News Feed
May 26, 2021
Hello all - today we have several major updates pertaining to Naka-Kon 2021. We are still on course to have an in-person convention during Labor Day weekend (September 3–5, 2021). There are several important details and changes regarding this event that we ask attendees to pay close attention to. Please note the information below is subject to change as we continue to monitor the pandemic.
March 31, 2021
We at Naka-Kon are deeply saddened by the rise in violence toward the Asian and Pacific Islander communities here in the United States. As an organization whose mission is to celebrate and educate the general public on Japanese art and culture, incidents that directly impact our marginalized communities hit home. Diversity, equity and inclusion are part of our core values, and we charge ourselves and our community to actively fight against discrimination.
March 15, 2021
Thank you to everybody who joined our Naka-Kon 2021 virtual convention (星の祭、Star Festival), and thank you to all the panelists, artists, vendors, guests, and volunteers who provided great content over the weekend!
We will share panels that will be available through video on demand these coming weeks and our virtual exhibit hall will be continued to be open through Sunday March 21.
March 12, 2021
Howdy ho, everyone!
Good morning and welcome to Day 1 of Naka-Kon Online!
The party kicks off at 5:30pm central with Opening Ceremonies, so we wanna make sure you guys know where to go.
Be sure to check the schedule to see where the panel is: Schedule
Since Naka-Kon Online is happening over two different places - make sure to save these links:
March 11, 2021
Welcome to day 0 of Naka-Kon Online! The NEW Naka-Kon store opens tomorrow during opening ceremonies for Naka-Kon Online! You'll find it at over here
Now’s the chance to finally try to catch that elusive Inari-kun plushie and all the other goodies that missed their 2020 debut, including signed (and unsigned) copies of the 2020 badge and program book.
We can't wait to see you at opening Ceremonies tomorrow at 5:30pm (cst)!
March 10, 2021
Hello hello again!
Coming at you with the most anticipated Naka-Kon Online schedule! This was posted early on the Offical Naka-Kon discord, so if this isn't old news - join our discord!
You can find the schedule along with panel descriptions here!
Be sure to check it out - see you guys Online!
March 9, 2021
The beloved artist, Amelie Belcher, is back! A Guest of Honor with over a decade of gracing Naka-Kon’s panels and vendor hall, it wouldn’t be the same without her. When not making the convention rounds, you can find her streaming on Twitch at https://www.twitch.tv/ameliebelcher!
March 4, 2021
Hello Naka-Fam!
We've got an update video for you guys today, with Virtual Naka-Kon happening next weekend (!!!!) we have this video for you to answer any common questions you might have.
January 22, 2021
Get hype Naka-Kon Cosplayers! Introducing the Naka-Kon Mask-erade! For the March 2021 cosplay contest, instead of a traditional cosplay contest, we’re celebrating personal protection, and the creativity of our contestants to make a mask that pairs well with a cosplay. Get creative and craft a mask that is functional, fashionable, and is themed from a Japanese media or culture source!
January 3, 2021
Happy New Year everyone!
As announced during our New Year's Eve event, the panel application for Virtual Naka-Kon, March 12th-14th, is open!
Because we are so close to the actual event, we do ask that you submit the form no later than February 1st. If you are hosting a panel with friends, only one of you needs to submit the form with all of your names on it.
Here is the application form: https://forms.gle/Jw8RQwrvLSyQEWfb8
November 23, 2020
Hey there, everyone! We know things have been kinda quiet on our end and we appreciate everyone’s patience. It's no secret that things are a little rough right now, especially with the ongoing pandemic. We want everyone to be safe and healthy, and we've been working closely with the convention center, hotel, the city, and local health officials to figure out ways to still hold the convention that you love while doing our best to protect everyone's health. After months of deliberation and reviewing the recent trends of the pandemic, we are finally in a place to start sharing our path forward. So here's what we're looking at right now.
October 31, 2020
Today is the day ghosts, ghouls, and other Halloween horrors! We've got a whole afternoon of spooky panels, fashion walks, idol performances, and so much more.
The Twitch-or-Treat event kicks off today at 3pm over at https://www.twitch.tv/nakakonanime
Peak below for our planned schedule. But beware of tricky spooks and other gremlins, they love to cause trouble!
October 15, 2020
Naka-Kon's Twitch or Treat will be hosting a cosplay horror stories panel to share some of the spookiest cosplay experiences! Our panel of seasoned cosplayers will be sharing their own stories of cosplay horror, but we'd love to hear from you too! Share your kookiest, most bone chilling cosplay-related mishaps below and they might be shared on air during the panel. Stories will be shared anonymously.
October 9, 2020
Naka-Kon is asking you to bring your pumpkin decorating skills, but with a Japanese culture twist! From carving, to painting, to decoupage we want you to flex your artistic abilities. Bring us your Shoujo Squash and your Plus Ultra Pumpkins. Your artistic creations will be shown throughout the Twitch event for all to enjoy and admire. Post your pumpkin creations on the Facebook event page with the name you’d like displayed!
October 9, 2020
Join us for a day of spooky programming and creepy fun on our official Twitch channel! Programming starts at 3:00pm CST on Halloween. More details to follow!
June 3, 2020
We stand in support of our Black community. It is our belief that it is the responsibility of conventions, organizations, community members -- all of us -- to speak out in support of those from our community when they are treated unjustly. In the words of Desmond Tutu: "If you are neutral in situations of injustice, you have chosen the side of the oppressor", and as such, we cannot ignore the injustices the Black community is facing.
Listen, learn, and act.
May 12, 2020
A message from Ryuzou Ishino, our seiyu guest from last year.
May 4, 2020
A video message from Ayumi, designer from Emily Temple cute, and gallery of outfits.
May 4, 2020
A video message from Rica Fukami
March 18, 2020
First, we heard that you guys would like to know what days Naka-Kon 2021 would be before making a decision on either deferring your ticket to 2021 or to get a refund. And we are happy to announce that Naka-Kon 2021 will be held March 12th thru 14th. Because of this, we are extending the registration refund/deferral request to March 27th. We don't have a theme yet, but that will be finalized soon.
Event Tickets
March 16, 2020
Updated: March 17, 2020
Working with the Sheraton Hotel, Overland Park Convention Center, and the City of Overland Park, it was decided to not hold Naka-Kon 2020 the weekend of March 13-15, 2020.
Due to scheduling constraints, we have decided rather than postpone until later to instead cancel Naka-Kon 2020, and concentrate our efforts on developing Naka-Kon 2021. This decision is based on the information we have regarding logistics and availability of our facilities.
March 9, 2020
The 2020 schedule is here! Inside are tons of panels, events, and other fun things to do while you are at the convention this year.
March 8, 2020
Extra! Extra! Read All About It! The 2020 Tomo Times has a new issue with information for the discerning Naka-Kon fan!