Naka-Kon 2021

The badge, and the new refined booth setup.

There are no words that can really put into perspective how odd it feels for a lot of us doing any sort of conventions this year. Speaking from my own limited moments, it's been so odd, so VERY odd. 

Even this post is ridiculously late in being created, just because it was taking me a while to keep my head in the right space as I wrote this. 

Most of the show, I spent trying to record video, and take in the fact that I was back at a show. I know that sounds crazy, but when 2020 made this show disappear, literally the day it was supposed to begin setup, my mind went to a weird place. 

"Oh great,... what now? What happens next? How long will this affect shows for?"

I know why it happened, and it was for all the right reasons. The same thing for the other shows that happen around here, and for so many of the larger ones all across the nation. The earmarked factor for 2020 will be how Covid was able to bring communities, events, and all sorts of interactions, to a very definitive halt. 

So very much has changed, in how I take a better look at things I do. I know I'm not the only one that faced the reality of job loss, life directions changing, and a more attuned look at the future. The cancellation of shows last year was more than a metaphor, it was frankly, a moment of bitter and scary challenges for myself and so many other people in the convention community. 

Of course I was a bit distressed and worried. I was wondering when, and if things would come back to some level of normal... whatever that could be. I know more than a few shows that didn't survive the year's absence, as well as a good number of creators that either closed up shop and moved onto other endeavors, or in some cases, found other temporary income and simply played the waiting game.

Setting up and early arrival

Very much appreciated that they were forward with the state of the show and it's future.

Being able to come back to the same hotel convention center after two years away, felt like a dream in some ways. Maybe more like a fuzzy memory. There were less people milling about, as the amount of vendors and staffing were reduced, as was the attendance cap that was going to be allowed for the return of the show.

If you want to watch the videos that I did during most of Naka-Kon, you can look them up on TikTok under theartisanrogue. I'll also put them together soon in a video for YouTube.

Set up went pretty smoothly, and I got it all set up and organized pretty quickly. I had to make a few last minute adjustments and additions, and I took the extra time to figure out what changes I wanted to make for presentation this next year.

I added Dungeons and Dragons based player class button pins to my display, and thank goodness there is a place locally here in KC that sells a great display spinner display rack. They didn't have black, but this white one is begging to be customized before my next show.

You can see the new spinner rack in the left hand corner in this photo. It was a last minute expense, but it paid itself off over the weekend thank goodness.

I don't remember exactly how many people the attendance cap was set to, but if memory serves me right, I believe it was right at about 3000. 

This resulted in a more laid back experience for me in general over the weekend, but thankfully not in sales or in interactions. Quite the contrary, I had my best show yet! As I look back over my journal entries and show notes, and even these photos as I upload them onto this blog entry, it still kind of feels as if the show didn't happen. I don't mean that in a negative way at all. I mean it felt like a fleeting bit of happiness that seemed like it was over, before I realized it.

If you go through any of my past posts about shows, any of you familiar with this blog know that I talk about how much I enjoy seeing people interact, play games, socialize, and just have a great time at any convention I do. There's a lot of reasons for that, but probably the top one is that it's being hyper aware of the good vibes, the positivity and fun that is there. Especially considering the ups and downs of both 2020 and 2021.

The weather was phenomenal, and once again, it was nice to see people out and about on the center greens area.

Cosplay on display

Though I am not a cosplayer myself, I am always super happy to see the awesome and creative ones that I will see at conventions. I didn't get to see as many cool ones at Planet this year, seeing as how I didn't have a table to sit at for three days to watch people from. 

This time I did, and here are some of the ones I really loved!

[Left] This fragrant fellow is the unsung hero every convention deserves. [Right] I LOVE the She-Ra Netflix show, so this was so dang cool to see.

Most of the cosplayers came around my table area, but there were a few that I had to run from my booth to chase down because I was worried they would not come back by.

[Left] Kamen Rider! [Right] Lady Dimitrescu from Resident Evil!

By the way, for anyone that wasn't at the show, the areas do look pretty open, and that's because they were. There was a LOT of space in between the vendors. Aisle widths were epic.

Not even going to lie, I don't know any of these characters. Well except for the Five Nights at Freddy's purple guy. I think that's right.

This was also the first time I was able to walk around and talk to a lot of the other vendors more than I'd ever been able to prior. The vendor room crowd would come in waves that were more apparent because of the smaller number of attendee, so that certainly made for a more relaxed atmosphere.

I also don't know these character cosplays either... I feel like a pop culture failure. :D

Time to say so long, farewell...

Gaze in wonder at the amazingly packed and organized booth loaded onto my tiny dolly. And yes, I do bring my own chair now to multi day shows.

The show came to a quiet end for this year, with a few groups of people still in the vendor room as the time wound down.

Saturday and Sunday both, I had some great conversations, caught up with some old friends, and met some new people - fellow artists, collectors, and old school anime enthusiasts.

I waited until early morning on that Sunday to do my shopping. I picked up a few things I'll show below. 

Final photo I took, just before I headed to the elevator to take the last of my booth equipment to my vehicle. Could already feel the post con blues beginning to set in.

I picked up a few things, including a Revival Run pack from Naka, two of the Aaru Garden figures, and a paper theatre and frame (that I still have yet to assemble). My wallet thankfully didn't take a huge hit as this year because of my own self control.

As I'm still trying to make sense of some of the display stuff I have here in my studio, I've not yet assembled or properly displayed any of the items above.

2022 and beyond...

This year did see some changes, from an honest message of support to help NakaKon move onwards, and a pretty cool virtual vendor hall.

It's not the easiest thing to contemplate when one deals with change. Life has a way of carrying us forward through time both hard and trying, or joyful and exciting.

There was a bittersweet energy in my mind for a good part of the show, as to whether or not Naka could make it through this year and into the next. As it turns out, yes it was able to. But the real challenge has arisen, will the show triumph onwards into 2023 and beyond?

I've never been shy about telling people that this is my favorite multi day show. The incredible high and emotional release I feel just being in the venue, being able to sell artwork to people that really enjoy my work, is all wonderful. But as I've said in years past, it's the incredible community, diversity, social acceptance, artistry, conversations about fandoms,... all of that and so much more, that makes this show something special.

I've met and spoken to many people at this show that feel the same way. I've kept in touch with a few that I've met over the years, and made friends with some vendors whom I am ecstatic to have seen over the years at this show.  

Show ticket advance sales are up now. You can find information on Naka-Kon's Facebook and Instagram about it. If you'd like to help keep NakaKon going, here is a direct link to a page on their website: Donate!

Until next time, remember to support artists and local businesses. Be kind to your fellow beings and always take the path less traveled. We all may live in times uncertain, but kindness, understanding, and believing in the good that is in most each and every one of us is what can bring about better days!

- Mario, the Artisan Rogue
Illustrator, Voice Actor, Writer, Animal Rights Activist

www.theartisanrogue.com

NakaKon - Youth Engine of the Midwest

After some years in absence from the show, I finally made it back to NakaKon. I've started to take a more proactive approach to not only the shows, but networking, working on my salesmanship, and upgrading my overall display and presentation.

I made it a point to get there super early this year for setup. (Right) My nifty exhibitor badge and the cool swag bag that NakaKon hands out with it.

Not unlike StealthCon, I am making it a point to get to shows super early, to have more chances to get some photos in, and hopefully be more relaxed and better prepared.

It was cool to get there so early on Friday, because I could see the show slowly coming to life as people started coming into the convention hall.

(Left) The ticket hall and line guides. (Right) Link was here early to get this party started.

I like the buildup of quiet excitement that is very much in the air of bigger shows, and since I'd not been able to do NakaKon in a few years, I was very much glad to feel that emotion again. You can see it on the faces of the people coming in, texting friends and family that are not yet there, wearing smiles that say "I'm here, it's the weekend, and let's do this!".

About an hour before the show opened on Friday. (Lower Right) I got a little bit of drawing in on the community drawing table that they always set up.

I still had some time before the show opened, even for the VIP badge holders, so I double checked my table setup, and then went and sat on a couch in the lounge.

WHY don't more shows do this sort of thing?! This is pure genius, because people will stay at your shows much longer and talk and shop longer!

About ten minutes before VIP access kicked in, I went back out to see how many people were milling about...

There were a LOT more people waiting to get in.

 Right off the bat, which is one of the most enjoyable things for me, there were already a great bunch of cosplays coming by my table area.

(Left) I actually am not sure on this one, but it looked like "Gold Saints" Armor. (Center) A pretty kickass Captain America. (Right) Always a favorite of mine, "Velma".

(Left) "Morrigan" from Dark Stalkers. (Right) A Sith Lord poking a Pokemon. I have waited YEARS to say that.

(Left) Sailor Moon cosplay mashup with Freddy Mercury. (Right) Honestly, I only recognize Starfire from Teen Titans on the far right, the other two I do now know. Anyone want to chime in on this? 

Midway through the overcast afternoon, I managed to come across these three below out on the balcony overlooking the grassy area, and this is what went through my head.

Surprisingly, there were not a lot of Deadpools at the show...

not surprisingly, I always feel like this. Every day.

I was too was suddenly craving a chimichanga. But they did not have that at the concession stand in the vendor hall. That said, was it just me or was the food actually really good and not that dang expensive!? I've done some shows where I need to burn half my artwork for the convention hall's amusement before I can even get a spare packet of mustard to spread over soggy fries.

I remember one show, I think it was in Chicago, might have been a Wizard show, freaking nachos were $12. NACHOS. Twelve dollar nachos!? I should have gotten a complimentary back rub with that price! Who did they think they were? AMC movie theatres?!

The vendor room is well spaced and has a small show feel to it, but my god, could the people pack in there!

I know that there were a lot more people outside of the vendor room, but late Friday, almost all of Saturday, and early Sunday, people were trooping into the vendor room, and it was pretty cool meeting so many of you, getting pictures of some great cosplays, all of that.

Like in prior years, I planned on staying a bit later, to take in the show after the vendor room closed.

Almost every year that I did prior, I'd just people watch from the center walkway.

If there is one thing that Naka has, it's a massive amount of young and vibrant individuals that for a weekend, almost turn the after hours time into some cool and weird alternate universe school populated with kids of all ages, interests, ideologies, and mindsets that revel in a unified appreciation and love of Anime/Manga/Japanese culture mixed in with western pop culture.

It is actually really refreshing and smile inducing to see people at play like this.

There were of course many other people over the rest of the weekend that picked up my art, stopped by to chat, and had some great cosplays they were rockin'.

I loved the little Kylo Ren outfit that the little lady on the left (who is the proud owner of my Scooby Doo artwork) was wearing. By the way, can anyone help me out on the whole TV head thing? Yeah I can google it, I know...

There were fun and ornate cosplays and people in various types of wigs. I forget how much this show cheers me up.

Two other cosplays I can't identify.

Owners of the "Zoom" strip art, and Link and Zelda.

I had some black and white artwork of Harley that was brought back to me so I could finish coloring it. I drew that back in 2013. The art table was consistently full of people writing and drawing on it.

I of course didn't get a chance to participate in any panels, but more than enough was going on in the vendor room and after hours that I seriously was exhausted each night.

The owners of Edd and Plank, and Happy.

I think this guy was doing the whole "Slenderman" sort of thing with his cosplay.

(Left) Newest addition to my forthcoming sketchbook for 2016. (Left) I actually ran out of 9x12 inch bristol board at this show, and all I had were preformatted comic strip pages, which turned into a new series of illustrations that you see above.

The pictures from the rave, and a few others didn't come out as well as I'd hoped. But I managed a whole heck of a lot more for this update than I thought I would have.

Finally, the show started to wind down Sunday at 4pm. And sure while I was tired, the show was a heck of a good time. It was nice to step back into this show, and I'll be looking to be in it again next year.

Breakdown and getting out is always pretty easy at NakaKon. I was out in under 30 minutes.

Post Con Depression may or may not be a real thing medically, but I think it is. I know that everytime a show comes to an end, especially if it's more than two days, I get a little bit sad thinking about when next the show will come around, mixed with a side of odd fatigue and satisfaction that it's over. That's usually accompanied by a relief that sets in once I know I'm not sick from having been around a couple hundred or thousand people.

The good thing, is I do more shows now that I had in the past, so I can take the time to go over my notes, work on commissions, improve upon what didn't work or what I forgot, and aim higher for the next show on my schedule.

SushiMido after NakaKon is probably the most perfect way I can think to end the weekend before Monday sucker punches me in the ego.

So for those of you that are looking to be a vendor at Naka, apply early, and have your branding and creations on point. There were a lot of really good artists and creators at the show, as well as a nice variety of toy/video/manga sellers.

The crowd is a lot of fun, and so varied. I mean you get that at a lot of comic shows, but there is an energy that comes with a predominantly younger crowd like the one that goes to Naka that keeps my art efforts moving into new subject zones and introduces me into new fandoms all the time. Over the years stuff like Bleach, Food Wars, Crayon Shin Chan were added to to my old anime standbys like Macross, Lupin, and Voltron.

It's a great show, and Beth Bogenrieder and her crew put forth a lot of effort to make it so.

Until next time, support your local artists, be kind to your fellow beings, and watch some anime!

-Mario, the Artisan Rogue