The sheer amount of panels at Otakon is what I love about it. It is also what makes it feel so very fan-run, so much of the programing is put on by fans for fans. Fan knowledge and ingenuity is king at Otakon and over the years it has made getting to run a panel a premier spot.  That being the case, I think that ends up inspiring a lot more panel feedback and critique than at some other conventions.

I was recently listening to the Otaku Generation con report for Otakon episode and they felt that with anime reviewing rooms being used less and less panel attendance had gone up. They also mentioned that at con feedback there was an unprecedented amount of discussion of panels and a demand for even more panels in general. There were also a good deal of complaining but the message was clear. Convention attendees were talking about panels because it was something they cared about. Otakon is never a convention that had to worry about people attending panels but I have to agree that it seemed like the interest in panels seemed like it was at an all time high.

Some panels and panelists will always draw a crowd. People like Mike Toole and Charles Dunbar always present in front of standing room only crowds as any one who went to Otakon will attest. If you talk about the newest “it show” or mention sexy times you will always have to turn people away. On the other hand there are still panels that are half empty due to either having rough time slots or less popular topics. But overall the number of panels that were not filled to capacity were less and less. Usually I say that expect for a few key panels lining up beforehand is mostly a waste of you time. But it was increasingly clear that might be outdated advice soon.

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Japanese guests are a mainstay for any and all conventions I attend, this goes double for Otakon. Whether I know a lot about the guests or are curious to find out more, they elevate the convention and make it even more memorable. I found myself at more than a couple Q&As for Otakon 2012 as well as in the autograph line and at a live musical performance. Every one of the guests was quite lively this year giving me and the other attendees much to be happy about.

I think I am fairly immune to the Otakon Guest Cycle at this point. For those not in the know the Otakon Guest Cycle is a phenomenon that happens every year in the fandom with con season. Since Anime Expo happens before Otakon everyone is wowed by the guest line up at Expo because it is usually rather spectacular. The stunning Sakura-Con line up while being earlier in the year usually gets thrown in conversation as well. Since Otakon usually waits to fairly close to the con to announce any guests the Otakon Guest Cycle starts about two months before Otakon. Everyone gets really nervous that THIS is going to be the year that Otakon has no good guests. I see a good deal of panicked tweets and IMs. Eventually Otakon starts announcing guests and they are usually fairly mid range guests and people get even more worried. “Is this all we are getting!” is the battle cry. Since you have to book your hotel (and apply for press and panels) long before the guests are announced you can feel the palpable tension as no big guests are announced. Then they eventually throw out a few big names and everyone breathes a sigh of relief and is usually pretty happy. And so the Otakon Guest Cycle goes into hibernation until the next year.

But as always Otakon has come through. Clearly Gen Urobuchi was priority number one. Having not only written Fate/Zero but being currently involved with Red Dragon made him the one guest I wanted to see most of all. Hidetaka Tenjin was also fairly cool. As a mecha fan I always enjoy mecha related guests. Also while Masao Maruyama is always at Otakon he is never an unwelcome guest. He is one of those guests that is more often than not willing to shoot from the hip but at the same time is involved with enough projects to always be interesting. My only regret was events conspired from me seeing Maruyama this year. Hopefully I will be able to catch him next year. There were also some talented voice actors and musicians this year but since they are a lower priority for me I was not able to see any of them. Thankfully enough of my friends either attended their panels and concerts or interviewed them so I captured some of that energy and experience. But it is just more proof that there is always more things you want to do at Otakon than you ever have time for.

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