Otakon was a WHIRLWIND of EXTRA AMAZING SUPER AWESOME TIME FUN! You heard me. I've been going to this convention for 11 years now. Next year will be my 12th! I'm excited but for years now, I am constantly told how Otakon isn't as fun as it use to be in the 2005ish area. Which from going many of the years, I can sort of understand were people are coming from. From the terrible fire drill year, to line-con, you name it Otakon has been called it. But as being the biggest anime convention on the East Coast it makes sense. But this year, all of my fears of an average convention washed away by the time I had.
Starting off, with the dreaded line con. Now, I went as press this year....and the press line is always incredibly organized. But I heard and saw from friends about Thursday ordeal. And now, this was not all Otakon's fault. Gotta love internet and too high a volume. There was 2 panels I wanted to go see, and I remember years past you have to get into lines EARLY cause they would run out of room. But all my panels I had a fine seats and it gave us a break from wandering around. After that it was walk walk walk and see all the sites. And eventually make it to the dealers room. Which didn't happen for HOURS, there was SO MUCH TO SEE. I saw so many great cosplays but I knew Saturday would pull out all the stops for cosplay.
The Dealers room WAS FANTASTIC! And for a few years it was hard for me to find something, not this year. And actual deals! Not oh you can find it on Amazon for about 30$ cheaper. Nope I found a rare book for only 5 bucks. It had a good variety of wares as well from manga, boardgames, clothing, bento box stuff, anime, video game, t-shirts galore. The dealers room was on point this year. The artist alley was the best, as it's been shining through many years now. The different variety of artist, and actually getting to met with them and talk to them is one of my favorite parts. The auction had a TON of things I wanted to bid of this year, but alas I never actually get to bid on things. (I always know I'll lose)
The staff seemed to be a bit more informed in where they needed to go, or what directions they could give this year, not everything is going to be perfect I'm sure, but Otakon was just really strong. I can't wait to see what things they have in store for their going have in store for us the final year in Baltimore (maybe o.O?)