My First New York Comic Con: A Day I Won’t Forget

This year, I had the opportunity to attend New York Comic Con for the very first time! I could only make it for Thursday, the convention’s opening day, but even with just one day to explore, I was blown away by how much I enjoyed it.

The day got off to an eventful start. I took a red-eye flight from California to Newark, arriving around 6 am. After making my way into the city, I reached the Javits Center around 7:30 am and could already see a line wrapping around the building.

I headed straight to the convention center, worried that picking up my badge at Will Call would take forever. I’d only purchased my ticket about a week earlier because I hadn’t even known I’d be in NYC during Comic Con! Since it was too late to have my badge shipped, I had to collect it in person.

NYCC had warned attendees to expect long lines for Thursday badge pickup. I’d also seen Reddit posts about the previous year’s waits, so I was prepared for the worst. Imagine my surprise when I arrived at Will Call and found absolutely no line! I picked up my badge and joined the outdoor queue much sooner than expected.

Everyone I met in line was friendly, and I quickly learned why so many people had arrived hours before the convention opened at 10 am: they were hoping to snag NYCC exclusives. People around me were sharing photos of the action figures and other merchandise they wanted to grab before it sold out. From what I gathered, Thursday was a particularly popular day for exclusive hunting, as it offered attendees their first chance to shop for these items.

A Different Convention Experience

Around 8:30 am, we were brought downstairs to Floor 1 and directed into a series of queue chutes, where we waited for the doors to officially open.

Having attended San Diego Comic Con every year from 2012 to 2019, I had certain expectations going into NYCC. SDCC became progressively more crowded and stressful over the years I attended, so I wondered whether NYCC’s continued growth would lead to a similar experience.

One thing I immediately appreciated, though, was how much calmer and better managed the Thursday morning queue felt. Everyone was excited to get inside, but there was no aggressive shoving or frantic pushing toward the front. The anticipation was still there; the atmosphere just felt much more relaxed than I’d expected based on my past SDCC experiences.

I also appreciated that overnight line camping didn’t seem to be nearly as big a part of the convention culture as I remembered it being at SDCC. Maybe that’s partly due to post-COVID policies, the reserved panel ticket system, or simply the differences between the two shows. Whatever the reason, it made for a much more pleasant start to the day than I’d anticipated.

Speaking of reserved panel tickets, there’s one downside to buying your badge at the last minute: you can miss the reservation window for the main stage panels.

I hadn’t realized this until after purchasing my ticket. I was going off the older, pre-COVID convention model I remembered, where you could line up for panels and hope for the best, even if that meant camping out overnight.

I actually think NYCC’s reservation system is a good idea, especially for managing crowds and helping attendees know which panels they have a realistic chance of attending. However, it can be disappointing to discover a panel you’re interested in after reservations have closed. At that point, you’re left hoping you’ll be able to get a seat through the standby line on the day of the event.

Thankfully, I had one major priority for Thursday, and it was the reason I headed straight to the convention center rather than catching up on sleep at my hotel after my red-eye flight.

Final Fantasy VII Revelation Steals the Show

My biggest reason for attending NYCC was the Final Fantasy VII Revelation panel, which brought together the main English voice cast to reflect on their experiences working on this ambitious remake project over the past seven or so years. Yes, all eleven voices of the characters featured in the game’s official cover art were there!

I’m a huge Final Fantasy fan, and I’ve more recently streamed the Final Fantasy VII remake games, so the opportunity to see so many of these actors together in person was something I really didn’t want to miss. Thankfully, I managed to get into the panel!

Even better, because I’d lined up so early, I received a complimentary group photo with the cast that I hadn’t expected at all. NYCC was selling an official group photo through its photo-op experience for a whopping $509.95, so getting a photo included with my panel experience was an incredible surprise.

When attendees began entering the main panel room, I noticed a large section of seats near the front reserved for VIP ticket holders. That was new to me too, as I hadn’t seen it during my years attending SDCC. I didn’t notice many people occupying those spots initially, which I could understand given that VIP passes cost close to $1,000 for the four-day event. That’s a hefty price tag, even with perks like expedited access to lines and panels!

As the 11 am start time approached, NYCC staff eventually allowed everyone to move forward and fill the available seating, including the previously reserved VIP section. I was impressed by how smoothly everything went. Once again, I didn’t encounter anyone aggressively pushing their way toward the front. Compared with some of my past convention experiences, the whole process felt remarkably relaxed and friendly.

And then the panel began.

Honestly, it was a joy to experience in person. The panel was also streamed online for those who couldn’t attend, but there’s something special about being in a room full of fellow Final Fantasy fans. The energy when the voice actors took the stage was incredible, and seeing so many cosplayers dressed as characters from the games made the event even more memorable.

What stood out most was the chemistry between the cast members. Many have spent more than seven years working together on this project, and that camaraderie really came through in their interactions. They played off one another naturally, and hearing their stories about working together and what the project has meant to them made the discussion feel so heartfelt.

The panel was an emotional roller coaster, bouncing between hilarious anecdotes and surprisingly touching moments. The behind-the-scenes video clips were also a treat! I’ve attended quite a few Square Enix panels over the years, particularly at PAX West, but this is easily one I’ll remember most fondly.

Meeting the Voices Behind Final Fantasy VII

After the panel, I headed to the group photo-op area just down the hall from the main stage. There was a short delay while we waited for all the voice actors to gather, but it wasn’t long before things got underway. Everyone in line was clearly excited, and the anticipation made the moment even more enjoyable.

When it was finally my turn, I got to meet the cast, and it was such a fun experience! Even though we only had a brief moment together, it felt surreal to be face-to-face with the people who had brought these characters to life.

What stood out most was how warm and welcoming everyone was. Both the voice actors and the staff seemed genuinely happy to meet fans, rather than simply going through the motions. These events can understandably feel rushed, but their enthusiasm made even those few moments feel meaningful.

I was also surprised to see Cody Christian, the voice of Cloud Strife, included in our photo-op! He hadn’t been part of the official group photo NYCC was selling for $509.95, so I hadn’t expected him to be there. I’m guessing a scheduling conflict kept him from attending the other session, which made seeing him here an especially nice surprise.

I didn’t have much time to say anything beyond telling the cast how excited I was to play Final Fantasy VII Revelation next year, but I was just happy to have the opportunity to meet them. Watching these actors bring beloved characters to life is one thing; seeing their enthusiasm for the project firsthand gave me an even greater appreciation for the people behind it.

As if the day hadn’t already given me enough to remember, we were handed signed posters featuring the voice actors on our way out! It was such an unexpected bonus, and the poster has since become one of my most prized possessions.

Between the panel, meeting the cast, and bringing home these keepsakes, this was exactly the kind of experience I’d hoped for when I decided to attend NYCC. It was easily one of the coolest convention experiences I’ve ever had.

Exploring the Show Floor

With my biggest priorities out of the way, I spent the rest of the afternoon exploring the show floor. There was so much to see, from massive displays for One Piece: Elbaph Arc and Dungeon Crawler Carl to booths featuring all kinds of franchises and merchandise.

One thing that really stood out was the representation of Japanese and other non-American pop culture. There was manga, anime, light novels, and so much more than I remember seeing during my years attending SDCC. As someone whose interests lean heavily toward Japanese games and media, it was exciting to see so much that appealed to my tastes.

It also made me appreciate how much the pop culture landscape has expanded over the years. NYCC didn’t feel as heavily focused on Hollywood as I remember SDCC being pre-COVID. I enjoy American movies and TV shows, too, but it was refreshing to see such a broad mix of fandoms sharing the spotlight. Whether you’re into blockbuster movies, anime, manga, gaming, fantasy novels, or something more niche, there seemed to be something for everyone.

The crowds were another pleasant surprise. Given my past experiences at SDCC, I expected packed aisles and long lines that would make exploring a challenge. Maybe it was because Thursday was one of the less busy days, but I had no trouble moving around the show floor, and most merchandise and activity lines were manageable.

Of course, I still had to exercise some restraint when shopping! With limited luggage space for my flight back to California, I couldn’t bring home everything that caught my eye. I picked up a Blue Eyes White Dragon plush from the Konami booth and a Yu-Gi-Oh! card pack, since those can be surprisingly difficult to find in my area. I also grabbed a NYCC exclusive Dungeon Crawler Carl Issue 0 comic for my JRPG Pursuit co-host, Dallah, who’s a big fan of the series.

There were plenty of other tempting finds, but even a collector has to know when to show some restraint! 😅

The two booths I especially wanted to visit were Bandai Namco and Konami, which were the main booths I’d identified offering public video game demos. I was particularly interested in trying Gundam Rogue Orbit, an upcoming action game based on the Gundam franchise.

I waited about 15 minutes for the demo, which took me around eight minutes to complete. It started by letting me choose between one of three mobile suits before dropping me straight into a mission. There wasn’t much of a tutorial beyond a printed controller guide below the screen, so it took me a little while to get comfortable with the controls, particularly the transition from walking to gliding.

Once I got the hang of it, though, the fast paced combat was flashy and fun! The gameplay did start to feel a little repetitive after a while, although I imagine the different mobile suits will add variety in the full game. The demo didn’t offer much insight into the story, so it’s difficult to say what to expect on that front. Still, based on what I played, Gundam Rogue Orbit looks promising for fans of the franchise or anyone interested in fast-paced mech action when it releases next year.

I also passed by the Konami booth several times while exploring the show floor, but unfortunately, there never seemed to be a good time to queue for the Yu-Gi-Oh! Tag Force GX demo. Unlike Bandai Namco’s setup, Konami had fewer demo stations, with more of the floor space dedicated to its TCG activities. So, I had to live vicariously through the players getting to try out the game and enjoy all the other fun activities as I walked by!

Closing Thoughts

Although my time at NYCC was cut short by a work-related call I had to take back at my hotel, I can genuinely say this was one of the best convention experiences I’ve had to date. The Final Fantasy VII activities were undoubtedly the highlight, but I also loved exploring the show floor and seeing the wide range of fandoms represented. It was an exhausting day, especially on so little sleep after my red-eye flight, but absolutely worth it.

I’d love to make NYCC a priority again next year, especially if gaming has an even bigger presence! I didn’t get a chance to check out New York Games Week, which brings additional gaming-related events to New York during NYCC weekend, but I’m excited to see how it develops as plans to expand take shape.

After such a memorable first visit, I’m already hoping to return for NYCC 2027. I’d love to see even more gaming experiences become part of the show, but even after just one day, NYCC has given me plenty of reasons to want to come back!