Matsuricon 2018

Written by Dani and Andrew Livelsberger

Photography by Andrew Livelsberger

Background:

Description from the Matsuricon website:

Matsuricon is an annual Japanese pop-culture event that focuses primarily on Japanese animation (known as “anime”), manga (Japanese graphic novels), and video games. We also showcase both American and Japanese popular culture, due to the natural overlap of fandom from both genres.

We are considered a “family friendly” event. Most of our panels are all ages unless otherwise stated. We do showcase certain events that are not appropriate for attendees under the age of 18, and our convention staffers check the IDs of all attendees before they enter these events. Because of our “family friendly” image, our mascots are a “traditional” Japanese family consisting of a father, a mother, a son, a daughter, and a dog.

Matsuricon’s goal is to promote the cultural awareness of Japanese pop-culture through related events, special guest speakers and cultural presentations.

Below, we waited outside and saw several eager attendees walking through downtown Columbus to enter the Convention Center and begin their Matsuricon journey.

Impression:

Those that have followed us for a long time know that we love cosplay, anime, science fiction and all the cons that go along with it.  We've covered Wizard and Ohayocon many times.  This was our first year at Matsuricon.

My initial impression is that this is not an overly large convention, which is a great thing if you have a desire to go, but do not want to be inundated with large crowds.  Matsuricon used the Hyatt Regency Hotel and the Greater Columbus Convention Center for their panels and events.  This helps spread the activity around.

Unlike other conventions, we never felt cramped, jammed, or rushed.

What you do get is the same great cosplay, panels and cultural events that we have come to love at events like this.

One of our first events was the AMV Contest or Anime Music Video Contest.   At this event, you watch and vote for your favorite anime video clip paired with a song.  These entries are submitted by Matsuricon lovers for the viewing public's consideration.  This was our first time at this kind of viewing, and we can say that there are some very talented editors out there!!  Great job to all who submitted.

Here, we can see an example of the viewing facility as well as fans watching and enjoying the videos.

And what would an anime convention be without the awesome work and dedication of the cosplayers!

Check these out!

We next took a trip into the vendor area.  Here you find all your favorite videos, manga, costumes and cultural items you won't find at your local WalMart or Target.   Not going to lie, we did find some stuff we wanted and bought it (we are suckers for DragonBall - even after all these years).  Good thing we are the bosses and can take breaks whenever we want!   :D

Now, before we wrap up this Visual Ohio Matsuricon, let us express once again our admiration for those that participate.  They put in countless hours on their costumes and their performance routines.  You can tell they really have found a passion and an outlet for their creativity.

This young lady really can play the violin and well.  It was not just a prop for her cosplay outfit.
I remember hearing her start playing, and thought it was a bit out of place where we were.  I looked over and saw the crowd starting to perform.

She had her eyes closed for most of the performance.  When she completed the piece and opened her eyes, she was greeted by applause and cheers from the other attendees that were blessed with her spectacular performance.

This blondie was part of a duo that performed a choreographed dance to some of their favorite anime themes.

We had wrapped up our coverage for the day and were about to leave, but when we got right to the door we heard lots of cheering and applause.  Of course, we had to investigate what was going on.  Walking into the meeting room in Section A, there were about 30 people sitting around and cheering on their friends as they performed.

This is a great community and everyone bonds together to support each other in their performances or just being there for each other in general.

I'm very grateful for organizations like Matsuricon that provide an outlet for these creative minds to express themselves.  Visual Ohio is grateful to Matsuricon for providing us the opportunity to cover the event this year and hope to return in the future to expand out coverage now that we know what it is all about!

Ohayocon 2017

Written by Dani and Andrew Livelsberger

Photography by Andrew Livelsberger

Background:
Ohayocon is a 3 day event that is focused on the art, culture and community surrounding Japanese animation.  Live events, panel discussions, cosplay, and themed photo shoots can all be experienced here.

Impression:

Masses of people abound at the Greater Columbus Convention Center, a large cross section arrive dressed in their weekend best cosplay.   They playfully go from area to area, attending their favorite panel discussions, purchasing merch from the hundreds of vendors and participating in the themed photo shoots.

**We could not fit all the images we wanted to share in this post, so please go over to our Flickr Album and check out all those other great images!**

The Ohayocon is a haven for those entrenched in the anime culture.   We here at VisualOhio have been "otaku" for almost 25 years and this was our first year covering the Ohayocon.

WE SHOULD HAVE COME SOONER!   :D

Event In General

The event is enormous, and at first finding everything was a little intimidating.  Luckily, the Ohayocon staff man booths all over the convention center.  Don't know where something is?  Just ask.  I had a very friendly gentleman escort me to a location for a photo shoot.  They really know how to cater to and take care of their attendees.

They thought of just about everything, too, like a "coat check" area called the "Room of Holding" to safe zones for those who may have social anxiety or get overwhelmed by the large crowds.  They can go to this quiet area and get away from all the hustle of the event.

Panels

The panels are scattered throughout the 3 days and subjects vary largely.  Some are centered around specific anime themselves, while others concentrate of aspects of Japanese culture or heritage.   For those worried that there are some topics too adult, Ohayocon puts in place a rating system and publishes this weeks in advance of the convention.  Parents can be secure in knowing what the panel will cover and 18+ rated events check ID for age.

Cosplay

The cosplay is top notch here.  You will not be disappointed in the quality or the variety.  It is fantastic what some of these young, creative minds craft and display.   Some of them look just a live action version of their favorite anime character.  Others take a more interpretive approach and you can see where they have pulled influence from.

General Attendee Atmosphere

We never felt/witnessed any disrespect from anyone.  Ohayocon is one of the friendliest, most considerate events that we have been privileged to attend.  You already know that we loved the staff/help there, and the attendees showed the same care, respect for one another too.  No running around, screaming, fighting, drama.  Large crowds never slammed you about and requests for pictures were always met with an agreeable yes and a smile.

The transition area between the Regency Hotel and the Greater Columbus Convention Center, a.k.a. The Lounge

Attendees continue to design costumes in their downtime between events

Photo Shoots

The photo shoots were themed and had a designated leader.   We attended two, the DC Comics and the Star Wars shoot.  The leaders did a great job of organizing everyone and calling for different posing partners.  The cosplayers also need to be applauded here too, as they did a great job of positioning themselves and taking direction.
The only slight flaw in some of the shoots, and this is a nitpick, is that the lighting in some of the areas was very poor which made getting some shots very difficult.  Not a whole lot that the Ohayocon could do about that, it was a facilities issue.

Vendors

One of the main ballrooms at the Regency is setup to handle the vendors.  At this place is PACKED with quality sellers on the main floor an the balcony as well.  If you can think of it, somewhere in this vendor area (called artist alley), you will find it.  If you cannot, a lot of the vendors take commissioned work.

This is only HALF of the artist alley area...HALF!!!

Parting Thoughts

We loved covering the event, and this being our first year, we spent a lot of time taking in all the sights and sounds.  We will have a great plan for expanded coverage in 2018.  Until then, we hope that you enjoyed the images that we were able to show you here.

Even if you have a fleeting interest in anime or Japanese culture, you owe it to yourself to get down to the Ohayocon and be part and expand the 21,000 attendees that visit, participate and have fun here!