The very first anime convention I attended was Anime Reactor (Now known as “The Reactor”) in 2004 in Rosemont, Illinois. I set foot at the convention on the first, and only day I attended, since Saturday and Sunday was occupied by my guardian. It was the Reactor’s first year, being held at the Holiday Inn not far from the O’Hare International Airport. The size of attendance was at least 500 people. Not bad for a first con (for me and the convention).

We got there around 3 PM. We paid our admission fee and checked out the events. I played some Dance Dance Revolution, and went to the dealers room and brought some swag. I spent over $250. I brought a couple of OSTs, and a couple of odd merchandise that you wouldn’t find in an anime store–if there was one near you. The OSTs I brought were “G Gundam: Round 1 & 2″, “Dance Dance Revolution: DDRMAX2″ “Dance Dance Revolution Extreme. While browsing around with not alot of money left to spend, I came across a cool t-shirt for a price that exceeded what was left in my wallet. After finishing up the shopping expedition, we went back to the car and ate sandwiches. There was a McDonald’s down the street, but he were cheap and made food ourselves. Hahaha! Besides, bringing your own food along on convention trips is good for your body, rather than eating “Uber Macs” or Pocky.

We finished eating and went back to the hotel. We checked out the screening room and saw 20 minutes of the live action Great Teacher Onizuka series. 6 PM came around and it was time to go watch the live panels. The first show for the evening was a quiz show where the contestants would have to eat gross food if they answer the questions wrong. It was an amusing game show, with an odd theme. I do recall the requirements for being on the show. The contestant must be 18+ years old for the games. Originally, participants older than 18 needed sign a permission slip, co-signed by their parents. That exception was nonexistent days before the convention. I was a little interested in the game, but after finding out what really went on, I’m glad I was under 18. The game wasn’t bad, I just don’t think I would last a minute eating Wasabi or Raw Chitterlings. Hah!

After the show, we went home. I would have stayed for the next show, which was about dating, but I was satisfied. It was the best six hours relating to anime I had in my few years of being an Otaku.