Cosplay Mania 2024 was an absolute blast! But that’s hardly news to anyone familiar with the event, right? As one of the biggest cosplay conventions of the year, it delivers a mix of vibrant cosplays, entertaining programs, and an incredible lineup of guests. Held at the SMX Convention Center, Cosplay Mania 2024 attracted thousands of fans, filling the venue with the combined energy of passionate cosplayers, eager enthusiasts, and curious first-timers.

Because of its sheer size and the number of events, you might have missed some fun stuff happening around the convention outside of its main program. But don’t worry, we’ve got you covered! Here are three of our favorites you can check out the next time you attend!

Booth Events: More Than Just Displays

While it’s easy to get caught up admiring the amazing cosplays walking around the convention, don’t forget that the major booths themselves often have something special to offer. Companies, brands, and gaming communities set up some of the most exciting booth events, transforming their spaces into interactive hubs of entertainment.

From exclusive merchandise and collectibles, tutorials with freebies, to game tournaments, fans had no shortage of opportunities to engage with their favorite franchises. We love the ones where booths have some sort of gacha mechanic incorporated into their activities, where fans could try their luck at winning additional freebies, which always adds a layer of excitement.

Each booth also had its own event schedule for the weekend, featuring meet-and-greets, demos, and even pop-up competitions. If you wanted to meet special guests without navigating the larger crowds, visiting these booths was a great way to do it. Pro tip: take note of individual booth schedules—it’s totally fine to ask them!

The All-Star Alley: Meet Your Cosplay Heroes

A key feature of Cosplay Mania is the All-Star Alley, which offers a special opportunity for fans to meet their favorite professional cosplayers. This section of the convention is packed with booths where popular cosplayers from around the metro showcase their work, sell exclusive merchandise, and, most importantly, interact with their fans.

For many attendees, the All-Star Alley is a dream come true, as it allows them to not only see these cosplay icons up close but also snap a photo, get an autograph, or buy one-of-a-kind prints. As usual, fan favorites had long lines stretching throughout the day. Pro tip: Friday is the best day to visit—it’s a little quieter, has shorter lines, and you get more time to interact with your favorite cosplayer. This space really highlighted the sense of community between fans and creators, making the Alley a must-visit for any cosplay fan.

VTuber Booths: Bringing Virtual Stars to Life

One of the most exciting developments at Cosplay Mania 2024 was the increasing presence of VTuber booths from individual companies. VTubers—virtual YouTubers who use avatars to stream—are growing in popularity, and this year’s convention saw a good lineup of virtual personalities making appearances. Fans of this digital form of entertainment were treated to meet-and-greets, interactive sessions, and even live performances from some of their favorite virtual stars.

The growing VTuber fandom in the local scene is remarkable. For many, seeing these digital characters come to life at a physical event was an exciting experience, and it’s a trend that’s only expected to grow in future conventions. If you haven’t experienced the VTuber phenomenon yet, Cosplay Mania provided a great introduction!

Beyond Cosplay: A Whole Weekend of Fun

Of course, Cosplay Mania is more than just the booths and special guests. The event featured panels, performances, and contests where cosplayers could show off their talents and creativity on stage. From intricate armor builds to flawless anime recreations, the craftsmanship on display was impressive. And let’s not forget the passionate fans who cheered on their favorite cosplayers, creating an infectious atmosphere of excitement and camaraderie.

Whether you’re a die-hard fan or just curious about the world of cosplay, Cosplay Mania delivers an experience that’s hard to beat. The energy of the crowd, the creativity of the costumes, and the passion of the community make it one of the best events of the year. If you missed it, don’t worry—there’s always next year!

Be sure to check out our VRSUS Facebook page for more Cosplay Mania 2024 coverage, and start planning for 2025 because it’s sure to be another unforgettable experience!

Check out our previous article about Cosplay Mania to see if you’ve completed the whole experience!

Everything You Need To Know About Cosplay Mania 2024: Zenith In The Clouds – VRSUS