From humble beginnings to a powerful staple of Anime Conventioneering, Anime Weekend Atlanta returned once again for its Christmas-themed Debut in the Georgia World Congressional Center.
Atlanta, GA- Anime Weekend Atlanta (AWA) 2024 took the Georgia World Congress Center by storm from December 12th to the 15th, bringing in a special blend of creativity, culture, and holiday cheer. As one of the largest anime conventions in the Southeast, AWA offers a vibrant schedule packed with activities, panels, and entertainment, making it a must-attend for anime enthusiasts and pop-culture fans alike.
The convention’s timing during the holiday season added an extra layer of magic to the experience as Cosplayers embraced the festive spirit, with many integrating Christmas-inspired costumes of their favorite anime characters. Santa Claus– or a well-known Santa cosplayer named David Gunter- himself even made an appearance, delighting attendees with his jolly humor and spirit. In character, he shared some insights into the notorious “naughty list.”
“Qualifications on the naughty list… They can vary, primarily, the younger the age, the more childish you might think.” Santa clarified. “So, putting your gum in your sister’s hair? Naughty list. Apologizing and doing some nice things will get you off!” He said.
The event’s schedule catered to a wide range of interests. Notable highlights would include the Starlight Idol Festival, where performers showcased their talents alongside music, and the official Hololive Panel, which offered fans a inside peak at the popular Vtuber agency. Gaming enthusiast flocked to panels like “Gaming in the Year 2004” and “Fire Emblem Jeopardy”, while creative minds participated in workshops for props and even an Improv panel to show off their theatrical skills.
For those seeking entertainment under the strobe lights, the raves were just as major as all the other events. Cosplayers like Lilly and Lu shared their enthusiasm,
“My favorite part of conventions is being able to dance to K-pop and J-pop and all sorts of music,” Lu said.
“Last two raves that I’ve been to have always been some of the more fun experiences. It’s very open, you can just kinda dance and be crazy and everybody just hypes you up,” Lilly added.
Cosplays remained a centerpiece of the AWA experience, with attendees showcasing their creativity and passions. Among the standout cosplayers were Yani, Bree, and Jupiter, who brought a fast-food twist into their cosplays. Yani cosplayed Wendy from Wendy’s, Bree took on the iconic Ronald McDonald, and Jupiter went for Burger King.
When asked about their inspiration behind their choices, Bree explained, “I really wanted to cosplay a clown, and McDonald’s was the first thing I thought of.”
Yani jumped into the conversation, adding, “As soon as she said fast food, I was like, okay, I gotta be Wendy, and the rest was history.” She said.
Jupiter, staying in character, shared his opinion on fast-food breakfasts,
“Burger King’s actually the best one. We have a song; we have a commercial.”
The commitment to in-character interviews added a unique level of immersion to the event. Attendees loved to engage with cosplayers who stayed true to their personas, enhancing the overall emersion. Either it be the Coc-a-Cola Bear or Homelander from The Boys, their dedication to authenticity makes the atmosphere welcoming and turns Anime Weekend Atlanta into an unforgettable experience.
Anime Weekend Atlanta continues to solidify its reputation as a cornerstone for anime conventions in the U.S. The 2024 was able to bring in an abundance of new changes that brought a lot of improvements from 2023 and will continues to keep doing so. For anyone who loves anime, pop culture, or simply the joy of entertainment, AWA is the holiday gift for you.
