News Commentary

Otakon To Host Spin-Off Convention


Otakon_LogoEarlier today, Otakon announced that they will host a spin-off event next year. The event, known as Otakon Vegas, will be held from January 3-5 at the Planet Hollywood Resort and Casino. The event’s organizers hope to  “create a smaller and more intimate setting,” in which they’re able to experiment with new concept and ideas.

While this may seem like a unique idea on the surface, it really is anything but. In the past, we’ve seen similar expansion efforts arise from Anime Expo, who made forays into New York in 2002, and Japan in 2004. In both cases, though, the events proved to be one-shot affairs, with specific purposes in mind. Otakon Vegas, on the other hand, seems to be launching as a trial ballon of sorts. as Otakon’s Jim Vowles expressed interest in future events.

If Otakon Vegas takes off in the ideal case, we could see a new era for the convention scene. The anime industry would receive its first “McVention.” By this, I mean the first national circuit of events united under one singular brand. It’s not an uncommon sight in other industries – IT has events like Microsoft’s Visual Studio Live, for example, which spans several cities across the country. These events provide a consistent experience across the events, with similar programming and guests appearing at each convention.

In the context of an anime con, this does seem a bit counter-productive on the surface. Since the variance from event to event is a draw for many, there would be a camp that sees such expansions as an alienation of the “convention experience.” However, the ability to deliver such a reliable event across several venues would prove to be an asset, as it would build a brand, and further instill trust into the Otakon brand. Doing so would, ideally, drive more customers, which would allow for further expansion.

Of course, this is but speculation at this point.It’s equally as likely that Otakon Vegas underperforms, which leads to the event’s closure and Otakon returning to its norm as a singular event. Unfortunately, in this case all we can do is wait until the event passes, to see if atteneees surpass the expected estimates.

About the author

Samantha Ferreira

Samantha Ferreira is Anime Herald’s founder and editor-in-chief. A Rhode Island native, Samantha has been an anime fan since 1992, and an active member of the anime press since 2002, when she began working as a reviewer for Anime Dream. She launched Anime Herald in 2010, and continues to oversee its operations to this day. Outside of journalism, Samantha actively studies the history of the North American anime fandom and industry, with a particular focus on the 2000s anime boom and bust. She’s a huge fan of all things Sakura Wars, and maintains series fansite Combat Revue Review when she has free time available. When not in the Anime Herald Discord, Samantha can typically be found on Bluesky.

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