Otakon celebrated its thirtieth anniversary this yr in Washington DC from August 2 by means of 4. In some way, regardless of rising from a humble occasion to 1 over 70 instances larger, Otakon nonetheless manages to maintain plenty of its interior fandom coronary heart intact.
Otakon Matsuri
2024 noticed the return of the Otakon Matsuri, a free out of doors occasion the Thursday earlier than the conference correct. The final time it was held, Otakon was nonetheless in Baltimore in 2016.
The small venue (proper throughout the road from the Walter E. Washington Conference Heart) had a stage that featured performances like a sumo demonstration and wotagei dance/name classes, in addition to meals samples and meals vehicles for anybody curious and hungry. The meals served wasn’t essentially Japanese and even Asian-themed, however the selection was welcome. I didn’t stand in line to get some Fogo de Chao (Brazilian) however I did eat some hearty Indonesian meals from the Saté meals truck.
The Otakon Matsuri being an out of doors occasion meant it needed to take care of the weekend being particularly sizzling and humid even by already sweltering DC requirements. Simply standing might be an disagreeable expertise, however fortunately, by the point the occasion began winding right down to its principal occasion—the Korean YouTube anime singer aLF—the temperature had turn out to be a bit extra bearable.
I had been passingly aware of aLF, but it surely was a deal with to listen to her sing stay, the one hiccup being some points with the audio system. Her setlist included songs like “Courageous Coronary heart” from Digimon Journey, “Chala Head Chala” from Dragon Ball Z, and “Males of Future” from Gundam 0083: Stardust Reminiscence. aLF’s strong, but ever-so-slightly raspy vocals labored particularly effectively with “Males of Future” (even when it’s very totally different from the unique singer). She additionally sang an unique quantity in Korean: the opening for the Korean dub of a Kindaichi Case Information anime (aka Kim Jeon-il). Whereas I typically want the unique Japanese openings to exhibits, I like listening to localized intros in the event that they’ve had plenty of care put into them.
Common Well being
The sky-high temperatures had been a difficulty throughout the weekend, although I perceive that it was effectively exterior of Otakon’s management. However one factor I do need to deliver up that they will handle is the shortage of an actual masking coverage. The conference encourages masks and respirators as a method to mitigate the unfold of illness, however there has not been a mandate in place for a number of years now. It’s straightforward to overlook that COVID-19 nonetheless exists (and constantly mutates), that lengthy COVID continues to be an ongoing concern, and there are each new and outdated types of con crud hitting attendees. I do know the US has just about deserted any try to mitigate contagions by means of masks at this level, however I believe high-density occasions like Otakon would profit immensely from this. So as soon as once more, I’m hammering the purpose.
The (Former) Bottleneck
If there was one noticeable concern with Otakon in 2023, it was the corridor resulting in the Artist Alley and Vendor’s Room. The best way the con is about up, the bottom ground area is devoted to those two areas, they usually see plenty of visitors. Final yr, Otakon had a degree the place attendees had been supposed to start out strolling by staying to the appropriate after which change to staying to the left. If this sounds complicated, that’s as a result of it’s. Having to criss-cross with folks strolling in the other way led to inevitable issues, and it made that hall extra of a chore.
This yr, one large change appeared to have solved this concern. Earlier than, the Vendor’s Room and Artist Alley had been blocked off from one another, however now the area between them was opened up. The result’s that, relatively than making attendees go up an escalator and again by means of the corridor to go down a distinct escalator, it was so simple as strolling from one to the opposite. The consequence was a near-total lack of bottlenecks, and the entire elimination of the criss-cross.
One other aspect impact of this was that it made attending to the Autographs space simpler. That part is true between the Vendor’s Room and Artist Alley, and this setup allowed those that had been trying to get stuff signed to take the Artist Alley escalator as a substitute of being compelled to make use of the Vendor’s Room’s entrance. It was really an unintentional bonus—Otakon employees talked about that they didn’t have that in thoughts. As a result of I used to be trying to get some autographs myself, this was a significant boon for me. As for the Autograph Space itself, effectively, issues had been extra difficult.
Autographs
I do know some of us who dedicate the vast majority of their time to autographs at conventions. My method varies tremendously relying on the visitor checklist, however this yr there have been a number of company I hoped to see. The issue with any signings at a conference, although, is that there’s no excellent system to take care of the truth that you’ll typically have many extra folks vying for these autographs than there’s accessible time.
For the home company, they’re often round for lengthy intervals, and folks typically must pay for autographs. The overseas (i.e. Japan and Korea–based mostly) company usually function by totally different guidelines: They’re current for one or two one-hour periods throughout the weekend, however cost nothing. As I focus extra on the latter kind of visitor, I acquired to expertise Otakon’s method fairly a bit.
This isn’t my first Otakon by any means, and this spot by the Vendor’s Room has been the Autograph Space for a few years now whereas all the time operating into comparable points about the right way to handle the area. This yr, the rule was that attendees had been solely allowed to line up half-hour earlier than the beginning of a signing, however they had been additionally not allowed to loiter within the space till then, lest they incur the very vocal wrath of the employees in cost. It’s an comprehensible coverage meant to stop hearth hazards ensuing from enormous quantities of individuals stuffed into that space, however the result’s this weird meta the place the hopeful have to check the bounds of what’s okay, see how effectively they will decide the push that happens proper because the minute hits, and likewise settle for random luck.
For instance, I initially didn’t get an autograph for Uchida Aya (Kotori from Love Reside!) as a result of I acquired blocked out by a carefully packed group of cosplayers. The second time, I managed to get by means of as a result of I ended up very shut, but additionally as a result of an individual somewhat in entrance of me had a panic assault from getting tightly packed in between a bunch of our bodies—and it will have been worse as a result of I may really feel the gang behind me pushing up in opposition to me. I can’t assist however really feel that the Autograph Space in Baltimore (away from the Vendor’s Room) was a greater area, although the Japanese signings had been cut up up from the home signings again then.
I additionally encountered the scourge of signings in trendy instances: the Funkopops. From what I perceive, folks trying to promote well-known autographs and make a revenue typically use Funkopops as their merchandise of selection attributable to their comparatively low price and recognition. The issue is that these profit-focused outsiders can find yourself crowding out precise followers, so Otakon (and different cons) implement various levels of anti-Funkopop insurance policies, with some coming from the company’ groups themselves. Within the case of 1 visitor, it was introduced on the final second that they’d not signal any figures (not simply Funkopops). I couldn’t assist however really feel sorry for individuals who meant effectively and introduced their favourite determine merch, not realizing that others had ruined it for them.
In the end, I ended up with autographs from Uchida Aya and Kakazu Yumi (Renais from Gaogaigar FINAL and Shizuru from Godannar), plus Japan-based American expertise Diana Garnet and manga artist Aiba Kyoko. I believe I made out fairly okay.
Fan Panels
I’m a bit ashamed to say that I didn’t attend very many fan panels this yr, so I didn’t actually get the prospect to see anybody with whom I used to be unfamiliar. Listed below are a few highlights, although.
Ani-Merry Christmas
I’ve attended plenty of Viga’s panels through the years, and this one was all about Christmas in anime. It was a enjoyable journey by means of its portrayal within the media of a that treats it much less like a time for household and/or spiritual reflection and extra like a “third Valentine’s Day,” as Viga put it. There have been some titles I acknowledged and anticipated, but additionally a pair that I’d by no means heard of. It was one of many first panels Friday morning, and a pleasant method to kick off the con formally.
Anime in Non-Anime
Gerald from Anime World Order ran this panel, and this was a brand new model of 1 I’d seen earlier than plenty of Otakons in the past: Anime in Non-Anime. Nonetheless, the central thrust of the presentation differed considerably, and that’s as a result of anime has reached precise mainstream recognition in recent times. Thus, speaking about all of the methods anime pops up in humorous methods on the information and such doesn’t fairly have the identical which means. As a substitute, the panel was all about going again to the instances when anime was area of interest and liking it’d get you proverbially (or actually) shoved right into a locker, and the enjoyment one felt when any present had even the slightest nod to anime.
Health in Anime is WHACK and Right here’s Why…
I’m not a really bodily energetic particular person, however I used to be curious what this was about. The particular person operating the panel talked about being a monitor athlete prior to now, and known as plenty of issues cringe. The final takeaways had been that anime our bodies aren’t reasonable as a result of coaching for various targets will produce totally different our bodies, and the lower and chiseled figures you see are sometimes a results of aesthetic bodybuilding. Additionally, the workouts that make you need to train extra are higher than nice ones that you simply’ll by no means need to do.
By the way, it was certainly one of two “health in anime” panels this weekend, and every was run by a distinct particular person. Fairly the coincidence.
I really feel I must put a reminder on myself to take the time to take a look at fan panels and never simply get enticed away by the glamor of the business stuff. With that stated…
Business
Remaining Fantasy
The largest business company this yr had been in all probability the Remaining Fantasy VII Remake crew. Not solely is VII only a main a part of online game historical past, however the company included Japanese and English voice actors, in addition to employees that had labored on Remaining Fantasy video games for many years. The producer of VII Remake, Kitase Yoshinori, was additionally the director on Chrono Set off within the Nineteen Nineties.
I’ve by no means actually performed Remaining Fantasy VII in any type, and so my curiosity was restricted, however I nonetheless went to their largest panel simply to see what may come up. Outdoors of a pair shock video-only appearances (together with Vincent dub actor and Important Position DM Matt Mercer), it was principally an viewers Q&A. One factor that was fascinating was the format they used to take questions: attendees may submit questions on-line, which might then be filtered by the Sq.-Enix employees. It was an honest center floor between completely curated questions and a wholly open mic, permitting for a point of spontaneity. There wasn’t a complete lot of fascinating data, however I did study that Cait Sith has a Kansai accent in Japanese, and that Kakazu Yumi has been voicing Yuffie all the way in which because the 1998 preventing sport Ergheiz.
Aiba Kyoko
Manga artists are notoriously busy, so it was a nice shock to see not only one, however two at Otakon. Neither are huge names within the enterprise, however getting to listen to any artists speak about their work and processes is efficacious.
Aiba Kyoko is generally identified for her BL work, and he or she ran a panel Friday morning centered on ideas to assist artists attract a extra “manga”-esque type in comparison with extra typical American comics. She prefaced it by saying that neither method is worse than the opposite, however for artists who’re all the time questioning why their artwork might sound “off,” it might need to do with the stuff one absorbs by rising up in and being surrounded by a specific tradition (or lack thereof). For instance, the barrel-chested, inverted-triangle superhero anatomy typically indicators energy in American comics. In Japanese media, fashionable robust characters are sometimes not solely thinner but additionally have an informal nonchalance to their posture that demonstrates a cool confidence. Aiba went with excessive examples to make a degree, however I believe it was illustrated effectively.
She took drawing requests from the viewers, and we ended up with Michael Keaton Batman and Mordecai from Common Present. She particularly talked about how she nonetheless has some hassle drawing in that American type, and that she needed to widen her Batman drawing to make it look proper.
One of many coolest issues Aiba confirmed was really how she makes use of kinesio tape (or maybe some offbrand equal?) on her hand. I’ve by no means used it so I could have this incorrect, however I imagine she stated that the tape really must be wrapped in a means that it pulls in the other way of the muscle to stabilize it.
Kino Hinoki
The opposite artist was Kino Hinoki, whose works embrace the manga adaptation of NO.6 and a sequence known as Setsuna Graffiti, bout a fireworks maker. Her panel was on Sunday. Funnily sufficient, Aiba was additionally there serving to the interpreter with obscure manga-specific phrases and actually operating round with the mic for Q&A.
Kino was very forthcoming with data and ideas. Evaluating her work on NO.6 to different manga, she talked about needing to do much more plotting upfront (it being an adaptation and all). She gave a tip on utilizing screentone on faces, which is to solely apply it to closeups. She additionally cautioned artists to watch out of constructing what folks within the business derogatorily check with as “face manga,” i.e. are simply close-up headshots with little selection. And when requested about her largest inspirations, Kino answered 1) Arakawa Hiromu (Fullmetal Alchemist) for the way in which she constructs and composes her tales, and a pair of) Tanemura Arina (Full Moon o Sagashite) for her illustrations.
I requested her if she had her personal editor or if she labored with those at totally different publishers, and he or she stated the latter (which is extra widespread). Different enjoyable trivia included the truth that she pole dances as a pastime, she’s left-handed (and thus has to take care of the truth that most gadgets for digital artists are inclined to favor righties), and her favourite FMA character is Edward (she likes handsome brief characters).
Animeigo + Discotek
Animeigo has been bringing anime to house video for English-speaking followers because the Nineteen Eighties, they usually’re nonetheless alive and kicking. However lately, there was an enormous change as the unique president, Robert Woodhead, bought the corporate to MediaOCD’s Justin Sevakis, himself an business veteran. At Otakon, the brand new Animeigo introduced their plans to deliver again their identified titles in improved editions, comparable to Megazone 23 and Bubblegum Crash—but additionally to license rescue works from exterior their catalog, like Full Moon o Sagashite. This would be the first time that Full Moon is totally accessible legally within the US, because the earlier launch a few years in the past stalled. This sequence was an web darling within the 2000s, and I count on plenty of followers from that period to rise again up for it.
The essential takeaway was that Animeigo and Sevakis got here throughout as very devoted to media preservation and giving it their all to make releases value proudly owning. It’s comparable in plenty of methods to Discotek, the opposite present writer actually devoted to retro anime—an organization to which Sevakis additionally lends his and MediaOCD’s video restoration and authoring abilities regularly.
The Animeigo panel was adopted by the Discotek panel in the identical room. Like yearly, it was chock filled with bulletins, so many who they couldn’t even match all of them in, exhibiting them by means of an additional stream after the panel had ended. My private highlights had been a trio of mecha works: House Musketeer Bismark (the unique Japanese model of Saber Rider and the Star Sheriffs), the HD blu-ray model of Big Gorg, and the completely surprising Groizer X.
Interviews
I performed interviews with a number of of the company, particularly Uchida Aya, Kakazu Yumi, and Ishikawa Hideo. Look out for these sooner or later!
Music
Stream
I attended the Friday live performance by FLOW, a band I’m fairly aware of—I even acquired their autograph a few years in the past at one other conference.
The group was right here as a part of a world tour that’s particularly centered on their anime music. Earlier than the live performance started, voices from the titles they labored on gave phrases of encouragement: Workforce 7 from Naruto, Lelouch from Code Geass, and Eureka and Renton from Eureka Seven, amongst others.
Their set checklist was as follows.
- 01 BURN
- 02 KAZE NO UTA
- 03 LOVE AND JUSTICE
- 04 Steppin’ out (Intro, Lengthy model)
- 05 CHA-LA-HEAD-CHA-LA
- 06 HERO~Kibou no Uta~
- 07 DAYS
- 08 Courageous Blue
- 09 COLORS
- 10 WORLD END
- 11 United Sparrows
- 12 Re:member
- 13 Member Introduction: Tick Tack
- 14 Signal ~ Intro Lengthy Model
- 15 GO !!!
- 16 GOLD
One may inform how fashionable a specific present/tune was based mostly on the rumbling alongside the ground. A really new tune like their Kinnikuman opening acquired some cheers. “DAYS” from Eureka Seven positively caught folks’s consideration (It’s my favourite tune of theirs). “COLORS” mirrored that Code Geass was certainly a defining anime for a fantastic many. However when “GO!!!” from Naruto hit, the ground actually felt prefer it was undulating from the stomps and pleasure. I believe it actually says how important and basic Naruto was to the fandom, and the way a lot that fifth opening helped put FLOW on the map. It’s actually certainly one of two openings folks will typically level to as the sequence intro (the opposite being “Haruka Kanata”). General, it was a superb time.
Retro AMVs
Otakon this yr introduced again old skool Anime Music Movies, this time from its 1996 Otakon AMV contest. I’ve by no means been that large on AMVs on the whole, however there’s simply one thing enjoyable about it as a time capsule. As anticipated, the anime concerned had been the fan darlings of the period: Bubblegum Disaster, Armitage III, a lot Tenchi Muyo!, and so forth. I extremely advocate checking this out at the very least as soon as, not least of which is due to the extent of expertise the AMV makers needed to work with on the time. I do surprise how attendees who weren’t round for this period of anime really feel when watching these.
Miscellaneous
Skipped the Korean Content material
I preserve not attending the Korean stuff regardless of having each intention to take a look at at the very least somewhat. Perhaps subsequent time!
thirtieth Anniversary Exhibit
Close to the entrance entrance was a particular space showcasing memorabilia from each Otakon because the very starting, together with issues like Otakon Vegas and 2020’s Otakon On-line. It was enjoyable reminiscing on all of the previous Otakons I had attended, and to see what got here earlier than I ever began going.
Essentially the most astounding factor is realizing simply how a lot it’s grown: 1994 had solely 350 attendees, and now it’s over 50,000! On the Closing Ceremony, the employees revealed that the whole lot of the primary Otakon would have match into the comparatively modest thirtieth anniversary exhibition space.
Otakon 2025 Resort Reservation Fiasco
Though this has nothing to do with Otakon 2024, I do must level out the quite a few issues that occurred with reserving motels for 2024. Otakon introduced that the lodge blocks would open at 12PM EST on August 13. Many different conventions have comparable queuing methods for every thing from autographs to live shows, and often the purpose of the queue is that the order is randomized to be extra truthful to individuals who couldn’t get there proper on the dot.
Nonetheless, this was not the case for Otakon, which ended up being a primary come, first served system. That in itself was probably not a difficulty, however Otakon didn’t talk clearly that it was non-random, and the social media didn’t announce that they had been really beginning at 11AM till the day earlier than. On high of all that, they’d apparently tried to check the system at round 1030AM, which opened the queue and allowed individuals who had been ready to get in earlier than even the sooner begin time.
I hope Otakon can repair this downside for subsequent yr, as it’s certainly one of their largest missteps in years.
Meals
Along with the above-mentioned Saté meals truck on the Matsuri, I ate at plenty of spots over the weekend. As all the time, the Caribbean meals within the conference middle might be the most effective deal and constantly scrumptious (although be warned that it’s nonetheless conference costs). SUNdeVICH is one other mainstay of the Otakon journey, and this yr I acquired their bulgogi-based Seoul sandwich. The kimchi and slaw make it actually work. Dolcezza’s gelato is pretty much as good as ever.
I additionally visited a small German restaurant known as Prost DC, and acquired the sauerbraten (see above). It was surprisingly nice, and made me reevaluate my beforehand very impartial opinion on this nationwide dish of Germany.
Cosplay
Closing Ideas
On the Q&A session on the ultimate day, there have been a number of individuals who expressed that they wished it felt extra like a thirtieth anniversary celebration, however I believe it feels very Otakon to simply do a strong job of placing on a conference. Nearly every thing I take pleasure in about Otakon continues to be there, and I’ve religion that the hiccups and points which might be there might be at the very least partly improved by the following go round.
I need to finish with somewhat story: On the Matsuri, I used to be sitting with some pals, certainly one of whom was chatting with another person sharing the desk. This younger particular person was attending Otakon for the primary time, they usually had come to this occasion cosplaying as Inuyasha. I used to be somewhat shocked as a result of the heyday of Inuyasha (and its ubiquitous cosplay at cons) had lengthy handed, however I came upon that Inuyasha was this particular person’s first anime ever. It actually felt like time is on some mysterious cycle; maybe all too acceptable for a thirtieth anniversary.
