Ok, this is a little late, but I guess... it hasn't been THAT long since Katsucon 2023. It was in February, as it is every year, so just a little over a month ago as of right now. If you know me, you know that Katsucon is my ABSOLUTE favorite convention to go to. I have friend ties in Maryland, and to be honest, I think the East coast is just nice. I love that it's always colder during the con too. I tend to wear lots of layers, so it's a godsend. This year it was weirdly warm and foggy the first day, but it eventually turned into the normal weather.
First of all, the flights went overall well, EXCEPT on my first flight to MD, the EXIT DOOR GOT STUCK CLOSED!!! We couldn't get out and I was worried I would miss my connecting flight. Thank god they got security there and we all had to exit out the back of the plane, but it was getting down to the wire.
We get to the convention and my friend is the one who has booked the Gaylord like a whole year ago. Katsu tends to sell out the rooms, so you've really got to be on it.
We get there and the room we thought we booked is not what they give us. That would have been upsetting, BUT they gave us some airup mattresses for free AND we got upgraded to ATRIUM VIEW!!!
At Katsu it is very coveted to have the atrium facing rooms because you can people watch at the gazebo. So this was my first time!! It was definitely loud at night, but with the door closed it was almost like ambiance. haha.
It was an amazing view. I was so excited...
The convention went very well, and I met several new Pokémon friends! That is my absolute favorite fandom to this day, and I really hope I can make it to the Pokémon photoshoot again next year! :> Scarlet and Violet for the Switch came out this year, so I was hoping to spot some cosplays from that. I got to meet a Clive (pictured below) and a Larry. Gosh, the Larry was so cool, and I recognized him. Come to find out we met a couple years ago at Katsu! Needless to say, we're friends now.
I got to do my FIRST paid cosplay photoshoot this year. I cosplayed Emmet from Pokémon Black and White that day, and a new friend who contacted me on Instagram who cosplayed gym leader Elesa, did a shoot with a really nice photog from Canada! The pics came back recently, and they are so fun! I had a wonderful time. I was a little worried at first because I'm not used to working with people in that sort of professional feeling thing, but it was really chill.
We always get to eat yummy food when we are at Katsu, so that was a big part of it too!
I also did my first Katsucon bid at the silent auction... normally I don't mess with that because I find it too much of a hassle, but someone there had Jerma985 cursed merch, so I had to try. Sadly... I lost, BUT I did score a Spamton clip from the same artist. So I'm glad I could support. :)
I found out that there is a skybar on the top floor of the Gaylord hotel that is now 80s themed. I was not even aware of it after all these years. I think I have been going to Katsu about 6 years?? It was super cute.
A couple other friends and I ended up staying at a smaller/cheaper hotel after the con before we flew home our separate ways, and that was really fun too. We got to have some late night ramen together. I also got them into FNAF, I feel like that's all we watched the whole weekend. Just like at home. xD
Overall? I love this con, I can't wait to come back next year. I know I have a whole year's worth of adventures ahead of me, but I think Katsucon just makes me happy. I'm glad to enjoy it with others.
I also have this very... I don't know, romantic feel about Katsucon? I love travelling most of the time, and I guess I feel like maybe through connections with people maybe I'll meet someone new at some point here?? My heart is always dreaming, but I also just wanna have a CHAMPION time.
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