In an article previous, I put forth my contempt for how a great many fans tend to act with disregard for their surroundings and fellow con-goers. Somehow, I don't think the point was that well expanded, and so it needs to be said a second time.

When you're at a convention, it's very easy to get caught up in the flow of things. Everything bombards you with foreign culture, and for many of us, it's a nice change from the everyday. But before you succumb to the nature of the con, stop and think.

A large number of fans get seperated into two groups when they become especially entrenched in conventions. The first group is highly visible to everyone except the participants, and it's likely you, the reader, might unwittingly be a part of it. These are the Japanophiles, the people who feel the need to call everyone "-chan" and "-san", use Japanese words wrongly and frequently while speaking, eat nothing but Pocky, and will kick and scream if you insult their favourite character(s)/show(s) whatsoever.

The second group are the Cosplay Elite. They've been doing it for awhile, very well, and now every little mistake another person makes on their costume is reason to wretch and yell. If you're on their same level, you are most likely also complaining on a frequent basis. And if you're not, you probably wind up acting like you don't have to listen to them, and that you'll just continue to be a stubborn as you please. Neither's a good place to be, because both sides contribute to a large amount of hostility.

Some things to keep in mind if you're a Japanophile:

1. There is more to music than Ayumi Hamasaki, Dir En Grey, and Gackt. Please expand your library of mp3s.

2. Pocky isn't the end all, be all of sweets. Try something else, like a cookie. Or at least Hi-Chew. Something.

3. Cat/chii/fox ears do not equal a costume. Take them off unless you are playing a character which requires them.

4. Stop and think about the people around you. You might be annoying them, even if they're your friends. Be considerate.

5. Please don't teach your children to cosplay.

6. Don't glomp people with reckless abandon. Spines, arms, legs, and other such body parts do in fact have a breaking point.

7. Stop saying "Kawaii".

That said, read over the list a few times and see if anything you do is applicable. If it is, immediately apply the remedy suggested above. Now then, some advice for those who fall into the Cosplay Elite:

1. People have lives outside of cosplay. If there's some detail missing, get on with your life and don't nitpick. They might not have had enough time, ability, or attention to add a minor detail.

2. Not everyone is or wishes to be as informed as you are about a series/band/singer/etc. Reel in your inner fangirl/boy and keep quiet.

3. Don't be nasty. If you have some advice for someone, be courteous and approach them politely. No one wants to hear you ragging on their costume.

4. If you're receiving advice (this applies to non-elite as well), be courteous in receiving it. It might be of some actual use to you.

5. Don't teach your children to cosplay.

6. You aren't a prince/princess. Don't act like one.

7. Respect your fellow cosplayers. They've often worked hard on their costumes. It may not be to the level you desire, but it satisfies them. This isn't a contest, it's a hobby. Treat it as such.

Fans everywhere need to face one thing: Japanese culture, as exotic as it might seem, is not the end-all be-all of creation. It's fine to enjoy it, but realise that there are other things in life that are of equal or greater value to investigate. Also, a word to artists: Drawing anime isn't important. It won't get you anywhere in life. Learn to draw well, traditionally, first. Then, when you have your skills where they should be in traditional forms, you can do as you like.

The main issue with drawing anime is that it's not your own style, you're emulating the stereotypical elements of manga/anime. If you look carefully, each artists in the manga/anime industry has developed their own style from traditional techniques, including life drawing, learning to draw realistically, painting, etc. The anime influence only enters in after all that. Be yourself, don't copy another person's style.

Art, cosplay, and the general convention experience can be a lot of fun when it comes to anime, but learn to back away from it once in awhile and realise what you're doing, and how you're treating others. Don't fall into a clique, don't become a servant to a trend. Make the convention a better experience for everybody by being a fan, not a fanatic.