Featured Presenters

Below are just some of the amazing presenters we have coming to Otakon 2024!  Please check out the schedule for the up-to-date list of dates and times for apperances!

Super Art Fight

A perennial favorite at Otakon, this recurring team of Artists bills themselves as "The Greatest Live Art Competition in the Known Universe" and that's not hyperbole! Their presentations combine live art with bombastic personalities akin to pro wrestling, but the outcomes are never fixed!

Performing in Featured Events on Friday and Saturday (18+) night, and holding a “let’s play” panel on Sunday with their card game Cute Animals on Fire, Super Art Fight’s Card Game!









The Abandoned Classroom: An Immersive Anime Visual Novel Experience

Come make new anime friends and save them from their fate - trapped in an abandoned classroom in a liminal space. In this one-of-a-kind experience, you will become the main characters in a visual novel inspired by your favorite school-life animes, interacting with characters on screen and the physical room around you. Can you solve the mystery and help your new friends?
Concept and story by Nathaniel Counts, featuring original artwork by @crystalheartedkat!


Please note, this is a ticketed event, and attendance to each session is limited. You can reserve your slots by purchasing tickets to this experience for you and/or your group HERE!

 

 


The Cosplayin' Yogis

The Cosplayin’ Yogis’ mission is to bring yoga to weebs and geeks of all shapes and sizes while teaching how yoga, movement, breath, and meditation are important to self-care and well-being.  We believe yoga is accessible for ALL bodies and ages and strive to use cosplay to make classes engaging, educational, and fun!


We have been teaching yoga at conventions since 2016.  Starting off at Katsucon, we have also taught at conventions to include MomoCon, Otakon, AwesomeCon, Anime Weekend Atlanta, Colossalcon, an. Our team's yoga instructors are Sean and Rift.  Our creative team is rounded out with Ginger & Michi.  With our cosplays combined we become...The Cosplayin’ Yogis!
Social Media Accounts


FB, IG, and TikTok: @The.Cosplayin.Yogis

 

 


CHIN DAIKO

Established in 2008, Chin Daiko is an Okinawan eisa and taiko group based in the DC metro area, with groups practicing out of Waldorf, Rockville, and Baltimore. They represent “Peace through understanding each other’s culture,” and believe that taiko is for everyone, regardless of age, body type, or skill level. They perform routines to a variety of songs between traditional and modern Japanese, and have even had routines to modern American pop songs!


They perform for all sorts of different events, including Otakon, Katsucon, the Cherry Blossom parade and festival, and many street festivals. Chin Daiko is very excited to be kicking off the weekend with the return of the Thursday Matsuri, where a number of current members witnessed eisa for the first time and decided to join. Who knows, maybe the next member to join could be you!


They will be having workshops where you can come and learn one of their routines, panels where you can learn about the great myth of the Shisa and learn all about Okinawan culture, and a large performance-style demonstration where you can see everything come together. They hope to spread joy and positivity to each and every person they perform for, so they hope to see you with a smile on your face!

IG: @chin_daiko                                          FB: Chin Daiko


Nerds Know featuring Hanari Solomon

Nerds Know is the premiere entertainment panel group of South Florida. This group of nerds has extensive knowledge in pretty much all things nerdy: Disney, Anime, Sci-Fi, Comics, Pop Culture, Cosplay and more! Our events range from in depth lectures to highly interactive events. Chances are that our programs will have you shaking your head in disbelief or laughing hysterically in your seat!

The group is made of convention veterans, college professors, and convention professionals. They have seen it all and want to share their love of all things nerdy with you! After individually hosting panels for more than a decade, they joined forces in 2016 to found Nerds Know. Since then their content has exploded with their combined efforts. The Nerds Know sum is greater than the total of their parts.

Nerds Know is bringing official Blizzard cosplayer Hanari Solomon! Hanari has been cosplaying for over 15 years and has competed and won contests across the continental United States. An experienced craftsperson, they aim to showcase the skill and knowledge they've accumulated throughout their career to help inspire the next generation of cosplay.

You can follow Nerds Know on Instagram and Facebook to stay up to date on all of their convention shenanigans.
Facebook: www.facebook.com/Nerds.Know
Instagram: @NerdsKnow


Shoestring Scientists

We're a tight-knit group of anime fans and hobbyists touring the US, hosting workshops and panels. Originating from a shared love for Japanese culture, our mission is to educate and inspire. Through interactive sessions and hands-on activities, we bring cosplay, manga, and anime fandom to life, catering to all levels of interest. Join us on our nationwide journey as we celebrate creativity and community, spreading our passion for anime across the country.  

Social Media Accounts
FB and IG @shoestringscientists


unite! ft. Antipode Dance

μnite! (Myuu-knight) is a Love Live Dance Cover Group in the Washington DC area. μnite! held their first full live in 2015.  μnite!’s goal is to spread knowledge of idol culture while showing their love and appreciation for all idols!  You may have seen μnite! at conventions all across the northeastern United States.  μnite! Is excited to be working with Antipode Dance and Aniwaza this year at Otakon!  For more information, see @myu_unite on socal media; μnite! Shine Bright!


Fusing the theatrics of acting with a mix of cosplay, pop-culture, and off-beat humor Antipode brings the audience not just dance, but full geek entertainment. You can find them on social media under @AntipodeDance and at AntipodeDance.Com