Animation Con Otakon 2010, a Baltimore Fave

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Parent Category: Expos and Conventions

Category: Previews

Published on Monday, 26 July 2010 22:49

Written by Bree Rubin

Otakon -- one of the largest and longest-running American conventions for Japanese animation and culture -- kicks off festivities in Baltimore Maryland's Inner Harbor, June 30th through August 1st, 2010. Known for its non-stop video screenings, wild costumes, and exclusive international guests, the convention is a highly anticipated event by fans of Japanese entertainment media.

The influence and popularity of Japanese animation and comic books (called manga) has exploded in recent years with the tidal successes of titles like Pokemon, Final Fantasy, and Bakugan. Not just cartoons for children, many of these animated films and franchises, such as the classic action epic Akira or the highly dramatic Second World War epic Grave of the Fireflies, are geared toward and appreciated by adult audiences. You can even get your fix of high-production quality animated pornography, often called hentai.

The name of the convention is a shortening of the Japanese word, otaku (nerd, fanatic) and convention, and is so well-known even world-wide that there is a best-selling Japanese video game with a character also named Otakon. Now in its 17th year, Otakon takes over the entirety of the huge Baltimore Convention Center, packing nearby hotels, restaurants, and sidewalks full of colorful attendees.

Fans often attend the convention (and traipse around the city streets) dressed as characters from their favorite films, games and comic books. The elaborate, eye-catching (and often revealing) costumes, once an oddity to Baltimore locals, are now accepted as a routine parade that marches in once each summer.

Screenings of Japanese movies and television shows are offered around the clock and an enormous dealer's room allows an American audience to purchase media, games, merchandise and Japanese novelty items. There is even a room for up-and-coming visual artists to present their work for admiration or purchase. Multimedia activities and games abound. Oddly enough, the convention has enacted an official vuvuzela ban across the entire convention center.   

The convention welcomes notable guests spanning many genres and media from both home and abroad. One of the most notable of this year's lineup will be Peter S. Beagle, author of classics such as The Last Unicorn, for which he also wrote the screenplay. Director and animator Hiroshi Koujina, also attending, is well-known to anime fans for titles such as Escaflowne: The Movie and Pokémon: Lucario and the Mystery of Mew. Avant-garde fashion designer H. Naoto, culture researcher and writer Takamasa Sakurai, animation director Koji Masunari and many other names join the list of Otakon guests. Musical guests include the Japanese ensemble Eminence Symphony Orchestra and a highly-anticipated performance by shamisen duo the Yoshida Brothers.  

Always a fun, if bizarre event celebrating the most pop of Japanese culture, Otakon 2010 is sure to be another success for its fanbase. Weekend-long registration can be purchased for $75 at the door, but expect long lines for which the convention is widely known. For more information and a detailed schedule of events and convention offerings, visit the Otakon website at: www.otakon.com

Otakon 2010
July 30 - Aug 1, 2010
Baltimore Convention Center
Baltimore, MD USA

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