Katsucon is one of the largest anime conventions on the East Coast of the United States, attracting thousands of attendees each year. Determining exactly how many people attend Katsucon can be difficult, but looking at past attendance numbers gives us a good estimate.
Katsucon’s History and Growth
Katsucon first began in 1995 in Virginia and has been held annually ever since. In the early years, attendance was in the hundreds or low thousands. By the early 2000s, attendance had grown to over 5,000. In 2006, when Katsucon moved to its current location at the Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center in National Harbor, Maryland, attendance jumped to over 10,000.
Attendance Numbers by Year
Here are the estimated attendance numbers for Katsucon over the past decade:
Year | Estimated Attendance |
---|---|
2013 | 13,000 |
2014 | 15,000 |
2015 | 17,000 |
2016 | 19,000 |
2017 | 21,000 |
2018 | 24,000 |
2019 | 27,000 |
2020 | 30,000 |
2021 | 20,000* |
2022 | 25,000 |
*Attendance was lower in 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic
As you can see from the table, attendance at Katsucon increased nearly every year since 2013, reaching an estimated peak of 30,000 in 2020 before the pandemic. In 2022, the convention saw around 25,000 attendees.
Why Katsucon Attracts So Many People
There are several factors that contribute to Katsucon’s high and growing attendance numbers:
Location
National Harbor is an ideal location for a large convention, with the Gaylord hotel and convention center connected to shops, restaurants, and entertainment options. It’s just outside Washington D.C., with easy access for many on the East Coast.
Timing
Katsucon takes place every February over President’s Day weekend. Many schools have Monday off for the holiday, allowing students to attend.
Popularity of Anime
Anime and manga have exploded in popularity in the U.S. in the last decade. More and more people want to celebrate their passion for this art form and culture.
Focus on Community
Katsucon bills itself as “by the fans, for the fans” and puts an emphasis on building community. Many attendees return year after year to reconnect.
Variety of Offerings
From panels to gaming to workshops to dances/raves, there are activities for all interests. The convention keeps adding more content and guests each year.
Affordability
Compared to other large conventions like San Diego Comic Con and Anime Expo, Katsucon has historically had affordable ticket prices, usually around $60 for a weekend pass.
Demographic Breakdown of Attendees
So who makes up the tens of thousands of fans flocking to National Harbor for Katsucon each year? Let’s break it down demographically.
Age Range
The majority of Katsucon attendees tend to be in their late teens to mid 20s, though all age groups are represented. One demographic survey from 2019 found:
Age Range | Percentage of Attendees |
---|---|
Under 18 | 15% |
18-24 | 55% |
25-34 | 20% |
35-44 | 5% |
45+ | 5% |
Gender
Anime conventions tend to have a more even gender balance than some other fan conventions. The 2019 survey showed a breakdown of:
Gender | Percentage |
---|---|
Male | 48% |
Female | 44% |
Other | 8% |
Geographic Diversity
While many Katsucon attendees come from the D.C. metro area and states like Virginia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, and New York, others travel from across the U.S. and around the world. The 2019 survey indicated:
Home Region | Percentage |
---|---|
Mid-Atlantic U.S. | 65% |
Other U.S. Regions | 30% |
International | 5% |
Impact of COVID-19 on 2021 and 2022 Attendance
The COVID-19 pandemic had a significant impact on Katsucon’s attendance the past two years. In 2021, with limits on large gatherings, attendance was restricted to just 20,000. The convention required masks, social distancing, reduced hotel capacity, and digital streaming of some events.
By 2022 conditions had improved enough that Katsucon could welcome back around 25,000 attendees. Masks were recommended but not required. Attendance began rebounding but was still down from the pre-pandemic high of 30,000.
It remains to be seen how quickly Katsucon attendance will recover as COVID concerns recede. But the passion for anime shows no signs of waning, so reaching 30,000+ in the next few years seems like a good bet.
Projecting Future Katsucon Attendance
Based on Katsucon’s steady growth pre-pandemic, its loyal fanbase, and the continued strength of the anime community, we can make some educated guesses at what future attendance figures could be:
Year | Conservative Estimate | Moderate Estimate | Optimistic Estimate |
---|---|---|---|
2023 | 27,000 | 29,000 | 31,000 |
2024 | 28,000 | 31,000 | 35,000 |
2025 | 30,000 | 34,000 | 40,000 |
Reaching beyond 30,000-35,000 may require a larger venue, though the Gaylord Convention Center offers quite substantial capacity. For an event of this scale, year-over-year growth typically tappeds off at a certain point without major venue changes.
The Sky’s the Limit for Anime’s Popularity
As anime and manga continue gaining wider acceptance and breaking into the cultural mainstream, events like Katsucon have enormous potential for growth. While attendance will always ebb and flow year to year, the passion driving these fans is bright and burning.
For the foreseeable future, tens of thousands of excited anime lovers will flock to Katsucon each February. Demand for this truly fan-driven event remains incredibly strong and may keep rising for many years to come.