DreamCon 2023
RDCWorld’s 5th Annual Anime and Gaming Convention
As a woman of numerous varied interests, it has become apparent in my adulthood that pursuing a rich life involves exploring your interests and engaging with them; even at levels you didn’t think you could.
I like anime. I am a gamer. YouTube has become my cable television, and I am, admittedly, a rabid consumer of it – it’s the most frequently used app on both my phone and TV. As a lot of my fellow nerds may recount, I never really acted on these interests outside of my house and close friends. That was going to change.
This year, I decided that I was going to choose travel opportunities that expand upon my interests – not just because someone else was going for their birthday or casual occasion. I was also sick of having adult FOMO when I had adult money. This point was particularly irksome when I missed out on tickets to DreamCon 2022 last year.
DreamCon is an anime and gaming convention in short, but it is so much more than that. Devised by the legendary grassroots social media influencer group RDCWorld, the boys had a dream of bringing together like-minded people to celebrate a wide range of interests, including pop culture, comics, art, cosplay, music, content creation, and filmmaking. RDCWorld is an acronym for “Real Dreamers Change the World” – and true to their moniker, DreamCon became a reality that is making waves. In the 5 years since its inaugural event, and with sponsors like Disney, Nintendo, Crunchyroll, Blerd, and Twitch the convention has grown substantially and is educational, inspiring, and a whole lot of fun all at the same time.
The moment tickets dropped for DreamCon 2023, I snagged the goods for myself and my fiancé and never felt more excited. I contained that enthusiasm for 6 months – yes, half a year of waiting for this event, my first con ever, and it was well worth it. Let’s get into my DreamCon recap:
DreamCon Day 0
There’s something special about a meeting of the minds of people from all around the country, no matter the trade. Throughout the airport and especially as we approached the airline gate on our trek from Atlanta to Austin, we knew we’d be in great company with our fellow DreamCon-goers subtly decked in their anime drip and flexing it to be sure - Naruto Akatsuki durags, caps, jackets, One Piece Luffy baseball jerseys, and YouTuber merch abounded.
DreamCon Day 1
Conventions are massive undertakings to coordinate. Attempting to begin explaining all the moving pieces is daunting – locations and room assignments, scheduling and attendee management, equipment and construction, volunteer and talent coordination, AV and game technology installations, marketing, social media, and content capture, simultaneous live productions – the list legitimately goes on and on and this only glosses the surface of what RDCWorld was able to accomplish.
The brilliant minds of DreamCon created an iOS and Android app to help keep attendees organized, allowing us to build out our custom convention schedules. As a con-noob, I was supremely grateful. I didn’t make it to all of them, but here are just some of the panels and events I was personally interested in on Day 1:
Welcome to DreamCon & Crew Battle View Party
Crunchyroll Presents: The Anime Cookout
Shoot your Shot: Black Girl Confidence in Nerdy Spaces
Naruto Cosplay Meetup
Studio Ghibli Embroidery Workshop
Mario Kart 8 Deluxe Viewing Party
Crunchyroll Presents: The Anime Cookout stage with its host and panelists.
DreamCon Day 2
Day 2 was a cosplay extravaganza! It was astonishing being in the company of over 22,000 people with similar interests to mine, dressed to the nines, walking and talking and sharing and being in community with one another. I admire the creativity and workmanship intrinsic to those who can bring their favorite anime and video game characters to life. DreamCon inspired me to join their ranks in my debut cosplay as Tatsumaki from One Punch Man. I was even able to convince my fiance to wear the infamous Oppai t-shirt, and he was my Saitama. We were blown out of the water by the master craftsmanship of the folks who strutted their stuff to music and coordinated performances in the Cosplay Contest and Runway; which also happened to be hosted by one of my favorite anime/cosplay social media influencers, @rinnegoddess.
Myself and Temari at the Naruto Cosplay meetup.
My chosen focus for Day 2’s schedule of events was educational panels. The first was a presentation on the intersection of hip-hop and Japanese culture by the Houston Hip Hop Museum. Later in the afternoon, I had the pleasure of listening to Fiker Tesfaye, a professor at Mercer University, present her expertise on the history of black folks and RPGs. Both were illuminating and insightful, but also interactive, and I truly felt a sense of community and belonging, especially as a black woman. I came away from the sessions having learned about my interests not purely from an entertainment perspective, but also from a very tailored and professional growth lens. I was eager to know even more, which is why I sincerely hope both panelists will have a chance to speak again next year!
It was extremely difficult to choose between all of the meet-ups, panels, and Creator League sports events on Day 2, but here’s what I put on my schedule of interest:
Family Feud: RDCWorld vs. AMP (Hosted by Berleezy) Sponsored by Konami
Understanding the Algorithms: How to grow on YouTube, TikTok, and Instagram using data
Where is my Moon Stick? Sailor Scouts Assemble!
Anime and Video Game Short Film Block
Build Your Dream: Free Legal Protection Workshop
The Symbiotic Relationship between Hip-Hop and Japanese Culture
God Punch Pilot Screening
Creator League: Dodgeball
Cosplay Contest and Runway
Jujutsu Kaisen Cosplay Meetup
“I’m Tryna Get Like You!”: Black Folk and the History of RPGs
DreamCon Day 3
I hit the Exhibition Hall every day of the convention but made my final decisions on Day 3. Numerous artisans, creators, and collectors were there selling their wares. I had my eye on it all naturally, and some of my favorite creators on social media were there for meet-and-greets as well. On my wishlist: RDCWorld’s official DreamCon 2023 t-shirt to commemorate my visit, OhMySenpai Shop’s Domain Daddies velvet lounge set, custom painted shoes with your favorite characters hand-crafted by Davinci Ink Customs, key chains, paintings, and posters, drippy anime inspired clothes, Funko Pops and other very unique collectibles. My fiance and I each secured an item to memorialize our trip, but not before attending our last panels.
Exhibit Hall wares.
In a panel For All the Nerds, Affiong and Mark of RDCWorld shared their expertise in filmmaking with a score of content creators and videographers in pursuit of improving their craft. I was in awe of their immense generosity. RDCWorld is in the process of producing their own major films, manga, and anime. They have made such a name for themselves in the YouTube and streaming space, that they have the attention of Hollywood and animation studios to put the dollars into making them a reality. Even with all their success and the notoriety that comes with it, they refuse to gatekeep. They share their journeys, their mistakes, and their wins with their followers, who in turn are inspired to create their paths and share their art with the world (including me writing this blog, thank you guys). Beyond that, RDCWorld offered chances for giveaways of quality cameras, lenses, and other film equipment that could set some of their fans up for success in their endeavors. I have never been more proud to be in attendance at an event that cares so deeply for its following and wants to see everybody win.
Day 3 was still packed and not at all a day to wind down. My schedule was brimming with panels on personal and professional development as well as exclusive, early screenings of hit anime and of course more cosplay and gaming action.
For All the Nerds: A Panel About Filmmaking
Our Journey, Our Lessons
Speech 100: For the Socially Awkward
The Power of Friendships: How Black Women are Building Lasting Connections Through Anime
Intro to Cosplay Embroidery
Zom 100 (Viz Media) Screening
Exaggerated Swagger of a Black Game Dev: Creating for the Culture
Whatcha Know About Women in E-Sports
Black Excellence in Gaming: Paving the Way for Future Generations
You can join us in the DreamGang, and follow RDC and the members of their team at the links below. Keep an eye out for ticket drop dates on their website and I’ll see you next year at DreamCon 2024!
Members
all the best,
