UlasanAnime.com – A fellow anime enthusiast shared a helpful schedule for Otakon, which resonated with my own anticipation for this year’s event. Despite being a three-hour drive from home, Otakon has become my “home con” due to its familiarity and the consistent team that has managed it for over a decade. This continuity, for better or worse, imbues the convention with a strong sense of familiarity that I’ve experienced since I was much younger.
Otakon has also been a platform for me to connect with various people. While some advise against forming social connections at conventions, they often overlook the vastness of America and how geographical realities shape cultural experiences, allowing for the concept of a “home con” to exist. It makes one ponder how Tokyo residents perceive the year-round events in their city compared to those in rural areas with fewer local happenings.
Shifting focus, my seventeenth Otakon is shaping up to be a relaxed weekend. A significant programming track, “Yoshiki,” is largely off my radar due to a lack of personal interest. While I could attend Yoshiki’s MSG show with the rest of the X-Japan crew if I felt compelled, I lack the energy and attention span to fully engage with it, as there are simply too many other events demanding my focus.
This year, Otakon seems geared towards casual hangouts. However, fans following the Guest of Honor (GOH) tracks I’m interested in, along with everyone else, will still face logistical challenges. For instance, securing a dinner spot on Friday will likely be a task.
Baltimore Restaurant Week commenced last week and extends into the next, offering potential dining deals for those seeking more upscale options.
There’s a possibility of panel tickets being implemented for autograph sessions this year, particularly for ALTIMA and Hayami Saori. ALTIMA might host an autograph session post-concert, though this is uncertain and perhaps unlikely. While the core autograph procedures at Otakon haven’t drastically changed—a positive aspect given the advance information availability—they are utilizing a new venue this year, the Hyatt. The success of this change remains to be seen. More details can be found [here](http://board.otakon.com/index.php?showtopic=25722).
Attending the opening ceremony might be worthwhile solely to catch Ojou/Sats/Motsu before her daytime performance. Hayamin is reportedly on a tight schedule and may only have a significant presence on Saturday. This will require flexibility.
I’m a strong admirer of Mai Mai Miracle, and I believe Katabuchi has the potential to become a renowned anime filmmaker. The question is how he will achieve this. He is scheduled to discuss his new film at Otakon, and I might attend his initial panel on the subject. An art exhibition is also planned, which I hope to visit at some point during the weekend. Notably, his birthday falls on Sunday, August 10th.
Matsubara-san is also a highly regarded figure. I hope to attend his programs without encountering any issues, especially since he has several scheduled. This situation is similar to Katabuchi’s; having met both previously reduces the urgency compared to attending programs by individuals I haven’t yet met. It’s moments like these that make a single Otakon weekend feel insufficient.
The Baltimore Ravens and SF Giants are scheduled for a pre-season game on Thursday. I know someone attending this game, and I plan to avoid the associated traffic. In terms of sports, the St. Louis Cardinals will be in town from Friday to Sunday for a series against the Orioles. Cardinals fans are known to travel well, though perhaps not in the same large numbers as Yankees fans do when visiting Baltimore. Both the Cardinals and Orioles are performing well this season, promising an exciting inter-league matchup.
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The CIA representatives are not currently on my primary radar, but it would be pleasant to greet them.
A Real Escape Game event will be held at Otakon. I am interested in participating, but the feasibility depends on the timing. It’s presumed that one simply signs up for a session.
Peelander-Z is slated to perform at the Otakon Matsuri, a free show scheduled for Thursday.
Aniplex is hosting a Game Show and will be distributing freebies at Hayamin’s panel. Typically, Aniplex guests hold autograph sessions at their booth, but this does not appear to be the case this year, though things could change.
Given that ALTIMA has only one full studio album, it’s predictable that their performance will largely draw from it. Their setlist will likely mirror their European tour, with the main question being which specific songs they will cover and if they might perform tracks from Maon, motsu, or Sats’s discographies. I would be content if they included KOTOKO songs written by Sats.
A particular producer is attempting to gather messages for Hayamin. The method of collection is unclear, but it would undoubtedly serve as a cherished memento.
Meanwhile, I’m still searching for my copy of Love Plus+, which prevents me from importing my latest save data. Starting over is not ideal, but I will likely still get my game box signed, as I possess all of them.
I hope to complete all my pending tasks before departing, a list that seems to grow longer with each glance. Sigh.
Otakon is utilizing social media for its virtual info desk this year, offering an SMS line, Twitter support, and a ticketing system.
As evident, even with a seemingly relaxed Otakon schedule prioritizing personal interests, it remains a challenging environment filled with conflicts and programming inefficiencies.
