Otakon, which was July 27-29 this year in Baltimore, MD, is the biggest anime convention on the east coast, and the second biggest in the United States. I always figured I’d go to Otakon some day, but there was never an urgent desire to do so, and I’ve been generally content to put it off year after year. As of 2011, Otakon’s Artist Alley tables are distributed via lottery (to many artists’ frustration), and I entered this year’s lottery on a complete whim. So of course, I get in, and then I just had to go.
But despite my initial indifference, the decision to go was a pretty big deal. There was a lot of risk in the venture because Otakon would easily be my most costly convention ever — even before figuring in the plane ticket and hotel, the combined price of the badge and table is nearly double that of A-kon. But it’s the second biggest con in the country! And I haven’t done an East coast show in ages! And a lot of the SCAD friends I did conventions with in college also got in, and various other East cost people I never get to see are attending, so it would be a good chance to go and hang out with everyone again! All good reasons. It’ll be fun, right?
Shock blanket Sherlock here is going to be your opening picture for this report because why not.
I procrastinated writing this report for forever because I dreaded how long it needed to be… but here. Here it is in its entire 8,635 word glory! (I’m sorry.)
