Zenkaikon, King of Prussia, the Scanticon Hotel and Convention Center. March 18 to March 20, 2011. Many people are aware of Tabletop RPGs such as Dungeons and Dragons. Many have heard of Live-Action Role-playing Games (LARPs) where a player takes a character and plays with and against a group of people in a live action setting, generally resolving actions with the use of a childlike Rock-Paper-Scissors game. But how many people are aware of the Anime LARPs that take place at conventions?
The rules of an Anime LARP are simple enough. A player chooses a character from an Anime that they would like to play. Any Anime you could name is represented, although they are scaled for competitive purposes. (Goku from Dragonball Z would only be playable from the point he was at immediately following the Frieza Saga, for example). The Zenkaikon Anime LARP uses the “Nexus System”, and has simple ground rules. No touching, no stunts, no hitting each other, be mindful of the rest of the convention, and don’t yell anything that could get emergency services to show up. The LARP and its organizers are an entirely non-profit organization: everyone just enjoys getting together and have a good time.
The atmosphere was jovial, and when asked for quotes, many people had something to say.
Matt Benson said, “Of all the things I’ve ever done in (conventions), this is the best way to make friends. Scenes end in cheering and laughter.”
Matt “Osaka” Papa said, “I’ve been doing this for 9 years. It’s always awesome! You’ll make friends for life.”
Jordan Sam chose to take a unique stance at this year’s LARP. He chose to pick the “Secret Character” integral to the plot, which ended up being quite a surprise. Jordan Sam said, “I picked the secret character with no idea who I’d get. I had so much fun though, derping around as James from Pokémon.”
A unique and interesting experience, Anime LARPs consistently happen at Anime Conventions around the US as well as at conventions like Zenkaikon in the Philadelphia Area, and can be easily found in many Anime Convention Event lists. It is an annual event at Zenkaikon.
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