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Disinfectant if you;re staying at the Marriot Marquis, turns out Trump will be giving a speech there today and the America First Agenda Summit is being held there 🤢

As someone who works as a Medical Laboratory Scientist and has worked directly with blood samples being sent to the CDC for Coronavirus testing, I dont think its fear mongering, at all. I know we're having to process samples under a biohazard hood as well as taking extra precautions to prevent aerosols from potentially spreading/contaminating. A vaccine wont be available until the end of the year at the earliest and containment of the disease is gonna be reliant on all the world's governments doing what they're supposed to. Personally, I dont think the issue is with the virus and i

Yearly reminder on things to bring with you. An umbrella Cell phone charger Your medications Your vaccine card (if not using the applet) Masks 2 pairs of shoes (let one pair air out between days 🤣) small water bottle ear plugs (personal preference based on volume levels these days) hoodie and/or pants (if you are prone to getting cold in air conditioning) [can't tell you how many ladies in their light Summer dresses folding their arms over tightly to try and keep warm in the grocery store] No spelling or grammar errors this time, I hope

The annual tradition of applauding and complaining! Although I have more complaints than compliments listed, I want to start by saying how great this convention really is. I've been coming back for more than 20 years for a reason! I really appreciate the effort the volunteers are putting into it. The Good: Otakon did a really good job this year of managing crowds. I hardly ever encountered lines, especially since I didn't have a bag and could use the quick entrance. Only place I really encountered backups was the escalator in front of the gaming hall entrance. I re

I'm singling this post out as an example of something that's come up repeatedly in this thread already (and a couple times during the live con feedback session as well)- frankly, I do not understand how people think Otakon could/should have enforced any kind of social distancing in panel/screening rooms, ONCE THEY DECIDED NOT TO CAP ATTENDANCE. If they had decided to cap attendance at a certain level before the convention, okay, you can probably spread chairs out inside the rooms and try to enforce physical distancing (though I think people are still vastly underrating the logistics of this- i

The Good: As many have said already, the crowd control was great this year. I do kind of miss the camaraderie that came with waiting in long lines and getting to play games while waiting, but it's really nice that things overall were moving at a good pace, especially when waiting outside in that heat. The new attendance record was great to see IMO. Large crowds wear me out, but it's nice to see Otakon growing and I really wasn't expecting it to go up that much this year. It's exciting to see. Even though I didn't get to go to all the guest panels this year, it was great to s

I thought most of the con went pretty well, but if I have one request for next year, PLEASE bring back at least a few official autograph sessions for dub VAs next year. I had to pay more for 2 autos and a pic with Justin Cook this year, than I did for 3 autos and a pic total from Steve Blum and Beau Billingslea last year. I get that a lot goes into determining how those sessions and prices work, such as appearance fee vs guarantee, and dealing with agencies etc. I just don't want Ota to turn into an expensive autograph show when it comes to dub VA signatures.

I like the lenticular badges but I miss the old mascots and the good 'ol days where you could pick your badge design from a variety of anime and game titles.

2023's theme for Otakon is trains, since I haven't seen a discussion thread set up for trains, let me start one if that's OK with everyone! A pretty recent development regarding trains in the US is there is a group known as the Northeast Maglev that is working with the Central Japan Railroad Company on an attempt to bring Central Japan Railroad's SCMAGLEV (SuperConducting MAgnetic LEVitation) train technology to the NEC (the NorthEastern Corridor). This high-speed passenger rail train line is proposed to go between Washington D.C. and New York City with an approximate one-way

The food court in the convention center near the Marriott entrance has been remodeled and is open again. It must be on an event by event basis whether or not it's used now. The dining area now has a long window that overlooks the main hall (what in the past was the Artists' Alley hall). I got some pictures of it open at last winter's auto show. https://ibb.co/jRc9YNn https://ibb.co/0nsptxh

That is a load of BS.

Again, the idea that the unvaccinated and the vaccinated spread COVID-19 at the same rate is simply untrue. Here is a link to a study done during Omicron: https://www.news-medical.net/amp/news/20230103/COVID-booster-shots-cut-Omicron-transmission-in-closed-environments.aspx The relevant passage: “In adjustment analyses, the Poisson regression model estimated that index cases vaccinated with ≥1 COVID-19 vaccine dose had, on average, a 22% lower risk of transmitting infection than unvaccinated index cases. Each additional dose further reduced the risk of transmission to close contact by an

If you require vaccination then by definition you’re getting people who are more responsible and likely to keep up with their boosters. Yes, someone can technically show up with just their primary series from two years ago, but that doesn’t mean everyone would. By the way, “the vaccine doesn’t prevent transmission” is a completely false anti-vax talking point. It literally does prevent transmission, it’s just not foolproof. But it’s certainly better than walking around unvaccinated (again, assuming people are keeping up with their boosters). Ultimately I don’t feel super strongly abo

Put back the vaccine requirement at least. Last year was overcrowded as hell, and the vaccines were the main thing preventing any outbreak. On top of that offer refunds and transfers. Do you want your reputation to go to crap after years of acclaim?

List was originally compiled/formatted by l33tmeatwad over at animemusicvideos.org. Here are all of the entrants and winners of the Otakon 2022 AMV contest! Please note that Otakon does NOT publish any of these videos! The links to streams/downloads are all to files uploaded and maintained by the original creators. TRAILER/PARODY [Winner] BecauselmBored1 - Sonic Ball Z - "Sonic The Hedgehog 2 (theatrical trailer)" by Paramount Pictures - Dragon Ball Super Lightning Bear Studios (Speedy180) - Kill Gill - "Kill Bill (theatrical trailer)" by Miramax - Fate/(various), Garde

Hey there! It's that time again! For those of you who don't know me, I post links to my channel for videos relating to that year's Otakon! Over the next few weeks, I''ll be showing video about safety (this week's video), how to get around and of course...cheap eats around Otakon!! If you have any questions, please let me know here or in the comments section for the video. Thanks for watching!!! https://youtu.be/2qmSFEWEUtY

Adding to the list: Food Change of clothes Soap Wild Bill mug

Every policy we have if we change it gets changed on the website pretty sure it's not going to change anymore before con. We take all the precautions for the memberships safety. We want everyone to be safe and have fun.

As stated on the Otakon website: With that said @BortBorterson I'm not a staff member either, but I totally get your concern... I didn't go to ACen this year partially due to their flip floppy policies regarding COVID safety... and partially due to money... I've been unemployed basically since the pandemic started... Otakon won't be relaxing the rules until I'd assume next year at earliest as the pandemic goes more and more into its endemic stage... (Don't quote me though as that is pure speculation on my part, and as we all know this pandemic is an unpredictable beast, even if it's

Hello everyone!!! For those who don't know me, I do the "Where to Eat for Otakon" videos every year on my YouTube channel, "The Unagi Observer". And as we get closer to Otakon, I would like to invite you all to On-Con 8 in the meantime! It's an online convention I've been a part of for the past year or so and it's a lot of fun! If you would like to know more about it, I have a video for you at my channel where I kind of explain it and talk a smidge about what is being presented! Here's the link: https://youtu.be/9C6V1r0woLE AND THE BEST PART IS THAT IT IS FREE!!!! Or,

No one made one of these yet so I guess I will start. Good: Otakon is back!! =] Panels - Panels were great. Liked that there was both quite a bit of diversity in the panels but there were also panels that touched on similar topics and it was good to see how differently they were approached. Art Auction has been great like always. I am glad that they moved back to in person paying instead of online. Bad: Just a couple gripes, nothing too serious Ending at midnight instead of 2am. I know that it's because of cleaning and such but I hope it goes bac

Hi, I am the department head for that side of the building. I passed your compliment on to the staffer and he is says thank you. I am glad I made the right choice putting him in charge of the main events lines.

Thank you for addressing this specific issue. It appears that Nekocon is going to try this very approach this year, going so far as to issue a no sleeping/lounging in common areas in the convention center order as well as reduced capacity/social distancing in all events according to their FB page. Conventions and convention centers by their very nature are not designed to be socially distanced and spread out and if you decide to do that it can create additional logistical headaches as you mentioned. The HRCC isn't very big and I'm curious to see if they will have line problems with peopl

Yeah, I totally forgot that there was a missing room next to Main Events and that's where it's usually held. Hopefully Otakon has access to that room next year and it can return to being aired there along with the AMV Theater screenings.

Well, whether or not the con should have been capped for attendance is a different debate. I don't think it was possible if you want the convention to survive, for simple financial reasons, but I understand why people wanted it to happen. My whole point is that people who are mad that Otakon didn't enforce physical/social distancing in programming rooms once they already decided not to cap attendance, which again isn't just coming from you but was a complaint that I heard a lot throughout the convention on Twitter/at the live feedback session/during this thread, aren't really thinking through

Hello folks! it's finally that time of year for me to upload videos on things like safety, transportation, random things and of course, where to eat for Otakon! I missed doing this last year, so am happy to be able to do it again!! As I post these videos, if you have any questions, please let me know and I'll do my best to answer them. Without further ado.... Where to Eat for Otakon 2021, Part One

I usually see this topic pop up by now but I understand there is still some uncertainty regarding many things. I thought I'd kick it off though and ask: What are your cosplay plans? What are you working on, if anything? I always look forward to hearing and seeing what everyone plans! I hope to see you all at Otakon this year! My own plans are as followed (assuming that everything works out and I get it done in time 😅) Barbara from Genshin Impact Azusa Aizawa from I've Been Killing Slimes for 300 Years and Maxed Out My Level Nezuko from Demon Slayer

Do you really think anyone is going to come around and police if you’re wearing a mask in your hotel room? Being in a hotel room really is not considered being in public so no, nobody is going to enforce you wearing a mask in a hotel room.

Is there going to be a grid version of the schedule?

I have found something that I consider to be pretty interesting and would like to share it. 7-Eleven has opened what seems to be the future of US 7-Eleven stores in Washington D.C. that's open 24/7 and is within very close walking distance from the Mount Vernon Place entrance of the convention center. The newest stores that 7-Eleven is opening in the US are being referred to as "evolution stores." These stores are much larger in size than the typical US 7-Eleven store and it seems like 7-Eleven is attempting to change publicly what 7-Eleven is typically associated with selling by usi

From a merchandising standpoint, I'd buy an Otakon-branded facemask/neck gaiter in a heartbeat.

I'm just coming up with cosplays involving masks.

I would say "Mom, I need you to book me, and pay for, a hotel to stay in for 2 weeks after the convention. Love you!". If she is that adamant about it, she can pony up the expense of a hotel for 14 days.

I've been quite surprised at how many people think adapting and putting on an online event will spoil the OG event forever and ever, or worse, will replace it. We all miss it, and I can assure you none of us were giddy sitting in front of computers 8+ hours in a row (that tally is August 1 only, the total goes much higher), isolated from our friends and fellow staffers. When life gives you lemons, make lemonade, as the old folks say. Otakon.Online was intended as a means for people to focus their energy on something else, even if it was for a short amount of time, and not lose sight of wh

Hi All! We just had 4 "online cons" just this past weekend. They were "Anime Expo Lite" (July 3rd - 4th), "Aniplex Fest Online" (July 4th - 5th), "FunimationCon" (July 3rd - 4th), and "KuroCon" (July 4th - 5th). FunimationCon seem to be running their con on their own page while also simucasting Aniplex Fest Online on one of their channel until the 4th. Everyone else was using Twitch and Youtube. The cons were basically streaming Panels that were live but most were prerecorded. I honestly missed most of Friday beccause my car was being worked on the entire day, and I

For heaven's sakes, what governments are doing is following the advice of doctors. You know, the people who are supposed to know what's best for our health. That overwhelming evidence will come from doctors. So unless you're one of them, I don't think you're in much of a position to claim that mass gatherings are safe.

I have an idea, you might not like it and I’m sure a lot of us won’t like it either but I believe it’ll help the longevity of our beloved convention. Cancel Otakon 2021. Yeah I know, I read the email but hear me out. I know you’re asking for donations and that’s wonderful, I’m going to donate as much as I possibly can to help. And I don’t know how long you can keep those donations considering you’re a non-profit, but if there is a way you can keep them til November/Decemberish and find a smaller venue to secure for 2022 I say do it. Go back to Baltimore? Go back to Stat

I'll be happy if there's an Otakon at all this year...

You can start fermenting your own con funk and have it ready by Saturday. Pop the sealed lid and PEW! Just like being at the real convention. 😆

While I'm glad that Otakon is doing an online event, I still miss doing the "Where to Eat for Otakon" videos I usually do around this time. So, I decided to put together some memories of the past at Otakon, notably between 2013 and 2017. Part One is all about the Pre-Reg lines and Matsuri festivals. A nice look into the past. Next week will be part two, full of the con itself. Please click the link and enjoy! Otakon: Do You Remember the Sweat? Part One: https://youtu.be/DQmv_tdaSUs

They're expecting a second wave to happen this fall, so don't get your hopes up.

Coronavirus ain't gonna stop me from doing my annual request: Asian Kung Fu Generation.

I’ve come to terms with the fact that this announcement was a matter of when, not if. I will miss Otakon. I will miss all the cons that aren’t happening this year (which may well be all the ones that were scheduled to happen this year). Not so much because I’ll miss the concerts or the panels or the guests but because I’ll miss my friends who come from all over, the people I only see at events like these. And there are more important things going on. My heart breaks for everyone touched by this crisis. If you are able—only if you are able—consider donating some of what you would have spent

If news reports are accurate, there are two major strains - one in europe & 1 in asia. The US has both at the same time. So, 1) a vaccine will likely only cover 1 strain making groups of people still suceptible to the other 2) expectations on leisure international travel should be nil for 1-2 years minimum after something like this with an expectation of a decade recovery for tourism 3) i enjoy conventions as many of us do - I do not expect them to be licensed for at least a year & even then, expect them to be capped significantly by size & with significant mandatory medical regula

I feel you! Zenkaikon and AnimeNext were my next ones as well and I'm bummed they couldn't take place but completely understand its because they want to keep us safe. I'm prepared either way for whether or not Otakon happens. We just got to follow things day by day and stay positive, while taking care of ourselves and staying safe.

I think I'm one of the few left here remember when Otakon used to go from hotel to hotel before it settled at a convention center. Honestly, I kind of miss the old days when taking a break from the con was just a simple elevator ride to the floor where my room was. The con had that intimate feel to it for both guests and attendees alike. All that changed dramatically when the con started to get stuffed to the seams when it still used only the hotels. I had my doubts when it moved to the BCC, but having all that extra elbow room was real nice, until the attendance numbers started to

I remember some years back (2008?), there was something on the schedule that was just archive recordings of concerts playing in a video room. I wonder if something like that has been explored for a possible return to the schedule? I'd love to revisit the first JAM Projecyt show in 04, the TMR/Home Made Kazoku collab, Oreskaband etc.

They might not get Otakon back, but maybe...just maybe...the BCC will be able to land some other anime convention. I certainly wouldn't mind having another excuse to visit Charm City again.

Good news everyone! Registration for Otakon 2020 is now open! Register early to lock in the special "early bird" discount rate. Learn more at our website and join us July 31 - August 2, 2020!

I originally planned on giving up on guest requests, but part of me felt as though I should give this another chance. While I normally give a bit of a list of guests I'd like to see be invited, this time, I'm only going to limit to only 2 people for the time being. I apologize for the topic I'm about to bring up, as it was the last thing I wanted to bring up too. But please really hear me out for a moment. The only 2 guest I would like to see the staff invite for Otakon 2020 are Jamie Marchi and Monica Rial. These last 11 months have been utter hell for them. They've lost quite a