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So I just got back from day 1 of Nekocon in Hampton Roads, VA, and I have to say I was totally blown away by this con! For such a small con (4,500 people tops), the variety of things to do, cosplays to see, and stuff to buy is unbelievable! This was a con of many firsts for me, and it has been a blast so far! So now without further ado, a rundown of my awesome, super spectacular, highly expensive, and all around amazing first day at Nekocon! I mentioned that this was a con of many firsts, and the most important of these is the fact that this is the very first con I’ve gone to without a fellow member of this lovely forum of ours (I REALLY missed all you guys from Otakon btw
😥 )! It was a bit awkward at first, but I soon found some awesome, like minded people to spend a little time with:
http://i239.photobucket.com/albums/ff178/chucklocker/Nekocon%202013/20131101_115053_zps49258213.jpg
" /> Awesome Rei and Kaworu who waited with me in the registration line.
" /> Fantastic plugsuited Asuka and Kaworu who chilled with me waiting for the dealer’s room to open (she even SOUNDED like Asuka
" /> A very cute Rei who I ran into on the way out.
As you’ve probably already figured out, this is the debut of my super cheap, entirely made up of clothing I already owned, Shinji cosplay! All in all I think it turned out pretty good! I got at least a dozen recognitions and, as seen above, some really great photo ops! (I’m told that there is a Gendo somewhere at the con… I shall make it my mission to find him tomorrow).
My favorite part of the day was by far the dealer’s room! Soooo many great tables, and easily the most reasonable prices of any con I’ve ever been to (didn’t stop me from blowing my savings though…
😎 ):
" /> The omnipresent chibi set that’s been at every con I’ve ever been too.
" /> A very familiar Super Famicon game.
" /> A boss Gendo figure who, ironically, seems to be flanked by some very different kind of angels.
" /> This is a curious thing. As best as I and the dealer could tell this is probably Hitoshi Okuda’s work and signature, but I honestly don’t know. At $100 though, I don’t need to find out lol.
Now for the actual purchases. I’ll start with the big one first:
" /> I nearly died when I saw the big box in the back. It’s a garage prop kit made by professional prop makers, and it’s the iconic blaster pistol from Yamato!
😆 ) luck got in the way and I ended up with all five, lol.
" /> I FINALLY found my own copy of Sasami Stories, and now I can die at peace, knowing that I have finally read all of Okuda’s English published manga!
Another first for me at this con was a rather big one. Up till now I’ve generally scoffed at the notion of buying production cels, but today changed all that…
" /> 
" /> 
" /> The reason for the change of heart was quite honestly the prices. At every other con I’ve been to these cels would have cost me at least $35 each, but I got all these awesome cels for a TOTAL of $35! Also, the selection of this dealer was so far above and beyond any other con I’ve been to that I spent most of my time rifling through his stock and simply ogling the DOZENS of Tenchi, Dual, and countless other cels! He’s still got a whole lot of them, and at those prices I might just be back for more!
Strangely enough, I think the coolest thing I found was the first thing I found, and it was the cheapest:
" /> These are Tenchi Muyo collector cards! I didn’t even know these things existed, but for the price I paid way back in the day for one pack of Pokemon/Yugioh cards I got FOUR packs of these! I’m holding off on opening them till the con is over, cause I want something awesome to look forward to once its all over.
Well, that’s about it for day 1. I did go to a few panels, but they were nothing to write home about. There were a handful of really good AMV’s in the AMV contest that I might share at a later time, but for now it’s on to day 2!
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chucklocker wrote:
It was a bit awkward at first, but I soon found some awesome, like minded people to spend a little time with:
Did you get any of their names? If you didn’t don’t feel bad. I often have my pockets full of spaghetti, too.
Quote:" /> The omnipresent chibi set that’s been at every con I’ve ever been too.
Get all three sets if you can. Then you’ll have the best desk in the firm.
“Hey who are those things?”
“Psh, get lost casual. Don’t you have an insurance fraud case to take care of today? Nerd.”
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There are various groups of tenchi cards, probably close to a dozen in all. In terms of the total number of cards out there… about 200-300.
Amazing finds at small cons out there chuck.
If you find that Toradora! box set 1 that’s like this…
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4094/4806640124_dfc876bd26.jpg " /> Do give me a shout.
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Ryoko’s Stepdad wrote:
Get all three sets if you can. Then you’ll have the best desk in the firm.
Lol, my dream right there!
Anyway, day two has come and gone, and Nekocon is still a rip-roaring good time! Here are some of the highlights from the second day.
By far the best experience of today (and probably of this entire con) was the Steve Blum signing! To actually meet the man behind the voice of so many of my youthful idols was truly an amazing experience, and not to mention a great photo opportunity!:
" /> I couldn’t resist the classic bebop pose…
😎 Anyway, here are some more cool pics that I randomly snapped today:
" /> A shot of the main hall. This wasn’t taken at the height of traffic, but regardless, as you can see this was a relatively small but happenin’ con.
" /> Some more omnipresent Tenchi merchandise (in the center of the pic).
" /> BEST COSPLAY GROUP OF CON.
" /> An AMAZING Aisha and Melfina duo.
" /> Another cute Eva cosplayer willing to stand next to me for a photo shoot
" /> And finally, (because I forgot to post it yesterday) my badge and program booklet.
Anyway, I mentioned the awesome cel dealer with the great selection and super low prices right? Well here is some of his choicest stock of Tenchi and related cels.
http://s239.photobucket.com/user/chucklocker/library/Nekocon%202013/Cels ” class=”bbcode_url”> http://s239.photobucket.com/user/chucklocker/library/Nekocon%202013/Cels I got the guy’s business card so if anybody wants one of these just PM me and I’ll pass it along.
Well, Nekocon 2013 is over for me, and it was a resounding success! I experienced many things for the first time here, and I will always treasure the memories (and stuff!) that I acquired over this wonderful weekend! I look forward to at least two more Nekocons, and I hope that they will be as fun as this one was! Next up: (fingers crossed for) Ohayocon 2014, and (definitely) Katsucon 2014!
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BONUS PIC: 
" /> Steve Blum’s (aka The Laughing Man) signature now joins several other season 1 GiTS:SAC VA’s on the cover of my set
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Took me a while, but as promised here are the Tenchi Muyo! Collector Cards I got from the packs I picked up at Nekocon. Quite a good haul, all things considered, but I did end up with some duplicates. I’ve added the red numbers in the corners to denote the card numbers. I’ve also added green highlights around the edges of the cards I have doubles of, in case anybody wants to buy or trade with me 
First up, OVA1:
" /> OVA2:
" /> There are apparently 72 cards in this collection, and hopefully I’ll someday be able to catch em all!
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