So Otakon 2021 came and went earlier this summer and overall, it was a success. After being canceled last year like 99% of all other cons due to the covid pandemic, it ran as scheduled. Really enjoyed myself with the friends I went with.

Dealing with Covid

The vast majority of people had mask on which was a requirement to attend, and wore them properly (not just covering their mouth). It wasn’t 100%, in some of the quieter corners with few people around, or late-night panels completely filled you could see a handful with no masks. It’s about what I expect since Otakon staff can’t realistically be expected to make sure over 21,000+ people are wearing a mask properly.  I’d say around 99% thankfully followed the requirement without needing to be told to. I also saw a few hand sanitizer dispensers located around the convention area. Since the DC convention center is so big with tall ceilings and plenty of room social distancing wasn’t much of an issue.

Hotel

My friends and I stayed at the Marriot Marque that connected to the convention center. Being able to easily go back and forth between the two without stepping outside was a great convenience. Especially when carrying camera equipment and stuff I bought. The hotel itself was only ok. Could have been better.

Otakon 2021

Overall the con great. It wasn’t exactly the same since it was kind of put together at the last minute due to the unexpected reopening of large events in the city. There were a smaller amount of quest, and attendees and no Japanese guest at all. Not as many industry guest either. You could really feel their absence in the dealers room. I didn’t get to go to as many panel as I liked to this year, but the ones I went to were all great. Like the best anime openings hosted by Anime World Order podcaster Daryl Surat, another one that focused on different animation styles, and my first time seeing the cosplay burlesque show.

The videogame room was packed with plenty of consoles although there weren’t as many arcade machines (few fighter cabinets) as before. Most of them were rhythm cabinets. From what I heard the company Otakon usually goes to for arcades closed down so that may be the reason they were lacking this year. I don’t remember seeing any Initial D cabinets either which was disappointing.

I think the artist alley was the biggest area this year all things considered. Lots of different art styles and posters, illustrations etc.  I made sure to pick up artwork and posters that I can display in my soon to be new workroom.

Cosplay

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Since we are still dealing with the pandemic, you would think having mask would kind of put a damper on general cosplay, but it didn’t. Lots of cosplayers came up with interesting and creative ideas/designs of mask to match with their cosplay. From color, images, to fabric patterns, even embroidery, it was all there. The cosplayers themselves were all on point with great looking and beautiful designs. Next year I would like to take more hall shot pictures, and at least a few more official group photoshoots.

Final Verdict

Overall, considering how difficult the last year and 8 months has been in America with…well everything including but especially the pandemic, it was nice to enjoy myself for 3 days without any worries, and get a chance to feel a sense of normalcy again. Looking forward to Otakon 2022 if I can find a hotel that is. When I checked what was available two weeks after the con out of curiosity, every nearby hotel was sold out already.

Normally I grab a hotel easily at the beginning of the year in between January or February, about 5-6 months before Otakon. I guess a lot of people are really looking forward to coming back in 2022….