The Day After the Convention Always Sucks!
Monday has arrived, and just like that, Katsucon 2025 is officially over. My body aches, my energy is drained, and my wallet feels significantly lighter than it did just a few days ago. The post-convention blues are hitting hard, as they always do. Any seasoned anime convention attendee knows this feeling all too well—the bittersweet crash after an unforgettable weekend of cosplay, panels, and nonstop fun. The excitement has faded, and now reality is settling in. It’s time to unpack, sort through the merch haul, and, worst of all, return to the daily grind of work and responsibilities. It sucks to return to the adult world!
Despite the usual highs and lows of the convention, this year’s Katsucon was an absolute blast. With just me and my sister Alyssa attending, planning and navigating the event felt much easier than in previous years. We made it to nearly every panel on our must-see list, spent multiple days shopping for all sorts of geeky merch, and fully immersed ourselves in the convention experience.
Of course, no event is perfect, and Katsucon definitely has some areas that could use improvement. But overall, we had an amazing time—well, aside from that one unfortunate incident where raw sewage (or possibly grey water—the jury’s still out) rained down over Artist Alley. That was… an experience to say the least. It was nasty!
But let’s not dwell on that. Instead, let’s dive into everything that made this weekend unforgettable!
Where Cosplay Comes to Play
Katsucon, held annually at the National Harbor just outside Washington, D.C., has built a reputation as a cosplay showcase, and this year definitely lived up to the hype. Everywhere we turned, we saw incredible outfits—some jaw-droppingly cool, some wildly unique, and a few that probably should have stayed in the closet. One girl, in particular, took the concept of “bold” to a whole new level, confidently strutting around in what could barely be called an outfit. She was damn near naked!
The cosplay highlights were nothing short of amazing. The cover image for this post features the best inflatable Gengar I’ve ever seen—of course, I had to get a picture with him. We also spotted a towering seven-foot Bumblebee from Transformers, a guy decked out in full Helldivers armor, and someone rocking an impressive Zaku II suit straight out of Gundam. It felt like every popular character from anime, gaming, and pop culture had come to life, making people-watching one of the weekend’s most entertaining activities.
As for me? Well, let’s just say I took the lazy route. I didn’t have a planned cosplay this year, so I stuck with my battle vest for most of the con. Surprisingly, it was a huge hit! I got so many comments and compliments that it almost felt like an unintentional cosplay of its own. Who knew that metal could bring people together just as much as anime. Here’s a quick gallery of cosplays seen this year:
Good Finds at the Dealer and Artist Halls!
We had an absolute blast exploring the Dealer’s Hall and Artist Alley this year. I went in with the best intentions of sticking to a budget, but—let’s be real—that self-control disappeared almost instantly. Before I knew it, I had spent way more than planned.
I ended up buying three figures, even though the prices weren’t exactly what I’d call a bargain. A little markup is expected at conventions, but this year, some of the figure prices felt seriously inflated. Still, when you see that perfect collectible, sometimes you just have to bite the bullet. Two of these were from “Date a Live” and one was of the Joker (DC).
On the bright side, I also picked up a ton of amazing art from independent artists, which is always one of my favorite parts of any convention. Supporting smaller creators feels great, 
and I found some truly incredible pieces. One of my favorites—a beautifully painted Hazbin Hotel piece—already has a prime spot in my hallway. Another was this awesome abandoned Gundam head back patch – my next project is a geek battle vest.
By the time I added everything up, I realized I had spent around $500. My wallet may be crying, but my haul is totally worth it!
The Gaming Hall Was Kickass This Year & So Much Fun!
One of the absolute highlights of any convention for me is the Video Game Hall, and Katsucon never disappoints. Sure, I can play modern games at home anytime, but these conventions are where I get my fix of old-school arcade cabinets, rare Japanese fighting games, and, my personal obsession—classic pinball machines. Seriously, I love pinball.
This year’s selection included three machines: two vintage ones—Godzilla and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles—and a newer Deadpool-themed pinball machine. I must have spent an embarrassing amount of time flipping away on those. But the fun didn’t stop there! We got behind the wheel in an Initial D racing game, tried my hand at some kind of Japanese train simulator (which was way more complicated than expected…I don’t know Japanese), and lined up headshots in a sniper arcade game. I also took a nostalgia trip with Ms. Pac-Man and Centipede, along with a bunch of other old classics.
I really wanted to give the Dance Dance Revolution platforms a go, but they were constantly packed with players showing off their bad moves. Instead, I probably spent the most time parked in front of Super Mario World on the SNES, reliving childhood memories one level at a time.
These gaming halls are always a blast and the perfect way to kill downtime between panels and events. Whether you’re competing against friends or just soaking in the retro gaming vibes, there’s something special about getting lost in the flashing lights and arcade sounds.
The Panels aka Some Random PowerPoint Presentations
I’ll admit it—I’m not the biggest fan of panel programming. Maybe I’m biased, but they just don’t do much for me. Every now and then, I get dragged to one, but most of the time, I don’t find them all that interesting. Even the 18+ panels can be hit or miss.
This year, the panel selection didn’t seem great. The ones we did attend? Pretty meh. Since Katsucon is such a cosplay-heavy convention, Alyssa insisted we check out some J-fashion and Lolita-style presentations. We also sat through a guy angrily ranting about pizza, a Jerry Springer-style dating game, and an AMV contest that—somehow—turned into straight-up hardcore porn. Look, I’m not a prude, but sitting next to my sister while hentai played on a big screen? Yeah, no thanks. We left that one. This is DC…not Alabama.
Overall, I think Katsucon could have done better with the panel lineup. But, to be fair, I’m not the best judge since panels aren’t my thing. So, take my opinion with a grain of salt.
Last But Not Least – Improvements Needed Next Year
Every great convention comes with its fair share of issues, and Katsucon was no exception.
The con staff seemed completely unprepared. And as we’ve learned from other conventions, yelling at people doesn’t magically solve problems. Neither do megaphones. Chaos ruled the weekend, with disorganized lines stretching in every direction. Attendees looked confused, and staffers didn’t seem to have a solid game plan—just random, poorly thought-out instructions shouted into the crowd.
Then there were the fans, who at times seemed to lack basic common sense. Sure, conventions are a place for wild and creative photo ops, but aiming a sniper rifle prop from a balcony—especially one without an orange safety tip—is a disaster waiting to happen. In an event this size, packed with thousands of people, an active shooter scenario isn’t that far-fetched.
On top of that, the venue was a mess. Trash was everywhere. Attendees damaged property. Underage drinking ran rampant, and, well… there were a lot of drunks. I even watched one guy stumble down an escalator—literally tumble down—and somehow walk away like nothing happened. Man, I sort of hope that guy is okay.
Food prices? Ridiculous. But, to be fair, overpriced food at conventions is just part of the experience. Complaining about that feels like whining about planes being too loud at an airport. Still, it would be nice if the pricing was a little more reasonable. And for what they charge per night at the hotel, would it kill them to include breakfast?
The Last Words on Katsucon 2025 From Kyle…
We had an amazing time, and next year, I’m going even bigger. This time, I’ll have a cosplay outfit planned and ready to go. I also think our group will be larger—my younger brother, Josh, and my sister-in-law, Lily, will probably join us. They usually attend conventions with us, but it’s a bit harder for them since they live in Central Pennsylvania. Meanwhile, Alyssa and I are in Virginia, and I’m especially lucky to be in Northern Virginia, just a short trip from D.C.
Next year, I’m also stepping up my planning game. I’ll be better prepared for any unexpected issues, whether it’s bad weather or tech problems in the hotel room. No more overpriced DoorDash orders—snacks will be coming from home. Plenty of lessons were learned this year, and I’ll be carrying them into the next con. There will be posts about them. But honestly? I already can’t wait for next year.
Up next is Otakon, also in D.C., happening in August. I’m also considering making the trip to Fan Expo Philadelphia in a few months. That one leans more toward sci-fi, but it looks like a lot of fun. I’m not sure if I can squeeze it into my schedule, but we’ll see!
