LLNN Coverage of Anime Expo 98

Shown below are some miscellaneous shots of AX98's extra events and various oddities. Big events and areas like Exhibit Hall and Ceremonies aren't the only things to see. There are plenty of anime industry panels, discussions, celebrity interviews, karaoke sessions, video gaming centers, artist panels, contests, and parties going on at the same time, which gives you an idea of how packed the AX weekend schedule really is. And we haven't even touched the anime video theaters!

Anime Expo 98
The AX Experience


Last year's huge attendance at AX97 left no doubt that AX98 would bring in even more attendees, so more machines were brought in to ensure pre-registration and registration was much smoother and faster. Many fans agreed; lines that started 3-5 hours before AX Registration even opened on thursday and friday were cleared out and everyone had a AX98 Badge and Info Packet after only 2 hours or less. Those coming in after 11am on those days or any time on saturday or sunday never even saw a line. How about that. Records show that total attendance for AX98 brought in over 4700 people from over 40 US States and 13 countries around the world. This would be a 23% increase from last year's attendance which was over 3800.

Here at AX98's Information Desk, fans could pick up the latest and greatest breaking news about what's going on behind their backs, so to speak. Some anime showing they missed? Some anime panel conspiracy under wraps? Where is the Exhibit Hall? Where is the Convention Center?	What is this warm fuzzy feeling I get when I come to AX? Yes, AX Information Desk brought in all types of lost travelers. Even the cute ones.

You can almost feel the excited anticipation in the air as fans eagerly await the opening of AX98. Why the lines? Because more and more fans love anime every year and Anime Expo is the Number One place to be.	Anime Expo Masquerade is THE place to be if you're a fan of this kind of entertainment and don't these fans know it. They lined up 3-4 hours to assure their early-bird place in line! Such dedication!

So what is there to do when you get your Registration materials before the convention has opened? Fans flocked to AX98 Merchandising Desk to purchase many of the coolest AX souveniurs available: posters, t-shirts, anime info booklets, pins, and hats.	Part of this report is dedicated to our now dead flash unit, a longtime friend of AX Archive, it has served its time well.