UlasanAnime.com – The Otakon 2015 convention saw a notable decrease in attendance, a topic that sparked considerable discussion on various forums. While the official ANN Forums thread for the event provided a platform for analysis, many found the Otakon boards themselves less conducive to in-depth conversation on the matter.
A key observation from the forum discussions was the simultaneous increase in attendance at Bronycon, a convention for My Little Pony fans held in Baltimore shortly before Otakon. Bronycon experienced a 500-person surge, leading many to believe this growth, in contrast to Otakon’s decline, offered a valuable point of comparison. The assumption is that Bronycon shares a similar demographic and geographical base with Otakon, and likely did not face the same issues with pre-registration or price increases.
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The ANN article addressing Otakon’s attendance drop was labeled as “fear mongering” by some, particularly by a prominent Evangelion fan. While the author of this piece agrees to an extent, they also believe the core point made in the article is valid, even if the presentation was perceived as alarmist. Personal bias might play a role, as those who attended Otakon with the author were not overly concerned about the Baltimore riots that occurred in August. While concerns were present in May, assurances from someone working within the city suggested the situation had stabilized by the convention dates. The author personally paid little attention to it, as their activities were confined to the Inner Harbor.
If the ANN article aimed to be objective, it could have been strengthened by presenting facts to support the decline in attendance, rather than relying on hearsay. The article’s inclusion of an anecdote about a pool of blood, for instance, was seen as unnecessary and potentially contributed to accusations of fear-mongering. The author suggests that the article might have been unintentionally fear-mongering, reflecting the author’s personal biases.
The author posits that the real reasons for Otakon’s attendance drop are more likely tied to the evolving landscape of other conventions and events. The article contrasts Otakon’s situation with that of Anime Expo (AX), which has a history of overcoming various issues such as price hikes, registration problems, guest treatment, and management drama, yet continued to grow. This resilience is attributed to AX’s unique position as a premier event with significant star power and its location in a region with a massive Asian nerd demographic, ensuring a consistent influx of interested attendees.
In contrast, Otakon now appears to align more closely with other conventions like Anime Boston, ACen, Anime North, and Anime Next in terms of guest offerings and attendance trends. While the Northeast has a strong convention scene, Southern California remains dominated by AX, which stands out among other large-scale nerd events in the area. Otakon attendees in the local region have numerous alternatives, including Magfest, Katsucon, Anime USA, and smaller regional events. Furthermore, the proximity to major metropolitan areas like Washington D.C. (the third largest in the US) and Los Angeles/San Diego (the largest) means attendees have a wide array of choices, including conventions in Boston or even Toronto and Montreal, which boast anime conventions with over 20,000 attendees.
This shift in the convention landscape is a relatively recent phenomenon. Just five to six years ago, many of these competing events were in their nascent stages and not as prominent. With a finite amount of disposable income available for such events, the increased price of Otakon in 2015 (reportedly $100 at the door) became a significant factor. This, combined with persistent crowding due to the convention outgrowing its facilities and other perceived negative experiences, reached a tipping point for many potential attendees.
The author’s hypothesis is that the convention-going environment in 2015 is vastly different from that of 2010. There are now more events competing for attendees’ disposable income, and convention-goers have become more sensitive to pricing and other negative aspects of how a convention is managed. The author also questions the applicability of AX anecdotes to Otakon. A common point of comparison is the cost of admission. AX 2015 charged $60 for a four-day pass, which included paid events like the Masquerade. However, it’s an “apples and oranges” comparison, as AX offers numerous free activities alongside its paid events. The author believes that the value proposition for a dollar spent at AX is likely comparable to or better than at Otakon, making the cheaper option more appealing.
Another factor that may have influenced Otakon’s attendance is its scheduling in July, the same month as major events like E3, San Diego Comic-Con, and Anime Expo. This creates a packed schedule, particularly for those on the West Coast. The author suggests that individuals from further afield might be more susceptible to negative perceptions of Baltimore following the riots, potentially impacting their decision to attend.
