AZFOODGUY: Make Anime Expo Great Again!

One thing is for sure, AZFOODGUY is traveling everywhere and eating everything.

In 2022, AZFOODGUY was able to attend Anime Expo AGAIN. Since he had been confined for the previous three years owing to the virus, it was an extraordinary occasion that he will never forget. The last time he attended was in 2019, before he became AZFOODGUY.

Anime Expo is a major gathering of anime and manga fans. Visitors can expect to witness hundreds of cosplayers, vendors selling merchandise, and fans from all over the world celebrating their love of both anime and manga. It's a place to network, make new friends, and learn about what's going on in the world of anime and manga.

The hum of expectation could be felt as soon as AZFOODGUY walked inside the conference hall. Everyone at Anime Expo was overjoyed to see him after such a long hiatus, and he could feel it in the air. Throughout the vendor hall, there were numerous dealers and fans offering a range of products such as figurines, apparel, and even streetwear. AZFOODGUY spent hours window browsing and appreciating all of the lovely stuff on display.

The Anime Expo vendor hall is a vast exhibit area where spectators may buy anything related to anime, manga, and other popular Japanese culture. The following are some examples of products that guests may come across in the vendor's hall:

Toys and figurines (there are a lot of figures, toys, and collectibles with characters from popular anime and manga series)

T-shirts, hoodies, hats, and other items depicting your favorite anime and manga characters are available for purchase. Check out these Anthony Wang "Gundam" sneakers. It's pricey, but it looks nice if you like that specific anime.

Artworks that have been printed (there were original art and prints with anime and manga characters, as well as original or fan art made by artists who were attending)

DVDs and Blu-rays (although many no longer buy them owing to the popularity of Crunchyroll anime streaming)

Popular manga and anime series are featured in media.

Video games based on anime! There have been several adaptations of anime shows into console and PC games.

Handmade things such as plush toys, jewelry, and key chains are created by artists and craftspeople.

One of AZFOODGUY's favorite expo elements is Artist Alley. It is a forum where local artists and artisans may display and sell their one-of-a-kind work. There were a lot of people there, and as he strolled through the corridors, AZFOODGUY kept running across great folks. Everyone was ecstatic to be returning to Anime Expo, and the atmosphere was wonderful.

Artist Alley is a sector of Anime Expo where artists and other creative people may present and sell their own works as well as other things inspired by anime, manga, and other forms of popular culture. Illustrators, graphic designers, sculptors, costume designers, and others are common vendors on Artist Alley. Valeza is one of AZFOODGUY's favorite streetwear labels.

Artist Alley mostly, if not completely, sells homemade crafts and one-of-a-kind pieces of art, as well as buttons, stickers, and other tiny items. Some artists also take commissions, which allow buyers to request custom-made goods or have their own ideas created on the moment.

Artist Alley began during anime and manga conventions, when fans and artists gathered to draw things they both liked and to celebrate their shared interests. Artist Alley has evolved into a bustling center of creativity and commerce where artists can share their abilities and ideas with a wider audience and customers can acquire one-of-a-kind art that is not available anywhere else.

At Anime Expo, Artist Alley is a popular site, and there is generally a lot going on there. Whether you like anime, manga, or popular culture in general, you'll find something on Artist Alley that appeals to you.

AZFOODGUY had fun looking through the figurines and trying on clothes in the vendor area at Anime Expo. His most expensive purchase during the event was a white streetwear jacket, which he had to buy in Little Tokyo since the vendor hall was out of his size. He also purchased a Persona 5 jacket, a Persona 4 bucket hat, and a Persona 4 Teddie shirt from the Persona booth, demonstrating his affinity for Persona.

His favorite entry in the series is Persona 5: Royal. The game is popular for a number of reasons, including its unusual visual style, which distinguishes it from other role-playing games. The game's setting is rich with iconic characters and locales, taking place in modern-day Tokyo and including various references to Japanese popular culture. The soundtrack, which includes jazz, pop, and other types of music, adds to the game's ambiance and overall experience.

Despite the fact that there were no hotel room parties or late-night performances during his Anime Expo visit, surrounding clubs and warehouses nonetheless staged after-parties. AZFOODGUY did not dress up, yet he had a great time at the Persona Café. The lit dance floor with various Persona decorations was a great way to remember the series.

The breakfast buffet at the hotel was one of the highlights of AZFOODGUY's stay. For AZFOODGUY, having a delicious breakfast is a must on each vacation. The Westin's breakfast buffet was fantastic, with a variety of wonderful meat items such smoked salmon and eggs benedict. The lox-topped bagels that AZFOODGUY produced every day were his favorite dish from the buffet.

AZFOODGUY always begins with a freshly toasted bagel, whether plain, sesame seeds, or a "whatever" bagel with a variety of seeds and spices. After that, a thick layer of cream cheese or similar creamy spread is put on top, producing an ideal surface for the toppings. Then there's the main event: the delicious, salty, and smokey smoked salmon. Capers are strewn over the fish, and each mouthful explodes with flavor. Of course, onions are required. The creamy smoothness, smokiness, acidity, and crunchiness all work well together.

Every morning before returning to the Los Angeles Convention Center, AZFOODGUY ate a full breakfast at the Westin Bonaventure.

On the last day of his road journey back home, AZFOODGUY was pleasantly delighted to see virtually little traffic and even some pyrotechnics as he left California. As he reflected on his experience at Anime Expo 2022, he was happy that he had made a last-minute choice to come, since he had a fantastic time. AZFOODGUY was looking forward to the 2023 event and was keen to see what surprises and new experiences were in store. He informed his friends and other anime lovers that badges and hotels were already on sale, and he advised everyone interested in going to check the Anime Expo website as soon as possible, since they had most certainly missed numerous critical deadlines.