Anime Expo 2024: Artist Alley Isn't 18+

 

Come with us. Down below, where both Artist Alley and the 18+ Section are banished. Not really banished, but it always funny to see yourself going underground...away from the light into Kentia Hall. Where such colorful works of some of your favorite characters are shown off with fans talented enough to show off their art skills...are in the dungeon. We get 18+ being down there and as we've put it before, call it something else like Hentai Alley, Horny Town or NSFW-ville. In any case both were a deligh to wander through.

Artist Alley, per usual was showcasing whatever anime was the most popular, but had fun hints of ultra specific tastes. Sure, there was Delicious in Dungeon everywhere, but original characters and stuff based just around artist's actual pets.

It was busy every time we visited it and other then giving them light and more room we're not sure how to improve the setup other than some dividers for better people flow. Many times people crowded around booths for artist they really loved. People got entranced for specific PC characters now on a phone charm.

It's so hard to choose what to get, so many great, silly doodles given a full roll out as stickers, pins and what have you. It remains one of our favs of all cons to see what people are into and what crazy things artists can come up with.

On to the porn. 18+ remains behind its gate, checking all IDs. A wonderland of what the and oh jeez. There was a nice push of very dirty steam games. There were round the booth lines for both purveyors of Japanese filth Fakku and JAST, J-List, but mainly porn. It's always fun to see what oddities of horny are there, but it feels like the area was a little empty and Fakku and JAST could expand or more horny booths related to anime could fit in the area.

 

 

What we're getting at is there seems like there could be more booths their and maybe a theme or festival, like this year it's all about swimsuits or panties or monster girls, prison girls. Something to unite all the booths underground. Have fun decorations. 

 

Wefeel like TENGA used to be a part, but it must have dropped out and a few other names.

 

Here's hoping the have more booths next year and an agreed upon theme. Who doesn't what a special shirt saying, "MILF Festival AX 2025" or "Yaoi or Yuri, we all Support Peace in the Middle East."