Naka 2025: Naka-Kon prepares for landmark 20th anniversary next week

One of the Midwest's largest anime conventions, Naka-Kon, will be held next week in Overland Park, Kansas, from March 14-16.

For thousands of fans across the Midwest, Naka-Kon is more than just a convention—it’s a cultural phenomenon. 

Every spring, attendees descend upon the Overland Park Convention Center (OPCC) for a weekend filled with anime, cosplay, gaming, and Japanese cultural appreciation. But behind the colorful costumes and bustling vendor halls is a dedicated team working tirelessly to bring it all to life.

Chris Powell, Naka-Kon’s Press Director, is one of the many individuals responsible for making it happen. And with 2025 marking the convention’s landmark 20th anniversary, the stakes have never been higher.

“Naka-Kon is a collaborative process of everyone doing their absolute best,” Powell says. “We are a team—a family—of perfectionists. Some people start working on the next year’s convention as early as the Saturday of the current one.”

Typically, the Naka team is given a year to prepare. This year, with Naka’s move back to their coveted March spot, the team has has just 9 ½ months since Naka 2024 on Memorial Day weekend to bring one of their largest conventions on record to life.

For the past eight years, the Blackwell Journal-Tribune has had the privilege of covering Naka-Kon, and we’re thrilled to be returning as approved press guests for the 2025 convention, scheduled for March 13-16. This year is not only a landmark anniversary for Naka-Kon but also marks its return to its traditional March timeframe after the disruptions of the pandemic.

Right now, the OPCC sits in a contemplative , in-between stillness. Winter hasn’t quite left, and spring hasn’t truly begun. The breezeway overlooking the grassy courtyard is home to the occasional chatter of birds and the music of the Kansas wind.

The attached Sheraton Hotel, a 20-story tower which reflects the azure Midwest sky across its windows, is quiet, occupied by the day-to-day glimpses of business travelers and families.

In just one week, that will all change.

The verdant courtyard outside the OPCC will be teeming with costumed guests, music, and dancing, the breezeway a thoroughfare of onlookers. The cavernous ballrooms will echo with cheers, laughter, and the electrifying energy of thousands of fans. The Sheraton itself will transform into a hive of excitement as lines form for the elevator and guests rush through its halls, adjusting wigs, fastening capes, and preparing for panels, contests, and guest signings.

For longtime attendees, the energy will feel like stepping back in time—to a pre-pandemic world where conventions were larger-than-life gatherings.

According to Powell, that’s the goal.

Since the pandemic forced a shift to Memorial Day weekend in 2021, the team has worked diligently to return to its roots. 

Powell explains that this transition is more than just a logistical change—it’s about restoring the convention’s identity.

“When Naka first moved to March over 10 years ago, it was perfect. It worked so well for everyone involved,” he explains. “May was always temporary, and we have always been excited to move back to March—to come back into our identity, so to speak.”

The shift has already had a positive impact. Powell says the move has allowed Naka-Kon to significantly increase its staff, now exceeding 200 members.

“It’s been a game-changer,” he says. “We’re not competing with a holiday weekend anymore, which means we have more hands on deck to make everything run smoothly.”

With the return to March, Powell also expects a surge in attendance. He stresses the importance of ensuring that longtime attendees know about the date change.

“Think of it like a TV show,” he explains. “When a program switches days or times, you see a huge promotional push. We don’t want anyone thinking, ‘Oh, I missed it, I thought it was in May.’”

To spread the word, Naka-Kon’s team has been making appearances at other conventions across the Midwest, ramping up marketing efforts leading up to the big weekend.

“The next couple of weeks, you’ll see a huge push from us to really build on that momentum,” Powell says.

When people think of a convention, they often picture celebrity guests, exciting panels, and expansive vendor halls. But Powell wants attendees to recognize the behind-the-scenes efforts that make all of it possible.

“Our Design sector puts hundreds of hours into what you see at Naka—the signage, the graphics, the images we push out on social media,” he says. “I’ve heard from several conventions that they love our artwork, and I think that’s something we really excel at.”

He also highlights other crucial teams, including tech, access control, and operations.

“Tech is fantastic—I don’t know what we’d do without them. They work hard to make sure everything works when and that everything is where it’s supposed to be,” he says. “Access control does an incredible job managing the crowds and keeping everyone safe. And our operations team? They’re the problem solvers, handling everything from big fires to little hiccups.”

“Domestic and Foreign Guest Relations help to ensure that our guests- both foreign and domestic- have as much fun as our attendees do. They do a tremendous job. And our Vendor Hall staff is second to none. That’s what makes Naka so well regarded by vendors, is the hands-on approach and care our team has for these people.”

Another key focus for 2025 is expanding programming beyond the main venue. Powell reveals that the team is working on bringing events to overflow hotels - hotels in the convention’s immediate vicinity where guests will be staying- which is something that was more common in pre-pandemic years.

“We want to bring that back,” he says. “There were things we couldn’t necessarily do while we were rebuilding from the pandemic, but now we’re ready.”

Despite the convention’s massive size—typically averaging around 10,000 attendees and making full use of the OPCC and Sheraton’s spaces—setup remains a surprisingly swift operation.

“We don’t even touch down on location until the Wednesday before the convention,” Powell reveals. “But it’s an all-hands-on-deck situation. Everyone knows exactly what they need to do, and because we’ve fine-tuned a blueprint for setup and breakdown, it runs like a well-oiled machine.”

He laughs. “If you haven’t seen it in person, you wouldn’t believe it.”

Powell also added that the OPCC and Sheraton have been incredibly helpful and supportive of the convention, and that the team was always pleased to work with them. 

Of course, the Sheraton isn’t just any hotel either. It’s one of the Sheraton’s flagship locations, and its design has become a point of influence for the entire brand.

In the years following the pandemic, conventions across the country have seen a resurgence in popularity, and the Midwest is no exception. Kansas City alone hosts numerous weekend-long events, including Planet Anime and Planet Comic-Con.

Rather than viewing these neighboring events as competition, Powell sees them as part of a growing and diverse convention landscape.

“A rising tide lifts all ships,” he says. “We promote our convention at other cons, and they do the same at ours. That’s the beauty of having so many conventions—there’s something for everyone.”

He notes that different conventions cater to various fandoms and age groups, making the selection as diverse as the communities that attend them.

“It’s good for the community at the end of the day,” he adds. “And that’s what we’re all here for.”

Powell also emphasizes that what sets Naka-Kon apart is that it isn’t just an anime convention—it’s a celebration of Japanese culture.

“What Naka does is unique,” he explains. “There aren’t many conventions that go as deep into Japanese culture as we do.”

As for what attendees can expect from the 20th anniversary celebration? Powell remains playfully tight-lipped.

“I don’t want to give too much away,” he says with a grin. “But we’ve put a lot of work into making this one special. We’ve grown, added new aspects, built upon things we loved from past years…I think this will be one of the best ones we’ve ever had.”

As the 2025 convention approaches, Powell is excited to see the hard work of his team come to life.

“We want guests to really look forward to this year,” he says. “We have amazing guests, including Japanese guests, a strong cosplay lineup, incredible panels—the schedule is going to excite people. We have a lot of special events planned to honor Naka’s 20th Anniversary”

Among the notable voice actors attending are Steve Blum, known for his iconic role as Spike Spiegel in Cowboy Bebop, Ray Chase, the voice of Sukuna in Jujutsu Kaisen and Noctis in Final Fantasy XV, and Robbie Daymond, recognized for voicing Tuxedo Mask in Sailor Moon and Megumi in Jujutsu Kaisen. 

Joining them are Brandon McInnis, Max Mittelman (One-Punch Man, Persona 5), Anairis Quiñones (Pokémon: Twilight Wings, Attack on Titan), AJ Beckles (Tokyo Revengers), and J. Michael Tatum (Black Butler, Ouran High School Host Club).

In addition to Western voice actors, Naka-Kon will feature special Japanese guests, including Sasara Sekine, a former idol and actress known for her work at Tokyo and Osaka Comicon, and Aoki Misako, a prominent Lolita fashion model and Kawaii culture ambassador. 

Manga artist Misako Rocks, famous for Bounce Back and No Such Thing as Perfect, will also be in attendance, alongside the comedic duo BAN BAN BAN, who bring their humorous take on otaku culture.

The convention will highlight the world of Japanese fashion with brands like Emily Temple cute and Melody BasKet, known for their sweet and vintage-inspired designs. Cosplay enthusiasts will be thrilled to see celebrated cosplayers and artists such as Diana The Great, Yaya Han, Diana "Binkxy" Tolin, TurtleSmithy Cosplay, and Duff Cosplay, as well as performers like Freddy Mac Uchawi, a Kansas City-based drag artist, and the Cos-lesque Performers, who merge cosplay with burlesque entertainment. 

Additional artists and performers include Amelie Belcher, Bee Nerdish, Luna Flare, Kora Kayyy, Madison May, Sam Villanueva, Ratty Creations, and Getty [ゲッティー].

Powell adds: “It’s probably the strongest convention we’ve had since the pandemic. It’s the culmination of 20 years of Naka.”

For Powell and his team, the work is intense—but the payoff is worth it.

“It’s always bittersweet when it’s over,” he admits. “But it’s so worth it.”

For Powell, Naka-Kon is more than just a job—it’s a labor of love. His journey with the convention began as a fan in 2012, long before he worked behind the scenes.

“After the pandemic, I wanted to contribute to rebuilding the convention,” he recalls. “I wanted to be part of the thing I loved as a fan. Now, I get to be directly involved in making it happen.”

One of his favorite parts of the convention? The vendor hall.

“It’s one of my favorite things—walking in on Friday and seeing all the amazing vendors and artists,” he admits. “Then I have to fight against my instincts to not spend all my money,” he adds with a laugh.

“Naka’s vendor hall is unlike anything else I’ve ever seen- there’s something for everyone, there.”

As the countdown to Naka-Kon 2025 continues, one thing is certain: whether it’s your first time attending or your twentieth, this year’s event promises to be one for the history books.

Naka's complete 2025 schedule of events can be found here: https://naka-kon.com/news/2025-03-03/2025-schedule-now-available