By Gwyn

Otakon has been doing really post-Covid. Though they still slack on the Japanese voice actors for the most part, they still manage to get a good amount of guests, including Japanese composers and directors, and even an Ikebana instructor. The part I don’t like is they are starting to develop influencer guests and really, that’s not what it should be about.

This year they did have some interesting panels- I was really interested in the Ikebana panel, so I made sure to attend that. The guest showed us how to create small ikebana arrangements to very big arrangements that included tree branches- which seemed to have come from a Japanese maple tree. He also did a panel in which two voice actors, who voiced the twins in Final Fantasy 14, got the opportunity to be taught how to do Ikebana.

The adult panels were so-so last year. The descriptions of a panel was so misleading, we were disappointed in it. We could have gone to a better 21+ older panel, it was that bad. But usually people are swarming for those panels and the rooms are pretty much filled right before the panel starts.

The convention may not be as big as Anime NYC or Anime Expo ( especially Anime Expo), but within the last two years, the attendance went from 29,000 people in 2021 to 44,000 people in 2023. That is quite a jump in numbers. Hopefully with this spike in attendees, we’ll be able to get some industry visitors once again- although they tend to focus on the much larger conventions. I assume it’s because they feel they’ll make more profit in those places, but if Otakon keeps growing as it is, that may change their mind.

The vendors have gotten better- I managed to score some good figures and manga books last year- I’ve learned the best time to get manga, however would be the first day- by day 3 the manga vendors were getting pretty sparce. Everything else, not so much.

Cosplayers are alive and kicking at Otakon- some are new to the cosplay thing, and others are quite the professionals when it comes to making cosplay. A lot of them are really impressive- and after trying to make armor for my Dynasty Warriors Sima Zhao cosplay, and failing miserable- my respect for those that can make armor has grown even more. Because making armor with foam is quite difficult if you are just starting out.

Otakon has already starting making guest announcements so far, and only two have really impressed me- one is Max Mittleman- who voices Saitama in One Punch Man, the other being J. Michael Tatum. Right now it looks as though the theme is Final Fantasy 7 rebirth- I’m really hoping to see some Japanese voice actors make their way to Otakon this year. So far, it’s kind of meh.

All in all, Otakon is a good convention on the East Coast, and even though it is in Washington, DC, I find it much better than traveling to NYC for a convention. For me there is way too much crime up there, and is just not worth the risk, despite the fact that Anime NYC gets better voice actors sometimes. But I think they’ve also had some hit and misses for guests sometimes. Instead of being negative about this year’s Otakon, as it’s not until the beginning of August, I’ll keep my hopes up for some Japanese voice actors- why that’s a big deal for me- is that I prefer watching anime subtitled rather than dubbed.

Where to eat if visiting Washington DC for Otakon:

1. The Capital Burger- very good food, gets a bit crowded since it’s literally across the street from the convention center.
2. City Tap House- From what I remember, it had some really good food and drinks as well.
3. Sbarro Pizza- Located right next to the convention center, it’s easy access to a quick bite.

To avoid:

1.Yardbird Table and Bar: Horrible service and the food isn’t that great. Definitely not good enough to go and end up with horrible service. My experience: waiting 25 minutes for a second drink. That’s how horrible it is.

If you are looking for something to do while visiting Washington DC:

All the Smithsonian museums and the zoo is just a few blocks away- I’d say a 15 minute walk. The amount in that area will keep you busy the entire day, or your entire stay.