Online Conventions in the New Normal

The first quarter of 2020 is welcomed with the COVID-19 pandemic. As months go by, more and more of the highly anticipated conventions of this year continue to cancel and postpone their events to 2021. With the majority of flights canceled and other usual forms of transportation limited, is there still a way for anime fans to enjoy the thrill of conventions this year?

The best solution: go online! Although the feeling won’t be the same as the actual and physical experience in anime conventions, at least it gives anime fans something to look forward while being in the comforts of their own homes.

While a lot of conventions left and right have announced their cancellations, some organizers which their events fall in the 4^th quarter of the year, are still hoping for better days that their events will be pushing through. I would, however, recommend that they would just cancel their events this year for the health and safety for everyone. It’s just very hard to be able to do events when mass gatherings are still not allowed and social distancing protocols are heavily been implemented all around the world.

The Benefits of Online Conventions

There has been a growing trend of cosplayers and convention organizers making use of various platforms in order to give cosplayers, anime fans, and regular congoers a virtual convention experience. Cosplayers may still be able to meet their fellow cosplayers and friends online, companies who promised to announce something big in this year’s physical conventions are already doing it through exclusive and public livestreams, and attendees can still go through and buy merch effortlessly from sellers through “online exhibitor halls”. In all honestly, the feeling hasn’t really worn off—it’s just that everyone was looking forward to going to a physical convention this year.

There Will Be Better Days Ahead

I honestly feel a bit hurt whenever I come across posts of some anime fans and cosplayers feeling depressed because they were looking forward to attend a convention this year, meet with their friends, and just debut their cosplay and works. Although it’s nearly impossible to hold such events at this time, always put in mind that there will be better days ahead.

The best thing that we can all do right now is to be there for each other. If your fellow anime bro or sis is so down today, then send them a message and just chat with them. Each and everyone in the community need all the love and support right now. It doesn’t matter if you’re a con chair, a cosplayer, a con attendee, or just some random person who just loves anime and video games, we are all affected by this pandemic. The only thing we need to do right now is to stay at home, follow all the necessary safety protocols, and hope for the best.