KumoriCon
This last weekend, I was at KumoriCon, an anime convention in Portland, OR. I was invited to come run games as part of their still-nascent but hopefully growing tabletop game track. I chose to run two sessions of Maid RPG. Also present were Alexis, running Bliss Stage; Jake, running Panty Explosion; and Nick, running Yeld. Sadly Matt and Kim were unable to attend. The reception we got was amazing. Every game (we ran seven, I think) was over-full with enthusiastic players and at every game we sadly had to turn some folks away.
Further, there was a real sense that we had found not simply a new audience for our games, but the right audience for our games. The players at KumoriCon did not shy away from playing maids, were not freaked by the homosexuality (and the sexuality in general) of Bliss Stage, and the title “Panty Explosion” was a positive draw, rather than a negative “eww…” It’s amazing to me to look at the way that I’m used to having to offer explanations and excuses for my games at conventions. Realizing that I didn’t have to do that anymore was a hugely powerful experience. Despite the fact that an anime convention environment was more than a little strange to me, I felt like I had come home.
Like all cons, Kumoricon was exhausting and draining, but it was also extraordinary. I would gladly do it again in a month, and I’m sad I’ll have to wait a year (though you may see me around more NW anime cons in the coming year, particularly as Clover and Bliss Stage ramp back up.)
Yay! Sounds like a pretty awesome experience.
…I’m used to having to offer explanations and excuses for my games at conventions. Realizing that I didn’t have to do that anymore was a hugely powerful experience.
That’s awesome and exactly when you’re in the right space.
If you’re ever out in the NE again, you might consider dropping by Connecticon. It’s an anime and cosplay con, friendly and sprawling. I was there for the first time this past August and I suspect that you’d do well there, too.
-L
That’s great! And I think Clover will be very popular, especially now that Yotsuba&! is back in print and coming out again (volume 6 just shipped).
I thought about running Bliss Stage at Fanime (Memorial Day weekend anime con in San Jose) this year but didn’t; maybe I’ll give it a shot next year.
Bliss Stage got a great response when I ran it at Anime Central (Chicago 2009) too. That game was for friends, not open gaming for strangers, but there’s another data point for you.
I wonder, idly, about the size of anime fandom compared to the size of the existing role-player community. I feel like there are a lot more anime fans than D&D/White Wolf players, but it’s hard to find numbers to confirm or deny that.
Tony and Chris: Yes.
Luke: Thanks. If I’m around (or if this grows enough that I can make money by traveling) I’ll definitely go.
Carl: I would be much obliged. I will try to send you some support material. Alexis designed a much better con scenario.
Jono: Anime fandom is much, much bigger. Like about two powers of ten.
Very nice, Ben. I’m happy to hear about you (and jake’s and Alexis’ and Nick’s) experience. Your explanation of why this con was just right for you is brilliantly said.
Hmm. May I convince you to run things at the west coast cons? Fanime, et al?
Elliot:
Possibly. E-mail me with dates and locations. If you have any pull with the con, and can get me an invitation (whether as a guest or just a free badge for running games) that definitely helps.
Whoa, wait. You live near the West Coast?
This is a pleasant surprise! I live in Portland. Went to Kumoricon this year, but didn’t have time for the TRPG room.
I found out about Bliss Stage through TV Tropes. I wanna play it, but I don’t think my current gaming group is anime geek-y enough to really get into it. (They play D&D 3.5, ho hum.)
Uuuuum, send me a line at my email address, maybe? I wasn’t expecting to find out you lurked so close to me. Figure you’d be fun to chat with.
Name’s Charles, by the way. Pleased to meetcha.
~Charles
Also, the fact that they were running Maid RPG at Kumoricon and I didn’t know about it makes me sad. Good God I want to play that.
~Charles
(P.S.: Sorry for the doublepost.)
Hi Charles.
You might want to check out the Go Play Portland community: GoPlayPDX. I bet you can find some people there who want to play Bliss Stage, or at least something that’s not D&D 3.5.
I live in Seattle. I don’t have a ton of time to talk on the internet (grad student), but if you’re in town drop me a line at taogames@gmail.com and we’ll see if we can meet up and chat.