Based in Washington D.C., Otakon has become a major summer destination for anime fans on the East Coast. Its 2019 installment features a slew of events along with special guests Hiromi Wakabayashi, Michihiko Suwa, and Hirokatsu Kihara. With a lot going on this weekend, we dive into 10 events that are certainly worth catching at the convention. You can view the entire schedule on their Guidebook. Tickets for Otakon can still be purchased here. Otakon takes place at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center, in Washington, DC from July 26 through July 28.

Friday, July 26

BRADIO Concert

Main Events (Level 3 Ballroom A/B)

4:00 p.m. - 5:30 p.m.

Japanese funk rock band BRADIO (Break the Rule And Do Image On) will have a special live performance at the convention. Their music can be heard in the anime series Death Parade and Peeping Life TV: Season 1. BRADIO released their major label debut (and third overall album) YES last year. This will be the band's second performance in North America. Seating for this concert will begin at 3 p.m.

RPG National Anthem Variations Performance featuring Eric Roth & Sam Griffin

Panel 4 (Room 151A)

5:45 p.m. - 7:15 p.m.

Guitarist Sam Griffin will rock the house with covers of your favorite tunes from anime and video games. If that's not enough, he'll be joined by Eric Roth, who conducted the concert series A New World: intimate music from Final Fantasy. If you can't make this panel, Griffin and Roth will have another performance at the same room on Sunday, July 18 from 1:30 p.m. to 3 p.m.

Super Art Fight

Panel 2 (Room 207)

7 p.m. - 9 p.m.

Super Art Fight will bring the most competition art battles to Otakon. Think of it as Wrestlemania, but instead of wrestlers, you have artists drawing to win the championship. Combatants looking to take the victory include Killer Colleen, Baron Von Sexyful, and “The Fighting Fanboy” Mike Donohue. Super Art Fight will have another battle on Saturday, July 27 from 10 a.m. to midnight in Panel 1 (Room 202). Unlike their Friday bout, this will be an 18+ event.

Saturday, July 27

Video Games Voice Acting featuring Erika Harlacher, Stephanie Panisello & Richard Epcar

Panel 7 (Room 146C)

5:45 p.m. - 6:45 p.m.

Have you ever wanted to learn how to do voiceover work for video games? Voice actors Erika Harlacher (Persona 5, Killer Instinct), Richard Epcar (Tekken 7, Mortal Kombat 11), and Stephanie Panisello (Shadow of the Tomb Raider, Resident Evil 2) will tell you what's in store if you're going down that career path.

Final Round: Why We Love Fighting Games

Panel 6 (Room 152A)

8:15 p.m. - 9:15 p.m.

Whether it's throwing a Hadouken in Street Fighter or dismembering your opponent in Mortal Kombat, fighting games are one of the biggest genres in video games. In this panel, special guests discuss what makes this genre stand out above the rest.

Anime in Non-Anime (18+)

Panel 4 (Room 151A)

11 p.m. - 12 a.m.

Over the years, celebrities such as Michael B Jordan and Hayley Williams have showcased their love for anime. What was once an underground phenomenon has now become beloved by some surprising names. The Anime World Order Podcast will discuss this sudden surge in anime love from the mainstream.

Sunday, July 28

Journey of Composing Music featuring Kaoru Wada

Panel 4 (Room 151A)

10:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

Since the early '90s, composer Kaoru Wada has been involved with making music for anime such as Inuyasha, Tekkaman Blade, and Ace Attorney. He'll have a special panel to discuss working with these beloved series and his process in making music.

Diana Garnet and nano Concert

Main Events (Level 3 Ballroom A/B)

12:00 p.m. - 1:30 p.m.

Diana Garnet and nano will join forces for an incredible afternoon concert. Born in Washington D.C., Garnet has done themes for Tantei Team KZ and Naruto: Shippuden. New York City's nano has recorded songs for anime series such as Magical Girl Raising Project, Hidan no Aria, and Magical Warfare. Seating for this concert will begin at 11 a.m.

Live! Animation with Naoki Yoshibe and Jojo's Bizarre Adventures

Panel 3 (Room 150)

12:45 p.m. - 1:45 p.m.

This isn't a typical live drawing event. Naoki Yoshibe, who is an art director on Jojo's Bizarre Adventures, will have a live animation exhibition. Aside from Jojo's Bizarre Adventures, Yoshibe has done work for Gatchaman Crowds and Hanebado! He currently does animation for Orange Ltd.

Anime Goes to Hollywood

Panel 2 (Room 207)

2:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.

Over the past few years, Hollywood has polarized the anime community with their live action adaptations. They're not stopping anytime soon with forthcoming adaptations of Your Name and Akira. Journalist Evan Minto (Otaku USA, Ani-Gamers) will critique previous ventures and look at the future of Hollywood adaptations.