Hey guys, what happened to the ~1:1 scale statue of Alphonse Elric? This year it is gone and in its stead is a "Power Up With Piccolo" cardboard cutout, which while cool, isn't the same as the statue. I suppose there's also the gel banana, but does that really compare? Oh, there's the Panty and Stocking pole, but again, not as cool. Without the statue, it took me a second or 2 to actually find the booth (I miss the giant cardboard ads for new properties from the glory years, no one could miss those).

I like the additional free posters, I don't like the loss of the Super Saiyan hair. Last year Funi had an FMA statue but DBZ hair. This year they have actual DBZ photo props but no DBZ hair. Odd.

I have to admit that I was really hoping to get some advance pickups of some near-future-release-dated Funi stuff, but there's none of that to be found. No Ergo Proxy, and surprisingly, no Steins;Gate. I'm shocked that Otakon has a much-hyped dub premiere panel on Saturday night but isn't poised to capitalize on it. So when I see the awesomeness I'll have to wait a month or 2 minimum before I can see it, and the rest, again?! Brutal.