A Breif Overview of My Otakon Experiences (1996 to 2004) & May the Next Generation Carry On The Tradition.

For the second year in a row I have missed out on "Otakon" & it's amazing how I can lose interest in something I used to be so passionate about. For those of you unfamiliar with Otakon, it is a HUGE 3 day anime convention where fans can indulge in their love of "anime". If you don't know what anime is, it is animation from Japan. Anyway, from 1996 to 2004 I would faithfully attend Otakon each year & fill up my senses with all things anime.

Anime has seemed to explode in recent years. With many popular shows on televison such as "Yu Gi Oh" & "Pokemon", but back in my day (the 1990’s) it was still an underground thing. Japanese cartoons were few and far between on television and were usually reserved for crappy time slots such as 5:30 or 6:00am. Also, you never knew how long the show would remain on the air so you had to make sure to set your VCR because again that could be the last time you’d see that show. I remember faithfully getting up at 5:30am and setting my VCR to see the latest episode of “Sailor Moon” or “Dragon Ball”. If you were lucky, your local video store would have an anime section that was more than just one or two shelves and you could get the latest in anime.

Back When I first started going to Otakon. It was FAR from what it is now as the biggest anime convention on the east coast and takes up the entire convention center in Baltimore, but instead it was nothing more than a dealer’s closet and two ballrooms rented out and converted into movie theaters at the Hunt Valley Inn. Back then it felt more like my “own” and the conventions (although smaller) were a lot more intimate. I could really enjoy myself as opposed to waiting in line for hours or pushing through crowds as has been the case with Otakon in recent years and why I stopped going.

I can't just blame not going to Otakon on just the crowds, because over the years my interest in anime has just declined or in other words, I've grown up. Back then I didn't have things like a mortgage or utilites to pay for & I could easily drop $500 plus on anime merchandise such as videos, dolls, T-shirts, DVD's etc.... Now, I just do NOT have that type of income when I have bills I need to pay. Also, I used to have the attention span to watch episodes of Dragon Ball Z or Sailor Moon back to back for hours on end, but now with my work schedule, dog, Yoga, significant other, I just do not have the time.

All in all, I had some wonderful times at Otakon & I used to have so much fun with Anime & I will admit I do enjoy the occasional Anime movie from time to time & will watch some of the old DBZ or Sailor Moon episodes for kicks, but I'd like to say I've passed the torch onto another generation of anime fans & may they have wonderful weekends at future Otakons & watching thier favorite anime shows.