A set of gatherings that take place any given weekend, with the sole purpose of celebrating Japanese animation and the ideas behind this cultural phenomenon. Otherwise known as an anime convention. But what is it exactly that makes an anime convention, an anime convention? Who are the people behind the scenes? And why exactly are cons so popular in the first place? For years, fans have taken a stab at questions like these, yet they've still to be tackled head on, until now Take a fan's-eye-view as TheAnimeCon answers these questions and more. In How To Avoid Hara-Kiri, you'll get first hand accounts on the ins and outs of anime conventions from the merchants and staff who work the con circuit, professionals who work the anime industry, and fans who live the experience year after year. Dive into a world you've only dreamed of and learn what it can truly mean to be an otaku.