In ways, it’s easy to think of Otakon 2019 as “just
ok”. Some panels weren’t so stellar (a
couple were downright awful) and a few of the photoshoots lacked the magical
punch they usually do despite a larger venue (albiet without the cool
background view and light of the city).
And yet, there’s so much that went right when things went right. In fact, I had a lot of trouble narrowing
down 5 precise things because I easily came up with a much higher number when I
started jotting down options. From
amazing roommates to panels that were actually fun and hilarious to some new
kind of experiences in the game room, Otakon 2019 definitley left a smile on my
face when it came time to part ways (though it still doesn’t match the dizzying
heights of Katsucon 2018). So, without
further ado, I give you my Top 5 Otakon 2019 Moments.
#5-Date’s Yandere Panel/Craziest Anime Deaths
These two panels tied for the this spot because both of
them saved me from a Friday night and early afternoon of subpar or boring
panels. My good friend and roommate DJ
Date Masamune brought her ever awesome brand of harsh language education to the
subject of Yanderes. She touched on
plenty of greatest hits psycho cuties from Code Geass to School Days to
Higurashi. Of course, clips of all three
of those examples were shared, eliciting some great reactions from everyone
present (pretty sure the room was packed to capacity). I followed that up with Craziest Anime
Deaths, which gave the people exactly what they wanted. And they didn’t have to be extremely gory
choices either. Some went for style
points like two perfect headshots…actually make that 3 cause we did get to see
Char Aznable blow off Kycillia Zabi’s head with a rocket launcher. But nothing and I mean NOTHING could prepare
us for seeing a Polar Bear get into Mortal Kombat with a demon…and then crush
it in half with the most epic bearhug…that’s what I did with my Friday night.
#4-Manly Battleships Game Show
Unfortunately, the ultimate comedians/deep analyzers of
Anime and Fandom, Manly Battleships, didn’t get an 18+ Panel this year. Confusing as this was, Panda and his team
still had a great panel for Saturday night, a game show that was all about
gaming. Contestants were given random
challenges to complete in random games…all from the beginning of the earliest
days of console gaming: Atari 2600, 7200 and NES. This also meant taking on some of the hardest
video games of all time: Silver Surfer, Ninja Turtles, Ninja Gaiden, Contra,
Donkey Kong and that’s only the NES titles.
The end result was a great time where the audience cheering on (or
ridiculing) some of the most epic attempts at gaming ever. Whether you supported them or playfully Booed
them, the people who took to the stage were brave souls for even attempting
these battles of the ages (thank God no one picked Battletoads, that would have
been a nightmare).
#3-Ninja: PS4 Wand Edition
So just to clarify…I have no idea what the heck this game
was called and I never bothered to ask.
Ive never really had a full blown night of fun in the Otakon Game Room,
mostly cause I was having fun in other places.
This little experience, however, more than matched some of the best
nights ive had in the Katsucon Game Room with Just Dance. The game involved keeping your wand from
turning red from too much movement. This
meant moving in tandem with awesome music and trying to avoid getting bumped
into or slapped by opposing players (up to 7 could play at a time). Yours truly sucked at it but the regularly
rotating roster of players for the hour I played were all great sports and
anyone was welcome from seasoned veterans to massive giants to even some ever
eager kids. We all laughed and had a
blast…oh and Rock Band was playing Fat Bottom Girls not far from us and that
Queen song is one of my favs, so I was happy.
#2-Dejavudea Reunion
It wouldn’t be an Otakon Top 5 list or Otakon in general
without an appearance from one of my favorite vloggers, Dejavudea. She’s been pretty quiet on the vlog and
social media front for reasons that at hers to explain alone. I will say that when I heard about them, I
message a promise of one thing: it didn’t matter if we got to chat and see each
other super long, all I wanted to do was give her a hug and I made good on that
promise. Running into her on route to
the Dealers Room, the tired Dejavudea smiled as always and we had a hug that
lasted about 10 seconds (maybe 15?). We
of course said hi but very little was said and nothing really had to be
said. This girl is such an awesome part
of my con going experience that just getting one of her amazing smiles is more
than enough. Running into her also clued
me into a Final Fantasy XIV shoot the next day that was pretty fun too. In small doses or at large events, Dejavudea
is always one of the brightest stars of my Anime universe.
#1-Sarah Comes to Otakon
I am forever greatful for the friends ive made at Otakon
and Katsucon. Many of them I see as
dearest family and have told them as such.
However, for years ive tried (and only succeeded once) to get some of my
non Anime friends to attend Otakon with me and for the better part of a decade
I’ve failed…until this year. Sarah is
one of my best and closest friends from Baltimore, now living in DC, and she is
a fun nerd who has influenced many things ive gotten into over the last few
years. When I confirmed for her that
Otakon was doing day passes and she said she’d like to attend on Saturday, it
was something more than a triumph. Got
to show one of my best friends a world I only get to visit once or twice a
year, a place where I am at my truest, happiest self. And the best part? Sarah was always interested in what to check
out next as I gave her the tour. She
even took lead when we got to the Dealer’s Room, giving me a more in depth look
at the new kingdom better than ever before.
She might’ve bought me a Kakegurui shirt as a gift…but the true gift was
Sarah being there, def making those few hours of Otakon a landmark event.
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