It has been two whole months since our state (Maryland) was issued a ‘Shelter-in-Place’ order due to COVID-19. With large gatherings like festivals, sporting events, and yes…even anime and gaming conventions cancelled all around the U.S. and the world, nerds (and otaku) like ourselves have been wondering what the future of our three-day sanctuaries would look like in a post COVID world. It bummed us out after receiving word that our next convention, Zenkaikon, was cancelled after the state of PA issued its state of emergency. However, it was also nice to see that they take the safety of their con goers, staff, and potential guests seriously. With Summer knocking on the door, it’s already set in stone that con season is pretty much dead, and I can only imagine how bad the organizers and staff are feeling; having to scrap everything because you don’t want to take the chance of infecting more people, because at this rate, it seems like con season won’t have the same effect that it once did even after this year is over.

We’re not saying that you won’t have the same experiences you did back in year’s past, it just that with the mega conventions like Anime Expo, SDCC, SXSW, and E3, they probably won’t be returning next year either – at least not at the capacity they once had. There’s at least 6-8 months worth of planning that has to go into making cons that size what they are, and with COVID hanging around until Fall/Winter, that doesn’t give the organizers a lot of turn-around time to work with…which sucks! So yeah, we feel your pain, and though we can’t go to any of our favorite conventions to see you guys, many organizers have created digital alternatives to many of your favorite cons. Heck, even FUNimation has their own con!

With many of us who are FOLLOWING THE RULES AND STAYING HOME UNLIKE SOME PEOPLE WE WON’T NAME, digital conventions are the new norm – at least for now anyway. I’d say between 2021 and 2022, we’ll find ourselves back to doing what we do best; going to cons and meeting our cool friends and fans! (We’ll be hugging our super fans, and pounding fists with everyone else.) Hopefully you guys stay safe during this time, and remember, we’ve got discord and all of our other social media, so you can chat with us anytime! 😉