Thoughts on Katsucon
Katsucon was my dream convention for a very, very long time, however after attending it last year I really don’t feel like I need to go back. Here are my thoughts on why.
First off, and the hardest reason I have to admit is: Katsucon was very underwhelming and disappointing to me in a lot of ways. I had a total blast while I was there—because hey I was with my friends having fun in cosplay like of course it was a blast—apart from some random issues that popped up, however it really didn’t live up to everything I had heard about it. Contrary to what people had proclaimed to me, the location wasn’t all that interesting, it wasn’t terribly inspiring (yes, there were some fabulous cosplayers to be seen but you can see fabulous cosplayers at any convention), and the convention itself wasn’t even all that big. I really wanted to be interested and inspired by the convention and immerse myself in the huge creative crowd that so many people claim it to be, but it kinda bored me in that sense. And when I tried to get into enjoying the actual crowd (that seems more distracted and tired than anything else), I found that I really couldn’t and that I had to stick to my friends or I would be ignored more than ever. It didn’t seem like conventions as I know and love so much as I seemed like a bunch of people wearing their most impressive cosplay in an attempt to try to get in front of cameras. And I didn’t really like that.
I know. Everything I just said was probably quite harsh—especially if you who are reading this had only heard good things about the con like I had until I formed my own opinions on it. And maybe I just happened to be in all the wrong places at all the wrong times. That could very well be the case. People clearly have had better thoughts on Katsucon than this. It seems to be by no means a bad con when you look at most everyone’s accounts of it. So hey maybe if I went back this year it would be significantly better. But to me it’s not worth the trip back. Because of my other reasons.
Reason two: Katsucon was logistically horrid. I have been planning trips successfully with different groups of people to various locations for a great many years now. But the timing of this convention on top of the National Harbor prices just did not seem to be worth it to me, who, keep in mind, currently exists as a student. It was a nightmare trying to get down to DC around everyone’s class schedules alone. On top of that it cost a small fortune to exist in a space that had limited opportunities for hotels, parking, and food. As someone who’s had to pay ridiculous prices around the globe I know sometimes you just gotta take what you can get. But why should anyone have to take it if being there isn’t worth it to them? So I’ve decided I’m just not gonna be there to take it.
Reason three: there are so many other opportunities this world has to offer. I have dreams of attending so many different conventions, cosplaying tons of new characters, and even on day going on location and filming with my friends. I don’t want to waste my time on a con that I probably won’t enjoy when I could get a head start on saving and prepping to achieve some of those dreams. Comparing my dreams to a convention I didn’t really like apart from being with friends, just makes my decision seem obvious—at least in my eyes.
So yeah. That was a bit long, but I will not be going to Katsucon. I hope I explained my reasoning well enough so that anyone curious or confused now understands why this is. Thank you for reading manic fam!
—MadDog
