Katsucon is a three-day convention in February that celebrates Japanese culture and anime. It takes place at the Gaylord National Resort in National Harbor, Maryland, the same place as Magfest. It began in 1995 at the Holiday Inn Executive Center, moving to the Baltimore Marriott, Hyatt Regency Crystal City in Arlington, Virginia, and finally to the Gaylord in 2010 after overcrowding difficulties at other locations. In 2009, there was an a guest cap of 6000 at the Hyatt, by 2016 there were 17,005 at the Gaylord, and in 2021 it was cancelled due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Years 2003, 2010, and 2014 were affected by blizzards. February in the DMV (D.C., Maryland, Virginia) teeters between winter and spring but can also be the most aggressive month with its blizzards. This year at Katsucon, cherry blossoms were already beginning to bloom and both Saturday and Sunday were so warm, reaching 70F, that cosplayers and photographers stayed out on the walkway and beach until past sunset.
There was a variety of guests, among them David Vincent, Lex Winter, Yaya Han, and Jerry Jewell. I was scheduled to interview four, however Emi Lo and Anne Yatco cancelled in advance and Anairis Quinones did not show, which could have been a miscommunication, conflict, traffic, or other obstacle. I had recently read a PhD dissertation on the intersections of cosplay and fame, and during our interview, Yaya spoke about the sociology of cosplay which she also writes in her book.
Katsucon’s panels offered a variety of diversity, from Japanese culture and history, to anime, to late night, 18 plus hentai.
Saturday night featured both a formal ball and rave, the former of which had a somewhat strict dress code. The ball hosted its own best-dressed contest. Many people wore formal versions of cosplays including Kakegurui, Mario, Belle, Yor and Loid Forger, Attack on Titan, and more. A circle broke out when a marriage proposal was accepted, and people broke out in individual or group dance.
The gazebo, much like at Magfest was a spot for photography and random props such as a fake band. Staff or the hotel put a curfew on this location, asking guests to depart each night by midnight. A rope was placed around the perimeter Saturday morning with staff checking badges and they also tried to prohibit photography later that night, claiming it was too crowded.
Popular cosplayers from around the world including @meggiicosplay, @jessicanigri, @leonchiro, @elizabethrage, and @hollywolfirl were there. They could be found having professional photo shoots on the waterfront, dressed as characters from The Legend of Zelda, Elder Ring, Jojo’s Bizarre Adventure, and Genshin Impact. Katsucon also attracted well-known photographers and videographers such as @martinwongphoto, @mineralblu, @whiskey_fox, @kameraninja, @felixwongphotography, @dtjaaaam, and @flannel.ninja, many of whom had assistants aid them with flash, reflectors, and more.
