{"id":74550,"date":"2024-08-16T11:08:15","date_gmt":"2024-08-16T10:08:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/?p=74550"},"modified":"2025-02-10T17:28:36","modified_gmt":"2025-02-10T16:28:36","slug":"dragons-demons-pac-man","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/entertainment\/events\/dragons-demons-pac-man\/","title":{"rendered":"Dragons, Demons &amp; Pac-Man"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"alignright size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" src=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/aninitereviewsmall.jpg\" alt=\"Press pass for a fan convention\" class=\"wp-image-74486\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/aninitereviewsmall.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/aninitereviewsmall-100x100.jpg 100w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 150px) 100vw, 150px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>Thousands of fans find their way each year to AniNite, the biggest anime and manga convention in Austria. And I joined them in 2024.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Inclusive atmosphere<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Packed with cosplayers<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Spacious layout<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Plenty of art &amp; merchandise<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>See also:\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/entertainment\/events\/aninite\/\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"73343\">AniNite event info<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/entertainment\/events\/comic-con-experience\/\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"51955\">Vienna Comic Con<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/entertainment\/events\/comix\/\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"58214\">Vienna COMIX<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">AniNite 2024<\/h2>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"500\" height=\"375\" src=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/aninite2.jpg\" alt=\"Visitor beneath the AniNite banner\" class=\"wp-image-74484\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/aninite2.jpg 500w, https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/aninite2-300x225.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 500px) 100vw, 500px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center has-small-font-size\">(Proof I was there)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Having enjoyed the <em>One Piece<\/em> live action series on Netflix based on Eiichiro Oda&#8217;s manga series, a fan convention around Japanese pop culture felt like a good way to spend a day.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>And it was. Even though I was a couple of decades above the average age. Fellow visitors of my 50+ generation were so few that we gave each other nods of respect as we passed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>I spend a lot of time at events where unintentional ageism strikes, and people assume I must have taken a wrong turn out of the subway station. But not at <a href=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/entertainment\/events\/aninite\/\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"73343\">AniNite<\/a>, where an enlightened atmosphere pervades the place (much like at <a href=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/entertainment\/events\/comic-con\/\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"6726\">Comic Con<\/a> or <a href=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/entertainment\/events\/comix\/\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"58214\">Vienna COMIX<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Park your judgment at the entrance. This fan convention feels like a space where you can be who you want to be. Whether 56, 26, 16 or 6.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>I went on the final Sunday of this 3-day event, knowing this is usually the quietest day at cons. It was busy but not crowded thanks to a very open layout inside the ACV convention centre. And everywhere the contagious energy that comes from people simply enjoying their interests.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Arcades and art<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>One definite advantage of advanced years is recognising the machines in a retro gaming section.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Just past the entrance, AniNite had a double row of free-to-play arcade games packed with the likes of Pac-Man, Donkey Kong, Space Invaders, and Mortal Combat.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The games brought back memories and a wince at all the 10 pence pieces wasted in the beer cellars of my youth. What they didn&#8217;t bring back was any former proficiency. Earth probably shouldn&#8217;t rely on me to fend off an alien invasion.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Next stop was the artists alley, where numerous booths sold pins, keychains, clothing, ceramics and, of course, art prints inspired by the source material that drives AniNite.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Those with creativity, talent and a willingness to expose their artistic soul to public inspection have my unreserved admiration. I hesitate to highlight individuals, but these artists caught my eye in particular:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Dragon art by <a href=\"https:\/\/shadias-art.com\/\">Shadia Illustration<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/trainsdetales.com\/\">Train&#8217;s de Tales<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Watercolours by <a href=\"https:\/\/mandyfrank.com\/\">Mandy Frank<\/a> (pretty sure I have some fan art from them from another con)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Textile art by <a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/koiless_artwork\/\">Koiless Artwork<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>The artist alley also had a separate 18+ section. Special thanks go to the diligent security person who wanted to see proof of my age at the entrance (I&#8217;m 56). You made my <s>day<\/s> year.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"500\" height=\"375\" src=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/aninite3.jpg\" alt=\"Set of painted steps\" class=\"wp-image-74485\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/aninite3.jpg 500w, https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/aninite3-300x225.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 500px) 100vw, 500px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center has-small-font-size\">(This way to fun)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Cosplay, caf\u00e9s &amp; collectibles<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Talking creativity, a myriad of cosplayers among the visitors reflected the full diversity of anime and manga (along with a few stray characters from other fandoms, like Star Wars).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The quality often proved astounding, as evidenced by crowds gathering around the best costumes to snap photos. As at Comic Con, the cosplay alone justifies a ticket, especially if you&#8217;re familiar with all the characters.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The presence of <a href=\"https:\/\/onepiece.fandom.com\/wiki\/Monkey_D._Garp\">Monkey D. Garp<\/a> (in his 70s) cosplay gave me renewed hope that I might realistically join in the fun sometime in the future. Main options are otherwise Gandalf or Saruman (or Gollum).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>A giant stage also hosted a cosplay show featuring an eclectic mix of costumes. From Dune&#8217;s Paul Atreides to the Demon King Muzan Kibutsuji.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>(And even Cinderella, who left her shoe on stage. Nicely done, Cinders.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Streetfood trucks ringed the square in front of the convention centre. And inside a couple of caf\u00e9s and a bar sold snacks, hot beverages and soft drinks, many with a (literal) Japanese flavour to them, of course.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>As such, AniNite might be the only place in Vienna you can see a Japanese demigod munching on a churro. The city is truly cosmopolitan.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>And a merchandise section burst with collectibles, figures, costumes, manga series, plush toys, Japanese snacks, and more. I was this close to adding another <em>One Piece<\/em> figure to a shelf above my desk already heaving with stormtroopers and signed photos.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Will I return next year?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>I suffered a little from a lack of familiarity with much of the anime and manga world and didn&#8217;t join in with the film showings and many other ancillary events and entertainments that make up the active programme at AniNite.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>But I&#8217;d like to go back. Frankly, it&#8217;s always motivating to wallow in a judgment-free zone with people just living their fandoms.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>I might have to buy a few books and stream a few series in the meantime, though.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Thousands of fans find their way each year to the giant AniNite anime and manga convention. And I joined them<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":74486,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_genesis_hide_title":false,"_genesis_hide_breadcrumbs":false,"_genesis_hide_singular_image":false,"_genesis_hide_footer_widgets":false,"_genesis_custom_body_class":"","_genesis_custom_post_class":"","_genesis_layout":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[22],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-74550","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-events","8":"entry"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/74550","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=74550"}],"version-history":[{"count":10,"href":"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/74550\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":80208,"href":"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/74550\/revisions\/80208"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/74486"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=74550"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=74550"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=74550"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}