Yo Hello!

So its about a week late (given a lot of what we do is a little late), but I figured I would give you my impressions of Louisianime.

Our trip started with a 3 hour gridlock between Baton Rouge and Lafayette… which is always fun. We missed Friday since both Blue and I had work, but our plan to shoot straight up was met with a standstill. Minus the traffic hold up, we marched our way into the hotel shortly before midnight. Like all adults we were tired and a bit bored, so we used this time to make a quick explore and visit the bar. Only a few con goers were in the bar and to our suprise (not really) a couple of the guests/VA talent. It was fun listening to a couple of their stories as we sat back and enjoyed a drink for the first night of the con. Another quaint surprise that night was seeing Tiffany Grant and her husband Matt Greenfield at the elevators, granted I didn’t say anything (I always figure to let guests be guests and close to midnight is not a time to geek out and say hi)… but I do enjoy her English voice work (she has a unique voice) and Mr. Greenfield who was part of ADV Films (one of the catchiest ad jingles from my childhood).

We got up early Saturday, mainly to grab the breakfast buffet (logic says the $13 there is worth the cost vs walking to find breakfast + unlimited coffee), and grab our badges for onsite registration. This was a last minute con for us to hit, but part of our goal of hitting the major cons for Louisiana. Saturday was going to be the only real “full day” for us, as Sunday was a bit lighter in attendance and we left a mid day. The con was small but well done in my mind. The vendors had a variety of choices with no overlap (for the most part). This seems minor, but in realty does make a difference at cons. The artist hallway wasn’t bad either and I did like most of the creations being displayed for purchase. There were a few cosplayers walking around, but only managed to grab a few photos. I was actually a bit suprised to see someone sporting his Mahouka Course 1 uniform seeing that new show cosplay is a bit rare.
Small cons always give us a change to talk to people though, especially since I frequent the smoking the area. It was nice to talk to a few guys I’d seen at other cons, but never spoke to for one reason or another. The smoking area is always a great place to pick up on a conversation and sometimes ask them about their work. Blue intended to go to a few panels, but we did miss them. I am a big “atmosphere” person, but our other members usually hit a few panels at cons. I was a bit sad I didn’t pay attention to the prop panel they had going on, the person (I forgot his name but he is on my Facebook Likes) running it is a real solid at his works. After taking photos, making a couple purchases, and several smoke breaks we made our way to dinner (take out) from the local sushi joint. I did like having relative short distance eateries to grab more than a burger. I would also like to point out they had a nice Steampunk setup going on down stairs. One day I will inquire more into their culture and on goings.

Minus the stated above, Sunday was more of the same until we left. We did a last quick walk around, picked up one last thing, and made our way back.

So one thing we heard a lot was, “oh compared too X year…”. Sadly we have never hit this con before, so we don’t know what the previous years were like. Honestly some of the big pulls like the rave, cosplay contest, or panels are a second tier objective for me. I enjoyed Louisianime and what it had to offer. My biggest goal is to go, hang out, people watch, and enjoy the ambiance of a con. I felt no real short coming on that ground. I had a good time and that is what counts in my book. I do feel for any small con it helps to go with a few more people, as we do not have a large group of anime friends. Its a con that I would attend again, given I have my finances and energy to do so (it hits right after Akon).

In short, its a smaller level con but I enjoyed what they offer. Anything and everything can always be done better, but trust me.. can always be far worse. Its exactly what I expect out of a smaller scale con and provides the intimacy that I think some con goers would look forward too. My only real complaint is the elevators (which is almost any con) being a bit slow, which is on the hotel not the con. If you have never been, I would recommend going and saying hi next year.

Photos Here: Louisianime 2014