Otakon 2024 took place from August 2-4 at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center in Washington, D.C. The event celebrates Japanese and East Asian pop culture, drawing a large crowd of anime, manga, and gaming fans.
This year’s notable guests included Kikunosuke Toya, famous for his roles in “Chainsaw Man” and “The Seven Deadly Sins: Four Knights of the Apocalypse,” and Yuki Hayashi, a renowned composer known for “My Hero Academia” and “Haikyuu!!”. The convention also welcomed other prominent figures such as Masahiko Otsuka, Hideo Ishikawa, and the band FLOW.
Additionally, the guest list featured voice actors like Erica Lindbeck, Britt Baron, and Ricco Fajardo. Musicians and artists such as Kaoru Wada and the band FLOW also graced the event. Animators and directors like Hiroshi Nagahama and Masahiko Otsuka provided fans with valuable insights through panels, autograph sessions, and meet-and-greets.
Rate the Con
Our new thing for 2024 is to ask our readers to take a poll on some basic components of the con. We want to know how you rate the parking, the vendors and the food. The poll closes after 30 days and we will use this as a baseline for next years convention. We plan to keep a rating system set up for many of the conventions.
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We realize that these don’t apply to all conventions, so if they don’t apply to your con, give them a 5 star.
**Later additions to the rating systems will include things such as guests and ticket prices**
Attendees had a plethora of activities to choose from, including gaming tournaments, cosplay contests, and engaging panels covering a range of topics. Workshops offered hands-on experiences, and the Makerspace allowed fans to explore their creative sides. The event also featured a bustling Artist Alley, a Dealers Room with a wide array of merchandise, and various live performances, including concerts and dance shows. Unique events like the Portable Kaiju Super Battle League and the Lolita Garden and Fashion show added to the diverse offerings of the convention.
This convention, like so many others, did have some problems with crowding and line control. Both of these problems are caused by the explosion of popularity over the last few years. Overall the complaints are limited and everyone seems to have had a great time.
Cosplayer Photos
Cosplay photos are provided by a neutral third party with no opinions given on the event. Cosplay photos are provided to highlight the skills and enthusiasm of the photographer and cosplayers. All opinions and facts in the article are by the author.
The Playerz Congregation was on-site and let us use their photos. Head over to the Facebook page and Instagram pages to see more great shots.
To see what Cosplay Conventions are coming to your area,
be sure to check out our Cosplay Convention List!
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