On to Saturday then! Still lots of images. I give fair warning.

Part 1

( Saturday )

ETA: Part 3

The last part of my con report. Sunday [ + finishing thoughts and a full look at the loot because I am a proud fangirl].

Part 1, Part 2

( Sunday )

( The Stuff )

Overall Thoughts

Before Otakon, I was reluctant to use the term 'otaku.' Literally, the word denotes something like 'a person with an unhealthy fixation on some hobby.' In Japan, when used in the context of anime, it connotes a socially-inept, perverted, young man with a disturbing fixation on animated women. When I realized I preferred my men 2D, I reluctantly acknowledged that I was an otaku, but the word had a negative meaning to me.

After Otakon, I realized there are thousands of people just like me. The word doesn't have to mean something terrible, it can be used in the context of 'completely obsessed fan.' I don't think the word should be taken lightly though. It should only be used for the most dedicated and obsessive and no two-bit 15-year-old whose only exposure to anime is from Cartoon Network should consider herself even close to that point. They are cosplayers, fansubbers, AMV-makers, professional artists, dealers and the people who appreciate them. They are people who spend hundreds of dollars on merchandise that they might never take out of the packaging. They are those people who have to buy extra shelving just for their manga collection. They are downloaders, MIRC- and Bittorent-users, who get anime and manga months, even years before it's licensed in the States. Conventions are where they come out to play. I went to Otakon and realized that I could geek-out with the best of them. That makes me an otaku. It's a badge of true geek-dom to wear with pride, nothing less and nothing more. Sure I could use some more sun, but so long as I remember the 22,000 other Otakon attendees, I'll never feel like that makes me any less of a person. So thanks Otakon. I'll see you next year!