A group of Waluwigi Cosplayers at DragonCon. September 1st, 2025. Photo Credit: Zaire Breedlove/The Sentinel
ATLANTA- Throughout Labor Day Weekend, Dragon Con held its 38th annual convention across Atlanta. Thousands flocked to celebrate pop culture, cosplay and the diverse communities that come with it.
Dragon Con began in 1987 as a small convention in the Pierremont Plaza Hotel, attracting nearly 1,400 fans to enjoy science fiction and animation. Now, Dragon Con is one of the staples of life in Atlanta, bringing upwards of 85,000 attendees in 2019 and raising $320,000 in charity this year alone, according to Atlanta News First.
This year, late night raves and cosplays aligned with the internet’s latest hits. “K-Pop Demon Hunters” and “Deltarune/Undertale” by video game developer and composer Toby Fox were the most common cosplays, with cosplayers showing off their talents for crafting and immersion.
With Kennesaw State University only about 20 miles from the convention centers, many Owls made an appearance. Dragon Con brought the vibrant cosplay culture of KSU to life, with many students expressing their gratitude for their attendance of the convention.
Cole Regna, a music technology major, went last year with friends and wanted to go again. Although he is a Dragon Con novice, he brought his best energy to the front.
“I love Dungeons and Dragons. I love Marvel. I’m just a nerd, so I love checking things out and seeing all these cool people doing their passions,” Regna said.
For some, Dragon Con also offers a safe space for attendees to express their interest in a fun and fulfilling manner and to meet people with like-minded interests. This resonated with film major Iris Pilvinsky, who bought tickets last year to attend.
“It’s a really good place to meet new people and find a ton of cool art,” Pilvinksy said. “I mean, you don’t even have to buy a ticket. You can just walk down the street and see people who are dressed as your favorite character or someone from a video game that you didn’t even know about.”
For Dragon Con veterans, some engaged in the annual blood drive set throughout the convention. The blood drive raises money and blood for numerous health organizations, including NAMI Georgia, a mental health service focused on advocacy.For attendees like Sam Jenkins, an environmental science major, this was one of the more memorable moments of the convention.
“Last year, we got a hotel room in the Ritz, and it was my first time staying down at the con. That night, I donated blood, and it was a great time just having a good time partying with everyone,” Jenkins said.
Many KSU students encouraged others to get a ticket for Dragon Con next year or to participate in the upcoming conventions in Georgia, including Anime Weekend Atlanta set to debut in December.
For arts major Savannah Lam, it was more than the attendance of the convention, but the fun in the silliness of it all.
“Don’t be afraid to be weird,” Lam said. “Even if you think that you’re not going to look like professional or amazing in your cosplay, if it makes you happy, still do it.”
