Katsucon 2026 was held Valentine’s Day weekend again this year with an Apocalypse theme. Attendance has not been made public but was anywhere from 15,000 to 20,000. The gazebo area had fewer people this year because of heightened security. People were not allowed into the hotel without a badge or proof of registration. Once inside, they had to show their badge when entering new rooms and areas. Staff and volunteers would scan them with black lights. Similar to MagFest, third party security was hired and stood at all the hotel entrances.

Conventions always have so much for people to do and they tailor to many people’s hobbies, from panels, to photoshoots, to cosplay contests, to drag shows, to TikTok videos, to raves, to dancing, or even to just hanging out with friends. There is no right or wrong way to attend a convention, everyone is part of the community. People are free to enjoy them however they choose. Fandoms are for everyone. We all have a shared joy for cosplay, anime, comics, or something that brings us here. We can choose to be in the spotlight or the sidelines, but either way, we are community. Someone at MagFest once told me they could never be able to do everything there because it’s just a Choose Your Own Adventure book. That’s how I choose my coverage at each convention. I almost always go to Katsucon’s Formal Ball because it’s incredible to see how people create elegant forms of their characters. I have also seen a couple wedding proposals here.

Katsucon took place shortly after the snow/ice storm and Saturday was warm enough for people to spend the majority of the day outside. The only downside was the Potomac River smelled bad because of the recent sewage spill. A few cosplayers were inches from the river and weren’t bothered even after being told of the deadly biohazard.