Anime Central 2006 logo' class="alignright" />Since I’d never been to a con before, I didn’t know what to expect. Not really. I mean, yeah, there are tons of cosplayers, panels, merchandise and people oh-ing and ah-ing good costumes. But I never thought I’d see people attacked by fans!
I didn’t see anybody go at another fan with a machete. No, what I saw was equally disturbing but not nearly as graphic. I saw squealing fangirls and some fanboys (squealing that is) run towards a cosplayers and just huuuuggg them really tight, usually from behind. I thought these people were gonna bowl these guys over!
I fully expected people to know each other or if that wasn’t the case, to bitch slap the crap outta the person, but that wasn’t what was happening. It turns out the cosplayers were victims of glomping.
I’d seen t-shirts at the con that said “Glomp Me Already” and while at first glance it sounded dirty. I figured it was some anime codeword known only to fans. And wouldn’t you know it: glomping IS an exclusive anime term that is defined as a running tackle/really tight hug/ sign of great love for an anime character.
Oook. How is that legal? I personally would beat the holy living shit out of any one that randomly and thoroughly tackled me and wound their greasy arms around me without my consent (which believe me I would never give). If I were a cosplayer, I would be pissed if someone jumped on top of me. Especially if I had worked really hard on my costume!
I saw a lotta love and hugging at the con which I thought was cute. At cons characters come to life through good cosplay and some of these players do indeed look HOT. But why would any one assault them?
How does this scene look: “Hey, hey, Yazoo! Er, guy dressed as Yazoo, you look gooood; lemme jump your ass and knock you to the ground, latch on real tight and screech into your ear the entire time I’m doing it. Yeah, how’s that work for you? Why? It’s cuz I loves you soooo much, that’s why.” Hmm, it looked good on paper.
I’m on board with the consensual affection, usually expressed through a hug, or if you get lucky, with a room key and a time but I in no way think glomping’s OK, but that’s me. Some people like being glomped, some fans hate it and others don’t know what the hell it is. Here, I’m telling you right now, glomping is a brutal display of affection towards another person, don’t do it.
I don’t know why people glomp. Maybe fear of rejection when asking for a hug is too much and assault seems a better option. Or some people might not be getting the affection they need at home or with their friends and it’s like a drug for them. They’re like “Man, I need a hug” and they’ve got the shakes and everything, then they see a quick fix in the way of Inuyasha and…WHAM! They gotsa ta get it no matter what. OR perhaps it’s the only human contact some people ever get.
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