Old Anime Conventions were CRINGE! (Retrospective) | ALIM0RI

Did you forget how cringey old anime conventions used to be? They were the best! Today we are going to dive into the humble beginnings of anime cons and how they've evolved over the years.

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About Anime Conventions:
Did you know anime cons had their start way back in the 1970's? They snowballed in popularity between the late 90s and early 2000's and evolved into what we know and love today. They're the best Conventions are a great way for people with common interests to come together and celebrate what they love most. From Cosplay, cringe, yaoi paddles, and much more! one of my favorite past times was watching vlogs of anime conventions to see if my cosplays could be spotted in the back. Some conventions to make note of would be nycc (New York Comic-con), katsucon, anime central, anime expo, momocon, holiday matsuri, anime Boston, colossalcon, anime north, mcm london, Otakon, comiket, and connecticon Anime conventions play a huge roll in anime history, especially here in the west. Everyone loves a good anime con and cringe culture!

About this Video:
ALIM0RI dives into the cringe world of old anime conventions in this compilation of stories from over the years. Follow us as we delve into the history of anime conventions, and how they came to be. Going back in time remembering the cringe past and everything that came with early 2000s anime cons. Come enjoy the history of anime conventions by ALIMORI.
#anime #retrospective #history

[robinflanders]

I miss the early 2000s cosplay vibe. Like, it's so cool to see really nice fancy cosplays, but I feel like there's way more pressure now to have a perfect body, cosplay, wig and makeup instead of just the celebration of dressing up and being a weird nerd.

[AnimeGirl]

I’m actually kind of glad they got rid of glomping. I’m sure it caused a lot of injuries back in the day. Now we have “Shake my hand in Character.” Which is a lot nicer and family friendly. 😊

[schwarzerregen]

I do Miss when Cons didn't have 8 diffrent booths full of Funko Pops

[yogabear]

I feel so old when I say this but back in my day haha, as a kid anime was so scarce and it blows my mind how it’s so popular now. I was obsessed with anime as a kid and went to my first convention when I was a teenager. I still remember the butterflies in my stomach excitement I felt walking into Animazement for the first time. I remember all of this stuff you talked about in the video too. I haven’t been to an anime con in many years now and I’m not into it any more but it’s still a fond memory. Great video, thanks for the walk down memory lane!

[angstycola]

Just got recommended this by the algorithm. I attended my first convention when I was 17, in 2002. I really do miss the feeling of scrappiness and excitement around the old con scene. It's cool that anime is more accessible, but it feels a lot more commercial now - of course there were always opportunists making money off of crazed otaku, but with the big companies involved and AI art in the artists alleys, I do feel like the idea of identity as consumption has reached an all time high in nerd culture for about the last decade or so. Still, I have a ton of good memories, and even as I approach middle age I love going to my local con every year and always wish I had more friends with more free time so I could attend more.

[lastsunofkrypton]

Hmm. I was an attendee of Animecon 91 and Anime Expo 92. I wish there was a way to actually bring the feeling and memories of that era to those of you curious of what it was like for the beginnings of anime cons in the US. It was a fun time and not super overcrowded. I mean we always had our share “deodorant less” fans but at least there was breathing room. I just recently looked at some 2022 or 2023 Anime Expo footage and that gave me some anxiety just how much people are there. lol. I just recently started going to local cons in 2022 because now my kids are old enough to enjoy most anime. They always roll their eyes when I keep telling them how good they have with the internet and anime being pretty much everywhere and mainstream. Never mind their dad only ever had Nikaku Animart and SJ Books Kinokuniya for official anime merch. Lol.

[cocopots]

my first cosplay was ciel phantomhive, I was 13, I didnt really get how revealing this outfit was, and unfortunately for me this led to my first encounter with a over 30yr old man asking for my number. Once again, I was 13, I was small, had a eating disorder and was extremely shy. I remember just running off and hiding behind my dad, Ive only recently began cosplaying again.

[jdgx]

i have mixed feelings about the loss of stuff like free hug signs glomping and yaoi paddles like yes its definitely for the best in the big picture but man those weird little things were so out of pocket and really gave the anime community more of a unique identity

[PocketLeaves]

As someone who was into anime in the early 2010s but didn't start going to cons until 2016, it's so fascinating to hear about the earlier days of cons! Especially things that seemed to influence anime fan culture as a whole online during those eras!

[IsekaiRecruiterTruck-kun]

This boomer will never forget the one time I got glomped...

In front of my wife. In public. OUTSIDE the convention hall. Cosplaying as Commander Ikari.
Glomper was a teenage girl cosplaying as Kyo (cat form) from Fruits Basket.

After she ran off, my wife and I looked at each other, chalked it up to immaturity, and went about our day. [This was about 20 years ago.]

[Lycoriaa]

this feels like i have a friend yapping (positive) to me about their interests (i am paying complete attention and genuinely interested)

[sofies]

omg the glomping 😩I remember going to a anime panel where con goers shared their con horror stories and this one person said they joined a "glomp circle" where people take turns to hug each other. This person put on a clear poncho before hand and by the end of the glomp circle the poncho turned a yellow hue from what I assume was the amount of sweat that was being transferred to them. Needless to say when I saw a glomp circle later the same day I chose not to participate

[randompickle]

honestly, my favorite sign I ever saw someone holding at a convention recently, was a "free shrugs" sign. I thought the concept was hilarious, and wish I could see more of them in the future.

[shinycollector]

I love this video! I didn’t start getting into anime & conventions until I started watching in 2016 and went to LA Anime Expo for the first time that same year. It’s so fascinating to hear how they were before and have continued to grow & develop along with the anime fan culture.
Awesome video Alex!

[DeMart]

2010’s is when geek culture changed to mainstream. By the time Anime cons got the attention of Hollywood they already had taken over Comic Con.
I also blame the Free Hugs thing on Sick Puppies for making it go viral.

[connoravery]

Loving your vest in this one! Also loving your new channel because you can see you are passionate about it!

[isaacjohnson]

Fun fact about bluey: The artist are homestucks which is known due to them hiding respectively colored prospit and derse signs in a short animation

[Momo_Miraculous]

OMG your first convention was also MY first convention! Funny how despite the convention scene ever expanding, it remains a small world.
You’re absolutely right though, cons back then were SO different. I like to call those days the Wild West since there was way less structure back then and also way less rules. Hell, the reason half of the rules exist nowadays (especially yaoi paddles) is BECAUSE of the early 21st century con scene.

[Anon]

Something that Anime Boston used to do was have someone in the hall scream Marco and everyone will say Polo. Although that has died down... I did hear a Marco Polo this year at AB 2024.

Now onto anime dances. I do not remember anyone doing the Hare Hare Yukai dance.... However, I do recall when Funimation was at Anime Boston one year with a live stream and chat style similar to that on Nico Nico Douga. Anyway, people started doing the Caramelldansen dance and being the techie that I am, I queued up the song on my phone and put it near the camera mic. We had a blast. lol

[juanguzman]

Great video! Loved your energy. The throwback pics were a fun touch.