Sumo Wrestling
I was not expecting to attend the sumo wrestling event. However, I was reading up that both Byamba and Yama were like a part of the Otakon family also having performed at Otakon Matsuri out east. In one of the programming rooms, it was transformed into a wrestling ring. I attended the noon time show. The event was filled to capacity. There were people being seated on the floor and people standing in the back. The MC demonstrated different types of sumo attacks and blocks with Byamba and Yama. Not only the audience came to see blood, we were also educated on the ancient traditions of the sumo. Both Byamba and Yama went head to head in the ring. There were times when the wrestlers were nearly pushed into the audience. Perhaps the best part was asking for audience participation. Four people from the audience volunteered to go up against these worldwide sumo champions. The most memorable one was when a little girl went up against them!

Hiroshi Kitadani Concert
I have seen JAM Project at Anime Boston a few years ago and had the pleasure of seeing them from the front row. Hiroshi Kitadani is ⅕ of the anime opening singing supergroup. Kitadani is best known for singing three opening songs for the long running series, One Piece. He also performed the opening to One Punch Man. Kitadani was inviting the audience to sing along with him through the familiar openings to anime. Kitadani also performed a few solo b-sides. Not only we were treated to a concert, Kitadani also had a Q&A after the concert talking about his inspirations and his Las Vegas adventures.

Cosplay Handiwork
This was an interactive workshop hosted by Angelic Threads Cosplay. As a last minute addition to the workshop panel line up, cosplay handiwork focused on how to use hand embroidery in costuming. Each person in the class was given a free embroidery kit including a hoop, beading needle, embroidery needle, threads, and a set of beads. The panel went set by set to get started on how to thread your needle and why you needed specific threads and stitches to make a clean embroidery pattern. We also had some time on how to properly add in beads to the set as well. Normally, panels that included practice materials cost money, but this was free for anyone to learn. I liked the hands-on nature of this panel; the panelists also came around to give constructive feedback and one on one coaching.

Masquerade
Masquerade began later than usual this year. It started at 8PM rather than the usual 5/6PM start time. Festivities started out with a taiko performance that took up the first hour. This year’s masquerade had novices and return performers in the show. The show was hosted by cosplayers dressed up from Yuri On Ice - Viktor and Yuri Katsuki. I was mostly backstage, so I couldn’t see the antics of the skating pair on stage. This year’s acts were from Fairy Tale, Yuri on Ice, Yu-Gi-Oh, Final Fantasy, Pokemon Go, etc. There were mostly newcomers performing in masquerade. I performed as Eli Ayase from Love Live in her White Day variation. I made the costume as a two week long project before Anime Expo to fill in for a White Day group. Because I was proud of my cosplay, I decided to enter it in. I performed a monologue poking fun at current Vegas headliners and declaring that our school idol group is far superior to any current Vegas headliner. I was met with cheers from the audience and someone said, “Eli is my waifu!” as I exited off stage.

Otaku Dreams Cosplay Cafe performed at halftime. They invited the MC’s of the show to also get on stage and dance with them. Halftime went on for about half an hour. Awards were presented shortly thereafter. I ended up winning a judges award for Eli Ayase. Best of Show went to a Yuri on Ice cosplayer who went as Yuri Plisetsky.

Ballroom Dance
The ballroom dance was hosted by Brain Age Guy in one of the event halls. There was water aplenty and light snacks being sold. The ballroom dance had a much more livelier and younger atmosphere compared to past balls I have attended. Attendees came in formal and semi-formal forms of cosplay and attire. I came in during the “speed dating” section of the ballroom dance. The music would play for 90 seconds and switch to a different song. People were encouraged to change partners throughout the song. I’m not sure if this was the tone of the ballroom dance entirely. It did make things interesting, but I would not recommend it if you’re taking a date with you. Also, the room needed to be aired out - it was starting to smell like the game room on a day three. Otherwise, th event looked like fun if you wanted something late to do with a group of friends.

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