Strawberry Loft

One of the golden moments for any cosplayer, or nerd for that matter, is finding out that conventions exist. Three days of getting to see cool cosplays and meeting new people who won’t think it’s weird when you bring up that one manga you’ve been reading or show off your pins or even bring up that fanfiction you still hope updates. It’s three days of getting to fully break free from your shell and be yourself. At least that’s how it feels to me. My first convention was the first time I went from closet cosplays to preparing full costumes to wear out in public. It was such an exciting experience. Being an east coast cosplayer means I go to, what is considered by some, the holy grail of conventions, and others, a mess of a convention-Katsucon.

Katsucon 2025 came to a close a few weeks ago; and like most creators who go, I’m a little late getting my thoughts on it out. Known as the fashion show party convention, Katsucon lives up to its reputation for another year, and personally it was one of my favorite years. I saw some gorgeous cosplays as well as obscure ones which are always my favorite. Walking circles around the convention floor spotting characters is always a good pastime. It’s also a good way to find impromptu photoshoots. There’s something special about seeing people cosplaying from the same show who may not know each other start taking photos together for a crowd. That happened to me once and it’s an experience I won’t forget.

The energy on the convention floor felt really easy going this year, especially Friday. Friday was Valentine’s day this year and I’ve never gone home with so many trinkets from just walking around. I received several valentines and even a rose! If you happen to be someone who gives small items out, know everyone apricates that you do that. Seeing Valentines’ versions of characters was also super cute. Creative cosplayers keep Katsucon alive. I got to meet a friendly Buggy cosplayer and that was one of the highlights, if you’re a Buggy cosplayer who uses boas for his hair you are a genius. 

My showstopper cosplay this year was Café Pompompurin, I worked so hard on the wig, I’m slowly learning more about styling. I also got to wear my glasses for it which stopped me from getting a I only wear contacts once a year to look like an anime character migraine. I had the opportunity to take a photo at the Milk and Mocha booth which was perfectly café themed! As an avid gif user getting a photo at their booth was perfect. 

There is a lot to do at Katsucon if you know where to look, and I feel like I’m realizing people don’t know where to look. The guidebook! I feel like it’s not advertised well, I know I missed it my first convention or two. It gives a detailed schedule of the day, and there’s always something happening from a meet up to panels. Download it for your phone and start planning.

Picking panels this year was hard, there were a lot that looked like they’d be interesting or fun to see, especially at night. There was one given by an EMT for anime injuries, one about Pheonix Wright from a lawyer’s perspective, one about Ita bags, and many, many more! I wish I got to see more, but they start to overlap each other in the later blocks. My favorite was one about pixel horror games, they tried to do a horror theme this year with badges, but Katsucon doesn’t really ever have a strong theme. One year I’d like to see them try sticking to a theme, but I understand how hard that is for a venue of that size. Seeing like horror anime showcased in movie rooms or horror photobooths and events would be pretty cool, or any theme they pick. It’s been running for 30 years so I can see how picking a theme every year would be complicated.

Rounding back to the panels I did see, the pixel horror game was my favorite. I wish I could remember who ran it, but she was an amazing presenter. It was nostalgic leaning more about how Yumi Nikki inspired future pixel horror games that were a big part of my teen years. The most notable name- IB, my favorite pixel game of all time. Hearing about the other inspired games expanded my “to play” gaming list. It also brought back some nostalgia. The end of this psychological horror panel felt cozy. It turned into people talking about their favorite games and what they meant to them. I had to take even more notes!

People who go to large conventions like Katsucon always have a lot of passion for their presentation topic. I enjoy learning more about something I had only a little bit of knowledge of, or maybe knew nothing at all. I went to a Bloodborne panel having never touched the games and learned about the monsters and mythology behind them. Hearing people who are excited about something be able to gush over it is what the spirit of conventions is all about. One of my all-time favorite panels is a City Pop history panel that’s been presented there for the last two years. It’s not only fun but shines a lot of light onto the history of the genre showing an appreciation towards the artists. Seeing where City Pop got its influence was like seeing a whole new perspective on the genre.

Earlier I mentioned movie rooms, they’re sort of a magical place after a long day of walking, shopping and excitement. They’re quiet, sometimes dark, quiet, and a good place to shut your brain down. Sitting in a movie room is usually when you notice your feet are sore and your tummy is rumbling. Movie rooms are also the perfect place to discover a new show. That’s how I discovered Cyborg 009 – which deserves a blog of its own- which I got my friends to watch for the last two years. Unfortunately, it was the same like three episodes both years. More on brand with the horror theme I got to watch Fatal Frame- which has a blog in the works. A horror movie that shares a name with some of my favorite horror games, but in true video game movie fashion there wasn’t much besides name to connect the two.

A staple experience of any anime convention is spending a good few hours in the merchant hall searching for something you couldn’t buy anywhere else. You see a lot of good figures here, I saw a lot of good Hatsune Miku ones. One of the coolest things I got to do in the merchant hall this year was take a Decoden class at one of the booths. I’ve never seen a booth do a class like that before. I bought a lamp that I got to decorate and make my own. It was a fun unique experience, and I got a one-of-a-kind trinket. It also made me want to get into Decoden as a hobby.

At the end of the day a convention, no matter how big or small is what you make of it. There is so much more to do than just what I saw, there are workshops, games, dances, and there was even yoga this year. A little something for everyone. This year I took it slow soaking it all in making it more about experiencing then cosplaying. I had a blast! Katsucon is a different adventure every year and each year I can’t wait to see what’s next.