News Feed
January 17, 2025
Nakama, cosplay lineup graphics are ready! We have three variants ready to go. So show us what you've got planned! We're excited to see your cosplays, fits, and coords that you're bringing to the con.
Templates are attached to this post.
January 17, 2025
Haven't submitted your fan panel application? The deadline for applications is this Monday, January 20th! Submit your panel application today!
January 16, 2025
Hello, Nakama!
We’re excited to announce Getty as our musical guest for Naka-Kon 2025! Getty is a Japanese music producer/DJ based in Tokyo, Japan. Getty specializes in intense EDM sounds, with a focus on UK Hardcore. His music is featured in many music games such as “CHUNITHM” and “ONGEKI” by SEGA, “SOUND VOLTEX” by KONAMI and “WACCA” by Marvelous. In recent years, he has provided his music to ”D4DJ”, “HOLOLIVE,” “THE IDOLM@STER MILLION LIVE!” and many others.
January 14, 2025
Hello, Nakama! We’re excited to announce our first-ever Japanese comedian and DJ guest of honor, BAN BAN BAN! BAN BAN BAN consists of the comedy duo of Hiromi Sameshima and Masatake Yamamoto and is famous for their performance act, Anison Disco. Anison Disco is a fun interactive event open to all ages and fandom, and attendees will be able to enjoy dancing (wotagei) to their favorite anime songs (anison)! On stage, Sameshima-san serves as the DJ, and Yamaoto-san cosplays and impersonates Frieza, the main antagonist of Dragon Ball Z, who is a favorite amongst the fans. Please give BAN BAN BAN a warm welcome to Naka-Kon, and please check out Anison Disco on the main stage!
January 13, 2025
Nakama! We are so excited to welcome our special guest Yaya Han to our 20th Anniversary event! Yaya Han is a cosplayer, designer and author with more than 20 years of activity in the fandom world. Yaya has made over 400 costumes, been featured in two US Network TV Shows and countless magazines, books, newspapers and online media outlets, and she appears as a guest and speaker at hundreds of events all over the globe.
January 12, 2025
Attention, Nakama! We’re proud to announce that Sasara Sekine will be attending Naka-Kon 2025 as one of our Guests of Honor! Sekine-san is an actress, model, and former idol member of the group "Houkago Princess." She is currently the official supporter and MC for one of the world’s largest pop culture events, the Tokyo and Osaka Comicon, and the MC for the official coverage and support program of the B. LEAUGE, the professional men’s basketball league in Japan. Please give a warm welcome to Sekine-san!
January 10, 2025
We are thrilled to welcome back Duff Cosplay as our Hallway Cosplay Contest judges! Duff Cosplay is a family that creates costumes and props to have fun and meet fellow cosplayers. They love displaying and our interpretations of pop culture characters. They create using multiple mediums including fabric, metal, and leather. Many of their cosplays incorporate electronics and mechanical systems. They have been humbled with great success competing around the country.
January 10, 2025
Please welcome back Diana the Great as our Hallway Cosplay Contest judge! Diana The Great is an accomplished cosplayer from the greater Kansas City Metro. She holds nearly ten years of experience in a variety of crafting and creative media; from sewing to foam work, wig creation, makeup, facepaint and more.
January 8, 2025
Please give a warm welcome to our final Mainstage Cosplay Contest judge, Malinda Chan!
Malinda Chan especially loves sewing and wig styling, and you might be familiar with the numerous tutorials she's created for Arda Wigs. Thanks to her clean craftsmanship and experience as a cosplay educator, she’s been invited as a guest speaker and contest judge internationally.
January 7, 2025
We are so excited to announce our second Mainstage Cosplay Contest judge, Turtle Smithy Cosplay! Turtle Smithy has had a passion for breathing life into his favorite characters since he was a kid. His specialties are armor and props, but he’s no stranger to sewing either. He has traveled far and wide as a cosplay panelist and judge.
January 6, 2025
We are so excited to announce our first cosplay contest judge, Bee Nerdish! Bee was born and raised in Georgia and has been deeply immersed in sewing, costuming and craftsmanship since 2011. She is inspired by all things whimsical and magical and focuses on creating pieces to emphasize her passion and creativity. Bee is also a plushie artist, and her work has sold nationally and internationally. Bee celebrates imagination and personality, focusing on empowering cosplayers in any stage of their journey.
December 28, 2024
Naka-ma, careful around that ¥8,000,000 vase! Break it and you'll have to work for one hell of a butler. Or is that something you want to do? Sorry, that was a strange thing to ask.
Announcing, voice actor for characters such as Kyoya Otori, Sebastian Michaelis, and Teyna Iida, give it up for J. Michael Tatum!
December 23, 2024
We’re honored to announce fashion model Misako Aoki will return as a guest of honor for Naka-Kon 2025! Appointed as the “Kawaii Ambassador” by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan, Aoki-san has visited over 45 cities and 25 countries on cultural diplomacy as the leading representative of Lolita Fashion. She helped found the Japan Lolita Association and served as the first president. In addition to being a model, Aoki-san works as a nurse in Japan. Please give Aoki-san a warm welcome back!
December 23, 2024
We’re excited to announce that the Japanese fashion brands Emily Temple cute and Melody BasKet, along with their President and Director, will return for Naka-Kon 2025 due to high demand! Emily Temple cute and Melody BasKet specializes in fun, feminine clothing suitable for casual, otome, and lolita styles. At Naka-Kon 2025, please check out their store at the exhibit hall, their fashion show, and their tea party!
December 20, 2024
Naka-ma! Greetings! I hope you have a sunny disposition and are ready to sing some catchy songs for our next guest!
Grab your Demon Slayer uniforms and make sure you’ve filled out your applications for your hero internships! Because between fighting him as Gyuutaro in Demon Slayer and working with him as Sir Nighteye! Your hands may be a bit full! But if you’re able to manage that you and him cause discuss which spouse you chose together with him as Alear in Fire Emblem Engage!
December 16, 2024
What’s up Naka-ma!
According to the Oratrice Mecanique d'Analyse Cardinale, it’s time for our next guest announcement!
Try your best not to get too hot as you step into the Malevolent Kitchen and no unfortunately, he’s not taking applications for a fourth wife.
But he’ll be so happy to see you all, as long as you keep your greeting Flashy!
Announcing, voice actor for characters such as Sukuna and Sound Hashira Tengen Uzui, give it up for Ray Chase.
December 13, 2024
Nakama! We apologize for the long delay. Hotel blocks are now open for booking! Please visit our hotel page for reservation links and room information.
Update 12/13/2024: At this time, Friday night at the Sheraton is sold out. Rooms may become available again as people cancel reservations or if the block is able to be expanded so check back if you missed out.
November 29, 2024
Okay, Naka-ma, I hope you're ready for our next guest! Did you all do your workout routine? Cause between the 100 push-ups, 100 sit-ups, 100 squats, and a 10km run, you're gonna need to summon your Persona and pilot a Gundam! Does that seem doable? If not I’m sure our next guest, Max Mittelman, can give you some pointers on how to do all three. If you're nice, I bet he'll throw in some demon slayer lessons too!
November 22, 2024
Naka-ma! These long nights got you feeling sad? Don’t feel blue, our very own Tuxedo Mask, Robbie Daymond, will be coming back to Naka-Kon for our 20th Anniversary! Just don’t get too excited, wouldn’t want him to summon Mahoraga on you!
November 20, 2024
Are you interested in becoming a Fan Panelist at Naka-Kon 2025? Head on over to our programming page and fill out a panel application before the deadline on January 20, 2025! We know you have been sitting on some amazing ideas and we can't wait to see what panels you all bring to the table.
November 18, 2024
Naka-ma, get your crafting supplies ready!
This is the official announcement of the cosplay showcases available at the 2025 show! We are excited to announce that we will again be partnering with Holiday Matsuri to offer the Winter Cosplay Championship Delegate Contest as part of the Main Stage Cosplay Contest. Registration opens January 7 at 6:00 p.m. CT!
Check out the 2025 rules, and learn more about the cosplay showcase events on our Main Stage Cosplay page.
November 1, 2024
🌼SUNFLOWER IDOL APPLICATIONS ARE OPEN NOW!🌼
This form will close on Sunday December 1st at 6pm CST. Final decisions will be announced on Sunday December 15th. Keep an eye out on the email you provided.
For details and the application form link, visit our Sunflower Idol Fest page.
November 1, 2024
Vendors and Artists of Naka-Kon, the Exhibit Hall applications are now open! The application period starts today November 1st and runs until Sunday, December 1, 2024 11:59 CST. We'll review all the applications during December and inform applications in early January.
Visit our Exhibit Hall page for a few more details about our exhibit hall and also the link to the application.
October 17, 2024
Naka-ma, it is time. Early bird tickets for Naka-Kon 2025 are now available!
Early bird pricing runs through the end of this year. Also note: We have a very limited supply of VIP badges and they will go fast. Get them while you can!