Fan conventions have found themselves in a conundrum ever since March 11, 2020: the day the World Health Organization declared coronavirus disease 2019 aka COVID-19 as a global pandemic. Hospital capacities were exceeded as nations sealed borders, schools closed, sporting events were canceled, and offices …Read more »
Image: Otakon Earlier this year Otakon asked for donations, saying they might have to permanently close because of the constraints put on them by COVID. In 2020 Otakon held a virtual convention, and this year they returned to an in-person con with 25,543 attendees. Their …Read more »
The Washington, D.C.-based anime convention Otakon revealed its struggles in January, saying, “We use the proceeds from each year to plan the next Otakon and make sure we survive until then. So without the income from Otakon 2020, and the early pre-registrations we would normally …Read more »
Otakon, a Washington, D.C.-based anime convention that boasts in or around 30,000 attendants a year, is struggling because of COVID-19. Brooke Zerrlaut, who is the president of Otakorp, the organization that puts on Otakon, said this in a newsletter: “We use the proceeds from each …Read more »
Otakon 2020 was one of the many conventions around the country canceled in the face of COVID-19. But the legendary east coast con has just announced an online version set for August 1, 2020. Called Otakon.Online, the virtual convention will feature “all the content you’ve …Read more »
We have some disappointing news for those looking forward to getting in on one of the biggest parts of anime convention season later this year. Due to the current state of events and complications from COVID-19, Otakon 2020 has officially been canceled. Otakon 2020 was …Read more »
It recently came to light that a rather unfortunate scheduling conflict is occurring during this year’s Otakon in Washington D.C. The convention takes place August 10-12 at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center, which is located just one mile from Lafayette Square Park, where a …Read more »
Featured Spotlight: Hot on the heels of incredible concerts at Anime Expo, Anisong World Matsuri is back with two nights of top-tier music at this year's Otakon! for two concerts, starting with JAM Project and T.M.Revolution on Friday, August 11 before opening the doors for …Read more »
In This Corner of the World , the critically-acclaimed 2016 film about life in wartime Hiroshima, will be released in the States August 11, and Shout! Factory has offered up a new English-language trailer in anticipation. Shout! Factory will release the film August 11 in …Read more »
It wouldn't be a week in anime news without a new crowdfunding project, a format that's gotten so ubiquitous it's impossible to write about every one of them. But this isn't your average Kickstarter (whatever that means). Nope, this is a new project by none …Read more »
Among the fun planned for this coming weekend's Otakon convention—which takes place at the Baltimore Convention Center in Baltimore, MD August 8-10—is a special Sailor Moon Day. Viz Media is organizing the event for Saturday, August 9, and it will include a cosplay gathering, official …Read more »
1) The very first Otakon in 1994 attracted around 300 anime fans. Otakon 2012's attendance number of 30,785 is nearly 88 times that. 2) Otakon's 2012 attendance makes it the 2nd largest American anime convention in the United States. 3) If you learned something at …Read more »
I’m standing in the sweltering heat at Otakon 20, but my mind keeps wandering back to Otakon 13. I was 19 years old, bewildered, and attending the first convention of my life. Do you remember your earliest anime convention? If you’re in your ‘20s, it …Read more »
One of the best things about going to cons—you know, besides the dealers hall and industry panels and crazy costumes—is catching premiere screenings. Otakon's most recent announcement concerns just that, as they'll be premiering the latest from directo Makoto Shinkai ( Voices of a Distant …Read more »
Hope you've got your passes and room ready for Otakon—which takes place from July 30-August 1 at the Baltimore Convention Center—because the guest announcements continue to roll out, and there are some more hot ones on the list this time around. One of the most …Read more »
Daryl Surat
Danica Davidson
Matt Schley
Joseph Luster
Otaku USA Staff
Lauren Orsini
