Credit: Tom Gilliam
Credit: Tom Gilliam
Upon my arrival to the Dayton Convention Center, I saw dozens of guests dressed up as their favorite characters. It wasn’t just icons from anime either — I saw cosplays of popular Marvel superheroes, video game characters and more.
Credit: Tom Gilliam
Credit: Tom Gilliam
After leaving the lobby, I visited the convention’s vendor hall. Split across multiple rooms, there were dozens of booths, and some were for large companies such as Pixel Empire as well as smaller local vendors.
Across the aisles crowded with guests there were figures, posters and plushies from countless Japanese franchises. Multiple vendors were also selling DVDs and Blu Rays, so fans could stock up on their favorite movies and shows.
I also saw a leatherworks shop where guests could purchase clothing and accessories made from the material. Another vendor was selling famous weapons from pop culture, such as Thor’s Hammer Mjolnir and Final Fantasy VII’s Buster Sword.
Credit: Tom Gilliam
Credit: Tom Gilliam
The event’s special guests could also be found inside the vendor hall, ready to sign autographs and take photos with attendees. Notable stars included Veronica Taylor, the English voice of Ash Ketchum in Pokémon and Bryce Papenbrook, who is known for “Attack on Titan,” “Demon Slayer,” “Miraculous Ladybug” and more. The line to meet Papenbrook stretched across the room.
Credit: Tom Gilliam
Credit: Tom Gilliam
I also checked out Artist’s Alley, an area in many conventions where guests can purchase fan art, crafts and more. While not as large as the vendor hall, just being housed in one conference room, I still met quite a few creators selling their work. Some were selling original pieces, while others were creating items based on franchises seen elsewhere at the convention.
Credit: Tom Gilliam
Credit: Tom Gilliam
Ohayocon also offered a variety of events during the weekend, scattered across the Dayton Convention Center and nearby Marriot Hotel. These included various workshops where guests could learn to make chainmail, leather gloves and more.
Other activities included samurai sword lessons, panels about the dangers of cosplay, fan art competitions and even an explanation of the infamously complicated timeline of the “Kingdom Hearts” franchise.
When events were not taking place, these rooms would play popular anime, movies and even Youtube videos. There was also a room where guests could dance to popular K-Pop songs.
Large events such as the convention’s cosplay contests were the main hall of the Dayton Convention Center.
While guests could purchase food from the Dayton Convention Center’s dining location, several food trucks were also lined up outside the venue.
Credit: Tom Gilliam
Credit: Tom Gilliam
MORE DETAILS
For more information about Ohayocon, check out ohayocon.online.
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