ToyCon PH – Video Review
If you are in manila, should you go to ToyCon this year? I'll tell you about my experience to help you decide. Here are the UPS and DOWNS of Toy Con 2022
UP - TOY CON IS BACK! This is the first TOY CON since the pandemic and you can tell that the community really missed coming together to celebrate our common love for toys.
But we might have missed it a little too much.
DOWN - It was TOO CROWDED. The person speaking through the loudspeakers in the venue was droning on about social distancing measures but the sheer volume of people just made implementation impossible. MEGA TRADE HALL was the WRONG location for this, this should have been at the SMX "CONVENTION" CENTER at SM MALL OF ASIA just like Cosplay Carnival.
There were too many people packed into tight spaces and you felt you had to keep it moving to not inconvenience other shoppers. A larger venue would have safer and more conducive to commerce.
Speaking of commerce.
UP - there were actual DEALS to be had in this year's con. Very good discounts on popular items. Gunplas, Nendoroids, FIGMAs, SH-Figuarts, Figuarts Zero, Scale statues and figures. The selection is very good. There is something for every kind of collector.
But I do suggest looking closely and being careful in your choices if something is too cheap and you are not familiar with the store.
DOWN - Because, BOOTLEGS! Unfortunately, I spotted bootlegs in some shops which was disappointing. But to make this clear. I'm not hating on people who buy bootlegs. I'm not trying to be elitist here but I think these things need to be clear and disclosed. We expect shopping at TOYCON to be a safe experience and nothing will ruin that quicker than buying something that you thought was a deal and then later on finding out that you had been had.
There is plenty to look at, at the con.
UP - Walking around and just looking at all the displays is enough to make any toy collector happy. There were awesome statues of your favorite characters. Some even light up. The toy gallery showcased the best of the best from the TOY COMMUNITY with creative displays from toy collector groups. But the key here is LOOK and not TOUCH. Everything is in glass cabinets for a reason. and please please please if you can help it. Please don't squeeze the breasts of the female mannequins. I can't believe this has to be said. It doesn't help the public image of anime lovers and toy collectors. The NORMIES already find us hard to understand, let's try not to confuse them more.
So that's three ups and two downs. For me, personally it is still worth going to TOYCON. Just to be a part of the TOY COMMUNITY. I was too tired last night to record this video so it's going out today which is already the second day. If you haven't bought your tickets yet, you can still go to day 3 tomorrow and I think you can still get tickets on site but please check before you go. And if you ARE going, please go there early not because you will run out of toys but parking at SM Megamall is a B and a half. THIS CON SHOULD HAVE BEEN AT MOA!