Ayden Gotzmer’s Pictorial and Review of Otakon 2010

Pictures and Review by Ayden Gotzmer

Otakon, run by Otakorp, Inc. is easily the largest convention on the East Coast and has been hosted at the Baltimore Convention Center since 1999 but began in 1994. Since then, the convention has grown from 350 attendants to over 29,000. This year, unofficial attendance was announced at 29, 274 attendees, not including the hundreds of staffers who are there to help the attendees.
Otakon, not only known for it’s size but also for its phenomenal ability to gather Japanese talent hosted some of the best people in Japanese music, manga, anime, and culture: director Hiroshi Koujina, fashion designer h. Naoto, voice actresses Stephanie Sheh (the voice of Hinata in Naruto) and Clarine Harp, and musical guests the Yoshida Brothers, Home Made Kazoku, and best of all, X Japan are only a few of the guests featured.
The three day convention is the highlight of many con-goers’ year. Alanna, whom I interviewed on Friday, spoke about it this way: “My first year was in 2002 and I keep coming back…I love meeting new people and although (Otakon) has gotten bigger, it is still one big community.” Community’ seemed to be the word of the weekend as over twenty thousand people descended into Baltimore’s Conference Center to attend Otakon 2010.

The Convention Breakdown:

Long lines greeted con-goers Friday morning, some arriving as early as 6:45am to be the first ones in line. By seven-thirty the line had wrapped around the building. This comes as no surprise to Otakon’s dedicated attendees who always seem to find ways to entertain themselves. Random dancing, anyone? Barcode scanning for pre-registration members were a godsend and lessened the wait-time on both Thursday night (I waited fifteen minutes in line instead of three and a half hours last year) and Friday morning.
Although the schedule was packed with something for everyone—Sewing classes, video rooms, presentations, panels, and more—the lines were often unorganized and filled up quickly despite Otakon gofers (volunteers) and staffers (experienced volunteers) standing at the end of lines with ‘END OF LINE for _____’ signs.
Rooms were closed before they’d even opened and often con-goers (including myself) were left waiting to get in without any idea that the room had been closed already. Despite this, con-goers flocked around the hallways—meeting old friends and gaining new ones—taking pictures and enjoying each other’s costuming skills. Saturday greeted con-goers with a major surprise. In the afternoon the fire alarm was pulled and the entire BCC was evacuated. The staff of Otakon did a great job getting everyone out and without anyone getting trampled. As attendees waited outside, the residents of Baltimore lined up on sidewalks and in cars to gaze and gawk. As the wait continued, there was a conga-line, a mosh pit, and several games of Marco-Polo.
For those attending the Masquerade, five o’clock Saturday becomes the magic hour. Otakon moved its Masquerade from the BCC to the Mariner Arena in 2006 and has a positive response every year since. John Hock, who even has his own fan girls screaming his name, hosts the Masquerade. This year however, the masquerade was attended for not only the host and the skits, but for the remarkable Otakon feat of getting X Japan to perform for the fans during the halftime. Yoshiki and Sugizo performed not one, but TWO songs and were kind enough to answer a few pre-prepared questions from the fans. “American fans are more…open (with their feelings toward the band)…less polite than our Japanese fans.” Yoshiki said in response to the difference between their Japanese and American fans. “You guys are F***ing awesome!” He said finally.
Yoshiki and Sugizo also dropped a hint that they may be coming to Washington D.C to perform in concert sometime in October, although nothing is officially confirmed. Sunday is always a sad day for the convention attendees. Many say loud goodbyes to their fellows as they waved from their cars or rode the escalators. This year, Sunday sported some the best programming of the day with panels on Miyazaki, the newly discovered Manhwa (Korean Manga), a Hetalia fan panel, and several working video rooms. At four o’clock the BCC emptied out its’ attendants onto the street for some last minute meet and greet before planning to come again next year. Otakon will be a the BCC next year from July 29th to the 31st. More information can be found at otakon.com.