Otakon 2013 pre-registration is now open!

[ElizabethRayne]

Otakon is at Katsucon: are you? Stop by and say hello to all of the lovely staff! (and pick up a nirfty t-shirt or Otakon shot glass!)

[ElizabethRayne]

We are now accepting DJ applications for Otakon's Dance!

[ElizabethRayne]

REGISTRATION IS OPEN!


Notice: Otakon online-registration will end at 8:00 AM EDT Thursday, August 8.
Your transaction must be fully complete and paid for before 8:00 AM EDT, or you will need pay at the door.

Before you jump into registration...

PLEASE READ THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION CAREFULLY!

    Registration is only available for the entire convention weekend. There are no day passes.

    Our membership rates for 2013 are:
        $70 when completed online by 11:59pm EDT Monday, July 8, 2013
        $80 when completed online by 8:00am EDT Thursday, August 8, 2013
        $80 at the door from August 9-11, 2013

    Children 8 and under are admitted free to Otakon when accompanied by a parent/guardian. If you are bringing someone who is 8 or younger, you do not need to fill out the registration form for them. Simply bring them with you to the registration counter when you arrive at the convention, and free Child badges will be provided.

    Full instructions for the secure online registration system are available on the first page of the registration process. You must agree to certain terms and conditions to complete registration.

    Please keep in mind that Memberships and Otakon Registrations are NON-TRANSFERABLE and NON-REFUNDABLE.

    If you pre-registered in a previous year, you should renew your membership rather than create a new one. It will save you time and allow us to keep our records in good shape. If you don't remember your member ID or password, follow the directions on the login recovery page to have it sent to you.

    If you are a new member, or have only registered at the door in previous years, you may create a new member account by clicking the 'Add New Registrant' button on the first section of our registration site.

    We no longer accept mail-in registration payments. If for some reason your situation requires that you pay by means other than credit/debit card please contact our registration team so that we may work with you

    If you lose your registration email with the barcode, you can view it online and reprint it at any time by logging into our Members Only section. You may log in using your member ID or the email address you provided when you registered. If you don't remember your member ID or password, follow the directions on the login recovery page to have it sent to you.

    If you have any questions about the registration process or are having a problem with our registration system or your registration payment, please contact us through the Otakon Interactive Help page. To add new General questions about registration, please use the public question form, while for detailed questions pertaining to individual registrations please contact the Online Registration department via the email form.

    If you have a medical condition that may affect your ability to get around the convention, you can let us know about it in advance by selecting the 'special needs' box on the registration form. When you arrive at the convention center to pick up your badge, go directly to the Special Needs booth in the registration lobby to check in and obtain a badge ribbon as well as information on how to get around.

    Debit card users: A hold may be placed on your card for the total amount you intend to pay for membership registration. A separate charge will then appear shortly thereafter for the actual payment. The held charge typically disappears after 5-7 business days depending on your bank. If you suspect there may have been a server error resulting in a double-charge on your card, please wait 14 days before contacting us. As your bank places the hold on the card, we cannot make the hold go away faster.

    If you have any other questions regarding pre-registration for Otakon please use the Interactive Help Forms here.

[ElizabethRayne]

Super Awesome Hugetastic Announcement Tomorrow, Thursday the 21st at 12:30 PM.

I'm so freaking excited about this I cannot contain myself!

It's gonna be HUGE. Check back tomorrow for details.

:)

[Haruki]

I should really make a separate thread.  I'll be hitting up a convention this year.  Sadly though, it won't be this one, though I understand why it gets a ton of attention. (East Coast's largest anime con, after all, equivalent to AX out on the West Coast).

Looks like my haunt will be A'cen down in Chi-town.

I'm honestly looking to go somewhere a bit more intimate though next year.  Thank goodness there's some smaller ones real close to me, one in Milwaukee Anime Milwaukee, which just wrapped this past weekend (Feb 15-17) and one even closer (only 45 min away) in Appleton, KitsuneKon, that will be in March (won't make it this year though....too soon, cosplay not finished, saving up for Chicago.....stupid gas prices, tolls....UGH).

I sure wished I had connections like folks in the anime community do.  I can't drive (vision impairment), and live nowhere near these cities where the con action is happening.

To those who are making it out to this biggie though, have fun.  :)

[ElizabethRayne]

Its a shame you wont make it to Otakon for the 20th Its gonna be awesome. There are so many awesome guests this year.

KitsuneKon Ive never actually heard of that one then again I don't even know or make it to half of the other conventions other Otakon staffers go to.

[Haruki]

I know.  Not that it would matter much.  I wouldn't know anyone there to begin with.

I guess you can say I'm still a bit leery of people who only communicate via online, then meet up for the very first time at a convention.  That can lead to trouble at times.

If I'm gonna go the 'meeting complete strangers from a forum at a convention' route, I need to back off going to something big, instead focusing on something a bit closer to home, where it will be a more local/regional crowd than all out-of-towners.  That's how networking works, really.

I've been having my aunt drive me to A'cen the entire time I've been going down there, but it's only because she's the only one in my family willing to put up with Chicago's hellish interstate and expressway system.  It would sure be fun to crash a hotel room with several other newfound friends within the fandom.  That's something I've been sorely missing from the whole 'experience'.

Pretty cool to see Crispin Freemen making his way out there.  I just finished up with some of the older Slayers seasons (Original and NEXT) and just finished Evolution.  A blast for my ears to hear him reprise his role of Zelgadis...and still nail it, over a decade after CPM finished off dubbing TRY.  Really, the main players of that cast, plus a better-sounding Xellos among the ranks.  I'll bet they all had a blast doing that dub and for them, it felt like returning home or revisiting an old friend.

[ElizabethRayne]

I'm excited to meet Crispin myself. But I get the not wanting to meet people over the forums RL it can be scary. Id offer that you could meet me but I'll be busy and would be no fun whatsoever.  As I rarely make it out of exhibitions BUT this year I'm going to meet Crispin AND go to the TMR concert. :-)

Chicago traffic and interstate? Props to your aunt for braving it for you!

[Haruki]

I'm excited to meet Crispin myself. But I get the not wanting to meet people over the forums RL it can be scary. Id offer that you could meet me but I'll be busy and would be no fun whatsoever.  As I rarely make it out of exhibitions BUT this year I'm going to meet Crispin AND go to the TMR concert. :-)

Chicago traffic and interstate? Props to your aunt for braving it for you!

Yes, I make sure to shower  her with many thanks and hugs......and plenty of maps (I act as the GPS of sorts).  It's family, thus why she does it for me.  :)

I appreciate the thought too.  It would be nice to meet another who's older than 18 at one of these things (it's a bitch being 34 and into anime and probably worse off.....male.  Most of the fandom is half my age).  I've found by staying away from the hotel area and sticking mostly to the exhibition halls and concourses around such, I find more who are closer to or around my age there to make small talk with.  Probably because we're there for two things......discussion of a more mature level, and to burn holes in our pockets.  :P

I got close to meeting a voice-actress back in 2005 at A'cen, but she had to back out due to a scheduling conflict.....Michelle Ruff I believe.

Have fun, and give Crispin a shout-out from me.  I've actually got a few of the titles he's cast in, including one he both acted in and also was producer of the dub (I, My, Me! Strawberry Eggs).  Didn't he found New Generation Pictures?  That credit is on that title as well as Haibane Renmei, and Hellsing as 'Production by'.  Clearly a lot of former anime VAs, thanks to the video game and advertising business market, have a lot more work out in L.A.  Gotta bring the bread home somehow.

[ElizabethRayne]

http://www.otakonvegas.com/

Lookies Otakon is going to Vegas.

[ElizabethRayne]

Some information on Otakon Vegas since its apparently causing some people some confusion and stress.

But first a message from our Conchair Terry! (This was posted on the facebook page)

Hi all - Convention Chairman for Otakon - I've seen some great comments here, and I wanted to thank everyone for your feedback. I wanted to comment quickly on some of the concerns that I've seen shared here, specifically those that surround moves, fears of dilution of efforts, and so on.

Otakon is not moving. We remain in Baltimore, and have no plans of moving regions. Otakon Vegas is a second event. (Second Impact.. ;) I have a great love for Baltimore, and they have and continue to show Otakon a great deal of support.

Otakon and Otakon Vegas have separate planning groups and different Chairmen. While some core individuals are on both committees, there was a careful choice to separate the resources going into the show. Otakon Vegas is expected and planned to be a different experience than Otakon.
Throughout discussions, there has always been a careful choice to ensure the primary event for Otakorp, Inc. continues to be the annual meeting that is Otakon.

With that being said, the mission of Otakorp, Inc. drives us to broaden our reach to more people in the country. The challenge the staff have committed to is to do so without lessening the experience that our established membership on the East Coast enjoy. Thus, a spinoff event was finally considered and approached.

As the convention chairman of Otakon, I'm extremely focused on the 20th event that happens about six months from now. The work that the volunteers for Otakorp, Inc. execute throughout the year supports multiple events; Otakon, the Music Festival, our showings at the Cherry Blossom Festival in Washington, DC, the Matsuri, our online presences, and now Otakon Vegas. Even so, the vast
majority of our staff and our planning efforts goes towards Otakon, and will continue to do so.

I am confident that you will see that when I open the doors to the 20th Otakon in August.

-- Terry Chu, Conchair Otakon 2013

As you can see Otakon has no plans to leave Baltimore, we are just looking to expand. To give the people on the west coast an idea of the AWESOME event they are missing.

• Otakon Vegas is an entirely new event; the original Otakon convention remains in Baltimore.
• Otakon Vegas will be held January 3-5, 2014, at the Planet Hollywood Resort in Las Vegas, Nevada.
• Otakon Vegas is a brand new event from the people behind Otakon, one of North America’s largest celebrations of anime and East Asian popular culture.
• It's starting the way Otakon started, as a smaller, cozier, hotel-based convention. But Otakon Vegas is starting it on the Las Vegas Strip.
• Otakon Vegas is intended to be an annual event.
• Online registration (Non-Members): $40 Weekend -- Online registration (Otakorp 2013 Members): $29 Weekend -- At the door: $45 Weekend / $25 One Day
• Online registration is not yet open, but hotel reservations are now available.
• Our home at Planet Hollywood allows all of the festivities to be available to all ages. You will be able to walk from the hotel elevators to the convention floor without passing through the casino.

Hope this helps with any questions anyone may have. :)

A bit of information on the Otakon video game.

"Crisis Heart Brawlers:Clash at Otakon!"

I've played the demo and its pretty awesometastic. I'll be posting some more details about this as I get it.

[CmdrRenegade]

Yes, I make sure to shower  her with many thanks and hugs......and plenty of maps (I act as the GPS of sorts).  It's family, thus why she does it for me.  :)

I appreciate the thought too.  It would be nice to meet another who's older than 18 at one of these things (it's a bitch being 34 and into anime and probably worse off.....male.  Most of the fandom is half my age).  I've found by staying away from the hotel area and sticking mostly to the exhibition halls and concourses around such, I find more who are closer to or around my age there to make small talk with.  Probably because we're there for two things......discussion of a more mature level, and to burn holes in our pockets.  :P

I got close to meeting a voice-actress back in 2005 at A'cen, but she had to back out due to a scheduling conflict.....Michelle Ruff I believe.

Have fun, and give Crispin a shout-out from me.  I've actually got a few of the titles he's cast in, including one he both acted in and also was producer of the dub (I, My, Me! Strawberry Eggs).  Didn't he found New Generation Pictures?  That credit is on that title as well as Haibane Renmei, and Hellsing as 'Production by'.  Clearly a lot of former anime VAs, thanks to the video game and advertising business market, have a lot more work out in L.A.  Gotta bring the bread home somehow.

Take heart! There are more of us older fans than you think! If you were on the East Coast I'd invite you to my meetup group. 

[ElizabethRayne]

No huge updates for you guys, but we did have a planning meeting over the weekend so lots of fun things to come.

Artist Ally Rules have been posted.

Want to volunteer for Otakon? Check out the Gofer FAQ!

Want to know more about our Mascots Hiroko-chan and Hiroshi-kun?

and Finally a link to the ANNCast with details on Otakon 20! and Otakon Vegas!

[ElizabethRayne]

Otakorp is looking for volunteers to cosplay at its 2013 National Cherry Blossom Festival Anime Marathon. Sign Up Here!

2013 National Cherry Blossom Festival Anime Marathon
April 13th and 14th, 2013 10:00AM - 9:00PM

Otakorp, Inc. (the Non-profit that puts on Otakon) is looking for volunteers to cosplay as Samurai Champloo characters at this year's National Cherry Blossom Festival Anime Marathon.

As a volunteer you will be assigned to walk around inside or outside the Freer Gallery in character, interacting with visitors to promote the Anime Marathon. Feel free to inform the visitors to the NCBF about your costume and Anime in general. Please be courteous, as you will be representing the Freer Gallery, DC Anime Club, and Otakorp.

Please note that all cosplayers will need to adhere to the Otakon Weapons Policy.

If you are interested in helping out, please fill out the form linked above by Saturday April 6th so that we can confirm your attendance and send any additional information prior to the event.

[ElizabethRayne]

Been a while since Ive posted here, forgive me! Here are some Otakon updates for you!

Contest: 2013 Otakon Fan Art Showcase!

Hey there, artists of the Otakon community! Have you ever wanted to see your art in the Otakon Program book? Well, this year could be your chance! We want to showcase a selection of member art to celebrate our 20th Otakon, so we're reserving a few pages in the guide for it.

All you have to do is submit a piece that illustrates what Otakon means to you. This can be line art, black and white, or full color. Files must be submitted online to us by July 10th, 2013. The Otakon Publications department will choose a collection of their favorite images to showcase in the Program guide, and all of the images submitted will be eligible to be showcased on the Otakon Website!

Submission Rules:

    You may submit artwork portraying the Otakon convention mascots Hiroko, Hiroshi, and Crabby.
    You may not use any Otakon or Otakorp, Inc. logos.
    The winning submissions will be displayed in the Otakon Program Book.
    Submitted images may be showcased on the Otakon website.
    Artist will be credited alongside the artwork, in an Artists Acknowledgements section of the publication, or the Otakon website at the discretion of Otakorp, Inc.
    Contest submissions require the completion of the contest Fan Art Showcase form
    The decisions of the Publications Department are final.

Submission Artwork Requirements:

    Size: 8.5" x 11"
    Resolution: 300 dpi
    Color Space: CMYK
    File size: Less than 60MB.




Events: Panels Roster

We are pleased to announce the following panels which have been selected for Otakon 2013!

NOTE: This list is comprised of the fan submitted panels which have been selected and does not reflect any of the guest or industry panels you can expect to see.

Please note that scheduling for Otakon 2013 is not yet complete. As such, there is always the slight possibility that a panel or two may be bumped or wait listed at the last minute due to time and space constraints. No such determinations have been made at this time and any panelist whose panel is bumped or wait listed will be notified by the Panels Department ASAP.

NOTE: 18+ wristbands are required for entry into any panel marked as 18+ (the highlighted ones). Wristbands can ONLY be obtained from the wristband booth. The staffer(s) at the Panel room door(s) will NOT be able to check your I.D. or issue you a wristband.



Guests!

Todd Haberkorn
Actor, Writer, Director, Producer

Kyle Hebert
Voice Actor

Chiaki Ishikawa
Singer/Songwriter, Musical Guest - Sunday Concert, Opening Act

Yoko Kanno
Composer, Arranger, Producer, Musical Guest - Sunday Concert

Ms. Kanno's announcement video.

Tetsuya Kawakami
Animator, Character Designer, Director

Kaoru Kurosaki
Novelist and Writer

Takamasa Sakurai
Content Media Producer, Author

Shingo Adachi
Animator, Character Designer, Director



Otakon Vegas

Otakon Vegas is pleased to announce our first guest.

Loved by fans but hated by Rita, Zed and the Putties. The Original Green Power Ranger.. Jason David Frank