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Katsucon 2024
Katsucon is one of the longest running American anime conventions, having started in the mid-1990s to provide the mid-Atlantic region a second convention opportunity, taking place in the winter to sit approximately half a year off from Otakon. Conventions back then were much smaller and the staff was largely made up of volunteers with maybe some experience in working SciFi/Fantasy conventions. The novelty of a weekend dedicated to anime was a huge draw back then. With the internet not yet delivering on-demand content as it does today, conventions were also one of the few ways to get introduced to new shows and series and merchandise. That is to say, there was a certain magic about conventions back then. Katsucon was particularly well suited for a focus on fun and fans, being a fan-run effort and not quite as much a spectacle as other big conventions were at the time. Katsucon has somehow managed to hold on to that magic over the years.
For some attendees at this point, the convention has been around since longer than they were in this world. Each year, the convention brings in new attendees and new fans and gives them a great experience. Katsucon still hits a great balance between being big enough to provide entertainment and options for fans of all sorts while still being small and cozy enough to be relaxing and fun. While they're their own amazing kind of experiences, many of the bigger conventions have become massive tourist-type events where attendees have to plan out their weekends ahead of time. (Of course, cosplayers with enough costumes are used to this at pretty much every convention.) But as for Katsucon, it's just the right pace to expect a good time without any big plans.
The National Harbor has been Katsucon's home for years now and it's a pretty good fit, even if the hotel reservation situation is on par with giant conventions like Anime Expo or Dragon*Con. The facilities themselves are great; Katsucon is partially known as a great spot for cosplay photography thanks to the giant, bright atrium and surrounding outdoor spaces. Despite being held in February, about half the time going outside is enjoyable (with the right clothes, albeit) and many spots make for great cosplay backdrops. On top of that, the large convention center is spread out enough to avoid too much crowding and clogging (except when the dealer's room is about to open, which is almost always a given cram). And while still an anime/manga-focused convention, it branches out a fair amount into US comics, gaming, and music (plus many more subcultures related to the hobby), and makes it really accessible to everybody.
Some recent changes in the hotel and area have made it even better for Katsucon. While not all these changes were new for this year, they're all things that add to the positive experience. The former buffet in the lower lobby has been replaced with a large cafeteria-style bakery and coffee shop. Though you should expect to pay convenience prices, it's a reasonable option for a quick snack that is right there. This change makes it easier for Katsucon to set up their own Maid Cafe style event, which I have yet to be able to try out myself. The in-hotel steak house has been remodeled and features a very nice interior decor and great sound isolation from the convention outside. As a steakhouse the prices are going to be on the high side of what most attendees are budgeting, but this makes it a good option for those looking to splurge or celebrate a special occasion. Parking is also fairly available for those arriving for the weekend, with both the hotel garage and the public lot nearby. Note, though, that daily commuters may need to park as far away as the MGM hotel (and take a shuttle over to the convention) on the weekend if the other garages in the area fill up. As a large entertainment area, the restaurants in the area keep changing, but there's plenty to try from common chains like Potbelly and McDonald's to more boutique, fancy restaurants.
Katsucon 2021 was held just as the Covid issue was starting. Katsucon 2022 was cancelled, and Katsucon 2023 still had to deal with some of the lingering issues. But for me at least, Katsucon 2024 was back on track. The crowds were relaxed, convention was run nice and smooth with no issues to remark on. Cosplayers were back out in force and enjoying the weekend. Berserk is one of my all-time favorite series and I was very lucky to run into a huge group. On top of that, I had a chance to do small photo sessions with quite a few other cosplayers. As should be obvious from the website, cosplay is a big focus for me. For better or worse, cosplay has become much more commercialized over the years, but the relaxed, fun atmosphere of Katsucon brought out a lot of cosplayers who were there just to have fun the same way I was. Finally, I think the hotel and staff have figured out that for the most part, convention attendees will keep their behavior to tolerable levels on their own, and that happy guests are much more likely to have a positive experience.
As the anime and manga industry gets more and more prevalent in the West, some of the bigger conventions have become tourist spectacles where waiting in line for hours is the norm. There’s certainly a time and place for such events – I look forward to them – but they’re not as conductive to being social and relaxed. Katsucon still manages to bring people together to share excitement for all their different interests. Katsucon in 2024 really captured the magic of conventions well, at least for me, and I expect 2025 to continue this trend.