Day 1 of running a booth at Anime NYC (ANYC) in New York has finally wrapped up successfully! Looking back now, while the journey was exhausting, my heart was filled with unprecedented excitement.
Setting up the booth in the morning, I was still feeling anxious about whether our printed freebies and fan merch would be well-received. I had prepared a generous stash of freebies to hand out, but to my amazement, before the morning was even half over, passionate fans had snatched them all up. That wave of validation instantly dissolved all my nervous tension. Having my own little space at such a massive international convention for the first time, seeing the dazzling array of posters and my art neatly displayed across the table, filled me with an immense sense of accomplishment.
Regarding booth sales, it certainly verified some predictions I made before departing. Here in New York, I discovered that the BanG Dream! It's MyGO!!!!! fandom is intensely passionate. A huge number of overseas fans stopped by to inquire, and their enthusiasm and purchasing power were staggering. In particular, merchandise featuring Nagasaki Soyo cosplay and Sakiko Toyokawa cosplay (Soyo and Saki) were absolute bestsellers. Countless fans zeroed in on their goods the moment they stepped in, and many came specifically asking for AnonSoyo items. It seems that no matter which country you're in, the power of the AnonSoyo pairing (Chihaya Anon cosplay x Nagasaki Soyo cosplay) is formidable, commanding truly dominant popularity here in North America. Being able to chat with everyone about these characters and seeing the spark of joy in their eyes when holding the merch made every ounce of effort worthwhile for me as a creator.
Of course, behind the sparkling spotlight lies genuine hard work. From the morning opening to evening teardown, I was practically glued to Booth H19 all day—bustling around welcoming attendees, counting stock, and interacting with fellow fans. By the time I could pack up and finally catch my breath, it was nearly 9 PM. Starving, I grabbed a quick bite at a nearby spot, only to get caught in a massive New York downpour. With torrential rain and biting wind, I was shivering cold, clutching today's remaining merch while rushing back through the wet streets. Although physically pushed to the limit, that exhaustion paled in comparison to the sheer fulfillment in my heart.
As my first official tabling experience, this convention provided invaluable takeaways in both booth curation and audience feedback. I'll be holding down the fort at H19 again tomorrow! Observing today's sales trends, I've decided to switch things up slightly for even better interaction with everyone. Tomorrow, I plan to appear in Shiina Taki cosplay form, hoping to bring a fresh surprise to all BanG Dream! It's MyGO!!!!! enthusiasts.
On this chilly, rainy New York night, even while drenched and shivering, recalling every joyful pair of eyes that received our art books and postcards warms my soul. That is the true magic of anime conventions: even when physically drained, your spirit receives immense healing and energy.
Sharing a bit of practical tabling advice from a creator's perspective: preparing ample stock is vital, especially freebies that bridge the distance with attendees, quickly sparking engaging conversations. Beyond that, witnessing fans from all corners of the globe connect over the same work in one place is truly magical. Diverse cultural backgrounds united through anime culture is simply wonderful. I can't wait for tomorrow—hoping the rain clears for great tabling weather, and looking forward to Booth H19 delivering top-notch creations to everyone!