Welcome to AnimeFAQs Special Coverage of SPJA's 13th Annual Anime Expo - Four full days of of non-stop, watch 'til you drop, Anime all localized in the area of the Anaheim Convention Center! This will AnimeFAQs first attempt to cover such a large event over the span of just a few days. While we weren't able to get press passes this year, that won't stop us from trying to get the insider information on all the events. Stayed tuned, we'll have short briefs of all the events so you'll know where you want to be this year (and if you're not going to be there - well hopefully this will push you over the edge into submission).

We'll try to give you all the information you need to get prepared before the event actually begins, but time is short and there's a lot of to cover. Please forgive us if we don't get you fully prepared, we'll our best and hope that you'll have fun no matter what happens.

Pre Expo Information

If you're new to the whole AnimExpo 2004 experience, you'll probably want to read this bit of brief information on how to get the most of the event. We can't guarantee accurate information for this year (or any year since every year is slightly different), but we can hopefully give you a feel on where you'll want to be. Before you head out the door though, be sure you have a comfortable pair of shoes on and some comfortable clothes (unless you're going in costume) because you'll be doing a lot of walking.

On the first day, if you don't already have your pass, you'll have to get one. If you can't get there the Thursday before to buy your pass (you can buy at the door passes), get there early Friday and be first in line. I'm not sure when the ticket booths open, but I estimate the earliest would be 7 or 8am. I always buy before the event - usually on the last day of the AnimExpo the year before.

Once you have your pass, it's time to have fun. Most people usually head straight to the Exhibitor's Hall or Dealer's Room - that's where you can buy stuff. The line is usually long and you sometimes end up waiting over an hour. My suggestion is to check out another event until around noon that day, when the line shrinks a bit. There's no guarantee the line will ever shrink, but the line is longest the first thing in the morning. The Opening Ceremonies is always a great event to check out if you're new to AnimExpo. None of the guests will be holding events because they will be attending this one. There will be introductions and short schedule descriptions. As well as information on some of the policies AX holds for their guests. Due to contracts, photography of guests maybe limited during any event.

After the opening ceremonies, it's a free for all event. Go where you want to go! It's likely that there will be a line so if you're dying to attend a guest panel or watch a particular anime scheduled, I suggest getting in line about an hour and a half to two hours before the event starts. With more and more Anime fans attending AnimExpo each year it may be necessary to get in line over 2 hours early. And if you want tickets for any particular event, you'll have to get in line over 3 hours early (once they start handing out tickets the line will disappear quickly, but until then bring something to read - or a notebook computer with a few Anime DVDs and share the entertainment with those around you).

On the last day of AnimExpo, things usually slow down quite a bit (after the AnimExpo rush everything else is slow). If you've run out of events, it might be good time to check out the auction. Some of the coolest and rarest stuff come out during the auction (ie. sign boards specially created artwork and signed by the original artists). If you have the money, place a bid, the proceeds go to the City of Hope and you come away with being the victor in a bid and some cool Anime stuff.