The Sweetest Thing that Happened During Otakon 2008

The Otakon masquerade is a huge event which takes place at the 1^st Mariner Baltimore Arena (it used to be held in smaller rooms at the Baltimore Convention Center). At the Otakon anime convention, thousands of people go to the arena to see other Otakon anime convention attendees perform skits.

These skits performed by Otakon anime convention go-ers range from dancing, to singing, to humor, and so on. Sometimes, there are impressive musical talents shown. Sometimes, the performances just leave viewers confused and scratching their heads. For example, there was an odd skit this year that involved a rather liberal modern dance performance, done by people in Sailor Moon costumes. I do not think that anyone understood what was going on, and instead, just clapped in a puzzled manner when the performance was over.

Also note, the host of the Otakon masquerade is very, very cute. Although he has an odd taste in wigs, I must say. I almost missed how pretty his face was in that mass of fake, red hair. I also think that he has fans. During his time on stage, I regularly heard cries of "we love you," which were no doubt intended to tell the host that there were some fans who found him attractive.

Anyway, there is a Junior division in the Otakon masquerade. This is for the younger-aged Otakon anime convention go-ers. This adorable little girl was going to sing the Kingdon Hearts theme song, Hikari, on stage. However, she completely froze up. It was her first musical performance, and the audience easily was over a thousand people.

Needless to say, she completely froze, and did not sing. Instead, she just stood there with the microphone, while Otakon anime convention attendees watched. In the background, all you could hear was the official Kingdom Hearts theme song play.

However, the audience at the Otakon masquerade did the nicest thing! Instead of jeering her or making fun of her, everyone clapped to the music. They even started holding up their cellphones and waving them, as an expression of understanding and solidarity. It is as if they were saying "it's okay, even if you mess up, we are all anime fans who attended this convention, and we are like a big family."

When the song was done, the crowd cheered loudly. I was very impressed with the display of compassion and support shown by the Otakon anime convention attendees. They could have easily been immature. However, they instead decided to be supportive of the little girl.