Category: Conventions

Long Beach Comic Con was held at the Long Beach Convention Center on August 31 and September 1st. Hosting the convention on Labor Day weekend is always preferred. The bold move is having it the same day as Crunchyroll Expo, Dragon-Con, San-Japan, and a notable cosplayers wedding. Did this move pay off?

First, I noticed the expansion of the artist alley but not a lot “big names” as previous years. However, there were a lot of independent artist and comic creators. This gives them a chance to be seen and not be overshadowed by the bigger names even though you need a bigger name to entice fans.

What makes this convention always different from the others is the exhibits in Science and pro wresting. The Space Expo Pavillion has booths dedication to the sciences and sci-fi inspired machinery. The wrestling annex is run by KnoxPro Wrestling. There is a full wrestling wrong with a steel cage and run entertaining matches every hour in cosplay. There is an additional table with WWE hall of gamer Rikishi whom I had the pleasure of meeting my first attendance at the Long Beach Comic Con.

I did have conversations with some of the attendees and they agree that the dealers hall and artist alley was smaller this year. However, it is always a decent experience and still a decent amount of goo cosplayers.

Anime California Con was a very decent convention held on August 23-25 at the Burbank Marriot Hotel. This was the kind of convention to really chill and relax with friends. It is a convention where you can take a break if you are an avid cosplayer. Anime California Con is definitely a “come-as-you-are-and-chill” type of convention. Of course, I was only able to go if it was for my good friend Denetra. Who so happens to be a guest at this convention with a panel on fitness and cosplay.

There were a few highlights including some guest including Lauren Landa (Sailor Neptune) and Sandy Fox (Sailor Mini Moon). Both are the voice actors of the Sailor Moon Sailor Stars English Dub.

Cosplay was still ongoing from popular mainstream characters in anime to comics. All aspects of pop culture were cosplayed, including video game characters.

Overall, as a returning convention, it still provided a good turn out.

The LA Tattoo Convention was held August 9-11 at the Long Beach Convention Center, hall C. Your body is really your temple and it’s the best canvas for ink. There were more than 200 tattoo artists highlighted from across the greater Los Angeles area and outside the area. This is a real tattoo convention for the people. You even are able to network. This is a good opportunity not just for aspiring tattoo artist but tradition artists in general. I, myself, is an artist and graphic designer and I love the conversation about the passion for art.

Art and Soul Tattoos

The Good D Tattoo – @thegood.d.tattoos. Jo Atwood – Avalon Tattoo II

Japanese Traditional Tattoo, Kotobukitattoo – @fernandoamarianoo

Shine Studio – @shinestusiotattoo – Devonne

Detroit Diesel Tattoo Works – Mica Cat, Illusion Parlor – Ma-a

Sacred Tattoo – Nick Wallin – @sacredtattoooakland

Boerne Tattoo Co. – Lacey Mychael

With all the great tattoo artists, I was able to get a design I created tattooed on my wrist by Spreafico Paola from Art and Soul Tattoos.

The tattoo conventions is always open to many possibilities and with such more space for finding an array of artists all in one area.