What do/would you buy at an anime con?

I would buy certain things from cons and others I would hold out on and buy elsewhere. As with an anime con I do the same thing with computer shows. I walk the floor first scoping out prices on items cause normally the first item you see may be expensive. Case in point Neko ears at the first stand cost 30 bucks. 8 stands over near the end of the day were down to 15 bucks. I try to get the best price possible. Better bang for my buck. Cons can be expensive and honesely, your pay x amount to get in, x amount for food, x amount for boarding, plus X amount for items. Your con bill can easilly go from 200 dollars in merchandise and by the end of the trip you could of blown 2000 bucks.

I have to agree with you on the Mangas, i bought the first volume of Black Lagoon for 9 bucks while at Barnes & Noble it would've cost me 12 bucks. I also buy t-shirts, and also homemade stuff like beanies or buttons/pins. I would buy swords, but meh, too expensive :(

Lets see. I always go to cons with the intention of buying figurines, but then I back out because they're way too expensive. So I usually go with cool T-Shirts, Key Chains, and other collectables (Like The World ends with You pins)

I'm also a big fan of the rare/exotic stuff. I prefer manga to anime as far as purchases go though.

I also like to find things that are subtle. I'm not the kind of guy who will buy a white t-shirt with a huge sailor moon picture on the front. But I would buy a normal bag with a full metal alchemist logo embroidered on it

Those sushi pillows were awesome hehe

I usually try to find stuff I can't get normally. Artbooks are a big purchase up there for me at conventions. At AnimeNEXT I bought...

• Five little stickers in Artist's Alley (K-ON!)
• Gurren Lagann Artbook
• Saiyuki Artbook
• Piplup Pillow
• Simon keychain (From Gurren Lagann)
• Soul Eater T-Shirt
• Hentai T-shirt (The one from Fakku. It's so awesome. 8D)

@jim

Yup, that's how I found out about the site. XD I think you gave it to me... oh yeah, it was in line for the Masquerade.

hahahahaha....

anyway, I try to buy stuff that you can't get around (or take FOREVER to ship) normaly. Also, you can get really good deals on Pocky at cons. They were selling it in the dealers room at ICON 2 boxes for $5. It costs almost $5 for one box at the store in the mall. I loooooove Pocky!

It is indeed a super snack!

@FoxKaiya I got a Kamina keychain at my last CON, still haven't found a use for it. XD

But a GURREN LAGANN ARTBOOK!? I need one. >:D

some gothic lolita fashion accsesories. even hot topic doesnt carry as cool dresses, or arm warmers as the ones i got in Otakon 2009. and usually artwork, they usually hav limited eds dat they do in front of u. wall scrolls can actually b bought online cheap, but if u buy and hav guest stars sign it than thats nice. weapons r reely nice, and manga u cud haggle for.

PLUSHIES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I normally get a few print from Artist Alley, along with some cool cosplay items, last year I got the 2 D.Gray-Man exorcist pins, I have also grabbed a few cel phone charms, patches. I have 2 of the sushi pillows bought for me, but they were from the Sakura Matsuri.

MANGA! I love getting manga on the discount, even if they are the same price on the tag without tax. Sometimes, I wait the last day just to get some major deals with smaller booths selling manga. (Best ever: San Diego Comic Con 2006 had a really small booth where manga was $1!)

I love cell phone charms of my favorite characters. I always get my new volumes of manga there cuz I tend to find some booths that have them a few dollars cheaper then what I'd pay for in a retail store. Oh, and those adorable cat ears with the elastic strap and sparkly bells. I get one every year :]

@FoxKaiya You went to anime next? did I happen to give you an otaku pride business card there? haha

@Kayla

I totally skimped on buying pocky. I think it's because I didn't see any. o_o Buying pocky in general used to be a fond activity of mine in my early weeaboo days, but now after growing up a bit and actually living in Japan [/headshot] it's more for the desire to want pocky rather than because it's a Japanese snack.

@KaminaSama - I know someone who owns the artbook. Haven't seen it myself, but she was pretty excited about it. ^^;