Otakon Celebrates East Asian Culture

Washington, D.C. (August 6, 2018) – Looking for a positive, family-friendly way to spend the weekend? Otakon, the annual celebration of Japanese and East Asian culture, will be held in the Walter Washington Convention Center for the second year on Friday, August 10 through Sunday, August 12. For 25 years, Otakon has focused on its mission of bringing cultures together for learning, communication and fun.

While many attendees, known as cosplayers, like to come in costume as their favorite characters, you don't have to be a super-fan of Japanese animation (anime) to appreciate the convention. Throughout the weekend, you'll find many opportunities to learn about and experience highlights of Japanese and East Asian popular culture. You can learn some Japanese, through the "Japanese Language from Anime" panel, where attendees will learn common phrases. In "The Divine Move: Introduction to the Game of Go," attendees can learn to play the traditional Japanese game. At other workshops, you can learn a traditional bodyweight morning workout, Japanese sword basics, the traditional staff art called Jodo, and Japanese fencing (Kendo).

Activities for all ages can keep even little ones entertained. The new Otakon Makerspace features an array of anime-inspired craft ideas and open-ended projects, such as kamishibai storytelling boxes and koinobori (carp kites). In addition, kid-friendly activities are available all day long at Otachan, a special room dedicated to crafts, games and entertainment for the youngest attendees.

Among this year's cultural panels are "Japanese Tea and You," which focuses on the art of nihon-cha, or tea ceremonies. You can learn about the Shinto faith in a panel led by Shinto priestess Rev. Kuniko Kanawa. In "Dawn of the Rising Sun: Japan Before the Samurai," you can learn about early Japanese history, while "Kimono: Culture, History and Cloth" highlights the history of that iconic garment.

In keeping with the Otakon 2018 theme of mecha (giant robots), many of this year's guests were instrumental in creating, producing and voicing such classic anime series as "Gundam" and "Macross." For those new to the genre, you can attend the Saturday panel "The Complete Outsider's Guide to Gundam" to get up to speed.

Video game fans and music fans alike will enjoy a symphonic concert, "Distant Worlds: Music from Final Fantasy," on Friday night or Sunday afternoon. Composer Nobuo Uematsu will be present, along with music director Arnie Roth and composer, orchestrator and producer Eric Roth.

Besides panels, workshops, guest panels and videos, Otakon also offers a large Dealers' Room, containing hundreds of vendors with everything from plush toys to clothing. The food court at the convention center offers a variety of options when you get hungry.

Otakon 2018 will be held August 10-12, 2018 at the Walter Washington Convention Center in Washington, D.C. Pre-register before Thursday at 10 p.m. online (www.Otakon.com/register) and pay $95 to attend the full weekend, or pay $100 at the door. Or you can get a trial membership for $70 at the door, which is good for Saturday and Sunday, or $40 at the door for Sunday only. Children under 8 are admitted free with a registered parent or guardian.

ABOUT OTAKON AND OTAKORP, INC.: Now entering its twenty-fifth year, Otakon is an annual celebration of Japanese and East Asian popular culture, and also one of the largest gatherings of fans in the United States. Otakon celebrates popular culture as a gateway to deeper understanding of Asian culture, and has grown along with the enthusiasm for anime, manga, video games, and music from the Far East. Historically, Otakon has drawn up to 34,000 people for three days each year (for a paid attendance of over 100,000 turnstile attendees). Otakon is a membership based convention sponsored by Otakorp, Inc., a Pennsylvania-based, 501(c)3 educational non-profit whose mission is to promote the appreciation of Asian culture, primarily through its media and entertainment. Otakorp, Inc. is directed by an all-volunteer, unpaid staff – we are run by fans, for fans.

For more information about Otakorp, Inc., see http://www.Otakon.com/otakorp/index.asp
For more information and the latest news on Otakon 2017, see http://www.Otakon.com/