Why cosplay conventions are not as fun anymore [Storytime]

Disclaimer: my opinions
I was also sick so I got the nasally sound
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#dandeecatt #cosplay

[@lovelylalalu6328]

Cons feel like a clout contest for cosplayers truthfully. I used to go to cons in 2013 and they were so magical! I never felt judged, even in my silly little cosplay. But now it doesn’t even feel safe to start cosplaying as a beginner in the community. It’s so pushed to be so picture perfect and have the best cosplay and spend a crap ton of money on it, which honestly just isn’t Realistic for a lot of us. everyone is making TikTok’s and there is so much drama surrounding cosplay too. Not to mention material costs have absolutely skyrocketed. The last cosplay I made ended up costing at least $500 because I made it completely by hand. It just doesn’t really feel as accessible as it used to somehow, even though so many websites exist. I think we really should hard reset as a group and go back to what was important. Being cringe and having fun!

[@dandeecatt]

Interesting, materials for us in our country is much more accessible than before and still decently priced (saves lots of money too). But I do think the easy accessibility of materials kinda makes cosplaying more "competitive" to look perfect and "clout-chasing". Before (at least in our country), materials were so hard to source but with the existence of e-commerce platforms, it became easier for us to buy them. Idk about dramas but I do find it destructive at times especially when people voice out their hate on a person, fandom, or cosplay or whatever. The vibes back then were definitely different.

[@nayjohnson4412]

I also want to add that i feel like the being cringe part has also been lost. People are more judgy, i guess because of social media and access to being online. But the amount of criticism and judgement that I see from people when cosplayers are just.. having fun and being cringy FOR FUN is kinda sad. People get shit on for being weird and not being "cool" while in cosplay :(

[@nixxdra]

The cosplay community is SO judgmental nowadays. There have been several times where I’ve wanted to get into cosplaying, but I don’t like making the cosplay, only wearing them, and the cosplay community is so judgmental about it being made from scratch that I’m scared if I go to a con wearing something I bought I’ll get harassed for it. So I’ve never cosplayed in public.

[@lovelylalalu6328]

@@nixxdra SAME UGH LIKE sewing a cosplay is not only exhausting ITS EXPENSIVE AF! cosplay in general is expensive and it’s just so hard to wear such a cool outfit and see people’s faces after you say you didn’t make it from scratch. BUT truthfully I said fuck it because my burnout was keeping me from cosplaying and if I would dress up with a store bought cosplay a win is a win. What’s helped me out a lot is keeping the sewing projects to larger pieces or cosplays that aren’t mainstream enough to have any sold online! And if you’re feeling a little bit energized I suggest going thrifting & making alterations! Plus if you style your own wigs that’s already several hours of effort put into your outfit. Bottom line is DONT FEEL GUILTY JUST HAVE FUN! 🙌🙌🙌

[@PossessedbyPhoenix]

@@nixxdra Eh, maybe for cosplay contests for judging craftsmanship, but I definitely don't think that's the case in general especially for many big professional/Instafamous cosplayers who go through a new cosplay every other day.

[@m0nikaaa_69]

in my country there's conventions only in the 3 biggest cities and my parents refuse to drive 3 hours for what they consider cartoons on drugs I'm so sadddd

[@dandeecatt]

Cartoon on drugs noooo 😭😭😭 hope you get to attend one in the future!

[@marginaliia]

what about train? if u have them :)

[@silshine]

what country are you from?

[@soundberry]

I can relate 😭 pretty much all cons are at the capital city and I live 3 hours away, I don't have a license and there's no bus or train that takes me there straight away bruh

[@krsmanjovanovic8607]

​@@silshine🤨📸

[@nemurenaiyoruu]

As someone who tries to attend at least one convention a year to hang out with my cosplayer friends and support artists, it's sad to see the entry fees become more expensive while the con itself doesn't improve in terms of quality and/or space with the increase of people going there. We always see the same guests and the same random booths that aren't even related to this kind of meetups... With the Olympics taking place in the same city as my country's biggest convention this year, the hotel prices just skyrocketed... and yet the event organizers had the audacity to tell us via a promotional e-mail to "not be afraid of the Olympics" and that "it would not impact our experience at all" as if spending a month's salary worth (or more) for a 4 day con was something every visitor could afford...

[@yurisei6732]

The problem I have, being in England, is that none of the conventions I can visit want to pay to bring guests from the other side of the world, so it's not just the same guests, it's irrelevant guests. You're never going to get an interview with an animator or a performance by a renowned musician, you just get a handful of American voice actors, and performances from the anime equivalent of cover bands. Even the upcoming Miku Expo performance is >50% non-Japanese songs. It's painful being a fan of Japanese culture outside Asia, everything's just catered to the dub watchers.

[@nemurenaiyoruu]

I know that feeling, we have the same problem with most small local conventions but some of them could afford to invite a few international artists years after, as they grew more popular (the cover singers and French voice actors are still here though, with some content creators sometimes). I wish that more conventions could to do the same, or that more artists/musicians held concerts in cities other than the big ones during their world tours (or even during music festivals) so that more people could go and/or discover them!

[@norso]

@yurisei6732 Kind of disappointing that ontop of it being a screen most of the songs arent japanese. I still wish I could go tho, cant justify the price.

[@yurisei6732]

@@norso Yeah, it's pretty cheap for me cos the UK is small and I can just make it a day trip, so I'm going, but I'd have spent twice as much on a proper JP-focused concert.

[@DDRWakaLaka]

STINKY FRENCH FROG DETECTED 🐸🐸🐸

[@Will0wFl0wer]

As someone who’s been to a con twice, the lines actually KILLED ME. I went in 2023 and 2024 to a certain con in my city, and the first time was great because I had the company of a friend, therefore fun was bound to happen. This year’s con though was more lines than actual con, I was outside for literal HOURS. I always love going to cons because that’s how I get merch of my interest but I don’t plan on going any time in the future 😭😭

[@dandeecatt]

Cons really need to come up with new ways to not make us suffer 😭 sorry to hear about your experience

[@lauragrigoletto906]

Omg I'm sorry, thankfully the con in my city lets you buy the tickets months prior, so the line goes pretty fast since they just scan a qr code (it also helps that there are different entrances for when you have already bought the ticket or you need to buy it there)

[@crtautist220]

People these days are more self conscious because everone has a fucking hd video camera in their pocket. its hard to be cringe when in the back of your mind, your worried about it being immortalized online.

[@cyberhermit]

i live in finland where 90% of cons are non-profit and completely organized by volunteers, and i think that’s what separates my countrys conventions from others! because the events are organized by nerds for nerds, the feeling of ”use all of your money please we are a big capitalist company let us inhale all of your money” is almost non-existent. when conventions are organized simply to get profit, it’s not authentic anymore! con tickets cost 50€ at most here, which keeps them accessible to the general public (but there’s the problem of not enough tickets after the pandemic wore off) because all of the money is used to organize the event! (paying the rent of the venue and such) i’m really proud of our conventions here because from what i’ve heard this is not all that common elsewhere

[@dandeecatt]

Time to put Finland cons in our bucketlist

[@Avero_]

ye same in Germany fortunately, most Cons are still hosted by volunteers and you can really feel the difference between them and the cash grab cons

[@Mallinaamari]

Tickets are actually 70€ at most now because of Heroes Comic Con (new con started 2024) and Animecon World (Rebranded after mismanagement, bankruptcy and some shady stuff, please don't support them). And the 50€ you're referring to is Tracon, right? It's a recent change too as their ticket prices jumped from 40€ in 2022 to 45€ in 2023 and now 50€ in 2024, and lot of people thought this new price was too expensive, as the con didn't sellout like it always has previous years. Those two are kind of outliers though. Majority of cons are either free (Hypecon, Kibecon, Kitsunecon) or 39€ a weekend (Desucon & Kotae Expo).

[@ElyonFabre]

Great vid lol. However I also wanna add... it seems like cons are not that safe of a space to be a dork anymore. Mainly because of the "normies" getting into anime or games. You can get so many judgemental stares even in the con.... It has become harder to just walk up to people and compliment their cosplay or talk about a shared interest too because a lot of them now only choose to stay safe and talk to close friends, or they will be on guard and possibly think you are a creep... It's miserable lol. I can't blame them really. But the old "friendly" vibe I used to get from cons back in 2010-2015 seem to have disappeared.

[@ElyonFabre]

i need to stop adding lol to sentences when i'm not happy at all :( but yeah, also nothing wrong with them discovering a new hobby, and I don't mean all of them, but a few of them normies/casuals are just miserable like that.

[@Reiiven]

Exactly!! It feels a lot more “diluted” and catered for “normies” I’ve noticed. It seems like nobody makes new friends at cons or roleplays their cosplay characters or do goofy stuff anymore for fear of judgment or creeps and I get weird looks when I try to do those things! When really that’s what a con is all about!! It makes me sad :c

[@RaidenShogun..]

Yea, many many people stare at me at the last con I went to and it made me really uncomfortable- I dressed up as serial designation J

[@teethoarder]

Im sure a lot more of the fear of being "cringe" is due to the absolute influx of youtube and tiktok becoming a : you can record and bully anyone at any moment esepecially weird nerds Fucking sucks. i just love when people have no shame in their interests at all

[@yurisei6732]

It was always the dorks who were the most judgemental though, I say as a judgemental dork. I think what really made cons less friendly was the proliferation and normalisation of online community - there's just less need to find friends through cons nowadays.

[@anodyne-4736]

I think a lot of cosplayers forget that cosplaying is mainly a hobby for nerds who want to become their favorite characters and seek out other nerds in similar groups, but recently a lot of people are treating events like school activities and presence is required type shit or needing to have a new cosplay every convention and bully other cosplayers who still wear the same cosplay. I even saw posts of young cosplayers wanting to retire, RETIRE????? BE SERIOUS. EVERYTHING ELSE SURROUNDING COSPLAY IS A JOB, COSPLAYING ITSELF IS THE HOBBY, NOT YOUR 24/7 JOB. It really ties in to your topic of overconsumption. Then they complain why they dont feel the magic of conventions/cosplaying anymore? Sick as fuck.

[@marsmia4869]

I agree with wanting to have more cons with niche stuff, a recent con I went to was overrun with Demon Slayer and Hazbin Hotel, even shows with a decent fanbase barely had any merch there. I don't hate the shows but I was tired of seeing them everywhere with barely any other anime being present. If there were niche cons with romance anime and manga I would be saving up and going there instead since those are more my forte.

[@DDRWakaLaka]

doesn't help that people still haven't figured out you NEED TO WEAR DEODORANT

[@cartoonhyperfixated]

Cons can be so miserable sometimes LMAOOO ur so underrated gahh

[@dandeecatt]

We are miserably geeking out so it's cool ✨️ 😭😭😭

[@evolilps9934]

Ive always been so bored at cosplay conventions. Years ago it was fun but now it's so hard to interact with other people and I'm literally just standing around doing my shopping till I leave.

[@kaishel3037]

My problem is cons are all about the most popular anime’s and most popular anime’s only. I barely see random people selling vintage/80s/just older, anime merch at all anymore. If I don’t like the most popular 3 anime’s there is basically nothing for me there. Even the anime that is pretty big in America but not the top 3 or something is basically not sold at all at conventions. Its the same things being sold over and over. Im into idolish games and anime and they have huge merch of that in Japan but in America there are not many merch being sold or centered around anything else than the latest shonen. I don’t see the point in going to many anymore. They are nothing like they used to…

[@kandikidzora]

I 100% agree especially since I’m in my mid 30’s who’s always like the older/obscure animes

[@elusivegrain9162]

and that's why you try to go to smaller cons or ones that have a focus on theme. Though it's understandable if there's none within your area or can't find one at all

[@thetinglessasmrtist]

I'm glad I started going to cons in the early 2010s because nowadays, especially after the pandemic, it's basically become "line simulator". You wait for any activity - and might not be able to get in as places are limited- you queue to get food even outside the convention centre, sometimes you'll even have to wait in line for the washrooms... Aside from the usual costume contests and the artist alley, there isn't much to do when you can't get in any panels or workshops.

[@vamp-shy]

the flashbacks that the footage of the kingdom hearts cosplayers at disneyland hit me with such a nostalgia, oh my goddddd

[@whosparkr]

as a cosplayer who has been cosplaying since before the pandemic, all of this is 100% due to not only teenagers who can't socialize, but also "normies" joining these types of fan spaces and pushing outwardly nerdy people out :,) Cosplayers are judged by their peers if it's not a "high end" cosplay, or if it's a handmade cosplay. The judgement is SO STRONG if you don't have these kinds of things, especially in more popular fanbases such as genshin. Artist alley has also changed a lot as well, It used to be so diverse with SO many different fanbases and all different kinds of fanart... now it's only genshin and whatever anime is currently trending at the time of the con. I'm not sure if it's the same outside of my country (australia) but that's definitely a huge problem here. Cons and the overall fandom space have gone really downhill since 2018/2019 :( It sucks

[@felix-xd4mx]

i feel like there's so many normies who became weebs because of netflix so cons became wayyy more crowded? same with kpop concerts etc. as you said, these are the same people who bvllied us for having interests in anime and kpop before. now everything is mainstream and crowded

[@makvande576]

Normies ruin everything. This is why we gatekeep. No. You don't get to like Star Wars. You made fun of me for having a Jar Jar lunch box in 99. This is off limits to you.

[@skgb75]

I stopped going to cons around 2016 because every year the prices kept getting crazier. Also I found the smaller cons more intimate and actually met more people and had some silly times with strangers. The vendor halls were always suffocating just snaking through humans shoulder to shoulder. And once you went to a few conventions you went to them all because it was the same events and guests. One problem I had was after walking around a few times it felt like there wasn’t much else to do but hang out with your friends which is great and all but when you consider the price to just be there it’s kinda like ummmm. Also most of the items available at cons are available a lot cheaper online. Then there was the weird after dark stuff which seemed to get more popular every year. I feel like cosplay and conventions have gotten sooo over sexualized and as I got older the creepier it felt being there with a bunch of 20 year olds showing their ass. Now everything is over saturated and anime conventions are some of the biggest venues in the country. All I’ve wanted to do was avoid crowds and anime was a safe place. Conventions were supposed to be a place where introverts were allowed to be extroverts for a weekend. It’s a different crowd now and can’t say it feels as genuine.

[@lunawolfheart336]

I've never been to a big con but I'm going to one in about a month. I've been to a bunch of smaller conversations tho and the smaller ones are really fun and probably better. I have however been to a huge pride festival run by the pride center first year it was cool but as the years went on it just got crappier way overpriced and no small artists just cooperations. The smaller pride events are way more fun for me. So yes smaller events are definitely better ​@@skgb75

[@bii-boh-bi4691]

This is how I feel like. When I was a kid, I watched con vlogs dreaming I'd finally have nerdy friends to go to conventions with. It then finally happened. Every year we used to only have a couple of cons in my city, but now there's one every month or so. I got burnt out, cons got even more dense, longer lines, crowded with increased ticket prices. Because of cringe culture I assume, we also don't get cosplay skit performances anymore. The cons were all the same, they didn't have differing unique programs at all. I'm from Australia and I feel like the exception from this is PAX. Now I have no motivation to go to cons, I just go to PAX, cuz I found it was well organised with so many interesting things to do and see. I do also think my burn out comes from my age and the current era. I still love nerdy things, but I'm not the same anime obsessed little girl who longed to find a space for people like me. My obsession with anime is gone, my scope has widened (video games, dnd, comics etc.) and now with nerd culture so much more normalised, I no longer need the space of a convention to feel that sense of being near people like me, because fandom is now everywhere.

[@dandeecatt]

It's sad when the anime obsession goes away, but at least in cons, we can still go back to it whenever we want to

[@JoyHoward-gl7kj]

I feel like cons are better in areas where there aren’t as many nerds around. There’s only a few big cons every year where I live and they’re usually pretty fun because everyone is appreciative of finding fellow fans

[@XxAnime_WafflexX]

Agreed!

[@narrowwing]

Okay probably, because I've been sitting here confused for the past month about all of this "comic cons are clout contests" because I haven't experienced any of that in my state (Oklahoma). But the community is so small, a few people are trying to construct clubs, get togethers, ect. And get super excited when there's a new person that wants to get into cosplay, especially building, and are ready to help.

[@quarterlifecrisiscosplay2419]

Good video! I also want to add that it's all trend driven like pop music. A fandom will be cosplayed everywhere once it's trendy and then suddenly it tanks hard. If you're into more niche stuff or what people like to nickname "dead fandoms" it's harder to find likeminded people let alone cosplayers and that can affect the experience as well. I think as longtime con goers we let our personal experiences and how much they actually cater to our interests decide what cons are worth attending and it helps us navigate the expanding con industry.

[@velocityhdmi8140]

What needs to get brought up more is the cosplay community half of it is fake poeple who dont appreciate anime and the culture and those who relive higshchool through cospalying always wanting to act like a victim or badly accuse or gaslight someone over a small inconvenience

[@heartiko2681]

Took a weird turn at the end buddy, did you give someone a "minor inconvenience"? 👀

[@kaishel3037]

I agree with the first haft but yeah the second haft sounds very suspicious

[@iwanttogotoaustralia]

Thats sucks. My state, one of the most populated ones only has 7 cons a year, lines almost never leave the building with the exception of one con it’s a bad sign if they do, all venues are right near a train stations and last time a new convention tried to pop up it, it went horribly wrong.

[@dandeecatt]

Having a train station near the venue is a blessing for some (i wish we had those in our country) but damn having no improvements with those cons is terrible 💀

[@iwanttogotoaustralia]

@@dandeecatt I use the train system to cons, can't imagine not having trains nearby, the traffic is bad enough but including everyone having to drive to cons and find car parks, that would be pretty shit

[@synisterlmao]

super cool seeing your experiences! your artstyle is amazing! :DD I'm an american cosplayer and congoer in such a ripe area for conventions so I'm going to one basically every month so I get it! There have been some...SCARY con moments here (HolMat 2023....) but overall cons are such fun events to just geek out at (though post-covid cons (like 2021) were odd they were doable) but again i loved hearing about your experiences with cons since theyre so similar and different at the same time (THE OVERSELLING TICKETS AAAAUUHGH THATS SO ANNOYING) and seeing the progression of cons in your area :D

[@dandeecatt]

Thank you! 🫶 Your cons there are probably better in terms of what the cons has to offer

[@synisterlmao]

@@dandeecatt probably! safety's a huge 50/50 though. you either get metal detector searched or drugged water! would love to see cons for you though, might put that on my travel list

[@dandeecatt]

@@synisterlmao drug water is wiiiilllllddd. the community here is still pretty friendly but more wild i think in terms of doing tiktok videos lol (there's still the usual perverts though)

[@synisterlmao]

@@dandeecatt wish it was that chill here😭😭 look i know i live in the south but why is it the wild west at cons

[@missshiningbind]

Been attending cons since 2006, where my first con was San Diego Comic Con and I will say. I miss the cons when they were in their prime via the 2000s and early 2010s. Been cosplaying since 2008 as I am a plus-sized disabled cosplayer. Nowadays, I mainly attend smaller cons where people moreso know one another more and less creeps than at big cons, especially when at bigger cons, I tend to get more overwhelmed with the crowds and such. Plus, people tend to be more judgmental, especially to plus-sized cosplayers like myself at bigger cons. Anyways, I really enjoy this video. :)

[@jeannecaelum5167]

I live in south Germany and we get like one Con, while every new event sprouts everywhere else... and that we have so many people visiting. The long queues, so many "normies" who judge you at a place that should be a nerd space not judging, it changed so much i miss the old vibe :C

[@Gwen.strawb]

i agree with the statement of how many conventions there are! in my country theres about 3 cons a month and i get tired catching up +i dont have time to refresh my cosplays. also, it doesnt feel as special when everyone goes to it, i love being the spotlight in a weird way and now im considered a normie and noone pays attention to me overused popular miku cosplays :,D

[@justajad2809]

"I'm happy that we have more opportunities to attend those events." Africa: 😭

[@dandeecatt]

Will export our events to you

[@justajad2809]

@@dandeecatt Yipee !

[@anarkyink1943]

As an artist alley table... person.. Yes... It's really pricey trying to get a spot where we can sell our stuff. I really love talking to people at cons. Especially when someone recognizes something I made or they're interested in a comic book I made. Cons have been like a third place for me and my fellow artists. We get to catch up and gossip and laugh together. We check out each other's new books up for sale. We sport each other's merchandise. T_T but now it's getting more and more out of my budget to even go out. A lot of us artists are pretty niche and don't make much of a profit so we try to enjoy our time amongst the tribe as much as we can. I'm from the Philippines as well and you guys might end up at my table. :))

[@dandeecatt]

surely i might have passed by your booth! always love going to artist alley for the arts and small chat (when it's not too crowded)~

[@MymmikCosplay]

I used to sell at conventions in my country too, I was in my second or so year of selling when the pandemic hit, and I didn’t get back into looking to sell again until 2023 and I couldn’t believe how out of reach it had become and how far behind I felt. Everyone has sticker makers, charm laser cutters, can outsource for high quality clothing, plushies etc, and I’m here hand stitching felt plushes and charms that don’t even feel up to par with the rest of the tables. I have to start from scratch and I cannot find a foothold to do so. It’s very sad 😔 I miss checking out fellow artists stuff on my lunch break and making friends with my booth neighbors I’m afraid of the return not being worth what I pay to attend as well where I just sit at a table the whole weekend 🥹

[@momma._.ofcoffe6327]

I have never been to a convention! Its really nice hearing about your experiences :D Also, your video has such a good quality!!

[@dandeecatt]

Thank you so much!! 🥹🥹🥹

[@Bluey_g]

Woah! You get so many cons in your countries/states there’s only a few in my country, the biggest is comic con. And most are more like community conventions and everyone is really friendly :3

[@__-eu9tb]

I know there’s a growing sediment in Con goers that cons have gone to shit after 2020 but I would spread it to fandom as a whole going to shit after 2020. Before 2020 you were just happy to have other people in your area who were into the same weird shit as you but after the whole pandemic period where everyone was stuck in doors and couldn’t do much of anything except if it was online created an influx of people into communities they would’ve avoided if not openly mocked those part of. Things like anime and d&d skyrocketed so rapidly into more normal hobbies that the majority quickly became the minority and with that lead to an overall loss of community “charm” as the new fans didn’t have the shared values of the older community and since they only joined during or after the normalization process they still carried with them the idea that it was ok to be clique-y in fandom space. Fandom became more centered on we like this, but not this aspect of this and if you like that aspect of this you’re hateful, and anti-whatever group. Cosplay was the same way. It used to be everything had to be thrifted/created by hand so close enough was “good enough” and it was ok to not be wholly accurate. But during the pandemic people had a lot of time on their hands and decided to undertake vastly larger projects than they used to for cosplay leading to post-covid showcasing a lot of costumes that were sometimes a year in the making where robotic parts and lighting were the norm for contests which raised the bar across the board. Not only that but as it became normalized more shops where you can order entire outfits online popped up causing a rift with those who remember the days where everything had to be done by hand and was a feat to pull off now can be bought by anyone anywhere.

[@chidori7234]

For me, they just felt "samey". I go in, take pictures of cosplayers, browse for weeb merch (mainly apparel) that I prolly can't afford because I'm a peasant, and then check some on-stage events out (which are pretty much the same shit for each con. Auction, karaoke, live performance of some small idol group I didn't know, etc). Which is why it would be great if they could really spice things up with some interesting ideas for events (like what you said in the vid). Also I usually go alone, since I barely have any friends to go with (introvert weeb kek -_-). The one whom I'm close with can't afford a ticket of his own (and I can only afford one ticket for myself lest I go broke), the other one who I did go to a con with is now overseas, and I'm not particularly close enough with my classmates for me to be all like "hey guys, let's go to this con together!".

[@rozstoli]

I honestly would love to cosplay and go to conventions, but I’m pretty short, so I’m scared to get cosplays online because of the chance they won’t fit me 😭

[@dandeecatt]

You can always alter! Though it will require you to learn some sewing skills or money if youre going for a tailor

[@RaidenShogun..]

I am very short and the biggest size I can get is a S size. You can watch yt videos on how to sew and maybe that would help.

[@teczawy]

Or if the canon outfit doesn't matter thaaat much for you you can take your clothes that fit the vibe of the character and buy just the wig!!! I do that and it's supee fun and it allows me to be more creative with it too!!!

[@rozstoli]

@@teczawy Ooh I might do that, it sounds fun!

[@yurisei6732]

You only need to know relatively basic sewing techniques to be able to alter the size of an outfit (particularly if it's only height that's a problem), so don't let the need to adjust costumes put you off.

[@dexerli]

So, I've been going to conventions since I was an early teen, I'm basically 20 now and for the past three years I have been going to Dallas Fan Expo in Texas in the US. The first time was so much fun, the second was also a blast but a little iffy, and this last year was just a bit sad. The same overpriced booths keep coming with their same crappy products (stolen redbubble walmart style t shirts and what not) and $60 mystery boxes full of literal garbage that doesnt even look good. Not to mention the overcrowding and poorly organized system of events as its almost impossible to find certain events or the schedule just never gave a time. There is also a problem with the organizers straight up lying to cosplayers about cosplay events (not sure why but its happened to me a few times when in cosplay). I still want to go to this con, its an annual thing I do with some friends, but I agree that convention burn out is so real, especially when the novelty wears off because of the overconsumption and crowding

[@Sylmations]

It’s funny how everything that you said was crazy and unusual in your experience is totally normal in the states Con culture in the states is very chaotic which is normal. Waiting 3 hours to get your badge and get in, over selling tickets, unorganized events are things that happen to the majority of cons in the states 😂

[@skgb75]

I stopped going to cons around 2016 because every year the prices kept getting crazier. Also I found the smaller cons more intimate and actually met more people and had some silly times with strangers. The vendor halls were always suffocating just snaking through humans shoulder to shoulder. And once you went to a few conventions you went to them all because it was the same events and guests. One problem I had was after walking around a few times it felt like there wasn’t much else to do but hang out with your friends which is great and all but when you consider the price to just be there it’s kinda like ummmm. Also most of the items available at cons are available a lot cheaper online. Then there was the weird after dark stuff which seemed to get more popular every year. I feel like cosplay and conventions have gotten sooo over sexualized and as I got older the creepier it felt being there with a bunch of 20 year olds showing their ass. Now everything is over saturated and anime conventions are some of the biggest venues in the country. All I’ve wanted to do was avoid crowds and anime was a safe place. Conventions were supposed to be a place where introverts were allowed to be extroverts for a weekend. It’s a different crowd now and can’t say it feels as genuine.

[@rosenikon]

Man when I first started to go to cons 10+ years ago there were awesome things to see and do, I got to watch kendo demonstrations, taiko drumming, a Japanese tea ceremony not to mention the awesome but long-lined maid cafes. Now? Vendors hall and artist alley and that's it. No displays, no anime viewings, no art galleries, nothing... Just go and buy stuff and it's so sad. All that money and it doesn't feel worth it anymore.

[@dandeecatt]

We don't get that extra pizazz anymore

[@chibikarla]

The OFization and influencer/streamer pipeline of cosplayers also has a lot to do as to why cosplay is not fun anymore. You unfortunately have to form a small group of cosplayer friends that also have the same view and objectives of cosplay. Also organizers really suck here, as a fellow person from a third world country (Chile), there never seems to be one anime/nerd/geek/"otaku" con that doesn't get outed for overworking, underpaying staff and accomodating artists and guests poorly. I also agree with the niche events point. I currently share very little with the /average/ anime watcher and triple a videogame player. The one positive thing that has happened post peak pandemic is that there are at least more new event producers and communities willing to put on events, even if they end up being free public ones in public spaces. I felt like so many of the more popular ones here like anime expo cl, comic con and others do not speak to me at all, and as you said, I will only pay a ticket (or look for a way to staff for free lol) if there is an unforgettable once in a lifetime guests being invited. But even so, unfortunately, there is still a monopoly on the organizations that have the purchasing power to get those overseas guests, and a lot of them have been cancelled for labor violations, scams and shitty service in the past. To continue, there is a project sekai community putting on their own public event, and a niche event like that hasn't been that accesible since as of recently, which is great if I get tired of all the other current existing events, which happens very quickly.

[@YoursTrulyHero]

Honestly my problem with my local con is that it feels too much like "my first anime convention" where it feels like a blast and something to always look forward to every year, but as you get older the con itself hasn't changed.

[@isaiahraymond269]

I mostly been to three conventions and my main thing is that they’re always so crowded and impossible to navigate, and are super overhyped as hell.

[@ryguystudios64]

I want to go to a convention so bad but I live in a small country town in California and it’s hard to just drive anywhere. Takes hours to travel up and down the state.

[@raisyrosye7656]

Mood except I’m from Los Angeles and go to university in San Diego…Still, there’s not easily accessible if you can’t drive…I spend a lot of time commuting there with public transportation…

[@kandikidzora]

I am also in the sticks in Northern California but luckily only about 40 mins from Sacramento. SacAnime has really grown over the years since I started going in 2014 and truly for the better.

[@kandikidzora]

I also live in the sticks in Northern California but luckily I’m only about 40 mins from Sacramento. SacAnime has really grown for the better since I started going in 2014.

[@mistysuzumiya]

Wow. Having to watch anime in a million parts on KZbin and getting computer viruses trying to watch and download on sketchy sites brought back so many memories

[@gracemakeslace]

I remember panels being awesome but over the past couple years, as my partner and I have started returning to cons, we've been very disappointed with the panel offerings and have just stuck to the shopping areas. We're also very picky so we consider the con "successful" for us if we both find something to take home and enjoy the overall vibe. The last one I went to that i loved was Blerdcon 2018 or 2019(i forget which year we went) but the vibe was so positive and upbeat, the game room was AMAZING, I played so much tekken, enjoyed the devil out of the EGL panel, along wjth a few other little things here and there. Truly the best con I ever went to. I hear its not got the same chill vibe anymore tho, which has made me and my partner reluctant to return.

[@ActuallyRiversCuomo]

I went to comic con and it was fun for the second half! But I was overwhelmed for like the whole beginning and it was pretty miserable😭🤚

[@missshiningbind]

Been attending San Diego Comic Con since 2006, and I will say. Nowadays, SDCC isn’t as fun as it was back in its prime via the 2000s. Nowadays, it’s all about this Lottery crap even with wanting to purchase a badge. Back in the day, it was more fun without the lottery system.

[@R0tten_D0gz_of_justice]

That scara picture at 0:36 caught me off guard..

[@otakubullfrog1665]

I find that the secret to avoiding line cons is to pick a con that hasn't outgrown its hotel yet.

[@rufflechips1080]

if i ever went to comic con i would go as conker from conkers bad fur day >:3

[@rufflechips1080]

..but i would need a chest binder, a blue hodie, a paper fursuit of conker and a tail ;-;

[@Somoutogomea]

Best cosplay.

[@rufflechips1080]

@@Somoutogomea YAY ANOTHER CONKER FAN? >:3

[@nathansmith-jk7cz]

Some cosplayers take themselves way too seriously

[@Trauson]

Well I totally get what you mean, once I moved to Germany there is a convention every other week somewhere around the country and I feel you SPECIALLY on the people that you only see in cons and never see or talk to them again outside of convention times even when you have their socials. I do a lot of con related content as is one of my main staples of my channel and most of the time I meet people that you think you might develop something like a friendship or something like that ubt , people are busy on their day a day lives and most of the time you as welll. Is kind of hard to keep up xD but also can get very pricey (specially the HOTEL) I hate that last part. ill say mostly go to whatever you can afford and allow yourself to go and have fun in the moment and enjoy that moment.

[@sweetnayru]

The thing I’ve truly hated the most about post covid cons is all the “anime con interviewers” they sometimes just shove you into an interview without consent in an attempt to just embarrass you for laughs. Or they ask hot takes or questions in hopes it blows up, often times following with rampant bullying of this individual in the comments and the interviewer who uploaded does nothing to stop it. They don’t care and will use these people (oftentimes cosplayers) to laugh at or bully for views. Their content is also always boring and usually unoriginal anyways, they jsut wanna do it for views and hopefully money. I hate them so so much, rid of them at cons PLEASE

[@Ayamechan1994]

Im glad im not the only one who feels this way. I started getting bored of conventions a little before pre pandemic. I would attend 1-2 a year since 2010. The magic is gone imo 😢. Now ive been focusing on my art career and trying to sell at more artist alleys (anime cons are so hard to get into for some reason). Conventions have gotten boring attending by myself so i only go if some friends are going. Its not like im missing out on much. Plus I'm tired of my feet hurting from being in cosplay, but cosplay is still lots of fun.

[@Lostboy811]

Cosplayers you'll never see again. Proceeds to use skills to make sure my new friends make it home safely. IT'S NOT STALKING, BUUUUDDY!

[@andreasanchez3557]

There's only one con in my area that is huge. 3 days of joy I live for those 3 days

[@dandeecatt]

I had colds so I sound nasally 😅

[@Adthereccomendationsguy]

I dont see it

[@citruscirrus5607]

The last two cons I went to were fun, yes, but cosplays were so lacking. It was like 70% of people weren’t in cosplay. And most of them were looking at the people in cosplay like they were cringe! It’s always been about merch, yes, but god there’s nothing else now other than just the same bunch of figurines that cost more than the con tickets.

[@xxwillowangel1917]

As someone who lives in South Africa, we only have 2 comic cons in the whole country. Comic Con Africa and Cape Town Comic Con. Comic Con Africa is a whole 24 hours away from my town so the only comic con I have access to is Cape Town Comic Con. Bith these cons only happen once a year too! Despite it being a 3 day con and tickets get sold out very fast, you wait like 5 minutes in line and that's basically it xD food lines are super short too so theres no waiting issues. Pretty much cosplaying is very small in my country so it's always a great time at Comic Con with no issues.

[@pinkybirbart]

🇧🇷 Brazil Experience here: I started attending to cons in 2018, when i was 12. By that i mean i've been also cosplaying for nearly 6 years now. Before the pandemics, the only noticeable cons were occurring at São Paulo, Santa Catarina and Ceará. Not that much big cons used to happen in Rio (where i live). Only occasional cons like 1 a month maximum. Now we have literally a calendar for all events and there's not a single one free weekend. I can't keep up with that rythm, i'm not just a unemployed weeb. The worst, it's super rare to a new big con come to life and actually be GOOD. Besides that, all """"smaller"""" cons are the same.. Same VA's, same expensive as hell foods, same SMALLEST POSSIBLE AREA FOR BOOTHS, same small locations..... It's alwful..

[@pileofhagfish]

They're super overwhelming for me at this point, I go for cosplay/contests mostly now and just hang out in the quieter spots ;~;

[@fly1ngf0x]

idk how much of this is rlly a complaint, it might just be me.. but in my recent con visits, everyone cosplays the same...5 characters now too many mikan tsumikis and junko enoshimas, too many ventis, too many yumeko jabamis. its subtle but it makes me feel like a loser for not cosplaying the same thing as everyone else.. some of my cosplays i loved were spooky - spooky's jumpsare mansion, cirno - touhou, and yaku from suicide fairies. the fun for me is making friends through cosplay.. but u never make friends because i cant connect with anyone. i really hate normies/hj

[@RaidenShogun..]

I can relate to cosplaying unpopular characters, it makes me feel like the others are superiors :(

[@Somoutogomea]

I get you bro. You wanna know what my first and only cosplay was? Prussia from Hetalia. NO ONE except people who liked it in its hayday know or care about Hetalia now.

[@fly1ngf0x]

​@@Somoutogomea thats so funny because your talking to another hetalia lover- im literally buying stuff for my finland cosplay and i have the same worry no one gives a shit fgdhfgjh

[@user-kaito02749]

⁠​⁠​⁠​⁠​⁠@@fly1ngf0x i just started watching hetalia (it was on my watchlist for like 10 years cuz it’s hard to find the episodes xD) and love it so much, definitely one of the most adorable things i’ve ever seen and i’m glad there’s still people who love it too when i find a new anime i’ll always look out for cosplayers on my next con, even if there’s not many people who care, some definitely do ^-^ (btw my fav is austria cuz i’m from austria too :D

[@yurisei6732]

Same problem with merchandise. My local figurine vendor has dropped all diversity from their product line now, literally the only figures they stock are those twins from Re:Zero.

[@czajnis1970]

my first con was in 2016, it was very important event to me. I begged my sister to come with me - con was in town where she lived. It was one of the biggest animecons in Poland at that time, I was so excited to see all the cosplays around me. I was like wow, other nerds exists! In Eastern Poland conventions are almost nonexistent (one in capital of the voivodeship in autumn, but it was 2 hours from my town anyway and i didnt have friends to go with back then).So I was just a little nerd in my middle sized town, anime was still really "uncool" and only one shop had little manga section. Now Im in college and actually have friends to be nerdy with! And conventions are more accessible for me (bc public transport from my hometown are a NIGHTMARE). Recently I noticed something interesting in Polish conventions community - many people miss prepandemic vibes so they trying to organize smaller cons to recreate atmosphere from 2010s.

[@Sorashell420]

I live in a fairly small European country, so there's 1 big major comic con a year for all baltic states and 2-3 smaller ones. Most of time it is definetly a fun time, catching up with cosplayers i know. As much as I love hearing about others dramas, the small cosplay community here pretty much became a big massive toxic bubble of "He did that, she said that, x dated y and y was toxic, q photographer did that" and it just feels like you have to avoid everyone. Don't even get me started on the big cosplayers who don't really interract with newbies just because they don't know them. Before I picked up cosplay again, I used to go to cons with sister, alone or with people I once kinda knew. That wasn't as fun for me as going in cosplay... But that unfortunately comes with so much negativity, especially if you aren't the best at communicating with others, it feels lonely or you only hear about the dramas:/

[@crazyasalways9272]

My issue is that where it used to be fun and you could meet up with a group you didn't know and still have fun based on costume now it's very much See person Ask for photo Say bye Which is sad for me since I used to enjoy meeting new people Also the panels aren't very good anymore and have been going down since 2016 The vender center is always crowded to the point you can't get through to look at stuff And the even sadder part is no longer seeing animes or shows I recognize anymore such as hetalia and fairy tail The entry fees rn are decent or at least haven't changed in the last few years being 5 for kids and 15 for adults

[@raisyrosye7656]

I’m sure that with 1000 Year Quest, there will be a Fairy Tail Renaissance but yes, Fairy Tail is no longer at its hey day/prime time!

[@WonderSparkPuppets1]

I have gone to cons every year for 20 years on the East Coast of the USA. It used to be that a group of highly motivated friends or someone who runs businessy stuff IRL decided one day "hey let's make a con to celebrate our geek culture!". Now that cons and nerdy stuff are more popular than ever I hope that starting a con is seen more as a "I need a business degree and a staff of paid smart people to pull this business venture off". The more established cons that have evolved over decades and have good reviews are the ones that usually do things right. I love smaller cons but it's still a gamble over whether or not the people in charge are experienced and do a good job.

[@anaveragegamer359]

Man our local cons suck so bad Bad cosplay, bad food , no guest, no shop and only local fake merch I miss they days back in 20 16-2017 when cons put actual effort in before anime was mainstream and everyone and their dog didn't attend these

[@michaela3417]

In Australia, I remember when conventions were about enjoying the experience. Everyone talked to each other, took photos of their fave characters regardless of the quality of the cosplay. Artists and local shops were the forefront. Now it is commercial. You find big bussinesses have taken over. Prices have risen, and people are distant. Covid was the final nail on the coffin.

[@GungKrisna12]

in my place alone, almost every weekend has cosplay events, from small scale events, into big ones that charges entry fees all thanks to covid (where previously not as much), more people becoming weebs since they are cooped inside their homes during the great pandemic also an local IG account is kind enough to announce upcoming cosplay events... however, recently the local weeb scene in my place got marred by a certain organizer that abuses its talents (who are minors)... this causes uproar in the local weeb scene, demanding the organizer to be sent to justice, and when that organizer organizes another event, the entire weeb scene decided to boycott it

[@DenshaOtoko2]

2019 was the highlight of cosplay cons with 2007 being the peak.

[@pixwik]

In Poland we have few big mess conventions as Pyrkon or Animatsuri that are so so overhyped. My friends and boyfriend always want those big popular conventions and would just walk around and basically nothing more all 3 days. It made me not as excited anymore along with more and more cringe newbies pop up at convensions that has no idea about "unwriten rules" and overall making it a big big mess. Thats why i preffer stuff like "Kapitularz" in my city that is like small convention in one part of local collage. Few cosplayers, shows of owls, star wars city and some prelections. It just feel so much better for me. Oh and shops of course!! That small covention has way better contest quality then biggest one in our country too. It;s like Pyrkon has NO FLITER and they just accept everyone who want to put a show without even checking what they want and most shows end up as bad quality or not fitting character just so they can write on thier site that they had over 50 participants in mascarade ( main contest for your self-made cosplay with some sort of show to go with it) Also Im the only one who like to just sit and enjoy? I don't understand why my friends want to only walk around and don't stop for moment and enjoy cosplay contest or just sit in night and watch owl show. They call me granny lmao. LET'S JUST SIT AND ENJOY THE MOMENT! we gonna see all the same stuff if we just keep going in circles!

[@chemicalcube2479]

As someone who lives in the Philippines as well, I actually never have experienced a con myself. But even with all of these horror stories, I still genuinely want to experience one. Just being around with other Otaku should be such a fun feeling.

[@Personarose]

I can understand the sentiment of conventions not having much to offer. As for me personally I think the weak points of conventions are Linecon and panels. Seriously though Dragoncon is the only convention that comes to mind that has interesting and diverse panels. Hopefully I won’t be standing out in the heat for nearly two hours like or the convention center won’t have an elevator breakdown again.

[@URnightmares162]

I only went to 1 con and it was okay, but i would totally go to another, i just wish.

[@BlueVoicesThis]

I was attending cons in my country since the early 2010s and the bigger issues since the pandemic are how expensive the tickets have become but the cons themselves actually having less than previous years to even justify such a high increase, con security often being more hassle than help and then the vendor spaces being overtaken significantly by knock-off vendors and vendors selling the exact same stuff as a stall 3 spaces down with indie/fan artists that have been vendor-ing for years at these cons now getting rejected more and more often so you're seeing more commercial than interesting, indie, artistic and specific goods. It's really sad.

[@peterhub1]

I do need safe spaces to be a dork. That is well put, I will ponder its meaning.

[@Darklucariorox]

The lucky star on youtube ref hit hard...

[@yuffi77]

This is 100% my life girl haha I grew up watching anime and playing video games and got into cosplay really fast. Since I was 13 I went to cons with my sister and I startet cosplaying when I was 19 I think.. Going to cons was always a great thing and I loved it until post covid. Way too many people are going there and way to many tickets are sold. Its frustrating... I actually hope that people lose interest in anime so I can go to cons in peace again without having to stand in line for hours and not being able to see the things I paid for!

[@LiliaArmoury]

in my state in aus it used to be that there wouldn't be more than one con per a quarter now it seems to be almost every month and it does feel like a lot. the only real upside of the increased popularity of cons is that characters i cosplay seem to get recognised more often

[@makvande576]

I started going to cons in 2003. I don't really go anymore because I'm old now. But the last one I went to last year, a vendor was still trying to sell the Cloud Strife motorbike from Advent Children for the same price he was selling it at more than twenty years ago.

[@TomboySuccubus]

It’s true the magic was lost to me years ago. Now I just go to see friends and dress up all cute and shit

[@mishaQUIT]

conventions can be so miserable but i’m just way too scared to put myself out there to talk to other cosplayers.. atleast im performing at the next one i go to :3

[@swordsman1_messer]

Talking over with people who frequent events, and some who organized a new one, it seems a lot of cons are going the way with just about every company now; That is, corporate executives are dictating direction and resources and not realizing the deficiencies and demands the consumers are actually requesting and need.

[@therandomscout6590]

I have never been to a cosplay convention before and have been thinking of going one day. Thank you for showing me the risks and threats I will be facing at the convention. I will not be attending a convention any time soon.

[@Brute_zaza_shep]

UNDERRATED ASF

[@dandeecatt]

😭😭😭😭😭

[@ArjunTheRageGuy]

I remember watching cartoons on a TV day and night, mostly Spongebob Squarepants. I also remember playing flash games an PC on some internet cafes while sometimes getting some coins from my grandfather's pants hanging on a wall for it when I was a kid b4 sticking to just a laptop and a mobile device. Never really tried having a console while playing games on it tho, even today as of 7/31/2024.

[@DaystarCosplay247]

Number one Key To going to cons: FIRST IMPRESSIONS ARE EVERYTHING

[@lilacangelblue2404]

I love your meme editing 😢❤

[@dandeecatt]

Awww thank you!😭

[@chip4410]

damnnnn, im sorry for yall who had sucky con experiences. the only con i went to was galaxycon and it was chill, literally so chill. maybe thats because it was smaller...???? im not sure, but lets continue to push for a good time and good quality [cons]!

[@prxttypoison]

WHY AM I GETTING THIS VIDEO A FEW DAYS BEFORE MY FIRST EVER CON 😭😭 Now im scared it wont go well

[@dandeecatt]

It's still fun dw about it 🫶

[@InfiniteBoxworks]

I saw a video shot at a con in Latvia once and it looked like the kind of fun, intimate experience that cons could be if they weren't saturated with vendors and 30,000 attendees.

[@ratpatterson8953]

My town is having an outdoor anime festival and im a bit scared because ive only been to indoor cons. Its definitely going to be lower quality but i just hope i still have a good time. Im mostly just excited to buy artwork and see other cosplayers

[@DieAlteistwiederda]

I've been going to the same anime con since 2005 or 06 and while there were some good changes the vibes were just better a few years ago. It's really about the bigger and more expensive and better now. Both for cosplays but also just what booths there are. I still like it but only because I've completely changed how I interact with this con and how I go to it now. I can buy almost all of the stuff they sell for less online without even trying that hard so I exclusively buy from artists and I interact with other visitors and cosplayers. I know a lot of people now I only really meet once a year and those people make the entrance fee worth it.

[@ashleygraham1697]

I’ve realized in the last three years that I much prefer small local cons nowadays. Big cons have started to stress me out. Didn’t used to be that way tho.

[@Mitulaa]

I have to agree, especially with booths travelling from con to con, it often feels like you're going to copy paste cons.😅Vexpo in the uk was a breath of fresh air tho, focusing on vtubers. It had much less of the usual entry level stuff, like endless dragon ball and one piece merch 😂

[@Thebutterflydancer]

Your kinda lucky for having so MANY CONS! In my Country the only con that happens is comic con which is twice a year.(They might be more) And from what I know it only happens in the capital. At the 2 same Venues every year. I wish there were more.

[@tiezoc757]

Come to Arizona in the states. It's a con like every other month, community (other than online) is nice and welcoming and the conventions are fun. Other than summer heat in Phoenix, they're always a good time. I live in New Mexico. We pretty much just have 2 anime cons a year now- I wish we had more and I miss the now defunct ones.

[@Soooooooooooonicable]

ohh man. I remember those videos with the Roxas and Axel cosplayers!! 🤣🤣I thought they were sooo cool and I was SO jealous of that awesome Roxas wig!!!

[@OohAPrettyRock]

Even in 2013 i remember paying a crapton of money and having to wait in lime for 3 1/2 or 4 hours. We havent been to one since haha, although I'd like to

[@kisarahanone5697]

I remembered going to a con on 2016 and people were so nice there they randomly greeted me and I saw a lot of different cosplayers, now on 2024, while I had more fun, the cosplayers are always either Genshin or HSR 😭and it's hard to talk to them too.

[@maaikevandewiele]

I live in Belgium and have been going to cons since 2012 (I was 14). At first I was also over the moon and I thought I was in a whole new world with people who liked the same things as me (I was left out a lot in school because of that) but after some time, especially when you started doing it at a very young age, becomes a bit less special and underwhelming I guess. You get used to it because it's always quite the same. I do however still feel really comfortable and at peace when I'm at cons because people won't dislike me for what I love. I do however think also that cosplayers aren't the same anymore, everyone is quite in his/her world now and back in the days everyone would become your sudden best friend simply because you got to know them through an activity or so. So the cosplay community indeed changed a lot, I sadly don't have cosplay friends anymore since everyone got older and don't do this hobby anymore.

[@Editor_zephyr]

I remember the cosplay matsuri at moa which got on the news, it was crazy since that organizer really messed it up so badly and the lines got onto the roads on day 2. I was lucky to go on day 1 i think but i felt unfortunate for those who got stuckin those super long lines!

[@thelemoneater]

I'll be going to my first con this weekend and decided to take a hand at cosplaying, so over the last 2 weeks i printed and bult 2 helldivers suits and my friends now painting and strapping everything together so we can go in full democratic glory! The material costs were kinda steep, but honestly paying for a bed each on Airbnb makes it seem dirt cheap... Plus its a fraction of the cost of buying something premade so i can justify it in my own head...