Anime Yokocho - Awesome Con (original) (raw)
Washington DC'S Comic Con | April 23 - 25, 2027 | Walter E. Washington CC
Anime YokochoAwesome Con2026-02-25T16:06:07-05:00
ANIME YOKOCHO
Anime Yokocho—a show feature specifically designed for anime fans that debuted in 2024 will return for 2026! Yokocho is Japanese for “alleyway” but it has grown in meaning to refer to the narrow streets packed with izakawas, bars, eateries, and vendors. In our Yokocho, fans can expect anime-focused shopping, DJs, performances, photo ops, and more. Plus, don’t miss meet & greets with popular anime voice actors in the Celebrity area and anime programming in the panel rooms—all weekend long!
ANIME YOKOCHO HIGHLIGHTS
EXHIBIT HALL
Explore a plethora of anime vendors selling your favorite anime-inspired wares! Plus get to know local anime groups and community partners & incredible exhibitors– Not sure where to start? Check out the full list of who and what you’ll find on the show floor by clicking the pink button below.
Pop-up: Bandai Hobby
Calling all crafty fans– Discover the ‘joy of building’ plastic models kits and the ‘joy of discovery’ in every step Bandai Hobby at Awesome Con! Stop by the Bandai Hobby Pop Up (Booth #2221) to peruse exciting kits, models, and new releases!
MEET & GREETS WITH ANIME VOICE ACTORS
Your favorite English dub talent will be at Awesome Con! Get up close and personal with voice actors like Brian Drummod (Death Note, Dragon Ball Z), Alessandro Juliani (Death Note, Battlestar Galactica), Lenore Zann (X-men 97, My Little Pony), Aj Locascio (X-men 97, LEGO Star Wars), Matthew Waterson (X-Men 97, Beastars), and more!
Hear the voices of your favorite characters in real life, and join them at the Main Stage during their Spotlight Q&A panels to ask your burning questions. You won’t get any closer to the animated voices that you love than at Awesome Con!
Anime Yokocho Stage – PLUS ULTRA Entertainment
Welcome to the Anime Yokocho Lounge, where Plus Ultra Entertainment will be bringing the good vibes – but why just have a good time when you can GO BEYOND?! Join the PUE team to vibe with their DJs, experience live music, play games, compete for fun, and more.
Machi Mahou Maid Craft Cafe
Come enjoy a magical hour with your favorite maids, as they lead you in fun craft making and dazzling performances! You can check out their daily FREE panel, and then purchase a ticket for one of the Maid Cafe sessions. *You must have a valid Awesome Con 2026 Badge in order to attend a panel or ticketed session at the Maid Cafe.
COSPLAY MEETUPS & CONTEST
If you’ll be dressed as your favorite characters, or just want to ask for pictures with those cosplayers, be sure to swing by Cosplay Meetups! Awesome Con will have a dedicated area for snapping group photos- After you finish perusing Anime Yokocho, head over Cosplay Meetups to Destination Cosplay!
Can’t get enough Cosplay? Join us on the evening on Saturday, March 14th at the Main Stage for the Awesome Con 2026 Cosplay Competition! And if you’re a cosplayer yourself, you can still enter to compete (in advance) until February 23rd_. If there are any available spaces left, registration will open on site. We will post notice!_
Panels & Programming
Listen for the Drums of Liberation: One Piece Symbol of Liberation
Presented By The DC Public Library
The One Piece Jolly Roger isn’t just a pirate flag—it’s a global symbol of rebellion. From Indonesia to France, Nepal to the U.S., youth freedom movements have embraced it as a banner against imperialism, corruption, and inequality. This presentation explores how the anime’s themes of outsiders challenging oppressive systems mirror today’s protests fueled by government frustration and radical calls for liberation. Discover why a fictional crew’s fight for freedom resonates so powerfully with real-world movements—and how pop culture is shaping activism worldwide.
Not Your Senpai’s Electric Slide
A dance workshop where Southern Dance culture + Nerd pride collide! We’ll learn classic and contemporary line dances that have brought Black folks together for generations. Whether it’s the Cupid Shuffle, Boots on the Ground, or a Naruto-themed Soul Train line, you’ll leave with moves, history, and a deeper appreciation for the power of rhythm in community. All skill levels welcome!
Gijinka Design: Creating Cosplays from Creature Characters
Have you ever wanted to cosplay your favorite creature character, but not sure where to start? Have a favorite ‘mon, villager or pony you’ve been dreaming to make an outfit for, but totally need some help? This is the panel for you! We will walk through a guide on how to design, create, and wear a Gijinka cosplay, as well as showcase dozens of varying cosplays for you to get inspiration! All skill levels welcome!
Unlockable Content Presents: Anime Roulette
Contestants are pulled from the audience at random to guess anime titles from the “best” bad descriptions and roasts of their favorite shows. Prizes for the winners, if they’re weeb enough.
Magical Animated Environments are REAL!
Blerdcon in partnership with the USDA And the Society of American Foresters are bringing a panel demonstrating the real counterpart lands to the magic environments that backdrop some of your favorite anime and animated films, series and comics. Representatives from the forestry service will join animation industry experts to show how your favorite fantasy worlds are often built on the basis of real public lands right here in the US. Be ready to have your mind blown and a ticket booked to visit spaces you knew, but didn’t know!
KAWAGEYO! A Cute Random Play Dance
Bring your cutest you and take to the dance floor! Join us in dancing to nostalgic anime, kawaii J-pop, and aegyoful K-pop choreography in our cute concept-based RPD! It’s all about fun and expressing our joy; enjoy our performance, then enjoy your own!