Is Otakon one of the biggest cons out there in the U.S.? What can I expect going there, as it will be my first con?Am I encouraged to dress up? Guy here. My younger sister wants to come too so I could bring her as company.
Otakon is the 2nd biggest in the US, with ~30,000 last year.Expect madness, heat, and fatigue. Look through the schedule ahead of time and decide what panels you want to hit, when to hit the art room and dealer's room, etc. Give yourself lots of travel time. Sitting down for panels or screenings helps you recoup.About 30% of the people there will be in some kind of costume, so you won't be left out if you don't dress up. It's very rewarding to make a good costume and get photo requests and go to meetups with other people from the fandom.
>>5662715Cool. I'll probably just go as myself, but maybe my sis will want to try her Lolita stuff, as she had a very brief phase with it.
>>5662647If it's anything like the year before last, expect a fire drill and to be herded into the streets of Baltimore in the heat. I enjoy otakon. It's a little much, as your first con. I've always loved Katsucon more. Expect a lot of shouting of overdone memes which should have been dead years ago. Singing, children, ubernerds, neckbeards, mouthbreathers, and lots and lots and LOTS of assburgers. BUT there will be some awesome people, and there is ALWAYS wicked awesome cosplay. I've shelled out money to go see the cosplay, alone.
Biggest anime con, perhaps. Biggest con in the US? Not even close.If you're really into popular current anime, have at it. If you're into anything otherwise, you're taking a chance at it being hit-or-miss. The cosplay is ok. There's a handful of really great, memorable, creative, well-made costumes, and the rest are kind of just thrown together last minute at a high schooler's level of skill.It's become too expensive for a lot of people to attend. It's just not worth the badge fee anymore.
