Maybe it's just me but every time someone mentions anime and comic conventions in the same sentence, I end up picturing those terrible, western produced, knock-offs like Captain Planet. Sure, from a distance they look like anime, but the moment you see them in action, you find yourself wondering why it just isn't the same. I definitely felt that way when I was attending San Diego Comic Con the other month. Sure there was anime there, but everyone there seemed to have their focus elsewhere.

Now it seems New York Anime Festival might be headed in that direction, as it will joining New York Comic Con in co-locating next season. By that, I mean the conventions will take place in the same location, at the same time. The operating company, Reed Exhibitions Pop Culture Group, decided to do this in order to balance out their events with the launch of the Chicago Comics and Entertainment Expo in April of next year, with New York Comic Con moving to a permanent October date.

According to a representative for the company, everyone, including attendees, agreed that this is was the best idea. While I somehow doubt that to be the case, what's done is done. if you ask me, I would have gladly taken 2 conventions over an over-crowded one. I suppose there's no word on if this will drastically alter the attendance, but I'd say is safe to assume that it'll likely grow as a result. Is anyone else as disappointed? Over-joyed? Maybe just the tad bit skeptical? I'd love to know.