Otakon 2023 — Ryuuza Media

Otakon celebrates Asian pop culture and fandom including anime, manga, music, movies, games, and more. 2022’s attendance reached 40,466. This year, the lines moved much faster with hardly any wait times, even on Saturday morning.

Originated in July 1994, it took place at the Days Inn at Penn State and had 350 members. From 1999-2016, it was hosted at the Baltimore Convention Center at the Inner Harbor until it outgrew the space. Since then it has been held in Washington DC with only one off year due to Covid 19 in 2020.

This year, I interviewed guests with cosplayer Amishmoth. Due to Otakon’s vast number of guests, we selected a diverse category, from voice actors, to social media influencers, musicians, designers, music composers, and K-Pop stars. These included anime and video game composer Yasuharu Takanashi, social media influencers King Chris, Jose Estrada, and Karina Acuna, Spanish dub voice actor Mario Castaneda, K-Pop group Just B, Japanese musician and fashion model Kouki, and Japanese designer, DJ, and model Senanan. All of these interviews can be found on this website here, and on our YouTube channel. The last two were conducted by Amishmoth.

We also interviewed Otakon members, from cosplayers to photographers, asking them how long they have cosplayed, advice they’d give to newcomers, and what they like most about Otakon. These included Spumpkadoodle, dtjaaam, itsvictoriayall, rhinosaurus_rex, and more.

Otakon is a well-structured convention that offers plenty for different types of fans. There is opportunity for people looking to build their Instagram profiles through photography, there is a Gaming Hall, multiple concerts, a cosplay masquerade, Dealers Hall, Artist Alley, Lolita Garden and Fashion Show, Maid Cafe, LARPing, anime movies, and more within a 3-day period. Many people also show up for fun on day 0, the Thursday afternoon/night before the main day. There are not as many people there, so locals or people checking into their hotels early will dress up in cosplay early for easier to move around photo shoots or to just hang out with friends they haven’t seen in awhile.

Many photographers flock to the underground and street-connected Marriott for planned and spontaneous photo shoots due to the cleaner, better lit bar, architecture, stair-case, elevator lobby, plain bronze wall, balcony, and other open air spots. Otakon works directly with the Marriott, which allows for the photo shoots on the property, while Awesome Con does not. The Apple Store and church across the street are other popular areas. Some people walk over to nearby Blagden Alley for photos in the redeveloped mural and arts section. The Buddhist lanterns behind the Starbucks in the alleys of the Chinatown offices and hotel parking garage have been removed since last year.

Next years Otakon will be held slightly later, August 2-4, 2024 at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center. Fluctuation of dates may depend upon usage and rental of the building.