Your Ultimate Packing Checklist for Anime Convention Season
It’s anime convention season, and you know what that means! Time to stock up on the necessities and think about what to bring to a convention to make sure your experience is as close to perfect as possible. And because we’re anime convention experts, we’re giving you 5 essentials you shouldn’t forget to bring. This convention packing checklist will range from merch to storage, and even a bit of common sense, so let’s dive in!
1. Hat Coverage
You might not think you need a hat (after all, 99% of conventions are indoors), but don’t discount the traveling and walking you’ll be doing to the convention center or navigating around town to find a place to eat. Sun exposure is no joke, and packing a hat (or two) to take with you can help keep the sun out of your eyes.
Don’t want to worry about your hair constantly? A hat is good for hiding that too! Plus, choosing the right hat can help you accentuate your fandom. Don’t believe us? Check out Crunchyroll’s selection of hats, including the following gems:
2. Storage, Storage, Storage
Don’t underestimate the number of goodies you’ll walk away with from a con! There’s so much great anime merch available that it’s incredibly easy to fill up your suitcase and still have some things that need to come with you. And sure, shipping items home is an option, but depending on the size and weight of your anime swag, that can get expensive (plushies are huge and can take up entire boxes). Instead, we’d recommend bringing some additional storage, especially something that can be used as a carry-on if you’re flying.
Bring a nice backpack with you to carry your purchases and convention essentials. Bonus points if you can make it anime-related! Need some inspiration? Here’s a good place to start:
If you’re bringing any tech with you (iPads, laptops, etc.), we highly encourage you to pick a bag like this with a dedicated laptop sleeve. While they won’t protect your devices from everything, they are cushioned to withstand the average drops/travel movement. Make sure to measure your device ahead of time!
3. Casual Dress
We love seeing cosplayers! But don’t get so excited about showing off your amazing anime costumes that you forget to bring something casual and comfortable. There’s nothing wrong with the standard graphic T-shirt. It’s perfect for navigating anime conventions and exploring the surrounding area. Also, it’s breathable!
Want to dress it up? A nice jacket over a graphic tee is “a lewk,” as the young people say. But let’s be honest; if you’re going to a con, you should dress for comfort. There’s going to be a lot of waiting and moving, so make sure to grab something fun like this:
4. Autograph Swag
Planning to meet your favorite voice actors, artists and creators? Bring something unique for them to sign! You can choose from many items, like anime figures, Funko POPS!, T-shirts, posters and notebooks. But if you’re looking for something special for your favorite anime voice actor, artist or creator to sign, we’d recommend a mini poster. Here’s an example:
Why a mini poster? They’re smaller than regular-sized posters and can travel easier without you having to worry about significant damage. Please note this is merely a suggestion. Some signing events limit what an individual can sign, so check ahead of time to see if you need to bring something with you or if you’ll need to purchase something at the event.
5. The Essentials
Last but certainly not least, we’re going to mention the essentials. Yup! We’re talking about toothbrushes, sunscreen, deodorant, undergarments, contacts/solution, etc. Sometimes, planning a trip to a special travel destination can be an ordeal, and you can forget to pack the essentials. But please take some extra time to ensure you’ve packed everything you need. Buying them at or near the convention can result in you paying inflated prices or going without.
It may be annoying, but it’s a lot safer to make a list of essentials before you leave than to get to the convention and be missing something. Don’t stress out about it too much, though. You’ve got this!
Want to get in the anime convention spirit without buying a ticket? Check out the outstanding merch in the Crunchyroll Store!
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