The panels are the reason to go, which is not a sentence anyone gets to say honestly about most conventions. Blame the geography. This corner of the city sits within a few miles of Caltech, JPL, and the studios, which produces a fan base that reads closely, argues in specifics, and will not let a guest coast through a Q and A. The questions are better here. Everybody notices it eventually.
The rest is the good stuff done properly: voice actor panels and signings, a cosplay competition judged on actual craftsmanship, an artist alley of independent creators selling original work, a vendor hall, and a game room running open play all weekend.
Old Town is the other half of the argument — you walk out for real dinner instead of eating a pretzel over a trash can, and the Gold Line puts you a few blocks off.
Bring the friend who takes the craftsmanship judging personally. They will find their people inside of an hour.
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