News

Nakama - this coming weekend, on Saturday and Sunday, the Kansas City, Kansas Public Library (KCKPL) will be bringing its mobile library with Japanese manga and books! The bus will be at the...

Who doesn't love a good outtake reel? Ever wanted to make your own? Now's your chance with our Do Your Own Dub Contests, coming up THIS WEEKEND at Naka-Kon! We're doubling down on the hilarity with...

Hi-NAKTANE is back with another high energy dance party featuring DJs from our Naka: Underground events.

Hi-NAKTANE will immediately follow DJ Sameshima both nights. Special thanks to Show-Me Live...

Nakama - the photo meetup schedule is available now! If you requested one or were interested in joining one, make note. We can't wait to see all the great cosplays that show up to them.

As a...

Ever wonder what it’s like to work on video games? Get an insider scoop as video game designer, writer, and Too Kyo Games founder/CEO Kazutaka Kodaka joins Naka-Kon for an online panel to answer...

Nakama - the convention is less than two weeks away so it is time... time for the schedule of events!

Looking for a version of the schedule you can print out and mark up? We'll need just a little bit...

Nakama! Hotel alert! There's been a few last minute cancellations in the Sheraton's room block and those spaces are now available! Get them while they last.

Sheraton Overland Park Hotel

Additionally...

Nakama, it is our pleasure to welcome back Diana Tolin!

Diana has been an award-winning cosplayer and member of the Anime/Pop culture industry for 30 years. She has worked with some of the largest...

For those adult aged Nakama who enjoy a bit of spice at con, Naka-Kon is proud to be bringing back Cos-lesque! Cos-lesque is a cosplay-themed burlesque show showcasing theatrical strip teases, this...

Would you like the opportunity to model for our Special Guest fashion brand Iris Garden × Haenuli? If so, please fill out our model application form!

Our Lolita Fashion Show and Designer Q&A will be a...

Nakama! Every day this week at 6pm CST we are releasing event tickets for our special featured events. Classics such as the charity ball, tea parties, and bingo will return as well as several new...

Nakama, please welcome Emily Boverie AKA Ratty Creations back to Naka-Kon for 2026!

Ratty Creations is a professional artist and graphic designer specializing in original creations and pop culture...

Nakama, please welcome back amazing artist Amelie Belcher!

Amelie is an award winning artist, comic artist, manga ka, illustrator, painter, sculptor, podcaster, twitch streamer, and currently a second...

Let's welcome Gaming Industry Guest, Sam Villanueva! Sam has been involved in every aspect of Game Design from concept to completion, with over 25 years of development experience throughout five...

Please welcome Turtle Smithy as one of our cosplay instructors! Tickets will be available next week!

Turtle Smithy has been cosplaying for over 20 years. He has competed and won awards at many...

We’re excited to announce Malinda-chan as one of our cosplay workshop instructors!

Malinda-chan (Malinda) has been cosplaying for more than 20 years and uses a wide range of skills to create her...

Naka-Kon is excited to announce that crafting workshops will return for the 2026 show! Our first instructor is Madison May!

Madison May, the head pattern maker at CUT/SEW, founded the company in...

ONE MONTH UNTIL KICKOFF! 🚨

Naka-Kon 2026 is just one month away, and it's crunch time! Are you ready?

Show us your starting lineup for the weekend! Use our official Naka-Kon 2026 Cosplan...

We're excited to announce Gingy Stitch as a Mainstage Cosplay Contest Judge!

Gingy Stitch Cosplay is a cosplayer and life-long Anime fan from Perth, Western Australia, known for his attention to...

Our next Mainstage Cosplay Contest Judge is Kirilee Cosplay!

Kirilee Cosplay hails from Perth, Western Australia. She has won cosplay awards locally, nationally and internationally. She has...

We're excited to announce our first Mainstage Cosplay Contest Judge: Hylian Cream!

Hylian Cream is a Sewing Educator & Cosplayer from Southern California. With over 14 years of cosplay under her...

Naka-Kon is excited to welcome back Luna Flare! Luna Flare is Kansas City's favorite "Queen of Cosplay"! Luna has used her talents to entertain local audiences for more than a decade. As a...

Nakama, do you need to watch out for our next Hero's Lacquered Chain Prison? Or are your flames ready for a good fight? Either way, prepare for our next guest, Aaron Roberts!

You know him from iconic...

Nakama, please welcome our next guest for 2026: Kayli Mills!

Kayli is an accomplished voice actor, writer, lyricist, and singer with a certification in audio engineering and a Youtube channel with a...

Our AMV Contest is still accepting entries NOW through February 26, 2026! Finalists in each category receive FREE BADGES to Naka-Kon 2026, and winners selected at-con by a live audience win CASH...

Nakama, it's time to roam the halls of Gekkoukan High and seek the Sage of Spirit high above Hyrule! Please welcome Heather Gonzalez!

Heather is best known as the voice of Yukari Takeba in Persona 3...

We're excited to announce our other Hallway Cosplay Contest judge and Mainstage Denpai, Diana the Great! Diana The Great is an accomplished cosplayer from the greater Kansas City Metro. She holds ten...

Naka-Kon would like to welcome back Angus Duff of Duff Cosplay as Hallway Cosplay judge and Mainstage Denpai! Angus Duff is the Dad in Duff Cosplay. Duff Cosplay is family that creates costumes and...

We are excited to announce Iris Garden x Haenuli as our fashion guest for Naka-Kon 2026! You'll see the debut of brand-new designs at the fashion show, spend time with them at the Lolita Fashion Tea...

Nakama! We are excited to announce the return of DJ Sameshima. He is part of the group called BAN BAN BAN, who were guests at Naka-Kon 2025. This year, he’s joining us as a solo Anison DJ and will...

Nakama - It’s time to beat the drums of liberation and nostalgia! 

Our Naka-Kon 2026 guest of honor is an artist who has been part of the ONE PIECE franchise from the beginning: Maki Otsuki!!!

She...

Haven't submitted your fan panel application? The deadline for applications is tomorrow - Tuesday, January 20th! Visit the programming page and submit your panel application today!

All applicants will...

Haven't submitted your fan panel application? The deadline for applications is tomorrow - Tuesday, January 20th! Visit the programming page and submit your panel application today!

All applicants will...

Nakama! Are you ready to howl at the moon! Cause it’s time for our next guest announcement! All the way from Cherryton Academy, this six eyed demon house husband is excited to meet, and not beat or...

Nakama, the convention is getting close - it's only two months away. Have you brushed up on the rules? Or have you just simply forgotten to take a look? Time to fix that.

We've made a few changes...

Nakama! I hope you’ve been on your best behavior! Cause it’s time to announce our next guest! Please welcome Xanthe Huynh!

She’s known as our very own Mother, Eve, in Records of Ragnarok! Sailor...

Nakama and other humans: Prepare your light sticks and get ready for an alien invasion! Please welcome dystopian-pop idol PAiDA to Naka-Kon 2026!

This intergalactic and international performer sings...

Oh Nakama Baby Birds! Start practicing your American Breathing and pick up your trash while you’re at it! Quit Trippin! Naka-Kon is pleased to announce returning guest Zeno Robinson!

You know him from...

Applications open today at 6pm for the Naka to Nihon event!

Information and application are available on the Naka to Nihon page.

Application closes on February 3, 2026 at 6:00 p.m. CT! If you have any...

Heads up, Nakama! The contest lineup at Naka-Kon is changing for 2026!

We're excited to present a refreshed AMV Contest, featuring online entries, genre categories, cash prizes, and free badges for...

Nakama, ready your crafting supply stash, because this is the official announcement of the cosplay showcases available for the 2026 show! This includes the Mainstage Cosplay Contest, where we are...

Naka-Kon is taking you to Nihon!

Naka-Kon’s mission has always been to celebrate Japanese culture, and we’re excited to announce a brand new experience to support that cause. Naka-Kon is sending one...

Exhibit Hall status emails have been sent. Please check to make sure you received one. If you did not receive an email, please email vendors@naka-kon.com so we can check your status and get back to...

Nakama Idols - the time has come! The 2026 Sunflower Idol Festival portfolio submissions are open! If you or anyone you know wants to strut their stuff on the largest Idol stage in the Midwest please...

Nakama! The Naka-Kon 2026 registration and hotel blocks are now open! Register and book your rooms now!

Update October 13th: The Sheraton Hotel room block is sold out on Friday and Saturday nights...

Staff applications for 2025 are NOW OPEN✨ Help us create an unforgettable experience for our attendees.

Apply at via our JotForm