Author: Alexa Andino, Downtown Vision Marketing and Events Intern
Thank you so much to everyone who came out to WasabiCon 2021!
About the Event: WasabiCon is a 2-day convention and is Jacksonville, Florida’s largest pop culture event for fans of cosplay, anime, gaming, and everything “geek”. The convention took place at the lovely Prime F. Osborn III Convention Center on October 17-18, 2021.
Jacksonville really showed up to this event! WasabiCon’s creator, Tom Croom, announced to the crowd of attendees on Saturday morning of the event that they were all sold out of tickets and asked for patience due to the record numbers of attendees. The WasabiCon team was blown away by the large turnout, which additionally brought business to local parking lots/garages, Downtown hotels, and places to eat around the convention center. Everyone was respectful to one another and grateful to be back in the convention scene and that attitude shined throughout both days of this event!
The founder of WasabiCon announced a plan to add a third location for this popular convention, in addition to the events in Seattle, WA, and Jacksonville, FL.
We are so lucky to have this con here in #DTJax and it’s super exciting that they are looking to expand!
Everyone loved the convention center and how beautiful it looks inside and out, perfect for pictures in cosplay. What made it even better are the remnants of the building’s history as a railroad hub which allowed amazing pictures for those fans of the movie Demon Slayer: Mugen Train.
WasabiCon created a convention that felt small and intimate, where the guests can take their time to talk to their fans and get great selfies, but also the big convention feel with famous guests, lots of panels, and an exhibitor hall packed with creativity and art to purchase.
Here is a look at some of the wonderful vendors and artists that participated!
Highlights from WasabiCon
WasabiCon offered panels that had something for everyone from watching anime together, dance battles, cosplay lip syncs, improv sessions, Q&A panels with voice actors, and informational panels such as how to self-publish a book or tips on cosplaying.
The photo below is anime coming to life. For those who do not know, a majority of those in the picture are cosplaying from an anime called Haikyu!! which is all about volleyball. The spacious field outside of the convention center let this group of people have fun with great views of #DTJax!
This field is also where the anime car show took place! This let everyone get a taste of the gorgeous weather we had this past weekend.
Of course, the cosplays were a highlight of the con. So many people dressed up and put in so much effort for WasabiCon! Probably one of the most fun things to do at the con was people watch and admire all of the cosplays.
This was, personally, my first time at WasabiCon and will definitely not be my last! If you missed out, be sure to mark your calendars and attend next year’s convention!