Katsucon is a major convention for cosplayers. Everyone brings their A-game. Saturday is a huge day for competitive cosplayers. World Cosplay Summit and Masuqerade take place back to back. There have been cosplayers that have competed in both World Cosplay Summit and Masquerade, but with different costumes. The level of cosplay at Katsucon is very impressive; when you go home you just want to start up on even more challenging projects for the next year. World Cosplay Summit took place in the mid-afternoon and ran for 90 minutes. Teams of pairs entered their skits for a chance to go to Japan and represent the USA. Karmaluna took home the east coast title in their Chrono Cross cosplay.

Masquerade Backstage

Cosplayers were rounded up in the green room around 6PM to get ready for the big show. The staff brough in soda, water, and chips for the green room. Everyone was lined up according to run order. Run order was based on what skill level you decided to compete in and what time you signed up. For example, I'm considered master level, but I was one of the last people to sign up at con. So, I was the second to last act for masquerade. Photographs were taken backstage as people were being lead into main events backstage for the competition.

Unlike past green room experiences, we were not given a feed to see the performances on stage. Cosplayers in the green room had to entertain themselves. I mostly just talked to other people in the master's category before it was time to go onstage.

Masquierade Onstage

The masquerade was hosted by Mario Bueno and Imari (Anime Cosplay Paradise). From what I could tell from the wings, they had really awesome onstage chemistry. I knew Mario had talent after he MC'ed Anime Expo's masquerade and winning AX Idol. Costumes that stood out were Trinity Blood, Tsubassa, Super Mario Brother's Koopa Troopers, Walpurgis Night, Viewtiful Joe, and among others. The master's level category had some amazing craftsmanship. I entered masquerade just for fun as Azusa Miura in an outfit in one weekend, but these cosplayers inspired me to do to better and to challenge myself further.

I had a great time onstage. Originally, I wanted to use a video for my masquerade act after hearing Katsucon allowed video for a few years, but it looks like they stopped the trend. Upon finding that out, I just came up with a masquerade act a few days before con. Here's the video courtesy of ACP.

Karaoke

After a series of private photoshoots, I ended up checking out karaoke. Katsucon had no official karaoke room. They set time aside in a panel room for karaoke. I stepped in to see if I could sign up, but it looked like everything was filled. It was fun watching people sing nerdy songs. I liked one person's cover of the Wreck it Ralph theme - everyone was singing along to it. I wish Katsucon had a dedicated room just for karaoke - 24 hour karaoke where people can sign up. Based on what I have seen at other conventions, 24 hour open mic karaoke would be a great addition to Katsucon.

Awkward Dance Moves

People were getting ready to hit the dance to the point where people were creating syphers in the middle of the convention center hallways. A DJ was playing electro house beats and people were showing off their shuffling skills. It was really fun to see people show off their moves before the convention staff broke up the sypher because of fire hazard issues.

There were a ton of nightlife activities at Katsucon. While I preferred to meet new people and chat about convention experiences from 10 years ago, Katsucon is really a 24 hour con. There were dances that lasted into the morning hours. There were even 18+ adult themed panels - yaoi, hentai for girls, etc. There were some really interesting late night panel topics. Someone at the con mentioned that the Philosophy of Pokemon panel felt like it was hosted by stoners. I also noticed a number of old school cosplays being worn during the evening - I caught a Lina Inverse and a Washu (with puppets). Many of the con veterans live for the nightlife panels. There's something for everyone!

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