Matthew Reports: SacCon October 2015

When SacAnime moved to the Sacramento Convention Center, I was hoping that SacCon - its parent convention - would make the same move too as well. But after January 2013, the convention was still at the Scottish Rite Center until this year when it finally made the move but not to the convention center. Instead, they went north to the McClellan Conference Center.

Nate Reports: J-Pop Summit 2015

This summer has been such a ride for me. I mean with a great time at this year's FanimeCon and my return to Anime Expo after two years, it has been such an exciting summer this year. And who knew that the ride would take me back home for this year's JPop Summit. As a fan of JPop music, I was happy to check out this year summit. But there were a lot of changes that had to take part in order for this JPop summit to happen. Let's just hope these changes gave a significant improvement from JPop Summits of previous years.

Ray Reports: TouhouCon 2015!

So, I skipped two California conventions I've previously been to this past summer, Anime Expo and Sac-Anime. Part of this is to save money for a convention I've been wanting to attend for over a year.

Said convention is TouhouCon, a convention based in Southern California centered around Touhou Project.

Before we get into the actual report of this convention, a little elaboration is in order for those who are unfamiliar with Touhou.

Kraken Con Fall 2015: Robbie's Report

This was bound to be a unique Kraken Con from the get-go, and it most certainly was. This Autumn’s Kraken Con was held on the USS Hornet Museum, making for a new and different convention experience that will be remembered fondly for a long while.

Sac Anime Summer 2015: Robbie's Report

The lead-up to this Sac Anime was full of excitement and anticipation, with a bevy of fantastic guests announced. Actors from Futurama, Legend of Korra, Power Rangers, and more were due to be in attendance, so I was anticipating a great convention. Sac Anime had been an enjoyable convention in previous years, although a change in staff and management meant anything could happen. So let’s see what did.

Convention Eats: Raku Sushi/Coin-Op Game Room

Convention Eats: Raku Sushi

Location:  805 Harbor Blvd, West Sacramento, CA 95691

Cuisine: Japanese/Sushi

The front of Raku Sushi. (Photo Credit: KCRA A-List) Note: Photo is outdated as restaurant has moved across the street

If there's one thing Sacramento has plenty of, it's sushi restaurants. From Roseville to Folsom to Downtown Sacramento to Elk Grove, the region is littered these types of restaurants. SacAnime is close to two sushi/Japanese restaurants: Mikuni's (very upscale) and Bento Box (not that upscale but still good).

But if you want to take your sushi game to the next level, there's the buffet sushi restaurants.

Conventions Eats: Tako Korean BBQ

Conventions Eats: Tako Korean BBQ

Location: 3030 T St, Sacramento, CA 95816

Cuisine: Korean/Mexican Fusion

(Photo Credit: Rick Keller Photography & PoVimaging)

Op-Ed: Ghosting

NOTE: The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not reflect the official policy or position of the California Conventions Blog.

The view from the Sacramento Convention Center 2nd Floor Terrance, before they restricted access to this spot at the Winter 2015 show

Op-Ed: Airsoft

NOTE: The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not reflect the official policy or position of the California Conventions Blog.

Also, the contents of this Op-Ed contains strong subject manner. Reader discretion is advised.

My photo shoot of Jonah from Jormungand at Wizard World Sacramento 2014. (Photo Credit: Yiu Ma Photogrpahy)

Back when I did my three Jonah photo shoots - Kintoki-Con and SacAnime Summer 2013 and Wizard World Sacramento 2014 - I had to be very smart about how I carried my props because as you can see, it looks almost like a real FN P90 with a holographic sight, something you would see special forces use. For the most part, I followed policy that most airsoft stores, ranges, and fields would use: carry your airsoft in gun bags (or in my case, a backpack) and used them only when you were ready to. They took zero tolerance to those who would carry them without a bag.

But then two things happened in the past year or so: conventions started to crack down on airsoft, and Ferguson.

Anime Expo 2015 Day Negative Zero and Day Zero - I'm Coming Home

I'm coming home/I'm coming home/Tell the world I'm coming home/Let the rain wash away all the pain of yesterday/And though my kingdom awaits, they'd forgiven me for my mistakes/I'm coming... home!

Diddy-Dirty Money - Coming Home (ft. Skylar Grey)