So this is going to be my first SDCC coming up, and I was wondering what sort of presence Japanese vinyl will have. I figure S7 will have a booth and an exclusive treat, but do other vendors from Japan come over for SDCC?

What should I expect to see?

I have been going to San Diego Comic Con since 2003.

Each year, I have been seeing more and more Japanese toy sellers.

Depending on what you're after, I'd say you can drop $500 easy...

I reckon the S7 booth is going to see some *serious* action this year.

Some Western dealers crank up the prices. It can get rediculous.

S7 has a beautiful booth.

are their prices the same as online?

I'll just say this.

Sometimes you regret even asking when something doesn't have a price on it.

But you will find nice stuff, there's no denying that. It's not all gouge.

You gonna be there Paul?

speaking of SDCC, I will also be going for the first time (I've been wanting to go since I was a kid). Think i'll be going Thurs - Sat. I've been having problems saving money in anticipation... is everyone else having the same problem?

Is it really as crowded as the pictures I've seen show? I get claustrophobic (dunno if i spelled that right) sometimes.

Yesiree!

Looking forward to meeting some of you guys and gals there.

still working on planning our trip out.

I'll post a picture of myself again so you can all recognize me

On Saturday, it gets CRAZY.

the crowd can be monster!

Yes,Its that crowded.I was there wed-sun last year and I didnt see the other side of the hall,thats how much there was to do.

S7 and Toytokyo have big booths.

Not at all, I just cashed in my stock options, problem solved

Part of my job during SDCC, is to walk the floor meeting advertisers and potential advertisers.

In the process, I literally walk passed every booth at least once a day as sick as that may sound.

Last year, S7 was in the cult yard. Toy Tokyo was at the near end of the hall while the far end had Funyara from Astro Zombies and John Jackson sharing an endcap (if my con lingo is correct) table. In close proximity was John from Cool Stuff Videos booth and Billy Galaxy's booth, who both had a nice assortment of goods. Scattered around were a handful of Asian sellers with a wide mixture of Asian toys but usually a good assortment of Japanese. Pepper this with a handful of vintage toy sellers who are bound to have a few Japanese pieces here and there...and you have the potential to find all kinds of stuff.


I bought stuff from everybody I mentioned and then some.

Does that help?

Bring a comfortable pair of shoes!

is there a thread with who will be there? are people planning an "official" meeting of the board members? i will be there wednesday night through sunday night and will be working/signing comics at the BIONICLE booth at random shifts each day. i encourage any and all of you freaks to stop by and say hello. i'm always down to meet new dolly collecting fiends.

I will be there the whole week. I had a blast last year!

you seriously need some good shoes if you're planning on staying å long time each day. and it will probably be more crowded than you expect, especially on the weekend. i think the attendance was over 100000 last year, and it increases every year. if you don't pre-register, expect a long line just to get a badge too.

Pre register, make it easy on yourself. If your hotel is far from the convention center, try to use the train. It was like $5 a day and runs right down town. And yes ...it is very, very packed!

Hotel on the train tracks - check
pre-register - check
comfy shoes - check
wad of cash - check


Anything else? Is it nuts to drive down there Wednesday-Friday or should I just take the train?

Unless you can find parking, I would take the train. I know some people last year got lucky and found close parking. Last year everyone told me that they would no be selling on Pre-view night, but they all sold to me anyway. Don't blow all of your cash the first couple of days, don't impulse buy to much! It's easy for vinyl junkies to overdose early on in the week!

One of these year i will be able to go...dang!!

Brd!

They do sell stuff on preview night.If possible, go as a team, if your a flipper or really love vinyl you can have people waiting in line for one thing while you wait in line for another.Yes, there will be lines, long ones.

The upside is you get to meet Tim Biskup, and have your wife tell him that meeting him is like meeting NSYNC.

I have been going for the last 6 years and i have seen it grow, grow, and grow! I will be there weds-fri this year. Sat and sunday are too crowded now. I may go sat in the morning, but i got to get back to LA to see Slayer that night.

Super 7 always has a nice little booth, and toy tokyo has a nice booth. And as others have said there are a bunch of random sellers with Japanese vinyl, more Godzilla and Ultraman stuff, but some good stuff nonetheless.

I can't wait fort this year!