You’ve seen them, you’ve gawked at them, and you might have been one yourself. They are an ever-present element at conventions, and their tradition spans back decades. What is this omnipresent force of rubber-necking fury? Why, cosplayers of course. Even if the convention you’re attending takes place in a dull white room with nothing interesting to look at, you’re still probably going to want to take a picture of at least one cosplayer. Sometimes it’s as simple as asking them for a picture, but if you want to be courteous while you snap away, follow these general rules.

The showroom floor is the most chaotic place in any convention. Even though the panels are spread out, most people are concentrated in or immediately around the dealers hall and artists alley since they account for the bulk of the conventions’ floor space. Not only will you have just enough room to shuffle around, you’ll have to maneuver your bag so it doesn’t catch on or hit anybody while scoping out vendor booths and artist tables in quick, jerky glances so you don’t end up running into someone. Navigating the space, deals, and people of the showroom floor can be a hectic experience, but a little preparation and common courtesy will go a long way.

One of the highlights of Anime Expo this year was the US premiere of Muv-Luv Alternative: Total Eclipse. Since the first episode already aired in Japan, Anime Expo attendees also got to see the second episode. The screening was conducted by Kouki Yoshimune who is the creator of the series, and vocalists Minami Kuribayashi and Ayami.

Muv-Luv is a popular series in Japan that follows mankind's war against an alien invasion. Originally a visual novel game on the PC, there are literally hordes of Muv-Luv merchandise already in existence ranging from figurines to hug pillows. The series' dark theme, kickass giant robots, military premise, and a cast of voluptuous female pilots in skin tight suits gives it a winning combination and it's been highly unusual that it has taken this long for an anime adaptation to appear.

Deciding what to eat might seem as easy as stuffing your bag with your favorite snacks and bringing cash for a few restaurants, but you’d be surprised at how hard it is to keep food costs down and energy levels up. While wandering the halls of a convention is nowhere near as hard as running a twenty-six mile marathon, keeping hydrated and energized are important nonetheless. There will be a lot of shuffling, standing, and walking, so if you don’t do a little bit of planning with food, your experience can turn very sour very fast. The right food will not only save you money, but boost your longevity and keep you active right till bedtime.