Karoshi-Con delayed to fall semester
Anime fans hoping to cosplay this spring in DeKalb, you have to keep your costumes packed a little longer.
The NIU Anime Association announced on Instagram Dec. 8 that they have decided to delay their free one-day anime convention, normally held in the spring, until the fall semester.
Curated by NIU’s Anime Association, Karoshi-Con has been on campus for 12 years. The convention on average draws between 1,000 and 2,000 attendees featuring artists, video and board games, panels, karaoke and cosplay contests.
According to Maritza Ortega, vice president of the anime association, the goal of the delay was to preserve the quality of Karoshi-Con as opposed to doing a rushed incomplete event.
“We want to make it as enjoyable as possible, and so that kind of was the main reason why we didn’t want to rush it,” Ortega said. “We just want to make sure we have everything prepared so the rest of the NIU students can have just a wonderful time here, and hopefully be able to come back and explore it even more.”
According to leaders of the Anime Association this is the first time Karoshi-Con has been delayed in its 12-year history. And while the postponement of the event may affect guest appearances, the organizers believe many independent artists and participants will still be able to attend the rescheduled convention.
“I believe that it would restrict certain people from being able to make it. But for the most part, we do have a lot of independent artists that are not associated with us entirely,” said President of the Anime Association Carlos Corona. “So the hope is that they’ll still be able to make it to the next, to the delayed date.”
While there is no official date set for Karoshi-Con, organizers are hoping for sometime around October. The overall structure and plans of the convention have not changed and are expected to remain the same.
As of now, the leaders of the club’s main focus is on planning ahead for the fall Karoshi-Con ensuring the event runs smoothly.
“We do apologize for the delay, we really are trying our best to make sure that the event actually comes through and is enjoyable for all of you guys,” Ortega said. “So, we are working our way toward finding out what we need to have done, who we need to contact and just make sure that everybody, every artist that we have, and every person who comes to Karoshi-Con is able to come.”
For more information on Karoshi-Con or things relating to the NIU Anime Association you can visit niuanime.carrd.co
