AnimeNYC 2025

For the second year in a row, our armor building panel was accepted for AnimeNYC! "Fullmetal Foamsmiths" - a panel presented by Vanta Creates, Foxtailzz & I, Cin' Von Quinzel where we teach the basics of EVA foam and thermoplastic armor making. Presenting this panel supplies me with a weekend badge to the convention, so here is a look at my experience at AnimeNYC!

ANIMENYC 2025

I began my convention on Friday, running into the con and getting ready for my panel. Decided to wear Lucy from the anime "Elfin Lied". A classic horror anime I love, and a perfect choice for the panel because my half-helmet is created with both EVA foam and worbla.

The panel went so smoothly, by the time I was in the panel room the IT/tech people had assisted & connected everything. Making for a quick start with no technical difficulties at all. If you have ever attended or presented a panel, you know this can be an issue sometimes, but the convention had wonderful and helpful staff. Last year our panel was early Sunday with good attendance, but for 2025 we were switched to Friday early afternoon & the place was packed! It's wonderful to see so many people wanting to learn how to build their own cosplay armor. We shared all of our information, tips and tricks with the crowd. Displaying examples and answering so many great questions. I love presenting this panel, the attendees are sponges looking to absorb and learn, plus my fellow panelists are amazing at what they do! Once the panel was over, I was on to the show floor. My biggest interest here is the artist alley. I will say AnimeNYC has always had a great artist alley with unique work and different styles. I've fallen in love with art I had never seen before or anywhere else. As someone who isn't the most familiar with all anime's, I don't find that to be an issue here. There were hundreds of artists, and most seemed to have original characters within their collections, truly displaying their passions and creativity. If I ever ranked my favorite artist alleys at conventions, this one is definitely top 3 at least.

(see some of my favorite art & artists in my AnimeNYC Vlog)

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One other thing that often gets my attention, the statues. All so detailed and cute! Rows and rows of characters, most I do not know but the designs are sick and make me want to learn more. At cons like this you'll often see products that are newer, about to be released or being worked on currently. Sneak peaks for the fans with possible release dates. Blind boxes have also become very popular over the years, I also saw a bunch of those too.

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After running around the show floor, I made my way across the building and down the escalator into the gaming section. While traveling throughout a convention, there are a few things you are guaranteed to see, one of those things are cosplayers! I had the opportunity to photograph a few of them over the weekend, and you will be seeing some of the images here. (want to see more? check out my "photography page")

Now on to the game room? gaming section? I don't remember exactly what they referred to it as, but it was a pretty large space with many types of games. This included arcade games, mahjong, boardgames, dnd, card games, demos and a bunch more. Enough options that most people would find something they enjoy. My favorites were Tetris (as usual), kung fu kickball, portal pinball (it's the only one they had), the racing game (something with a D), and demoing the Pratt student games.

I spent most of my 3(ish) days at AnimeNYC between panels, the game room, artist alley, chatting with friends and photographing/taking video of things & people who piqued my interest. Only cosplaying on Friday, a choice I'm glad I made for myself.

Overall AnimeNYC is a good con for those who love anime and have friend that like it too. I don't find it to be social in a way that you'd meet a bunch of new people. A lot of the attendees stick to their 'cliques', finding a spot with good light and make content together. If that's your thing, this might be the place for you. If not, I hope you find other parts of the convention enjoyable as I do. Maybe I'll see you next year, till than I hope you enjoy more of my photographs and the vlog too!

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See the convention thru my eyes by watching

ANIMENYC VLOG!

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Blog, Vlog & Photographs by Cin' Von Quinzel

THANK YOU FOR READING :)