Otakon 2024: A Celebration Through Cosplay
Added 2024-08-15 03:41:10 +0000 UTCNote: Due to the time-sensitive nature of our coverage, this will debut on the main Anime Herald site on August 17. We apologize for the inconvenience.
The area surrounding the Walter E. Washington was bustling with activity in the early hours of Friday morning. Crowds of fans filed down the block, toward the building, gathering at crosswalks before they crossed the streets in time with the walk signals. Hundreds of people milled about outside the building, each wearing a badge that dangled loosely from a branded lanyard.
Inside, tens of thousands of fans could be seen scurrying between panel rooms, exploring the dealer’s hall, or just taking a few minutes to rest in the chairs and couches that dotted the hallways.
This year saw thousands of cosplayers bringing their very best to the convention. Indeed, it felt as if every series a fan could imagine, from Dragon Ball, to The Apothecary Diaries found a representative wandering the halls of the event. If they weren’t at the main venue, they could be found across the street in the Marriott Marquis, hosting photoshoots or just enjoying a few quiet moments away from the excitement of the Walter E. Washington Convention Center.
And some, like the Magikarp playing Careless Whisper on a Gyarados saxophone, dedicated their time to injecting a whimsical sense of humor into the weekend.
No matter who it was, though, it was impossible to deny that every single cosplayer in attendance was bringing their very best, from the opening hours of the con to the moment they packed up and began their long journeys home.
I’d like to offer my sincere thanks to everyone we highlighted this year. You’re all incredible, and your affection toward your favorite anime, manga, games, and novels was infectious. Otakon would not be the same without you, and we greatly appreciate the hard work that goes into your craft every single year.
