but the scowling guard with a nightstick made me decide against it.)

Here's some people in a heated table top game.

And here's some people doing card gaming. "Got any fives? Go fish." Oh wait, I don't think that's what they are playing. Sorry.

These two fine people were so nice. And just look at how they got all their little ducks in a row. I think I visited them way before the gaming was to start. So I'm not sure what all is involved with it. But as the sighn says Battletech is played there.

For the non-analog gamers there was a big video gaming section. Battletech again but this time it's the video game version.

Another one of the gaming posters in this area. I hadn't realized how popular Battletech is either. Maybe the Pokemon fans and the Battletech fans should have a battle. Crossover battle!

The gaming area had these simulator booths set up for people to play in.

I couldn't get in much closer but you can see what the simulators looked like. They were like little space pods. I dunno how they got those things in the hotel.

Outside the simulator room people could watch the action on a big screen.

Costumes and Cosplay

ACEN was all about costumes! Almost every attendee was wearing an elaborate costume and the remaining few who didn't were wearing those cartoon animal hats or a tail that attached to the back of their belt.

Never underestimate an anime fan's determination or dedication to their cosplaying. They will go all out by carrying large props or swords longer than they just because their character does the same. In fact, many of the ACEN attendees didn't just wear a costume–they became the character. I overheard people talking to each other. They'd say things like "Hurry back, Utaku! We will be unprotected without your magic." Yes, dedication.

A lot of the activities at ACEN revolved around costumes. There was a booth were people could get a glamour shot of themselves in their costumes. Also, there was a costume contest of course. I'm not sure who won. One night had a costume dance party after the show closed. And on top of all the anime characters there were a few "furries" walking around. You know, people in animal costumes. If you saw the CSI episode featuring furries you may be a little creeped out by them.

Here are some of my favorite costumes from ACEN. I admit that I was more likely to photograph them if I knew what they were from. So a lot of these are video game related.

Sir Auron from Final Fantasy X. "That's how it's done!"

Lady Yuna and friends. Yuna is also from FFX and X-2. I think they did a great job on the staff. She ready to do some summoning.

Trucy from the Ace Attourney game on Nintendo DS. I love the whole Pheonix Wright series of games. Trucy is a magician in case you couldn't tell.

Emma Skye is also a character from the Phoenix Wright games. Doesn't this girl look just like here? Compare with this image below. I think they are one and the same people.

"Let's be scientific about this."

Hey it's Midna from Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess. I wonder where she got that hat? From the Hat Guy perhaps?

Hmm, he's not an anime character. It's the Doctor! There were other things people dressed as like comic characters and TV show stars too. This guy looks a lot like David Tennant. Is that a sonic screwdriver in your pocket or are you happy to see me?

And below is my pick for ACEN 2010's best costume.

Robert as the human box of Pokey!

This was a cute idea and though you can't see it in this picture the lid of the box can open and he can pull out an oversized piece of Pocky. Epic Win Robert! Your prize is a box of Pocky.

There you have it anime fans! That's my review of ACEN 2010. Hope you got a good sense of what it was like.

-Daniel