Packed up and done! My Hangzhou Zhuimeng Day 3 anime convention experience has finally come to an end. Attending all three days and standing for hours every day at booth Z-11~12, my initial anticipation has turned into full-body soreness, yet paired with a deep sense of inner fulfillment. I participated in the Rhythm Game Carnival this time, and over these three days, my main role besides being a cosplayer was a part-time "mini-teacher."
This Komeiji Koishi outfit accompanied me through this busy three-day schedule. Caring for the light green wig took a lot of effort; I had to comb it carefully every night back at the hotel to maintain its shape. The black hat with a yellow bow, layered black lace around the collar, the blue orb pendant on the chest, and the yellow-green color-blocked dress created a vivid color scheme with distinctive Touhou flair. Paired with black fishnet stockings and platform shoes, although running around was exhausting for my feet, it was completely worth the effort to accurately restore the character's look. I also held a specially made plush figure that was just the right size, making it very convenient to pose for photos or interact with visitors.
Speaking of interaction, that's probably where the "feeling like a teacher" mentioned in the post comes from. A mini explanation game was set up at our booth, requiring me to explain the rules to players over and over again. Honestly, I was a bit nervous at first, as speaking too fast or unclearly could easily leave people confused. But with three days of experience, I gradually got the hang of it. I broke down the complex game process into a few simple steps, using body language while standing by the booth table, explaining with both words and gestures. When the crowd was large, I had to raise my voice so everyone around could hear; when meeting players who wanted to try, I patiently explained from the beginning again. This experience of constantly repeating and adjusting my explanation felt just like standing in front of students learning new knowledge for the first time. That eagerness to make them understand and the desire to see them successfully clear the game felt remarkably similar to a teacher's mindset. Although my voice became visibly hoarse after three days, seeing the surprised smiles on their faces when they cleared the game made all that talking completely worthwhile.
Running a booth isn't just about hard work; it's also deeply rewarding. Every day, many fellow fans walked by, and some even came specifically to our booth. Having the opportunity to talk face-to-face with fans and share our love for the work was a fantastic experience. The Touhou Project community has a unique warmth and affinity. No matter how people usually interact online, when we meet in person at an anime convention, surrounded by each other's cosplays and carefully prepared merchandise, everyone becomes so friendly and enthusiastic.
Attending all three days was also a personal challenge. Blisters on my feet, a hoarse voice, and returning to the hotel every day wanting nothing more than to lie down. Yet looking back, being able to leave my mark at an offline event like the Hangzhou Zhuimeng Rhythm Game Carnival was a truly happy experience. Setting up the booth and preparing merchandise were meticulous tasks, but when everything ended successfully and I looked at the cleared table after packing up, my heart was filled with relief and satisfaction. This ending is just a preparation for the next journey; a great anime convention experience always makes one look forward to the next meeting. But for now, I need to pack my luggage, prepare to return to daily life, and give my tired yet beat-filled heart a good rest.