I went to my first Katsucon eight years ago, in 2009.

I was 22, still in college. I had no idea that my boyfriend would one day be my husband. I was covering Katsucon for the school paper, and every single aspect of it felt newsworthy to me.

Fast forward to last year, when I didn’t even go. Last year I wrote about the range of emotions I felt when I sat out on Katsucon, an annual staple in my life for years and years.

I think this is a problem every otaku runs into as they age. After a few years, the novelty starts to wear off. A convention feels less like one big party and more like a somewhat-functional machine, as you begin to notice the volunteers and organizational structure. And as I got older, I began to see myself more in the administrators than in the attendees.

Because the attendees look basically the same as when I starting going eight years ago; fresh-faced college kids for whom the novelty of Katsucon definitely hasn’t worn off.

So what do you do when the novelty is gone? Give yourself a reason to be there.

This year was one of my better Katsucon experiences, because I had a role to play. John and I submitted three Gundam-themed panels, and two were accepted. On Saturday and Sunday morning, we were on stage, giving a presentation to attendees.

It made me realize that what I’ve really wanted for years is a reason to be at Katsucon. In 2015 I filled it with spending—John and I bought so much pricey Gunpla in the dealer’s room that we probably set back our saving for our Japan trip by six months. Having a purpose was what compelled me to get to Katsucon even though I’d broken my foot the day before—I had promised to be there as a journalist, and luckily I had John to wheel me around.

Now, I think I’ve found a role that works for me. Eight years ago, everything was so new and strange that I never would have imagined being a panelist. But now I think this is what I’ll do from now on. It feels like giving back.

A month from now, I’ll be at Anime Boston, a con I’ve never second-guessed attending. You guessed it—it’s because I’ve attended as a volunteer ever since my very first visit. The cost of a plane ticket is nothing to the feeling of helping contribute to such a fantastic event. I’m glad that I can help contribute to the magic of the con for starry-eyed first-timers.

Last year I wrote that I was worried about changing, about what it meant for me as a fan if I no longer enjoyed cons. But this year I realized change isn’t necessarily bad. I’d simply grown into a different role.

Top photo by Pat. Photos of Katsucon scenery by me. 

  • Tobias Mcnabb

    I’m the same way with AWA. Been going since ’04, and while I had a few years where I felt like I was slipping out of anime fandom, I started doing panels and haven’t stopped. I think back to my first few years and realize, it was just fans like me running these things and presenting these panels, so yeah, it’s my time to give back. By preparing for panels and doing research, I feel like I’m growing as a older fan, too.

    • @tobiasmcnabb:disqus I completely relate. Panels are a way to keep learning, keep contributing, and stay involved long after drunken room parties have lost their appeal.

  • Ink

    Panels were and are my reason for going to cons. Akin to your story, merely attending felt empty after a while, and reporting on them became my new fervor. And while I still love reporting on them, creating panels is definitely a newfound love. Thanks for this piece, I was just discussing aging fans’ roles at conventions with someone on twitter just a few days ago! Great to have a post to point to.

    • @AnimatedInk:disqus awesome, glad I could help! It’s so weird to have slowly shifted to this role. I’ve always had older friends in fandom to look up to, and now I guess it’s time to pick up some kouhais.

  • MangaTherapy

    I was starting to feel the same ever since arguably last year, but this year, I’ve decided to attend Crunchyroll Expo. I want to see the future of anime now that it’s reached a level I envisioned. Although I don’t watch as much anime as many fans who watch on CR/Netflix/etc., I want to observe everything and take it all in.

    I feel like I need to do a panel too & in the process of coming up with one for Anime NYC.

    (Though it’s probably an excuse to go back to the Bay Area. :P)

    • @MangaTherapy:disqus you too? I’ll see you at Crunchyroll Expo!!!

  • “I went to my first Katsucon eight years ago, in 2009–”

    Well…that…that’s definitely a while xD

    In all seriousness, I have yet to actually feel like this. I suspect I probably will at some point, but every time I go to a convention I generally experience something new, even if it’s the same location. I am attempting to be more active though, as I’m doing a panel at Castle Point this year. MIGHT do two, though one is locked in. But I’ll see.