Febuary 15-17 2002
Balitimore Waterfront Marriott Hotel
Baltimore, Maryland
Saturday of Katsucon (the first day we went becuase we couldn't skip school ^.^;) started out pretty slow. The registration line went a little slow but it was handled really well. We got there pretty much when it started and nothing was really going on yet. On the 4th floor the artist's alley was being set up.
Around 10 the art room and dealers room opened up. Both were real awesome. The art was just...wow.
There were many panels there throughout the day. One that I didn't have a chance to go to (but would've loved to go to ^^) was the voice acting panel. Attending the voice acting panel were Maria Kawamura (the Japanese voice of Naga from Slayers) and Lisa Ortiz (english voice actress of Lina Inverse from Slayers). They both did some of their parts in each others languages as well!
The panel that I enjoyed the most (and that I had planned to go to for the past...month or so ^.^) was the one held by Lisa Ortiz. Luckily my friends and I arrived about an hour early because once the panel had started people were sitting on all the chairs (Miss. Ortiz sat on the table ^.^), sitting on the floor and standing near the doors. She answered many questions during the panels and told a few stories about her roles or people she's met. At the end she signed autographs and posed for pictures :)
From there it was onto the cosplay rehersal. The room was opened up about a half later then it was supposed to so then the cosplay started late too. The green room wasn't exactly a nice place to spend the entire cosplay event in. I mean the company was nice and everything but there wasn't enough chairs and it was hard to hear the cosplay once it had started. The group I was able to see (becuase we were right behind them...skit wise) was one of the best cosplays there, "Don't Sleep With Your Sister". I dunno why but I thought that was too funny ^^ They did a good job switching back and forth with costumes too. Some others that were REALLY good were the Tribute to Go Nagai, Ikaria, Party Night, Final Fantasy 7 in 4 minutes and the Final Fantasy 10 skit (the final skit). Gomen I really don't know the skit names ^^;; As for our cosplay I guess it wasn't so bad. We were skit number 27, Deleted Scenes from Slayers Next. I dunno if everyone enjoyed it but I had fun at least ^^ *is a very perky, girly drag dressing Xelloss* After the cosplay was the half time show, "Who's Katsu is it Anyways" and then the awards.
The concert by Maria Kawamura (I wish I had gone :( ) and the dance were after the cosplay but I went home to get sleep ^^
Sunday
Sunday we arrived reletivly on time and found that there was nothing to do yet. So we sat around drawing pictures. Once 10 hit we went to the dealers room again.
Later we went to what was left of the cosplay reply and watched that. Next came the cel painting workshop...though we forgot there was a supply fee...Oh well, maybe next time.
The rest of the day was spent walking around. We settled down to the charity and art auctions.
Finally the day ended of with the closing ceremonies and the music video winners for the weekend. The three winning videos were "Those Annoying Neighbors", "Sweet Transvestite" and "All Star". The guests came on stage and...that was it.
All in all this con was awesome and made a good impression on me ^^ Even though I've only been to 2 cons *laughs*
Pros
- VERY nice hotel
- nice weather
- helpful gophers/coordinators
- nice costumes and great cosplays
- good art
- very well done music videos
- enjoyable and fun panels
- only 30 minutes from home ^_^;;;
Cons
- the panels rooms were too small so not everyone could join in
- things were sometimes delayed or ran over time
- weird baltimore people staring as we walked down the streets (I blame it allll on the wig ^_~)
- The wind --;; I promise, Maryland isn't always this bad...only when there are anime cons ^^