Last year, I was given the opportunity to attend the first-ever Sekaicon in Newark, Ohio. I had a blast and got to meet all kinds of amazing people. This year, I was invited back for Sekaicon 2026, and I jumped at the opportunity. The convention returned to the Cherry Valley Hotel from Oct. 9 to 11, and it offered three days of anime, gaming, cosplay, and plenty of other activities for fans.
I rolled into the parking lot running on anxiety and Tim Hortons coffee ready to see the wonders inside. The Ohio weather did us no favors, as it was gray, wet, and depressing. At least when I walked into what used to be called the Cherry Valley Lodge, I smiled at the bright pop of all the colors from all the cosplayers and their costumes.
My first lap around the convention area was to orient myself and talk with the vendors. I encountered the same Funko Pop vendor I bought my Nobara Kugisaki Pop from last year. It was great to spend time catching up with him and seeing how his business has been. The amount of handmade crafts, art, and 3D-printed items was nothing short of astonishing. I picked up some Pokemon art prints for a few friends, and they were over the moon with them.
The vendor area was only one part of the experience. Sekaicon had a packed schedule with everything from anime discussions and cosplay workshops to tabletop role-playing sessions, arcade competitions, and console gaming. There were also opportunities to learn about cosplay craftsmanship, participate in meetups, and attend the cosplay masquerade. The variety gave attendees plenty to explore beyond shopping for collectibles or getting autographs.
Sekaicon’s guest lineup was stacked, but unfortunately two voice actors had to cancel due to last-minute medical issues. I was especially sad because I had been looking forward to seeing Brian Beacock (known for roles in Digimon, Naruto, and Bleach) and having him sign my copy of Enchanted Arms. Ryan Negrón, who has worked on titles including My Hero Academia and One Piece, also had to cancel. But despite my disappointment, personal health always comes first. We at GameIndustry.com wish them both a full and speedy recovery.
Lucky for all of us, Molly Searcy, whose voice acting credits include Akame ga Kill!, GATE, and My Hero Academia: Vigilantes, not only stayed but added an additional day. The Sekaicon leadership team also welcomed Hannah Alyea, whose credits include Fairy Tale: 100 Years Quest, I’m in Love With the Villainess, and Laid-Back Camp, for their first convention appearance in Ohio.
I got to talk with Searcy while picking up a signed My Hero Academia photo for my friends. She was incredible to talk with, and the fact that Sekaicon can attract talented performers like that to a small part of Ohio known for a giant basket-shaped building is nothing short of a miracle.
Of course, Sekaicon was about much more than celebrity guests. The organizers put together an impressive mix of activities, including workshops, live performances, and gaming events. Fans could participate in tabletop and console tournaments, learn new crafting techniques, or simply spend time with other people who shared their interests. That is one of the great things about conventions like this. You can arrive planning to do one thing and stumble into something completely different.
For example, there was a group from Amtgard offering attendees the chance to try foam sword fighting against one of their champions. They gave everyone a safety briefing before allowing us to embarrass ourselves against their champion. The general rules were simple: no hitting the head, a stab to the chest meant instant death, and two hits to any limb also counted as a defeat.
I used a sword and shield and gave it my best, but this was the first “weapon” I had used since pugil sticks in Army basic training. Readers, that was the summer of 2009.
The fight was engaging, and I lost as expected. Thankfully, everyone was very friendly. They talked with me afterward about the community, which sounded a lot like live-action role-playing (LARPing). There is a group that meets in the Columbus area that I might check out.
That was about the time I started roaming around to grab pictures of as many cosplayers as I could. Cosplay was everywhere, and fans were showing off their costumes ranging from recognizable anime characters to elaborate creations that must have taken countless hours to build.
I even swung by the cosplay repair station and watched people fix their costume problems with machine-like efficiency. It is one of those little services that can make a big difference at an event where someone’s carefully constructed costume might need emergency repairs halfway through the day.
One thing I appreciate about Sekaicon is that there is a lot happening even if you aren’t especially interested in the celebrity guests or buying merchandise. There were tabletop gaming gatherings, a Mahjong club, board game night, and plenty of other activities that I couldn’t even get to. The convention also featured arcade and console gaming areas giving people a chance to compete, play casually, or simply meet other fans.
Overall, I am so grateful that I was able to attend Sekaicon again. The organizers have created an event with plenty of personality, and the people I met made it even better. Between the vendors, voice actors, cosplayers, and the folks who were kind enough to beat me up with foam swords, I had a great time at Sekaicon again this year.
As always, any year they will have me there, I will attend. For anyone in or near Ohio who enjoys anime, gaming, or cosplay, Sekaicon is worth putting on their convention calendars.
Be sure to check out our accompanying photo montage to admire some of the great costumes, vendors, and other sights from this year’s convention. And with any luck, I’ll be able to get back on a more reliable schedule of attending conventions.
Because, apparently, once a year isn’t enough time to practice my sword fighting.
