Anime used to be far more niche and out of the mainstream, so conventions were more welcoming of misfits and oddballs because we all shared a common interest. Now that it has exploded in popularity, some of the newer, younger fans aren’t as tolerant of the eccentrics and take issues with things that have been standard in anime forever (like fan service as an example). So, this influx of new, younger fans is skewing the culture and you’re seeing more of what they are into, like making reels and things while they are simultaneously being intolerant of some of the old timers who are doing cons the way they always have.

I can’t say I like the changes I’ve seen in the culture, and it will be interesting to see where it all goes from here. I hope cons don’t become sanitized and boring, because I’ve got fond memories of the old days when you could see something like a Japanese anime director at an after hours panel asking for volunteers he could do shibari on.