Fans planning to visit Los Angeles for the upcoming Anime Expo may want to double check their hotel reservations.
According to a report from Anime News Network, UNITE HERE Local 11, the largest hotel association in Southern California, authorized a hotel staff strike to coincide with Anime Expo. The union is looking for an “immediate $5 an hour wage increase to keep up with skyrocketing housing costs,” as well as long-overdue benefits like healthcare and pensions.
If major hotel employers refuse to meet their terms, up to 15,000 workers could rush into the fence, leading to the largest hotel strike in recent history. In that case, anime fans flying during the convention may find themselves without a place to stay and will want to keep a close eye on the news before making the trip.
What to expect from Anime Expo
The lack of accommodation can be a concern for Anime Expo, as the convention is the largest anime convention in North America. Aside from its guests, Expo brings in some of the biggest names in anime from Japan, and a hotel staff strike could also cause ramifications for them. The conference announced its guest list in early June, an all-star collection that includes MAPPA CEO Manabu Ohtsuka and the voice of Loid Forger in Spy x Family, Takuya Eguchi. In addition to major producers and voice talent, Expo also plans to invite famous mangakas such as Soul Eater and Fire Force creator Atsushi Ohkubo and Kafka Asagiri of Bungo Stray Dogs.
However, Anime Expo is more than just a celebration of the stars, as the convention also provides an opportunity for up-and-coming artists, many of whom are SoCal locals and will attend regardless of the family hotel. labour. The Expo hosts a huge “Artist Alley” with hundreds of illustrators and creators in attendance to interact with their fans or find new ones. This year, the convention will also include a “Maid Cafe” and a “Butler Cafe,” each with variations for all ages and 18+. Whether the maids and housekeepers stand out from their fellow hotel staff remains to be seen.
Anime Expo will be held this July 1-4 at the Los Angeles Convention Center in Downtown LA
Source: Anime News Network