[ECCC ’25] The Tortured Fangirls Department

Who uses typewriters anyway?

When my Southern California friends and I scrolled through the Emerald City Comic Con 2025 schedule, we were both hyped and jealous at the same time. I would be the only one from my Southern California convention friend group shipping off to Seattle in March. Seeing panels that featured musical sing-a-longs, romantasy book authors, a para para workshop, and of course, an American Girl panel, we knew that this convention’s programming is going to fill a void that Southern California pop culture conventions have been missing. When I looked at the schedule and programming offerings, I never seen such a lineup that was authentic in its commitment to diversity and inclusion. The addition of a Pride Lounge sold me that this would be a very welcoming environment.

I’m no stranger to downtown Seattle having been here for Sakura Con twice and seeing shows at the Paramount. I stayed at the familiar Sheraton, a five minute power walk to the new summit building of the Seattle Convention Center where most programming took place. I only been to the main Arch building once – to pick up my badge and to take a glance of the autograph hall before the big rush.

Shopping is always my favorite part of comic cons. After I got my badge, I went right to the showroom floor. While the number of comic vendors was lacking, this was one of the more diverse vendors halls I ever waltzed in. Attendees can get inked up at the con, explore over a dozen fandom themed tea and coffee booths, buy unique plushies from eldritch cats to hamsters from Bellingham, stickers, book themed jewelry (I got my A Little Princess necklace!), anime figures, retro sci-fi toys, and more.

I also explored the Writers Block. I loved that this convention had a dedicated book section. I got to talk to indie bookstores and authors who were present on behalf of their publication companies. Writers Block had a good mix of romantasy, espionage, thriller, horror, science fiction, etc genres present.

I also explored Artist Alley. It’s a mid-sized Artist Alley, I’m very much used to Artist Alley’s that are about four times the size. I was happy to see artwork based on 2024’s pop girlies – Sabrina Carpenter, Chappell Roan, and of course, Taylor Swift. I traded friendship bracelets with Swiftie Artists and even got a sticker that read, “I Cry A Lot But I Am So Productive – It’s an Art.” This lyric from The Tortured Poets Department described my social anxiety in a new space with new people.

And yet, people at ECCC were so nice. I liked going to the Pride Lounge often to decompress. The lounge filled with bean bags and cozy vibes helped me mentally unwind. I ended up taking part in some coloring activities and friendship bracelet making. I loved that the Pride Lounge was welcoming to all ages. I only wished that more conventions in Southern California could have a space for queer folks of all ages to stay cozy.

I also found the 5th Floor Tavern to be also a good place to chill and relax. The Tavern is much like Gridiania from Final Fantasy XIV. It’s a forest of fantasy where you can dine and unwind. I did have a few chowder dinners here. Pacific Northwest Renaissance Faires also talked about their upcoming events. Stage entertainment would come up every now and then to sing songs on acoustic. If you felt like it, you can also go for a one-shot campaign of Dungeons and Dragons. There was also a 21+ section guarded by inflatable tentacles. This was a zone I went to fairly often because I liked the vibes; I even observed a Renaissance Faire dance lesson.

I really liked the programming that I was able to attend. I went to a few panels over the weekend – Cats and Comics that featured comic writers and translators who discussed memorable felines in graphic novels – both Western and Eastern. The American Girl panel brought back so many memories of childhood; I was happy to see American Girl cosplayers and their dolly counterparts. I had no idea there was a community for millennial folks who grew up with the franchise. This panel made me want to find my old dolls!

I also went to one of the education panels – Pop Culture in the Classroom. Current high school students, on the panel on behalf of their educator parents, talked about ways how teachers and librarians have integrated geek culture in the classroom. One such panelist talked about how Dungeons and Dragons was used to teach math. Epic the Musical was brought up to teach Greek mythology. It was interesting to hear a student’s perspective of what they wanted to hear and see and if an educator was trying too hard to be “cool with the kids.” I do appreciate that the education track also allowed professionals in the field to get professional development experience credited. If was still in the field, I would definitely take advantage of this track!

I also went to a few cosplay related panels and programming. I went to the How to Run a Cosplay Meet Up. Unfortunately, the panelists had forgotten to get their presentation. It was a mix of a how-to and sharing cosplaying stories. I had to share my story about always being mistaken for Black Widow whenever I cosplay as Fujiko Mine. I also attended the Cosplay Crimes panel hosted by She Prop. This was another storytelling panel that drove the moral of “don’t make the same mistakes we did.” I loved how they tier their cosplay crimes from slap-on-the-wrist to outright felony.

Cosplay culture at ECCC is vivid and spectacular. Arcane, Baldurs Gate 3, and Hellaverse made up the majority of cosplayers. However, this is one of the most eclectic cosplay scenes I’ve bore witness to. Not only I saw your usual Star Wars, shonen anime, and Disney fanfare, but a lot of musical related cosplay. I’m not just talking about Wicked (but it was lovely to see it at ECCC!).

I do love that the PNW Costumers Guild had a cosplay lounge area where you can repair parts of your costume or you can change in and out of your costume. I was a frequent visitor here for bobby pins to keep my wig and head pieces on. Not only you could gussy up, they also had demonstrations throughout the day. I was able to catch a “how to worbla” demo.

I did attend a few cosplay meetups. I participated in the Riot games meet up. While it was mostly Arcane (rightfully so), I was part of the isle of misfit League skins.

I also went to a few interactive workshops. I really loved the Para Para workshop where we learned “Cyberdance” by the Go Go Girls. I went to the ECCC talent show in hopes I might catch some of the Seattle based kaigai idols like myself. It didn’t and that’s ok! I was treated to a Jesus Christ cosplayer doing standup comedy during Lent and an Elsa singing “Let it Go” in Klingon. I was curious about the Fantasy Ball, but as it turns out, it wasn’t really a formal ball like the ones The Craig H. Yamaguchi ™ hosts; it was a rave. I felt sorry for the folks dressed in formal attire expecting something more romantic.

Overall, Emerald City Comic Con was something. It was a thrill to present “In My Y2K Era” and discuss my book during the same weekend my mom became my book’s first reader. My mom had texted me on Sunday morning letting me know she read the whole thing cover to cover (likely when I was playing Cards Against Humanities with good company). When I read her text, I knew I had to conclude the convention by singing “Pink Pony Club” by Chappell Roan changing “Santa Monica” to “Emerald City.” Oh mama, I’m just having fun on the stage in my heels It’s where I belong down at the pink pony club. Conventions as welcoming as ECCC have been my pink pony club.

I would definitely attend ECCC again – it is slowly becoming one of my favorite comic cons. I was also surprised to meet so many Swifites in the Emerald City. I gave out so many friendship bracelets, including a “Guy on the Chiefs” one to a Coach Reid cosplayer. I had so many moments on Saturday where I had to asked myself if I was back in London for the Eras Tour or in Seattle for ECCC. It was that same exact feeling I remember in London. Thank you, ECCC for being one of the best run cons with the most enriching content I’ve taken part of in my 20+ years of attending conventions.

A special shoutout to my friends who helped me get through my social anxiety at the convention. I had moments where I forgot how to human. I haven’t been to a convention solo with my usual Southern California crew, gaining comfort in new territory was a challenge, but I managed to get through that as gracefully as I could. Thank you for being amazing people!

I’ll see you at Sakura Con next month, Seattle! (and then maybe World Con…and Geek Girl Con…)