Anime Expo -- worth it?

I don't know about Anime Expo, but at my local cons, it is not worth going for figures alone unless you plan to spend big bucks on gundam stuff or just really expensive scales.

Everything from the $10-100 range is most of the time prize figures with jacked up prices with the scale here and there. Most scales start around $100 and are very few, to the point where I didn't really want any(then again I don't collect idol figures). If you plan to spend hundreds, most of the time they have really nice and pricy figures, upwards of $200-500.

All in all, going to my con is not worth it for figures alone. I don't know how it would be at anime expo, but honestly I don't expect it to be any different. I will say though if you are a gundam fan then it could be worth it, they usually have really cool and sick gundam stuff.

Anime conventions are known for being awful for figures. I saw a DXF love live figure for $150CAD at animethon here in Edmonton back in January. There is always that rare vendor selling used figures for good prices but other then that don't waste your money on figures there. I go to conventions for the artist posters, used figures and other merch like keychains and car stickers.

Personally, I enjoy the exhibit hall, artist alley and all the cosplayers. But different flavors for different people. If you're going purely for figures, it's a hit or miss. Considering it's one of the largest cons around here, con prices appear as well as convenience of it being there. Just search up figure prices as you'll go and it should be fine (Consider shipping too). GSC has a booth too that sells nendos and figures before actual online release too. If you're interested in other merch, you'll find a lot you probably never would have known about.

I've been to AX for 4 years, this year will be my 5th. Going to AX for figures alone really aint worth it. Tbh its just a seller's dream there. Demand for figures or anything anime related are high so they can increase the price and over price things or everything gets sold out in the first two days. Also going figure splurging at an already expensive con seems wasteful at the very least. Also the figures there are either pretty old imo.

AX for figures, not worth (Unless GSC's Booth, Kotobukiya or HobbyJapan's).

AX for Japanese guests absolutely worth it.

I went to AX for the first time last year. I would totally recommend going but not just for figures. If you've never been to a con, it's a really amazing experience and AX is the best of the best.

As far as the exhibit hall goes, it's freaking huuge. I easily spent 2+ of my days at the con just browsing the exhibit hall and checking out all the booths. The exhibit hall will be a mixture of official companies and other vendors. You can find goodsmile, kotobukiya, aniplex, volks, and etc there. They will be selling figures for pretty much retail. If it helps, companies will usually release what figures/exclusives they will be bringing to the con ahead of time. Be warned though, that there are usually long lines and they will very probably sell out first.

The vendors will vary. They'll carry a good mix of both new and old figures but prices will vary. I didn't think the overall markup was particulary bad and often times you will find figures for close to retail or market price. I wouldn't buy any figures that were marked up too high. It's also really cool to actually see the figures since they are usually better in person. If you do go, be sure to check mulitple vendors for a figure. Often times you might find that one vendor has it for cheaper than another vendor.

I go to AX every year! I think it’s a great time especially with friends! This will be first year going as a newbie figure collector as I just started buying figures. But my favorite thing to do is the artist alley! Original art and posters and keychains is always something I’ve loved as I’m an artist myself :) also new announcements and exclusive previews for upcoming anime is always a plus too! Last year I got some pop figures signed by the Overwatch voice actors so it’s always something new!

I go to both AX and SDCC every year. I wouldn't recommend going to AX if your focus is to just buy anime figures. In my experience and as a collector myself, you're not going to get a great deal buying figures at AX. Most of the figures are usually marked up in price and you'll most definitely find a better deal online even with the extra shipping cost. That said, I still do pick up figures at AX, especially the ones that are event exclusive and just can't resist since it's right there in front of you and you can just take it home right away. AX is also great for all the events, and whichever day you choose, there is bound to be a panel that might be of interest to you. As for SDCC, after attending AX, honestly, the SDCC exhibit hall is going to feel SO disappointing compared to AX when it comes to anime figures. SDCC's exhibit hall is maybe 5 times bigger than AX's, but if you're looking for anime-related vendors, there's only perhaps one small section (the 4000's section, I believe) and at the most less than 20 vendors that will be anime-focussed since the exhibit hall is overwhelmingly taken up by the the mega media giants like FOX, Netflix, HBO, etc. You'll also find more western comics at SDCC like Marvel and DC Comics moreso than anime-related booths. There are large figures vendors that exhibit at both AX and SDCC, but they change out their focus from Japanese anime figures to more western figures with each con. For example in previous years, Kotobukiya exhibited in both cons, but while at AX, the booth would have all the familiar anime figures like Tokyo Ghoul, Persona 5, Yuri on Ice, Touken Ranbu, but weeks later at SDCC, their focus would switch to Marvel/ DC Comics figures. At AX, while Goodsmile is a HUGE presence that everyone is flocking to, at SDCC, they've resorted to sharing a booth in recent years with other vendors. That said, if you're lucky enough to be able to attend both cons, you should definitely go to compare and experience it for yourself.

If you live in commuting distance to LA, you are better off hitting up Kinokuniya and Anime Jungle in Downtown LA.They have good variety of anime figures and general collectibles, at much better prices. I would go before AX dates though, as i am convinced they jack prices up those dates due to the influx of tourists coming through because of AX.