I feel like this year just flew by, one minute it’s March and we are slugging through the month and then BAM! It’s kind of wild to look back at 2025, cause it doesn’t feel like anything was a few months ago, but years ago (I feel like I’m a completely different person then I was at the start of this year).
Looking back at the conventions I attended, it’s kind of wild. I think this was a light year in regards to how many I went to. Just ten this time around, with only two new ones added into the line up. The two new ones I checked out were Anime Expo and Chibi Chibi Con and they were fun. I would say overall the conventions I attended this year, Anime Expo was one of the greatest experiences of my life. I am already planning and booking on going back in 2026, there is no way I am missing it. It was always my dream to go and I was finally able to do it and it was everything I ever dreamed it would be. This is also not to say that there weren’t any other conventions I also enjoyed, which there are. I had a blast at every convention I went to.
My list of conventions I attended this year.
- Emerald City Comic Con
- Sakura-Con
- Rose City Comic Con
- FanExpo Portland
- LongCon
- Chibi Chibi Con
- Anime Expo
- Kumoricon
- Anime WA
- Summer Con
All of the conventions I got to experience this year had their good and bad points, but the communities within the convention space are what really keeps me coming back to the conventions. Such as Sakura-Con, they have been having difficulties with operations and have been trying to work with con goers to make the event better. Although they have not reached an agreement on this (which I hope talks for 2026 go better), it’s hard to stay away from the convention itself because of the people and communities that gather there to meet up and reunite. To me, it’s always the people I get to see (and the amazing artist alley) and different fan meet ups that make the convention really fun for myself and friends.
I also had a wonderful time attending smaller events this year, cupsleeve events, which feel like mini conventions. These were also a first for me this year and it was a lot less pressure then at a full blown convention. They were much more intimate and specific to a certain fandom, and made it easier to talk with other people who also went to the event. I really hope more anime ones pop up in 2026, because I would love to attend and cover more of these smaller gatherings.
Side events I also attended this year.
- Gojo/Get wedding Cupsleeve
- K-Pop Demon hunters, Idol Awards Cupsleeve
- Gojo Birthday Cupsleeve
I feel like at the end of every year, when I look back on how conventions, cosplays, and anything else pertaining to the fandom community that I attended. I always find things I want to improve on for myself during these events and situations, because I am always learning new and different ways to better take care of myself and have a better time. This year was no different and I feel like my rule set for conventions has completely changed from what it was before. I’m excited to try out these new rules and self care rituals for the conventions of 2026, and I hope I’m able to attend a few more new conventions next year as well.
What were your convention highlights for 2025? Feel free to leave a comment below or chat with us on Threads at @theconventioncollective, or Bluesky at @theconcollective.bsky.social
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