Another year, another con season. We guarantee everyone is preparing, whether it's checking the pre-sale or buying materials for cosplay. Most conventions cater to either comic books or anime. Even if you've never been you've probably heard of San Diego Comic Con and New York Comic Con before.

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Conventions are large fan gatherings, with celebrity photo ops, autographs, and panels on their schedules. They feature different vendors (show floor or dealer's room) and artists (artist alley). In between buying comic books or receiving an autograph from a star, conventions are jam-packed with other activities like cosplay contests and arcade games. Here are the comic book and anime conventions you can't miss in 2020.

10 Katsucon 

Kick-off the new year with Katsucon. This three-day fan convention is popular with anime fans, but all fandoms, cultures, and artists are welcome. The luxurious Gaylord National Resort and Convention Center hosts Katsucon. The location overlooks the Potomac River, and you can see the colorful lights of the Capital Wheel on the boardwalk. 

The con is known for its fan meetups. Last year, the Marvel fan meetup drew in a crowd of over one hundred fans and cosplayers, and was even featured on Marvel's official website. If you want to get your party on, the resort has a rooftop bar and DJ every night. There's a rave on Saturday night, full of anime tunes and glow sticks. If anything, you should go to see the magnificent resort. 

9 Chicago Comic & Entertainment Expo (C2E2)

Move over New York. The windy city has a con of its own. Chicago Comic & Entertainment Expo, also known as C2E2, is a fan favorite. This con gets compared to New York Comic Con for its sheer size. Their show floor and artist alley are outstandingly expansive, and the con has its own app to keep guests up to date.

What you really want to come for is the cosplay. Guests bring serious cosplay game, inspired by all types of fandoms. The C2E2 Crown Championships of Cosplay is the largest and most prestigious cosplay competition. It features cosplayers from around the world, duking it out for over $10,000 in cash prizes and title of Global Champion of Cosplay. Even if you don't enter, it's worth it to go see the talent and creativity of the participants.

8 Flame Con 

Home to the historic Stonewall Inn and one of the largest pride celebrations in the nation, New York is an avid hub for the LGBTQ+ community. So it makes sense that Flame Con, a convention that celebrates queer characters in comic books and nerd culture, takes place in Manhattan. Sponsored by Geeks Out, Flame Con began in 2015 and has since become the world's largest queer convention. It's a great way to support LGBTQ+ vendors and artists.

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Flame Con's panels are inclusive and thought-provoking. There are discussions about gender in cosplay, gay and transgender representation in comics, and other important topics in the community. Of course, there's fun too, such as drag queen makeovers and a cosplay contest. Flame Con is dedicated to creating a safe space for all. They welcome anyone of any gender identity or sexuality and offer extensive services for those with disabilities. According to their website, such services include braille and large print programs, quiet spaces, and disability seating and assistance.

7 Fan Expo

Fan Expo originally began as a comic book convention but has since expanded to other pop culture and fandoms, including anime, horror, toys, and video games. Fan Expo Canada is the biggest con in its country and the world. In 2016, they filled the Metro Toronto Convention Center with over 130,000 attendees. And this year, they're not taking the hobbits to Fan Expo! All four hobbits from the Lord of the Rings, Elijah Wood (Frodo), Sean Astin (Samwise), Dominic Monaghan (Merry), and Billy Boyd (Pippin) will visit Boston and Canada.

Can't make it to one Fan Expo? As of 2019, Fan Expo is set to visit Boston, Dallas, Vancouver, and Toronto. Fan Expo has its own store as well, full of con-only exclusives, such as comic book covers, art, and Funko Pops.

6 Otakon

Founded in 1994, Otakon celebrates Asian pop culture and its respective fandoms. The three-day event is held annually in the summer at the Walter E. Washington Convention. It has a schedule packed with exciting and immersive events. There's a gaming hall, lolita garden, cosplay lip-sync competition, Japanese maid cafe, and live-action roleplay. And that's only half the stuff listed on their official website.

The convention center is located in the heart of downtown Washington DC. Attendance continues to increase each year, from 350 guests in 1994 to almost 30,000 guests in 2018.

5 Colossal Con

Imagine a giant cosplay pool party. That's Colossal Con. Like Katsu, this con is known for its location: at the Kalahari Resort. It caters to anime and gaming, with a dealers room, artist alley, and formal cosplay ball. Although guests enjoy the waterpark most - Kalahari is the largest indoor and outdoor waterpark in America, with slides, wave pools, and jacuzzis. Cosplayers don summer themed or swimsuit cosplays. If you stay at the resort, you have access to the waterpark with your room key or wrist band.

Like Fan Expo, Colassal Con occurs in more than one location. The con in Ohio is called Colossal Con, and the one in Poconos is called Colossal Con East. Another fun event for Ohio attendees is Colossalcon 19.5. Admission gets people access to a fun-filled night of go karts, free play arcade games, laser tag, mini golf, and more.

4 Anime Boston

This is a favorite con amongst anime fans. The three-day event celebrates Japanese media with an emphasis on music and cosplay. There's even cosplay chess. A fun part about Anime Boston is its con theme. The theme in 2018 was "To the Stars."

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This con also gives back with a charity auction. In 2018, the auction raised a whopping $23,222 for the Central New England Chapter of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society. Much like Otakon, this con has seen tremendous growth in popularity and attendees since its first hosting. It is now considered the largest anime convention in the Northeast.

3 Rhode Island Comic Con

It’s the biggest con in the smallest state. Rhode Island Comic Con is known for getting amazing celebrity guests. Last year, they had Evanna Lynch (Harry Potter), Joonas Suotamo (Star Wars), and the entire voice cast of My Hero Academia. And those were just a few on the roster. In fact, RICC hosted Carol Spinney's (Big Bird on Sesame Street) last con appearance before he passed away earlier this month.

The show floor spans both venues of Dunkin Donuts Center and the state's Convention Center with different types of art and handmade items. The con hosts two afterparties. Having a badge earns guests perks around the area, such as discounts and freebies at local stores and restaurants. 

2 Anime NYC

The Javits Center isn't just home to New York Comic Con. About a month later, the venue reopens for Anime NYC. Powered by CrunchyRoll, this con centers around anime culture, featuring voice actors from popular anime series as well as panels about everything anime. The show floor has lots to do and see, from Gundam displays to Dance Dance Revolution machines to a plushie filled pool (an adorable photo op).

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This con is a breather from the chaos of its predecessor. The crowds are manageable, and most crowded spaces are open for photographers and meetups. But the people who go to this convention are probably some of the best. From the cosplay to the panels, to the attendees, one can tell they are genuine fans of anime.

1 Holiday Matsuri

It's the most wonderful time of the year at Holiday Matsuri, or "HolMat" for short. What better way to celebrate the holidays than at one of the best-known anime conventions? Cosplayers enjoy dressing as holiday-themed versions of their favorite characters. The Orlando World Center Mariott hosts this convention, so you'll get the winter fun in the summer weather.

HolMat hosts unique events unlike any other con. Its holiday themed events include a Holiday Runway Contest, a Holiday Rave, and the Winter Cosplay Crown Contest. For adult entertainment, you can check out the 18+ Cosplay Contest and the Hottest Men in Anime show. The proceeds from the Charity Ball will go towards Give Kids the World, a charity that gives vacations to kids with terminal illnesses. Its biggest event is Idol Fest, a concert-style performance.

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