User blog:Pikushi/Creating Magic at Conventions

One of the aspects I cherish most about this platform is witnessing communities grow and flourish. People from diverse backgrounds unite to celebrate their fandom, document intricate lore, discuss theories, and simply have fun. When this all comes together to create a healthy, welcoming environment, it’s a culinary masterpiece -- *chef’s kiss* -- of digital togetherness.

Anime communities, in particular, hold a special place in my heart. My initiation into the world of fandom began with Digimon and Pilot Candidate (if that rings a bell, congratulations, you're officially my friend!) When I was younger, I didn’t really participate in communities much. I mostly stayed in my own corner of the internet and took in content by myself.

My first experience with the larger anime community was when I went to an anime convention in high school. I was introduced to other fans who shared the same passions as me and realized how much fun it was to talk to people about what I loved, as well. I've attended anime conventions ever since then and continue to have an amazing time with every visit.



Last week, I had the pleasure of attending the Chicago gem known as Anime Magic. While relatively new on the convention scene, it has already carved out a cozy niche in my heart. I was there for its inaugural event in 2019, and I've had the privilege of witnessing it steadily grow and flourish ever since. There is something special about Anime Magic. Even at its first showing, I noticed not only the attendees' joy but also the genuine enthusiasm of the staff in creating an inviting space. I felt the same at this year’s event. There was a sense of comfort and joy in the halls of the con. People were there to have a good time, and Anime Magic is set up in a way to make sure everyone does. Programming included a lot of the standard (and pretty awesome) events like a cosplay contest, an arcade, and guest meet and greets, but it also saw some more out of the ordinary things like an itasha show, a 5k race, a drag show, and much more.

During my visit, I spoke with Carl Bergstrom, one of the Directors at Anime Magic, about what makes Anime Magic special. Carl highlighted the convention's unwavering commitment to inclusivity. The organizers, along with the passionate people behind the scenes, strive to ensure that Anime Magic has something to offer everyone, whether it's someone's first convention experience or a family outing with young children in tow. Even if anime isn’t your primary passion, there is still enough adjacent programming, like sake tasting and pottery classes, to fit everyone’s interests.

(Appropriately, I couldn't resist asking Carl about his own fandoms, and he revealed an affinity for sword and sorcery literature and the craft of woodworking!)

I agreed with Carl - there really is something for everyone, and I think this is an important concept to bring to wiki communities here at Fandom. Creating a welcoming space where fans can come together to celebrate their passions is at the core of building a thriving wiki. I firmly believe that achieving this involves establishing areas within the wiki that cater to each fan's unique way of celebrating.

There are so many ways to do that within your own communities. Have a community that has TV show fans and video game fans? Make sure they are all welcome! Your wiki doesn’t have a light or dark mode? Create one to let each person choose how they want to view the wiki! Not sure how to address upcoming spoilers for a series? Talk to the community’s users and discuss with everyone! The list goes on!

We would also love to have you participate in the larger editing community. We provide a range of Community Programming resources here at Fandom to help users cultivate their communities and participate in existing ones:

Admin+ - Engage in comprehensive educational courses that cover topics spanning community building, content development, and technical skills, equipping you with the knowledge to facilitate a vibrant wiki community.

Fandom Stars - Collaborate as an ambassador for the wiki platform with other power users like yourself.

You can see these and others on our Community Programs Hub.

In conclusion, after delving into all these details, the overarching message is clear: whether you're celebrating your passions in person or within the digital realm, there's something undeniably magical about sharing your fervor with others who harbor the same love. I believe that's the very reason we're all here, and I hope you can bring that same magic to the community you share with others.