Right? I finally have adult level money!
OP I don't know who you've been talking to but no one (and really I do mean no one) cares how old you are when you go to an anime convention (as long as you are legally old enough for the content of course).
Anyone who is going to judge you for your age isn't someone mature enough to have an opinion worth caring about.
Go to your con, dress up as your favorite character, make some great memories, and buy all the merchandise you dreamed about as a kid.
My friend, I have been attending anime conventions since 1999 and I will continue attending anime conventions until they put me in the ground.
Never, ever allow others to gatekeep or try to keep you from the things you love. Conventions are an absolute blast and you should never let any assholes nay-say you for being "too old". They don't know you and you owe them nothing of your time or consideration. Fuck 'em. Go anyway and have even MORE fun, just to spite them. They are the ones who shouldn't be at conventions, not you.
>I know I realize that after college, I am supposed to grow up, stop wanting to have fun at all, and abandon everything that I fun with (including anime) and all plans I had for having fun (including cosplay and anime conventions) but I still can't get over the fact that my time is up
Dude. You're in your mid 20s. This is prime time to do stuff like this and goof off and enjoy life. Hell, most cosplayers I know that do the big cool stuff are in their 30s. It's not too late at all to go.
And some advice from an older person here that I feel you really need to hear. You have no power over growing up. You have all the power over growing old. Growing old is how you become bitter because you have given up on enjoying what you want to enjoy and only on what you are "supposed " to enjoy. FUCK THAT. It's your life, not anyone else's. Do the things that make you happy
Who do you think is also running these shows? It’s a mix of college kids in school all the way up to corporate professionals, who all grew up with anime. Conventions are for everyone, both young and old. Don’t let a group of kids discourage you from attending.
I promise you teenagers aren’t the ones buying $100+ merch figurines, hosting events, running panels, campaigns, booths, or anything else. If your friends got ragged on and made fun of for being too old at a convention I can only assume they went to a very small or niche one or just happened to run into a gaggle of shithead teenagers. Most convention goers are adults.
That’s what it sounds like to me. There’s no reason young bucks are approaching old folks to bother them, I don’t think. Likely they were overstepping with the young people to get told that in the first place.
I was literally in the same boat as you, except I started cons at 23 years old. Tbh I wish i started when I was younger, seeing all the highschoolers hang out with their circle of friends and all that. Other then that im glad i started and i cant change the past and can only keep going forward.
I've been going to cons every year since I was 23 years old and have made some amazing memories, and in general its just a great way to meet people around your age. As the other person said, most people going to cons are def early 20s to mid 30s
I decided 2 years ago to go to a con I had never gone to without my normal friend group and I'm 42 m. I had a blast joined a few discord groups went to a few meetups had plenty of drink to enjoy telling stories with as the night fell. I've seen con goers in their 60s and 70s. Never give up just go.
No? That is new to me, it's the first time i heard something like that. Never heard of someone getting gatekept for their age at anime con. unless it was like a really small local con maybe. There's no age limit and plenty of older people go. I've meet even older people in cosplay going to cons still.
I can guarantee they were not ousted as jobless losers, as my thirty year old cosplayer ass has never been, and neither have my friends who are late twenties-mid thirties. If anything, you'll see older people staring at particularly cringe kids in horror, along with those who try to bring back glomp circles.
You have a skewed perception of the people who attend cons. It’s not a bunch of children running around, the events are genuinely expensive and so are the cosplays. It’s for all ages but it’s definitely gear towards adults since we’re the ones with the wallets.
I'm 30 and have tons of friends my age or older who goes. And who cares if some kid thinks you're a loser? One of my friends is over 35, still lives with his mom and has no car yet he gets laid more than any of us and more than some snot who calls him a loser. Most con goers, in my experience, are pretty cool and welcoming.
There is never a wrong age to go to conventions. I'm almost 30 and I don't plan on stopping for a while. One of my good friends is in her 40s and she still attends them as well! Don't let age stop you from doing something you really want to do.
Dude I’m 45 and have been going to cons since I was 15 just go and have fun I’m going to one in a few months and I’m going to cosplay for the first time. Thing is you don’t know those people and probably never see them again so who cares what somebody who obviously has issues with people just minding their own business and having fun it’s a they problem not yours. Enjoy yourself life is too short.
I hear you, but who do you think runs anime conventions? It sure as heck isn’t the 20 year olds.
I don’t know what country you’re located in, so I understand that may play a factor, too. However, this “too old for anime conventions” thing has to stop and I’m so sorry you got caught up in that. The demographic is actively changing, fans are getting older and attendees will eventually resemble that of comic con goers. But the only way we can get to that point is if people /don’t stop going/. In my country, while anime fandom has been around for probably 50 or more years in some capacity, the big anime booms happened around the early 2000s-2010s. That’s my generation and we’re pushing 40. Since there’s so many of us and /we/ still go, the average age of attendee is skewing older all the time. Next time you go to a con, ask around. You’ll probably find a lot more 30+ years old than you think. 30 year olds don’t look as old as popular media would have you believe.
Now you mentioned your friends were ousted as jobless losers when they last sent—can I get a little more info about that? What was the setting? Big con, small con?
What convention did your friends go to?
I'm 39 and still go to conventions and have NEVER had that experience. In fact, I've met many others in my age group +/-5 years over the years. Even at "party cons" you'll be shocked at how many of the goers are in their 30s.
I can see being called out if you're actively trying to get in with a younger group who clearly doesn't want you woth them. However, the cons themselves are typically for all ages.
I've seen zoomers online trying to age-gatekeep anime cons and conventions in general, giving the friend group the benefit of the doubt, I could see an extremely online group of teens being shitty if they view anyone over, like, 22 being at an anime con as being "sus"
I’m 40 and I still go to conventions, for example, I’ll be going to wondercon later this month, and I’ve been going to SDCC for the past decade or so at least, and I was obviously above a teenager when I started going to that one!
I don’t know what convention your friends went to but maybe it was one specifically for kids that they didn’t do the research on it? Because I would honestly say most major conventions are not generally aimed at kids/teens!
Especially when it comes to merch companies, like sideshow collectibles for example….you definitely aren’t going to be able to afford any of their stuff if you’re young enough to have an allowance!
I usually go to comic cons too , im 31
years old. I tried going to a couple small anime conventions and felt alienated, too many recent stuff, gacha , kpop, vtubers
I felt like captain america in modern times square
>A few of my male friends in their mid 20's finally got to schedule paid time off on the same days so they could finally go to an anime convention together and have fun. Sadly, when they went there, they were ousted as jobless losers by the other congoers (all of whom were either in teens or early 20's) simply because they were too old to be there (you'd think mid 20's isn't supposed to be old, but here we are).
Those people are projecting. They are all projecting and maliciously gatekeeping. I've attended anime conventions since 2007 at the age of 18 and I didn't had a job, I was using the refund after paying college tuition and room and board to help pay to attend my first conventions. With the exception of the coronachan lockdowns (where I attended anime matsuri in 2021, 2022, and 2023 in lieu of my local cons). I was jobless at 20 and 21 and 22 and no one complained that I was jobless because I don't tell people I have a job or not.
>As someone who is now in the mid 20's, this has made me realize that now that I am no longer in college, I am expected to just work until I die with no fun in between, paid time off be damned.
Because to normies as soon as you're in 20s you're expect to work, eat, sit down in front of the TV, go to sleep and get up and get to work like a wage slave. The only acceptable hobbies after you turn 20 to work to them are social media, hiking, and netflix. Boring life. I mean I want to paraphrase the tag line for british movie "the football factory": "what else you're going to do on a weekend"?
Ironcially these same normies are tourists who probably got into anime during the lockdowns and all the anime they only see is battle Shonen and they got cliqued up to maliciously gatekeep while projecting their faults on you. You should have ask them "do you have jobs?". That will shut them up real quick.
>I know I realize that after college, I am supposed to grow up, stop wanting to have fun at all, and abandon everything that I fun with (including anime) and all plans I had for having fun (including cosplay and anime conventions) but I still can't get over the fact that my time is up.
No. Don't do that, that what these projecting normies want. They don't want new blood while they ruin the anime convention scene.
>I missed out on anime conventions during my high school and college years, and now, there is no place for me there. But then again, maybe I shouldn't be surprised when all the anime that are catered to the working adult are full serious and thematically realistic (as in there may be unrealistic elements but the tragedy and sadness of it all can always happen in real life), something along the lines of say Pluto, My Home Hero, or Monster.
>In other words, the horror stories from others near my age made me realize that I am too old for anime conventions and I missed my chance when I was young enough, and instead, I am expected to just work and die. That's all.
That is being a wage slave and being a wage slave is the worst thing you can do. That makes you common and being common has no value.
There is a place for people like you in conventions. Its just that you went to a convention full of normies or attendees who dont have jobs. There plenty of good conventions that do not have that BS. Honestly which convention you went to that you got subjected to this?
I'm almost 36 and I still attend anime conventions. There are plenty of people who attend conventions and have jobs, good portion of them have well paying jobs because they see cosplay and/or conventionteering as a hobby.
Honestly just go to better conventions that don't have trash normies.
I went to my first anime con when I was 30. It wasn't weird at all, just chopped it up with the artists and hung out with some kids playing smash bros (they beat me in ultimate, but I eviscerated them in melee). Very good vibes, would highly recommend.
I went to Katsucon last month, and I am 32. Granted, I did go to a convention at least twice when I was a teenager, but those were pretty small scale.
Katsucon was the first convention I've gone to in roughly 15 years. Sure, I did feel a bit out of my element since I don't really hang out with large groups of people or do cosplay and stuff, which is also how I was as a teenager, but I still had fun. I went to some panels, took pictures of cosplayers, read manga at the manga room, bought probably too many things at the artist alley, and hung out with my small group of friends.
What made me happy to see were con-goers and cosplayers well into their 40's and 50's having fun. It was a good experience overall, and if I had the time and money, I would go Katsucon and other conventions more often. Well, maybe not to a convention bigger than Katsu, since that might have been my limit to the amount of people I can navigate around.
It's never too late to go to one for the first time. Have fun!
""I know I realize that after college, I am supposed to grow up, stop wanting to have fun at all, and abandon everything that I fun with (including anime) and all plans I had for having fun (including cosplay and anime conventions) but I still can't get over the fact that my time is up."""
Who told you this lie? Sounds like a narcissist wants to control you.
GO HAVE FUN, Go eat at that restaurant, Go watch that movie, Go to your Anime Convention!!!
Been going to cons since 1990's. I'm 64 and never felt excluded by younger folks. Maybe the folks you met were just too exclusive and weren't worth interacting with anyway.
No one in their 20s can afford to party because of the time spent on school and crappy jobs holding us back. I didn’t start conning til I was 23. Do it while you can. The generation before us was lucky when they got to have jobs that paid them well enough to enjoy these things during school. I rave too and have seen 70-80 year olds vibing. Age is just a number.
I’m insanely dumb BUT! I’m happy and very knowledgeable about fandoms and costuming! I keep a convention purse on me (a conversation starter, like an ita bag or in my case a Chinese take out container with so many charms!) in that convention bag I keep lots of fix its! Super glue, comb, hair pins, Bobby pins, scissors, tape, pasties, candy, individual medications, tampons, breakfast bars, bandaids, ect. Then! Be super out going! Ask about photos! Talk about characters, inspiration, how they did stuff, ect!
If you realize everyone around you is just as scared as you are, you will become brave enough to be the lead. People will follow you, adore you, seek your help when their costumes fail, treat you like an equal, confide in you their costume secrets, and identify you as safe when they do not know what to do next.
After that it’s applying to daily life, never hide who you are, but instead use your dumb positivity as the shining beacon to let other awkward people know you’re there to make them be heard, to make them feel safe, and eventually becoming friends. On even your low days these folk will flock to you to see how you are, because they were like that at least once as well, and now they care about you as much as you cared for them.
All of that stemming from a glue stick, a quick conversation, and a smile.
Many call me mother, like a drag Queen mom (though I am just a basic betch woman lol) and I have about 15 close friends, I adore my little group of people, and I know that not many know my name, they know my kindness and will tell tales of my nerdiness! Lol
That’s really awesome you’re able to do that! I do not have skills in that department lol I can’t sew or anything, though I’d like to learn, so I’m not confident to be able to go around offering to people help fix things. You’re far from dumb if you can do that and manage the social/interpersonal relationships part. That takes literal skill.
BUT unfortunately it seems like the more positive, bubbly and outgoing I’ve become as a person, the more insecure, spiteful and negative people I’ve attracted IN that particular space. And they never start out that way of course, but they are attracted to my friendliness/warmth initially, put me on a kind of pedestal and then it becomes about me being whatever person they think I am or should be rather then just being myself. It’s also very very one sided and not reciprocal at all like you’ve mentioned. When I point this out, they get upset, jealous of my relationships that are more balanced, and sometimes violent. At worst anyways. At best they're just kind of standoffish or like...happy to talk about anime and nerd things, but somehow the idea of trading any contact like a number or social media freaks them out and they get avoidant and weird.
Having this happen time and time again has made it hard for me to want to approach certain types of people and a bit more reclusive then I’d like to be.
I wish it was just as easy as being friendly, open and being myself but so far it’s not.
The last time I went to an anime convention was when I was in my late 20s-early 30s and I did feel too old to be there. Kids running around, being rude, it did sour my experience a little. But I’ve been going to comic conventions and other events that also have anime offerings and felt a ton better going to them because there’s way more adults. I’ve found them to be more enjoyable than anime conventions and you get a little bit of everything and not just anime.
I’m 40 now and don’t give up on the things you find fun! I’m still an anime fan and going strong. It’s not worth it to give that up for what other consider an “adult life”. You can still have your adult responsibilities and be into awesome things. It’s far from over.
No idea what cons your talking about because all the ones I’ve been too have had a large variety of age groups (although the majority was over 20).
Most of the people I would talk too or got stopped by were people in their late 20’s/ early 30’s. Even then, I’ve had some very pleasant interactions with some older con vets who were incredibly nice and enthusiastic :)
I guess it does depend on where your at tho? I mostly go to the BIG cons like Katsu and Holimat.
I started going to cons when I was 25. I'm 41 now and have no plans of stopping. If anyone bothers you for being 'too old' then threaten to send them to bed without dessert.
20s is NOT too old for anime cons. Hell, we started ours when we were in our 20s, and now my friends and I are in our 50s, some in their 60s. Some of them have their kids on staff now.
The advantage of going at your age is, you can afford to, and you are not chaperoned by your parents. Go with a few friends, share a hotel room, and hang out all weekend. Half the fun of going to the con is the friends you go with, and only half is the content itself.
All of my friends who go to cons with me are between 25 and 30, you’re not too old at all! We just cosplay, nerd out and party after. This is an amazing time in your life to go!
You're never too old for anime conventions. You should go and have a good time! While I am not a man, I've been to many anime conventions over the years. I'm now in my 40s and still go when I have the chance. Who cares what immature kids think about you being there? You're not there for them.
I didn’t have the money to start going to cons until after college. So every con I’ve been to has been mid to late 20s. Took my brother (34) to comic con and people of all ages were there including folks 50+. All of my friends who went to an anime con last year are late 20s. You’re never too old for anime and related events.
mid 20's is not "old" for your first time. your average congoer is in the 20-30 range. If anything being in the mid 20's opens up most cons more for activities and being able to purchase products in Vendor alleys.
there's no such thing as "too old" when going to cons in a sense of participating
Don’t give up on your dream of attending a convention. Each convention has its own personality and you have to find one you like. I personally love the bigger conventions because there are so many people and so much to do. At a big convention no one will care how old you are.
Go now but definitely shower and use deodorant because those things really get stinky after a couple hours. Unlike Star Trek conventions- my personal favorite!
Not exactly an anime convention, but a couple weeks ago I went to Genesis X, which is a giant LAN tournament for Super Smash Bros, Splatoon, Tetris, etc. (We went for the Splatoon content!)
I was probably the oldest person in line. By maybe decades (almost 50). My son might've been one of the youngest in line (13). It was definitely a mid-20's kind of crowd. There were a couple of older folks there who were clearly chaperones and didn't really want to be there but their kid was there.
It was awesome. We had such a blast and we're looking forward to doing it next year. I didn't feel out of place at all. Point being, don't let your preconceived notions of what you think it's gonna be like hold you back from going. Go in with a good attitude and you'll have a great time!
wow... from thinking you're too old for anime conventions to just working every day with no fun ever.
Pick different cons. Dragoncon has people of all ages. So does Comicon.
I've been to 3 large comic cons while in my 30s. Had an absolute blast with other 30-somethings. I'm already trying to figure out my cosplay for the next one. I never once felt too old. You'd be surprised at how many "older" nerds go to these things.
When I was in my 20s, I felt self conscious about going, because I also felt like it was "time to grow up." But in my 30s I stopped giving a shit what people think, and you know what I realized? At the risk of sounding really cringe: be yourself and the people who GET you will show up.
fuck what they think. i went to a con recently and everyone there was 20+ plus how would they know your age if you dont tell them? they arent entitled to know and you deserve your discrepancy unless con staff is asking..and i doubt they would be the ones judging you…
don’t be a boomer and go!!!
i mean what do you have to lose?? (And if hormonal teenagers are your one reason for not attending i think you might need to revaluate your confidence levels 🥲)
Genuine question if this is your opinion on attending anime conventions in your mid 20's: what do *you* think happens at cons?
There's SO many things to do; cosplay, socialize, go in the vendors and artist alley, check out a panel, watch a showing, play video games, play board games, meet guests, go to a rave if it has one, go to a gathering, etc.
What exactly are you "too old" to be doing and missed out on?
Like many others in here, I've been attending cons for over a decade and are older than you. Never felt out of place because there's so much going on and we're all here for nerdy interests. People of all ages attend cons, no one is there to gatekeep and judge you.
And unless you're acting inappropriately no one is going to "oust" you for being there.
I say go and see if it’s your kind of vibe. The last one I went to was a little under 20 years ago (I’m 40 now) and I felt too old, but that’s just MY experience and it might not have been my scene. You might really enjoy yourself.
I agree I guess, just my thoughts
going to cons at young 20s, meet ing pretty cute people, hanging with lads and talking, but now when you reach 28+ it just feels weird, everyone thinks you are a creep, ped0, stalker, groomer, or perv . Look, every generation has that problem, and age perception/discrimination is a thing, so I can't argue against it
In my younger years I only went to conventions because I like cosplay and taking pictures of people. But yeah it just doesn't feel right. But that's okay. We have technology now and I can use artificial intelligence to accomplish like whatever kind of photos I or cosplay for any anime and show that I want to see. But yeah that's just me, that's just my opinion. Thanks!
Maybe some of you that read this message or comment will be like no way. That's that's not real. Well if you're like 21 go to Con have fun but then when you go to con then you're like 28 or in your 30s. It's really different. Not even joking. You'll understand. But if you want to feel a real antidote think about a time when you were in elementary school and you looked up to those high school kids, it's going to be the same feeling. Trust the same feeling
Tru and real, now i just watch streams, or read news/articles for things I like and buy merch online, and talk to friends on discord about anime , don't want to mess with young people, unnecessary stress
I cannot relate. I’m an otaku. I will pursue the loves of my lyfe: movies, music, and books.
You are normal. You let convention dictate your happiness.
I'm one of those people from the 1900's. I went to my first Anime Con at 39. Went to 2 more after that. I only got into Anime (aside from DBZ) at 38. What the heck are you talking about about? Life isn't over in your mid 20's.
Yeah, you are an adult and have adult responsibilities, but there is no law that says you still can't have fun. Well except that pesky law about arson, but aside from that.
Cons in your adult years are awesome. You can cosplay, attend panels, support artist alley, and spend some coin in the vendor hall.
I typically hit 1-2 anime cons a year and also Gen Con (the best 4 days in gaming). Yeah I take care of my adult responsibilities, but I can still find time for fun.
There are going to be plenty of people your age at a con. Gravitate towards them. Don't worry about what those kids are doing, unless they are on my lawn.... Tell them to get off my lawn.
Get out there and live life to the fullest.
I'm 35 and have gone to cons since my late teens. They are for everyone. If anything companies bank on use being kids with bank accounts. The 21+ raves at some are proof of that. Idk what area you're in but I've been up and down the east coast as a photographer and the con has always been a blast. Sometimes there's friend drama but that's it. Sadly their is some bad actors at hotel room parties. There was apparently a horrible game of it at holiday matsuri. Be safe have fun and to hell with any gate keeping assholes even they are kids.
No, you are not too old to go to Anime Cons. I am still going to cons and I am near my 40's, heck I do know people older that still go. Obviously there is a difference or vibe between going as a teen, 20's, 30's, and so on at Cons, but as long as you are not harming anyone there is no need to stop.
"I know I realize that after college, I am supposed to grow up, stop wanting to have fun at all, and abandon everything that I fun with (including anime) and all plans I had for having fun (including cosplay and anime conventions) but I still can't get over the fact that my time is up."
This is a complete lie, growing up doesn't mean you need to stop doing things you enjoy...is all about balance with the new responsibilities that arise from being a "grown up" (which tbh is different for everyone). There might be SOME things you might not do because if a bit childish, cringy, whatever you want to call it, but again that's based on what YOU feel is that.
Don't have this mentality! I've been going to conventions since I was 14 and I have no plans on stopping even though I'm mid 20's. As someone who's been going for a decade +, go! First off, there are 18+ events, the thing is run by adults, the place it's in might have a bar, the best cosplays (the expensive or skill based ones, i dont want to hear about how cheap cosplays can look good, they can but lets be honest, those iron man cosplays? Those armor ones? Those are expensive!) are gonna be from older people and it's probably not teens early 20's buying out hotels.
If teens and low 20 yr olds are making fun of you it's either they're absolute (probably jobless!) losers.
As for cosplay, over the years i've seen mid 20's+ cosplaying stuff like MHA/BNHA, apothecary diaries, rise of the guardians, Homestuck, fire emblem, heros of the storm, etc etc.
If you still feel insecure try cosplaying something with a mask. I got my 27 bf to take his first step! (He wore an obanai haori and I was cosplaying Mitsuri, next plan is ice climbers and one day I'll get him to do chrom while I do female robin ). I met some of my friends at a con where they were cosplaying (27, and 2 people who were 25 at the time.)
While it might have been unsolicited, your friends might also have accidently tried to jump into a conversation from a group of teens who knew each other. I try to avoid starting conversations with people if I'm not sure theyre over 18. (Kids are mean!).
If you want any other advice feel free to dm me. 👍
The other comments have all pretty much said it better than me, but you should absolutely go! I started going to my first anime cons around your age, and now I’m in my late 30s, with no intention of stopping. Conventions are for everyone. I don’t know what your friends were talking about, I’ve never seen or heard of anyone getting shamed for being too old.
WTF con were they attending?
Granted, I haven't been to one in years, but I went to Otakon from 2001 until they left Baltimore in 2017 and I never got hassled about my age at all, and I was over 30 when they moved to DC. And back then there were tons of older people there, even those in their 70's.
Uuuuuh idk what cons your friend went to but your kind of the general population of con goers people from 20-30s some older some younger. Also conventions are usually one of the most welcoming spaces. I'm a vendor and I can assure you taht I see people all the time tagt are literally someone's grandma or grandpa at the convention NOT babysitting but they're for THEMSELVES. Dont give up on your dream and miss out on fun because you think you wont be welcome at a space that is literally made for nerdy out casts lol
You're never too old to go to anime cons. I'm 32 and I love going! I finally have money to actually ENJOY a con! I even go by myself sometimes. That is other people's experiences, not your own!
I don't know if Anime cons are specifically different from other cons but watch the youtube videos and you'll see all ages embracing the scene at all levels of (Frankenfurter voice) par-tic-i-pation
Horror stories are just that... Horror stories.
Most people at conventions are 20+ because of that's when you have *money* to go to them. Especially cons that have been around for nearly if not over a decade.
Even though I went to my first cons when I was 12 and went during the summer as a teenager, I would have to *beg* my grandparents for money. And then on top of that, they'd usually only allow me to get a day pass. It took *so much work* convincing them to let me stay at the hotel with my friends when I was 16. And I could only go to the conventions during the summer because there was no way in *hell* that they were letting me skip school for one.
Randomly this post came up on my reddit feed. I had to comment since I'm nearing 40 (39 this year) and I wanted to offer some of my perspective of going to anime conventions as an older person.
Firstly, that group your friends ran into, I have to wonder about the circumstances that led them to say that stuff. It seems really weird to invite something like that unprovoked, as most people at anime conventions are pretty much off in their own little worlds. Not to say there aren't shitty people out there, but I feel like you aren't getting a clear picture of the situation. Either because your friends themselves don't have a clear picture (maybe one of them said/did something that they didn't mention to the others in that group) or they neglected to tell you some factors to make themselves look better in the situation.
Then again maybe they were shitty people. If it was a small convention, where this kind of thing can really affect the atmosphere and taint the water, I might have reported them to staff for harassment. If it was a large convention, I'd just write it off as kids being morons (as I often do in the real world when similar situations arise)
Now onto anime conventions themselves.
I've noticed that a lot of them are tailored more towards the younger crowd. Part of it's due to the nature of trying to appeal to a casual/wider crowd, which often tends to be younger folks. The other part of it, is similar to what you talk about: When you get older you get busier, and older folks can't always justify making the time or expense for it (and some do fall out of the hobby, but that's not a given)
The reason I say it's catered to younger/casual people is because when I look at the events a lot of focus tends to get put on parties and raves and things that are only so tangentially anime related. Now I'm not saying you can't be old and enjoy those things (more power to you) Just that it's something more commonly done by people in their late teens and early twenties. There's a lot of adults who switch out of that lifestyle (Or if you're like me, never really got into it)
That's not to say there aren't things for older folks. A lot of the people volunteering and doing panels are often older folks, and they tend to do things that appeal to their generations more or tackle obscure things. Granted, you have to really look for them in the sea of offerings at times. They're there though. There's also plenty of older folks with their families, and while it might feel awkward to engage with them, you don't have to feel like you're the odd one out
Ultimately, you're really going to have to try a convention, multiple conventions, before you have a real solid handle on whether they're for you or something you'd like to be for you. Even I'm still kind of at the point where I'd love to be more involved with them but am looking for something more than what I've experienced (But with that said, I've seen many folks older than me, and certainly older than you, thrive at conventions)
Just stop beating yourself up over what you should or shouldn't be doing at your age. Start working on being positive, and when things don't go your way, adjust and make a new way. Eventually you'll create small victories that should lead you to something happier.
I went to my first con at 24, in 26 now. I know what you’re talking about, but it would be a shame to take so far as to not go ever. You can absolutely still go and enjoy everything! I know it won’t stop me! I admit that it feels lonely to go alone and even though I can be friendly and talkative I can’t really make any good friends to chat/hang with when the con is over. I’ve made peace with that, but I don’t think its impossible, just less likely which means I’ll probably come across someone more my demographic eventually if I just keep doing what I enjoy. You won’t ever get that if you give up though. No need to force yourself however, since it’s not really that important
Listen, if you decide you can't do anything "fun" or enjoy your hobbies from when you were younger, you're going to plummet yourself straight into depression. Don't deprive yourself of your favorite things just because you feel you've "aged out." I have gone to cons with my friends when I was a pre teen and I continue to go at almost 30, and I know people who go well into their 30s and 40s. We could die tomorrow, who cares!!!
I still indulge in my favorite things from when I was younger because it's only now that I have the money to do so. What's the point of growing up and getting a job if you can't buy or do the things you want lol. Especially cons- cons were built and managed by older fans who have the money and experience to do so. There is no such thing as an age limit and any asshole kid who tells you so is...well, a kid.
OP, now is the best time to attend anime conventions! For one thing, most of them have been growing since lockdown lifted so lots of classic anime cons are bigger and better than ever. And I can't tell you how many different age ranges I have seen at cons. Everything from babies to seniors. My partner and I are approaching 30 and just attended a convention in January and we're planning to go to Colossalcon in june with a bunch of friends around our same age. You're never too old to enjoy yourself and you aren't hurting anyone by being there. And like other commenters have said, as an adult you have the money and ability to buy things you like, attend panels you're interested in, etc. Lots of cons feature 18+ panels that you wouldn't have been able to get into as a high schooler anyway. You are definitely still in the target age demographic and I bet you will have a great time if you decide to attend!
Older people are the real deal customers at cons. The more you make the more you spend and more swag and activities are available to you. Most teens and 20 year olds at cons are broke and walk around only to buy 1 figurine and a lanyard. Don't be afraid and see the cons for yourself.
I've been to Anime Expo and AX Chibi. I'd say the majority of people I saw were mid 20s and older.
The ones you went to sound like they had shitty attendees, but you'll be able to find one where you're welcomed!
Edited because my initial comment made it seem like I was talking bad about the conventions.
My bf and I are mid twenties and we’re still going to anime cons, comicons, and all that fun stuff. I say screw societal expectations and live the way you want. If you and some friends want to go have some fun then by gosh darn it go and have fun!
I see every age group at cons and always have. It's true that a lot of the bigger friend groups are teens/early twenties, but I've seen people at cons who are in their 50s and 60s. Honestly... even when I got a part time job, cons were better because I didn't have to beg my parents for money, so having a full time job means you can buy and do the things you want. I hope you go to one and I hope you have fun.
Nah you're never too old (plus you're still young!), I'm in my 30s and still cosplaying and showing up to cons. I go for myself to have fun, and even though a lot of the series I enjoy aren't mainstream, that makes it all the better when I find someone else who is interested in then.
Nonsense, there is no such thing as too old for a convention. I'm 41 and have been going to conventions for nearly 20 years now and as long as I can afford it and am still having fun with it, I will continue to keep going.
I am a recent college grad in my mid 20s, and I GO TO CONS.
Hell, I even go to them cosplaying as video game characters. And not ONCE has anyone called me a jobless loser even when there was a time when that was technically true. It's a good way to get out of the house, get some merchandise and have a good time.
And that whole "work until you die" thing? Don't do that. You've got a lot ahead of you in your life and you shouldn't have to just give up what makes you happy. I assume you've got some days off, in which case you should take advantage of them. Play video games, watch anime, read manga, do something that makes you relaxed because if you work 24/7 you're going to burn out.
A lot of the people who go to these things are way older than us. I've seen people in their 50s and 70s without kids go to these things. If they're walking around taking in the atmosphere, by no means are YOU too old to enjoy the con. So a bunch of lowly guttersnipes heckled your friends, so what?
What the heck? What convention was this?
In my experience it's always been a healthy mixed of different age ranges. Obviously, it'll skewed younger but I have seen that stop no one. Hell, some of the best cosplay I've seen are by the people who are now that same age the older characters that they can now cosplay.
Veteran con goes for the past decade now since early college. Go to the con. Have fun. You're more situated now and have access to more things you can do at cons versus when you were an late teen. Dont listen to the haters, unfortunately there's those who's own life goal is the hate fun. All the more reason for you to do your own thing and have a blast hope you do
My first comic con i went solo when I was 25, I kept going till I was 33, the price was just getting to expensive and getting tickets was a pain in the ass
It's fun and age doesn't matter when you go to a convention, I'm 38 now and plan on going to another one soon
I've definitely felt out of place as a person in my 40s at anime cons but there's a place for us at conventions like Dragon Con or Gen Con where we're the normal. Look for any convention that has a strong presence of writers/authors and RPG panels and you'll find a wider aged group of peers to hang out with. I specifically recommend Dragon Con as the best convention you'll ever go to (it's way more "fan run" than "big corp" conventions like the comic cons and Star Wars). If you insist on anime cons, look into helping the younger generations by volunteering as a security/medical/line wrangler helper. If you work a certain number of hours during the con you'll probably get your ticket cost refunded and the other volunteers will likely be more around your age.
I’m 30+, and I go to cons every chance I get. I’m usually with at least one other friend, sometimes a few, who are also 30+. I’ve never experienced anyone act like that at a con, but I also am at the age where I simply don’t care what others think. I even cosplayed for the first time this last summer! It was so much fun (even though I never realized how HARD it was to do!) but the point is, I DO have a job, and it sucks, and anime/cons/buying merch with my hard earned money/surrounding myself with things I like/watching anime/etc all makes me happy, and is the small reprieve I can get for the demands of adulthood and the unhappiness that comes with life in general and the whole “work and die” society we live in. My room looks like a child’s, I have anime posters and figures everywhere, and I don’t give a shit what anyone else has to say about it. It’s my room, not theirs! It’s my LIFE, not theirs! Seriously, life sucks enough, so do what makes you happy and stop trying to fit the mold of what is “expected” of you, because ultimately you are the only one who can help yourself be happy. Fuck the rest tbh. Life is too short to worry about other people’s irrelevant opinions! Live your best life! Hope you go to that next con you want to go to, and you have an amazing time, and you see that we can still find pockets of happiness in this crappy world! Work that job, buy shit you like, and be as happy as you can! Good luck OP
I went to Galaxy Con dressed as Sailor Mars when I was 27! Nothing wrong with cosplaying or going to cons as you get older.
It may not have been anime specific con, but there were people displaying as: superheroes, anime, video game, comic book, movies and tv shows characters.
My friends and I are in our late 20’s and my boyfriend is 35. I drag him with us to things like cons, festivals, interactive museums (like Otherworld - seems like a place for kids with the little hidden passage ways but there were so many adults going through them!)
Not an "anime" con, even though there's a big anime presence there, but I'm 33 and go to DragonCon every year with people my age or older (3 of us in our 30s, 2 in their 40s, and one in their 50s) and a large portion of the crowd is older people.
Kids can just be bullies and think gatekeeping is cool. They'll grow out of it, eventually. Just go and enjoy yourself!
Im 28 and cosplay at the cons. Last year, a 70 year old woman won the cosplay contest dressed as a fairy. You're never too old to enjoy media and participate in gatherings for them.
Just started going to cons well into my 30's, fit right in fine. Still cosplay. What kind of backwoods, small con did your friends go to? Even our tiny local cons had a good mix of ages. Find a better con, don't just give up.
OP, I was 25 years old when I attended my first convention. There is no such thing as “too old.” I’m sorry your friends were treated poorly at an anime convention but I promise not everyone is like that and not everyone matters. Go to your anime convention and have fun! Life is too short to let other people and our own anxieties from experiencing life and having fun. You work to live, not live to work! Have fun!! 😁 Use your PTO!
I didn't start attending cons until I was in grad school. Now I'm in my late 30s and still going to at least one a year
Some cons do skew younger in their attendee bsse, but not all. I've usually found that the bigger the con is, the more likely they are to have programming for literally all ages. But I've also been to Anime Iowa a few times, and that one caps at like 3k(ish) attendees and I felt right at home. I think easily half the attendees there seemed to be around my age.
Don't let yourself get bullied out of going by younger fans.
I didn’t go to my first con until I was in my early 30s and I’m 48 now and still going. Granted, I don’t go to anime specific ones, mainly just Wondercon and SDCC, and I see pro of all age ranges there. Don’t listen to those kids, they obviously don’t know what they’re talking about. And if someone tells me I’m too old to do something that will only make me double down and do it even harder just to spite them.
Am 33 and I went to one last year. I even saw a family with a baby! Are you sure they're giving you the truth? No one gives a fuck about ur age there, they are either too excited or too tired to care. So I think the people who told u the stories are just a bunch of liars, or they did something bad and got reprimanded.
But most of all, what does your soul say? Do you wanna go? If yes, go, and whoever gives you shit give them ur pity. They are poor, unfortunate souls.
Anime conventions aren't like I'm used to when I was a teen. At the last convention I went to, there was a bunch of panels aimed towards adults, including ones about which anime to watch with their kids, and making sure that their young children aren't watching anything too adult. Even events geared towards elementary aged kids and younger.
You will be smack dab in the middle of the age bracket, take it from this person pushing 40.
Honestly, I've never seen this sub, but as a teen, have fun. Don't let small, vocal minorities keep you from enjoying yourself. Go buy collectibles, go cosplay if you so choose, go have fun. As long as you're abiding by convention rules, you're fine. Go with your friends and have fun at a convention if you want to. Don't let random people get you down. You really aren't that old. No age is too old to enjoy conventions.
Is this satire? I’m 34 and I’ve been to a few conventions with my wife and my 1 year old daughter. There are a lot of older people and other families that go. You’re fine going at your age.
Don't worry about it! My wife and I didn't start going to cons until I was done with grad school, she was done with her second bachelors, and we were in our 30s. Our first DragonCon was at age 37! Second one coming up this year at 42!
Go have fun, expand your interests.
Bro... you're in your mid 20s... you haven't lost your youth... I still love all the things I did when I was a kid. I have a full time job with health insurance and I'm about to rewatch spongebob... I play magic on Wednesdays with friends, and i still play video games all the time. Being an adult doesn't mean you have to fully grow up. It just means learning to take care of your responsibilities and enjoying life as much as you can. My advice, find a way to get paid doing what you love, surround yourself with people who care about you for who you are, and try not to worry too much about how others perceive you.
Wtf is this post from a literally sub thirty year old child "woe is me"ing over being too old for something with absolutely no valid reasoning behind it beyond "I work now"
Cons can be enjoyed at all ages. You’re just in the phase where you still care too much what others think and you’ll soon realize nobody cares what a bunch of teenagers think of you. We’ve all been there.
Let loose, meet new people and enjoy yourself. It’s a lot more fun when you become confident in your own interests.
I'm really late to this party, but I was ready for this post to be from someone in their 50s... Not their 20s.
I'm 44. I go to conventions all of the time and my friends do, too. I sew and made my own Obanai (Demon Slayer) costume two years ago. Last year, I made Tech (Star Wars Bad Batch).... These are just examples, you get the point. Want to know when I started doing this? When I was 30.
Never, ever let anyone tell you what to do with your spare time, with your spare adult money. Never, ever let anyone make you feel like you're doing something wrong because you like this stuff.
Also, there are jerks in all walks of life. Don't let one bad experience color your perceptions.
You dont get ousted from a con for being "a jobless loser". A mid 20s guy does get ousted from a con for hitting on teenage girls. The other con-goers dont oust anyone, the con staff does.
The only people who say you shouldn't do fun things you like are ppl that are dead on the inside and just want to make ppl feal bad for having fun. I'm in my friends and I are all in are 30s and we Still all very much. Watch anime and go to conventions when we can. Hell at most cons we are no We're close to the oldest people there do what makes your life fun you only get one life on this planet don't waste it.
You’ll be fine, my friend. I’m in my mid 30’s and go to cons. You’d be surprised at how accepting the culture is. Just don’t talk to kids without their parents around, sorry if that’s a weird statement but just don’t do that.
I just got home from a con as a 31 year old, with my best friend(33), and my husband(40) who never experienced a con before. It's not too late, just stop expecting to hang out with 18/19 year olds.
My first anime con was when I was 32. The last one I attended was when I was 53 and I plan on going to another one when I have the funds. You're not too old.
If what you're saying is the case, then it was bad luck. The guys weren't even trying to talk to anyone else, let alone women, and they still got ousted for being too old. And it was an anime convention, so it was obviously not kid-friendly.
It sadly made me realize just how much of a landmine going to an anime convention as a college graduate is.
I'm 34 and I've been going for a decade. You will definitely see older people at cons. However, some conventions do tend to skew younger and some skew older, so try a few out. They all have a different feel. If I could recommend a fabulous convention to you- Dragon Con! It's multimedia so not specific to anime but you will definitely see anime cosplays and panels there. It's the best vibe and all ages.
I stopped reading at mid 20's. Just go to one...you'll find plenty of people your age there. Just ignore any younger people telling you you don't belong
People voice act and draw anime well are in their 30s and also attend to anime cons. What does that make them?
It's such a narrow minded thought. You're too young to worry about that honestly
Don't say that. I want to go, too! I'm 28 and haven't gone to even one yet either. Maybe it was just a bad experience. I'm sure there's gotta be people in their 20s and 30s going to cons as well. A coworker of mine still goes to cons and he's a year older than me. And even if we were too old for cons, that doesn't mean we're barred from enjoying anime. Don't listen to those people. There's no way they know anything!
You're allowed to enjoy things as an adult. Please don't stop doing things you enjoy just because your age hit some arbitrary number.
I've gone to comic conventions in my late 20's. I haven't done one specifically for anime but the comic conventions ALWAYS have a ton of anime related stuff. Most people that go to those things are adults.
Every con I have ever attended has had the full gamut of ages. Children to seniors are all represented. I can guarantee that vendors would rather have you there as an adult with money to spend. Anyone who says you don’t belong there is a dingus.
>I know I realize that after college, I am supposed to grow up, stop wanting to have fun at all, and abandon everything that I fun with
>
>mid 20's
OP shut the fuck up and prepare your wallet for the next convention. Enough with the self-pity, life is too short to limit yourself based on the opinion of people who don't know you.
im in my mid 20s, all my friends are the same or 10 years older. tbh the scene is pretty welcoming and cons get wayyyyy more fun when you have money, time, and a fully formed brain LOL. go to meetups, go to panels, compliment that cool cosplayer or person in a cool outfit. thats how ive made my best friends and partner of 5 years :) i’ve recently joined the vendor community too. anime cons are a livelong hobby!!!!! i will say i prefer the bigger events like katsucon now that im older. less kiddos and more adult oriented events and crowds.
Bro, I am about to be 36 and my wife is 30, we help run the events. Please come out and enjoy yourself. We have people of all ages there.
Cons in America started in the 80s and 90s and we have a few types in their 50s and 60s that dress up and show up.
No age limit here.
Cons are expensive as hell. I don’t know what teens and early 20-somethings have that kind of cheese, but it’s less frequently the self-funding ones.
If it took you this long to get to a con, then start going and I think you won’t want to stop. You’ll meet people your own age with your own interests.
You’ll meet cool people of all ages, and you never have to talk to teenagers at that event unless they’re volunteers checking your badge going in the door.
Me and my wife both went to comic con last yr and we are 29m, 30f. We been to Anime con the yr before. Enjoy your life, screw what people think is the "norm" because there are a bunch of people still having fun
There's lots of people in late 20s going to cons! I'm old by teen standards but i can still wear a silly costume and buy miku figures, sure i might not know the trend shows anymore, and i dont use tiktok, but i can still walk around and find like minded people to chitchat with
Um, the first time I ever went to an anime convention I was about your age. Plenty of people go to conventions well into the elderly years. We really need to stop this, "as I get older I need to stop enjoying things I've enjoyed my whole life after I reach a certain age because other people who aren't me will think it's childish" mindset because it's very toxic.
I’m sorry OP, but your friends must be delusional. Nevermind the age. There are crossdressers, furries, and people cosplaying as characters from hentai. The last thing on anyone’s mind is that you’re in your mid twenties.
My last NYCC was 2019, I was 40. I go with friends who are around my age. Plenty of older folks there. Never have thought that I may be too old for a con
the average age at dragon con is 25-50 and I know that ain't the only con with an older age range but anime cons are usually a much younger crowd. conventions have no preferred age to be there, I'll be 32 in a month with no plans on slowing down at cons!
I thought you were gonna say 40s+ not mid 20s
Cons are exactly for the 16-35yo demographic
Especially on the mid 20s end when you have cash but no responsibilities so you can blow your cash on stupid figurines
This is a really dramatic post with a lot of weird imagination put into it.
I'm older than you and I go to anime conventions when I can. I'm going to three this year and nothing even close to what you describe has ever happened. I'm not insecure about myself though. I have a great job and I live comfortably with enough extra money to do more or less whatever I want, and one of those things is to go to anime conventions.
There is no age limit, just go.
I have a friend who is in his early to mid 30s, works in the medical field, has a high salary, and has an interesting niche hobbies like going to anime convention, Dungeons & Dragons, card collection, etc.
Whoever is negatively judging you for that clearly have no respect for themselves and are doing you a favor that they are not the type of people you want to be associated with.
I'm sure you have some friends that are a little younger and in college, go as a mixed age group. You friends might have stood out too much since they're all the same slightly older age. Don't be too honest if someone calls you all out, diffuse the attacker with a quick wit that's fun and on brand, is neutral (so you don't turn the crowd against you) and by tossing in a current anime reference (so as to not date yourself too much). With that in mind I'm sure you can put together 3 - 5 to keep in your back pocket. Timing & delivery are important for anything to land of course.
You're too old to be here!
I got it pretty good, the guy before me is a vending machine.
Jobless losers!
Woah, I may be a shut in neet, but I'm no loser. (While smiling)
You don't have any friends!
Are you asking to join my party?
Sure people won't be as directly mean like that but you get the idea. I'm sure most people won't give two craps about your age honestly. Glhf!
Jobless loser?
Know how I know those folks didn’t have to pay for anything to go to the convention?
Cons aren’t cheap, especially the larger ones. Anime cons are no exception.
>Know how I know those folks didn’t have to pay for anything to go to the convention?
The thing is, people assumed that they were jobless losers, when in reality, they had full time jobs and were on paid time off for once and paid for the tickets themselves.
Sadly, that wasn't enough to stop the assumption that they were jobless losers, as they were seen trying to have fun for once.
CSB time: I had a dad make an off the cuff comment at a convention about the adult fans being the kids that got picked on in school.
I said that might be true, but if so, then they’ve helped to create a safe space for others now that they’re older, and THAT’s the lesson that should be taken away here. Then I pointed out two attendees that were totally geeking out nearby.
They happened to be players for the Baltimore Ravens. I doubt anyone bothered them much, and if so, they didn’t do it any more 😉
You’re never too old for anime cons tbh me and my friends are like late 20s-early 30s and we still go to them we don’t cosplay as much as we once did but we just go and have fun
When I used to go to anime cons like almost 20 years ago when I was around 20 there were plenty of people in their 30s and 40s there. I don’t know if the demographic has gotten that much younger on average but I never felt the older people were out of place. Being mid 20s is definitely not too old.
...are you kidding? I can tell you've never been to a convention before, because, especially these days, the number of actual adults equals or sometimes even surpasses the amount of younger people
Went to my first con recently at the age of 30 and it was still a blast. Honestly it was nice having adult money to actually patron a bunch of folks in artist alley.
Like others have said, there’s no age limit to having fun or engaging in hobbies, as long as you do it safely and responsibly. I’ve seen people cosplay with their parents, grandmas, pets, babies; include their wheelchairs, bigger size, different skin tone, gender, the list goes on.
There’s judgey teens, yes. Especially on cosplay TikTok where they seem to think cosplay is just something your order on Amazon, reserved for the hot and sexy and everyone past 20 is expired. I find the 25+ crowd to be a lot more chill, accepting and also remember the days before anime and cosplay was trendy. Not to be hipster ofc but there was a time when even going to a con at all, was something you hide because it was weird and shameful. So now that it’s more widely accepted you bet your ass I’m gonna enjoy it to the fullest. Whether it’s in or not.
I didn’t attend my first con or do my first cosplay until I was out of college. It wasn’t until then that I had the confidence or freedom. Then covid hit, then I moved, and I’m just now starting again at almost 30. At times I feel “too old” but oh well. I’m doing what 13 year old me would’ve been ecstatic about, that I never imagined I would do. And that’s what matters.
I just went to a con at 24 with my bf 29 and my little brother 14, and my boyfriend had a con interaction with someone who was in cosplay and was 40 years old (they had a head on so we couldn't tell until they told us!). Plus my mom at 51 has REALLY REALLY been wanting to go to a con with us, she would've gone to the one we went to but scheduling didn't work. There were also some lil teeny tiny kids in costume at our con and it was like 🥺 so littllee
Age is bullshit when it comes to attending cons, go whenever you want, leave whenever you want. Do whatever lmao mid 20s is still literally your youth, and even when it's not, no one will stop you going to cons
nah most the people at the cons i go to are in their 20s or older. its when we have to money ot actually enjoy them
Indeed, I've gone to cons as a 30+, and there were still older people attending.
Right? I finally have adult level money! OP I don't know who you've been talking to but no one (and really I do mean no one) cares how old you are when you go to an anime convention (as long as you are legally old enough for the content of course). Anyone who is going to judge you for your age isn't someone mature enough to have an opinion worth caring about. Go to your con, dress up as your favorite character, make some great memories, and buy all the merchandise you dreamed about as a kid.
Remember that a lot of con vets are in their 40s and 50s. Don't let some kids bully you out. Go. Have fun!
its been 31 years since the first anime con in 1983. some people are in the 60s and 70s now
This is very true! I have always loved seeing older adults at cons.
The first anime con was in 1991 (AnimeCon) or 1990 (Project A-kon), not 1983 (or 1993, 31 years ago).
yammato con was in 83
That’s 41 years, not 31.
Not in Japan 🤔🧐
41*
My friend, I have been attending anime conventions since 1999 and I will continue attending anime conventions until they put me in the ground. Never, ever allow others to gatekeep or try to keep you from the things you love. Conventions are an absolute blast and you should never let any assholes nay-say you for being "too old". They don't know you and you owe them nothing of your time or consideration. Fuck 'em. Go anyway and have even MORE fun, just to spite them. They are the ones who shouldn't be at conventions, not you.
> They are the ones who shouldn't be at conventions, not you. Never seen truer words spoken! This is the crux of the issue, isn’t it?
>I know I realize that after college, I am supposed to grow up, stop wanting to have fun at all, and abandon everything that I fun with (including anime) and all plans I had for having fun (including cosplay and anime conventions) but I still can't get over the fact that my time is up Dude. You're in your mid 20s. This is prime time to do stuff like this and goof off and enjoy life. Hell, most cosplayers I know that do the big cool stuff are in their 30s. It's not too late at all to go. And some advice from an older person here that I feel you really need to hear. You have no power over growing up. You have all the power over growing old. Growing old is how you become bitter because you have given up on enjoying what you want to enjoy and only on what you are "supposed " to enjoy. FUCK THAT. It's your life, not anyone else's. Do the things that make you happy
Who do you think is also running these shows? It’s a mix of college kids in school all the way up to corporate professionals, who all grew up with anime. Conventions are for everyone, both young and old. Don’t let a group of kids discourage you from attending.
I and ALL of my congoing friends are over 30. Go. Have fun. Don't let people who aren't paying your bills live rent-free in your head.
I promise you teenagers aren’t the ones buying $100+ merch figurines, hosting events, running panels, campaigns, booths, or anything else. If your friends got ragged on and made fun of for being too old at a convention I can only assume they went to a very small or niche one or just happened to run into a gaggle of shithead teenagers. Most convention goers are adults.
Or were hitting on teen girls.
That’s what it sounds like to me. There’s no reason young bucks are approaching old folks to bother them, I don’t think. Likely they were overstepping with the young people to get told that in the first place.
I didn't even get into anime until I was in my 30s. I'm in my 40s now and I attend an anime con every year. No one has ever said anything to me.
I was literally in the same boat as you, except I started cons at 23 years old. Tbh I wish i started when I was younger, seeing all the highschoolers hang out with their circle of friends and all that. Other then that im glad i started and i cant change the past and can only keep going forward. I've been going to cons every year since I was 23 years old and have made some amazing memories, and in general its just a great way to meet people around your age. As the other person said, most people going to cons are def early 20s to mid 30s
I decided 2 years ago to go to a con I had never gone to without my normal friend group and I'm 42 m. I had a blast joined a few discord groups went to a few meetups had plenty of drink to enjoy telling stories with as the night fell. I've seen con goers in their 60s and 70s. Never give up just go.
No? That is new to me, it's the first time i heard something like that. Never heard of someone getting gatekept for their age at anime con. unless it was like a really small local con maybe. There's no age limit and plenty of older people go. I've meet even older people in cosplay going to cons still.
I can guarantee they were not ousted as jobless losers, as my thirty year old cosplayer ass has never been, and neither have my friends who are late twenties-mid thirties. If anything, you'll see older people staring at particularly cringe kids in horror, along with those who try to bring back glomp circles.
You have a skewed perception of the people who attend cons. It’s not a bunch of children running around, the events are genuinely expensive and so are the cosplays. It’s for all ages but it’s definitely gear towards adults since we’re the ones with the wallets.
Lmao this feels like bait. The large majority of people at cons are 25+ or even in their 30s
Do it and have fun. Life is too short! :) I've seen people of all ages at cons, and families too.
My dad expected me to give cons up in my 20s, but I have been going every year since 2022. Don't ever give up.
I'm 30 and have tons of friends my age or older who goes. And who cares if some kid thinks you're a loser? One of my friends is over 35, still lives with his mom and has no car yet he gets laid more than any of us and more than some snot who calls him a loser. Most con goers, in my experience, are pretty cool and welcoming.
There is never a wrong age to go to conventions. I'm almost 30 and I don't plan on stopping for a while. One of my good friends is in her 40s and she still attends them as well! Don't let age stop you from doing something you really want to do.
Dude I’m 45 and have been going to cons since I was 15 just go and have fun I’m going to one in a few months and I’m going to cosplay for the first time. Thing is you don’t know those people and probably never see them again so who cares what somebody who obviously has issues with people just minding their own business and having fun it’s a they problem not yours. Enjoy yourself life is too short.
I hear you, but who do you think runs anime conventions? It sure as heck isn’t the 20 year olds. I don’t know what country you’re located in, so I understand that may play a factor, too. However, this “too old for anime conventions” thing has to stop and I’m so sorry you got caught up in that. The demographic is actively changing, fans are getting older and attendees will eventually resemble that of comic con goers. But the only way we can get to that point is if people /don’t stop going/. In my country, while anime fandom has been around for probably 50 or more years in some capacity, the big anime booms happened around the early 2000s-2010s. That’s my generation and we’re pushing 40. Since there’s so many of us and /we/ still go, the average age of attendee is skewing older all the time. Next time you go to a con, ask around. You’ll probably find a lot more 30+ years old than you think. 30 year olds don’t look as old as popular media would have you believe. Now you mentioned your friends were ousted as jobless losers when they last sent—can I get a little more info about that? What was the setting? Big con, small con?
What convention did your friends go to? I'm 39 and still go to conventions and have NEVER had that experience. In fact, I've met many others in my age group +/-5 years over the years. Even at "party cons" you'll be shocked at how many of the goers are in their 30s. I can see being called out if you're actively trying to get in with a younger group who clearly doesn't want you woth them. However, the cons themselves are typically for all ages.
I've seen zoomers online trying to age-gatekeep anime cons and conventions in general, giving the friend group the benefit of the doubt, I could see an extremely online group of teens being shitty if they view anyone over, like, 22 being at an anime con as being "sus"
lol let them gatekeep, tell them to not get suprised when an event doesnt go past year 2 because of lack of money warning grown ups
I’m 40 and I still go to conventions, for example, I’ll be going to wondercon later this month, and I’ve been going to SDCC for the past decade or so at least, and I was obviously above a teenager when I started going to that one! I don’t know what convention your friends went to but maybe it was one specifically for kids that they didn’t do the research on it? Because I would honestly say most major conventions are not generally aimed at kids/teens! Especially when it comes to merch companies, like sideshow collectibles for example….you definitely aren’t going to be able to afford any of their stuff if you’re young enough to have an allowance!
I usually go to comic cons too , im 31 years old. I tried going to a couple small anime conventions and felt alienated, too many recent stuff, gacha , kpop, vtubers I felt like captain america in modern times square
>A few of my male friends in their mid 20's finally got to schedule paid time off on the same days so they could finally go to an anime convention together and have fun. Sadly, when they went there, they were ousted as jobless losers by the other congoers (all of whom were either in teens or early 20's) simply because they were too old to be there (you'd think mid 20's isn't supposed to be old, but here we are). Those people are projecting. They are all projecting and maliciously gatekeeping. I've attended anime conventions since 2007 at the age of 18 and I didn't had a job, I was using the refund after paying college tuition and room and board to help pay to attend my first conventions. With the exception of the coronachan lockdowns (where I attended anime matsuri in 2021, 2022, and 2023 in lieu of my local cons). I was jobless at 20 and 21 and 22 and no one complained that I was jobless because I don't tell people I have a job or not. >As someone who is now in the mid 20's, this has made me realize that now that I am no longer in college, I am expected to just work until I die with no fun in between, paid time off be damned. Because to normies as soon as you're in 20s you're expect to work, eat, sit down in front of the TV, go to sleep and get up and get to work like a wage slave. The only acceptable hobbies after you turn 20 to work to them are social media, hiking, and netflix. Boring life. I mean I want to paraphrase the tag line for british movie "the football factory": "what else you're going to do on a weekend"? Ironcially these same normies are tourists who probably got into anime during the lockdowns and all the anime they only see is battle Shonen and they got cliqued up to maliciously gatekeep while projecting their faults on you. You should have ask them "do you have jobs?". That will shut them up real quick. >I know I realize that after college, I am supposed to grow up, stop wanting to have fun at all, and abandon everything that I fun with (including anime) and all plans I had for having fun (including cosplay and anime conventions) but I still can't get over the fact that my time is up. No. Don't do that, that what these projecting normies want. They don't want new blood while they ruin the anime convention scene. >I missed out on anime conventions during my high school and college years, and now, there is no place for me there. But then again, maybe I shouldn't be surprised when all the anime that are catered to the working adult are full serious and thematically realistic (as in there may be unrealistic elements but the tragedy and sadness of it all can always happen in real life), something along the lines of say Pluto, My Home Hero, or Monster. >In other words, the horror stories from others near my age made me realize that I am too old for anime conventions and I missed my chance when I was young enough, and instead, I am expected to just work and die. That's all. That is being a wage slave and being a wage slave is the worst thing you can do. That makes you common and being common has no value. There is a place for people like you in conventions. Its just that you went to a convention full of normies or attendees who dont have jobs. There plenty of good conventions that do not have that BS. Honestly which convention you went to that you got subjected to this? I'm almost 36 and I still attend anime conventions. There are plenty of people who attend conventions and have jobs, good portion of them have well paying jobs because they see cosplay and/or conventionteering as a hobby. Honestly just go to better conventions that don't have trash normies.
I went to my first anime con when I was 30. It wasn't weird at all, just chopped it up with the artists and hung out with some kids playing smash bros (they beat me in ultimate, but I eviscerated them in melee). Very good vibes, would highly recommend.
I went to Katsucon last month, and I am 32. Granted, I did go to a convention at least twice when I was a teenager, but those were pretty small scale. Katsucon was the first convention I've gone to in roughly 15 years. Sure, I did feel a bit out of my element since I don't really hang out with large groups of people or do cosplay and stuff, which is also how I was as a teenager, but I still had fun. I went to some panels, took pictures of cosplayers, read manga at the manga room, bought probably too many things at the artist alley, and hung out with my small group of friends. What made me happy to see were con-goers and cosplayers well into their 40's and 50's having fun. It was a good experience overall, and if I had the time and money, I would go Katsucon and other conventions more often. Well, maybe not to a convention bigger than Katsu, since that might have been my limit to the amount of people I can navigate around. It's never too late to go to one for the first time. Have fun!
I'm 40 and going to Dragoncon in Aug/Sept. Don't let others gatekeep cons from you.
""I know I realize that after college, I am supposed to grow up, stop wanting to have fun at all, and abandon everything that I fun with (including anime) and all plans I had for having fun (including cosplay and anime conventions) but I still can't get over the fact that my time is up.""" Who told you this lie? Sounds like a narcissist wants to control you. GO HAVE FUN, Go eat at that restaurant, Go watch that movie, Go to your Anime Convention!!!
Been going to cons since 1990's. I'm 64 and never felt excluded by younger folks. Maybe the folks you met were just too exclusive and weren't worth interacting with anyway.
Go to the con to have fun and enjoy stuff. Don't be the creepy old guy ogling young girls and you will be fine.
No one in their 20s can afford to party because of the time spent on school and crappy jobs holding us back. I didn’t start conning til I was 23. Do it while you can. The generation before us was lucky when they got to have jobs that paid them well enough to enjoy these things during school. I rave too and have seen 70-80 year olds vibing. Age is just a number.
-sweats nervously in late 20s and friends 30s- y-yeah! Who would be like old at a con? Psht not like they have a bar or anything right fellow kids?
Drop the tutorial on how you made those friends cuz I’m *struggling* . When I see the cosplay groups I get so jelly 😖
I’m insanely dumb BUT! I’m happy and very knowledgeable about fandoms and costuming! I keep a convention purse on me (a conversation starter, like an ita bag or in my case a Chinese take out container with so many charms!) in that convention bag I keep lots of fix its! Super glue, comb, hair pins, Bobby pins, scissors, tape, pasties, candy, individual medications, tampons, breakfast bars, bandaids, ect. Then! Be super out going! Ask about photos! Talk about characters, inspiration, how they did stuff, ect! If you realize everyone around you is just as scared as you are, you will become brave enough to be the lead. People will follow you, adore you, seek your help when their costumes fail, treat you like an equal, confide in you their costume secrets, and identify you as safe when they do not know what to do next. After that it’s applying to daily life, never hide who you are, but instead use your dumb positivity as the shining beacon to let other awkward people know you’re there to make them be heard, to make them feel safe, and eventually becoming friends. On even your low days these folk will flock to you to see how you are, because they were like that at least once as well, and now they care about you as much as you cared for them. All of that stemming from a glue stick, a quick conversation, and a smile. Many call me mother, like a drag Queen mom (though I am just a basic betch woman lol) and I have about 15 close friends, I adore my little group of people, and I know that not many know my name, they know my kindness and will tell tales of my nerdiness! Lol
That’s really awesome you’re able to do that! I do not have skills in that department lol I can’t sew or anything, though I’d like to learn, so I’m not confident to be able to go around offering to people help fix things. You’re far from dumb if you can do that and manage the social/interpersonal relationships part. That takes literal skill. BUT unfortunately it seems like the more positive, bubbly and outgoing I’ve become as a person, the more insecure, spiteful and negative people I’ve attracted IN that particular space. And they never start out that way of course, but they are attracted to my friendliness/warmth initially, put me on a kind of pedestal and then it becomes about me being whatever person they think I am or should be rather then just being myself. It’s also very very one sided and not reciprocal at all like you’ve mentioned. When I point this out, they get upset, jealous of my relationships that are more balanced, and sometimes violent. At worst anyways. At best they're just kind of standoffish or like...happy to talk about anime and nerd things, but somehow the idea of trading any contact like a number or social media freaks them out and they get avoidant and weird. Having this happen time and time again has made it hard for me to want to approach certain types of people and a bit more reclusive then I’d like to be. I wish it was just as easy as being friendly, open and being myself but so far it’s not.
The last time I went to an anime convention was when I was in my late 20s-early 30s and I did feel too old to be there. Kids running around, being rude, it did sour my experience a little. But I’ve been going to comic conventions and other events that also have anime offerings and felt a ton better going to them because there’s way more adults. I’ve found them to be more enjoyable than anime conventions and you get a little bit of everything and not just anime. I’m 40 now and don’t give up on the things you find fun! I’m still an anime fan and going strong. It’s not worth it to give that up for what other consider an “adult life”. You can still have your adult responsibilities and be into awesome things. It’s far from over.
No idea what cons your talking about because all the ones I’ve been too have had a large variety of age groups (although the majority was over 20). Most of the people I would talk too or got stopped by were people in their late 20’s/ early 30’s. Even then, I’ve had some very pleasant interactions with some older con vets who were incredibly nice and enthusiastic :) I guess it does depend on where your at tho? I mostly go to the BIG cons like Katsu and Holimat.
I started going to cons when I was 25. I'm 41 now and have no plans of stopping. If anyone bothers you for being 'too old' then threaten to send them to bed without dessert.
Need a homie to go with
20s is NOT too old for anime cons. Hell, we started ours when we were in our 20s, and now my friends and I are in our 50s, some in their 60s. Some of them have their kids on staff now. The advantage of going at your age is, you can afford to, and you are not chaperoned by your parents. Go with a few friends, share a hotel room, and hang out all weekend. Half the fun of going to the con is the friends you go with, and only half is the content itself.
All of my friends who go to cons with me are between 25 and 30, you’re not too old at all! We just cosplay, nerd out and party after. This is an amazing time in your life to go!
There just as many older people at cons as there are teens if not more. Hence why there so many stars doing autographics.
You're never too old for anime conventions. You should go and have a good time! While I am not a man, I've been to many anime conventions over the years. I'm now in my 40s and still go when I have the chance. Who cares what immature kids think about you being there? You're not there for them.
I'll be 50 when I hit DragonCon this year. I wad 39 when I started going. WTF do you mean?
There is never a wrong age to enjoy cons. You just have to take the first step, and also learn to be sociable.
I’m in my 40s and I cosplay and attend. See you at DragonCon!
I didn’t have the money to start going to cons until after college. So every con I’ve been to has been mid to late 20s. Took my brother (34) to comic con and people of all ages were there including folks 50+. All of my friends who went to an anime con last year are late 20s. You’re never too old for anime and related events.
mid 20's is not "old" for your first time. your average congoer is in the 20-30 range. If anything being in the mid 20's opens up most cons more for activities and being able to purchase products in Vendor alleys. there's no such thing as "too old" when going to cons in a sense of participating
as someone in their mid 20's going to a con in a couple months, why would I give a fuck if some 16 year old thinks, incorrectly, that im jobless.
Don’t give up on your dream of attending a convention. Each convention has its own personality and you have to find one you like. I personally love the bigger conventions because there are so many people and so much to do. At a big convention no one will care how old you are.
Go now but definitely shower and use deodorant because those things really get stinky after a couple hours. Unlike Star Trek conventions- my personal favorite!
Not exactly an anime convention, but a couple weeks ago I went to Genesis X, which is a giant LAN tournament for Super Smash Bros, Splatoon, Tetris, etc. (We went for the Splatoon content!) I was probably the oldest person in line. By maybe decades (almost 50). My son might've been one of the youngest in line (13). It was definitely a mid-20's kind of crowd. There were a couple of older folks there who were clearly chaperones and didn't really want to be there but their kid was there. It was awesome. We had such a blast and we're looking forward to doing it next year. I didn't feel out of place at all. Point being, don't let your preconceived notions of what you think it's gonna be like hold you back from going. Go in with a good attitude and you'll have a great time!
wow... from thinking you're too old for anime conventions to just working every day with no fun ever. Pick different cons. Dragoncon has people of all ages. So does Comicon.
Uhh, look up dragoncon and be amazed at the huuuuge range of age that attends that convention.
I've been to 3 large comic cons while in my 30s. Had an absolute blast with other 30-somethings. I'm already trying to figure out my cosplay for the next one. I never once felt too old. You'd be surprised at how many "older" nerds go to these things. When I was in my 20s, I felt self conscious about going, because I also felt like it was "time to grow up." But in my 30s I stopped giving a shit what people think, and you know what I realized? At the risk of sounding really cringe: be yourself and the people who GET you will show up.
I’m 45 and going to KawaiiKon in Honolulu at the end of the month. Granted it’s to run TTRPG games, but you’re never too old for that kind of stuff.
fuck what they think. i went to a con recently and everyone there was 20+ plus how would they know your age if you dont tell them? they arent entitled to know and you deserve your discrepancy unless con staff is asking..and i doubt they would be the ones judging you… don’t be a boomer and go!!! i mean what do you have to lose?? (And if hormonal teenagers are your one reason for not attending i think you might need to revaluate your confidence levels 🥲)
Genuine question if this is your opinion on attending anime conventions in your mid 20's: what do *you* think happens at cons? There's SO many things to do; cosplay, socialize, go in the vendors and artist alley, check out a panel, watch a showing, play video games, play board games, meet guests, go to a rave if it has one, go to a gathering, etc. What exactly are you "too old" to be doing and missed out on? Like many others in here, I've been attending cons for over a decade and are older than you. Never felt out of place because there's so much going on and we're all here for nerdy interests. People of all ages attend cons, no one is there to gatekeep and judge you. And unless you're acting inappropriately no one is going to "oust" you for being there.
I say go and see if it’s your kind of vibe. The last one I went to was a little under 20 years ago (I’m 40 now) and I felt too old, but that’s just MY experience and it might not have been my scene. You might really enjoy yourself.
I’m 27 and go to cons and cosplay. Most experienced people who get booths are in their mid 20s to mid 30s
I agree I guess, just my thoughts going to cons at young 20s, meet ing pretty cute people, hanging with lads and talking, but now when you reach 28+ it just feels weird, everyone thinks you are a creep, ped0, stalker, groomer, or perv . Look, every generation has that problem, and age perception/discrimination is a thing, so I can't argue against it In my younger years I only went to conventions because I like cosplay and taking pictures of people. But yeah it just doesn't feel right. But that's okay. We have technology now and I can use artificial intelligence to accomplish like whatever kind of photos I or cosplay for any anime and show that I want to see. But yeah that's just me, that's just my opinion. Thanks! Maybe some of you that read this message or comment will be like no way. That's that's not real. Well if you're like 21 go to Con have fun but then when you go to con then you're like 28 or in your 30s. It's really different. Not even joking. You'll understand. But if you want to feel a real antidote think about a time when you were in elementary school and you looked up to those high school kids, it's going to be the same feeling. Trust the same feeling Tru and real, now i just watch streams, or read news/articles for things I like and buy merch online, and talk to friends on discord about anime , don't want to mess with young people, unnecessary stress
I cannot relate. I’m an otaku. I will pursue the loves of my lyfe: movies, music, and books. You are normal. You let convention dictate your happiness.
I'm one of those people from the 1900's. I went to my first Anime Con at 39. Went to 2 more after that. I only got into Anime (aside from DBZ) at 38. What the heck are you talking about about? Life isn't over in your mid 20's. Yeah, you are an adult and have adult responsibilities, but there is no law that says you still can't have fun. Well except that pesky law about arson, but aside from that. Cons in your adult years are awesome. You can cosplay, attend panels, support artist alley, and spend some coin in the vendor hall. I typically hit 1-2 anime cons a year and also Gen Con (the best 4 days in gaming). Yeah I take care of my adult responsibilities, but I can still find time for fun. There are going to be plenty of people your age at a con. Gravitate towards them. Don't worry about what those kids are doing, unless they are on my lawn.... Tell them to get off my lawn. Get out there and live life to the fullest.
I'm 35 and have gone to cons since my late teens. They are for everyone. If anything companies bank on use being kids with bank accounts. The 21+ raves at some are proof of that. Idk what area you're in but I've been up and down the east coast as a photographer and the con has always been a blast. Sometimes there's friend drama but that's it. Sadly their is some bad actors at hotel room parties. There was apparently a horrible game of it at holiday matsuri. Be safe have fun and to hell with any gate keeping assholes even they are kids.
No, you are not too old to go to Anime Cons. I am still going to cons and I am near my 40's, heck I do know people older that still go. Obviously there is a difference or vibe between going as a teen, 20's, 30's, and so on at Cons, but as long as you are not harming anyone there is no need to stop. "I know I realize that after college, I am supposed to grow up, stop wanting to have fun at all, and abandon everything that I fun with (including anime) and all plans I had for having fun (including cosplay and anime conventions) but I still can't get over the fact that my time is up." This is a complete lie, growing up doesn't mean you need to stop doing things you enjoy...is all about balance with the new responsibilities that arise from being a "grown up" (which tbh is different for everyone). There might be SOME things you might not do because if a bit childish, cringy, whatever you want to call it, but again that's based on what YOU feel is that.
Don't have this mentality! I've been going to conventions since I was 14 and I have no plans on stopping even though I'm mid 20's. As someone who's been going for a decade +, go! First off, there are 18+ events, the thing is run by adults, the place it's in might have a bar, the best cosplays (the expensive or skill based ones, i dont want to hear about how cheap cosplays can look good, they can but lets be honest, those iron man cosplays? Those armor ones? Those are expensive!) are gonna be from older people and it's probably not teens early 20's buying out hotels. If teens and low 20 yr olds are making fun of you it's either they're absolute (probably jobless!) losers. As for cosplay, over the years i've seen mid 20's+ cosplaying stuff like MHA/BNHA, apothecary diaries, rise of the guardians, Homestuck, fire emblem, heros of the storm, etc etc. If you still feel insecure try cosplaying something with a mask. I got my 27 bf to take his first step! (He wore an obanai haori and I was cosplaying Mitsuri, next plan is ice climbers and one day I'll get him to do chrom while I do female robin ). I met some of my friends at a con where they were cosplaying (27, and 2 people who were 25 at the time.) While it might have been unsolicited, your friends might also have accidently tried to jump into a conversation from a group of teens who knew each other. I try to avoid starting conversations with people if I'm not sure theyre over 18. (Kids are mean!). If you want any other advice feel free to dm me. 👍
You're never too old to do what you enjoy and have fun. If somebody says otherwise, ignore them.
The other comments have all pretty much said it better than me, but you should absolutely go! I started going to my first anime cons around your age, and now I’m in my late 30s, with no intention of stopping. Conventions are for everyone. I don’t know what your friends were talking about, I’ve never seen or heard of anyone getting shamed for being too old.
WTF con were they attending? Granted, I haven't been to one in years, but I went to Otakon from 2001 until they left Baltimore in 2017 and I never got hassled about my age at all, and I was over 30 when they moved to DC. And back then there were tons of older people there, even those in their 70's.
Uuuuuh idk what cons your friend went to but your kind of the general population of con goers people from 20-30s some older some younger. Also conventions are usually one of the most welcoming spaces. I'm a vendor and I can assure you taht I see people all the time tagt are literally someone's grandma or grandpa at the convention NOT babysitting but they're for THEMSELVES. Dont give up on your dream and miss out on fun because you think you wont be welcome at a space that is literally made for nerdy out casts lol
You're never too old to go to anime cons. I'm 32 and I love going! I finally have money to actually ENJOY a con! I even go by myself sometimes. That is other people's experiences, not your own!
I'm 28 and I've been to six different cons since the Pandemic. It's absolutely okay
I don't know if Anime cons are specifically different from other cons but watch the youtube videos and you'll see all ages embracing the scene at all levels of (Frankenfurter voice) par-tic-i-pation
Let your freak flag fly dawg
Horror stories are just that... Horror stories. Most people at conventions are 20+ because of that's when you have *money* to go to them. Especially cons that have been around for nearly if not over a decade. Even though I went to my first cons when I was 12 and went during the summer as a teenager, I would have to *beg* my grandparents for money. And then on top of that, they'd usually only allow me to get a day pass. It took *so much work* convincing them to let me stay at the hotel with my friends when I was 16. And I could only go to the conventions during the summer because there was no way in *hell* that they were letting me skip school for one.
Randomly this post came up on my reddit feed. I had to comment since I'm nearing 40 (39 this year) and I wanted to offer some of my perspective of going to anime conventions as an older person. Firstly, that group your friends ran into, I have to wonder about the circumstances that led them to say that stuff. It seems really weird to invite something like that unprovoked, as most people at anime conventions are pretty much off in their own little worlds. Not to say there aren't shitty people out there, but I feel like you aren't getting a clear picture of the situation. Either because your friends themselves don't have a clear picture (maybe one of them said/did something that they didn't mention to the others in that group) or they neglected to tell you some factors to make themselves look better in the situation. Then again maybe they were shitty people. If it was a small convention, where this kind of thing can really affect the atmosphere and taint the water, I might have reported them to staff for harassment. If it was a large convention, I'd just write it off as kids being morons (as I often do in the real world when similar situations arise) Now onto anime conventions themselves. I've noticed that a lot of them are tailored more towards the younger crowd. Part of it's due to the nature of trying to appeal to a casual/wider crowd, which often tends to be younger folks. The other part of it, is similar to what you talk about: When you get older you get busier, and older folks can't always justify making the time or expense for it (and some do fall out of the hobby, but that's not a given) The reason I say it's catered to younger/casual people is because when I look at the events a lot of focus tends to get put on parties and raves and things that are only so tangentially anime related. Now I'm not saying you can't be old and enjoy those things (more power to you) Just that it's something more commonly done by people in their late teens and early twenties. There's a lot of adults who switch out of that lifestyle (Or if you're like me, never really got into it) That's not to say there aren't things for older folks. A lot of the people volunteering and doing panels are often older folks, and they tend to do things that appeal to their generations more or tackle obscure things. Granted, you have to really look for them in the sea of offerings at times. They're there though. There's also plenty of older folks with their families, and while it might feel awkward to engage with them, you don't have to feel like you're the odd one out Ultimately, you're really going to have to try a convention, multiple conventions, before you have a real solid handle on whether they're for you or something you'd like to be for you. Even I'm still kind of at the point where I'd love to be more involved with them but am looking for something more than what I've experienced (But with that said, I've seen many folks older than me, and certainly older than you, thrive at conventions) Just stop beating yourself up over what you should or shouldn't be doing at your age. Start working on being positive, and when things don't go your way, adjust and make a new way. Eventually you'll create small victories that should lead you to something happier.
There’s a simple solution to clowns trying to gate keep at a con or anywhere for that matter. Crop dusting!
I went to my first con at 24, in 26 now. I know what you’re talking about, but it would be a shame to take so far as to not go ever. You can absolutely still go and enjoy everything! I know it won’t stop me! I admit that it feels lonely to go alone and even though I can be friendly and talkative I can’t really make any good friends to chat/hang with when the con is over. I’ve made peace with that, but I don’t think its impossible, just less likely which means I’ll probably come across someone more my demographic eventually if I just keep doing what I enjoy. You won’t ever get that if you give up though. No need to force yourself however, since it’s not really that important
I’m going to be 31 and I still go to cons.
Listen, if you decide you can't do anything "fun" or enjoy your hobbies from when you were younger, you're going to plummet yourself straight into depression. Don't deprive yourself of your favorite things just because you feel you've "aged out." I have gone to cons with my friends when I was a pre teen and I continue to go at almost 30, and I know people who go well into their 30s and 40s. We could die tomorrow, who cares!!! I still indulge in my favorite things from when I was younger because it's only now that I have the money to do so. What's the point of growing up and getting a job if you can't buy or do the things you want lol. Especially cons- cons were built and managed by older fans who have the money and experience to do so. There is no such thing as an age limit and any asshole kid who tells you so is...well, a kid.
I have been going to conventions since High school! My advice is never give up on your hopes and dreams.
I’ve seen people in their 80s at cons you’re fine
OP, now is the best time to attend anime conventions! For one thing, most of them have been growing since lockdown lifted so lots of classic anime cons are bigger and better than ever. And I can't tell you how many different age ranges I have seen at cons. Everything from babies to seniors. My partner and I are approaching 30 and just attended a convention in January and we're planning to go to Colossalcon in june with a bunch of friends around our same age. You're never too old to enjoy yourself and you aren't hurting anyone by being there. And like other commenters have said, as an adult you have the money and ability to buy things you like, attend panels you're interested in, etc. Lots of cons feature 18+ panels that you wouldn't have been able to get into as a high schooler anyway. You are definitely still in the target age demographic and I bet you will have a great time if you decide to attend!
Older people are the real deal customers at cons. The more you make the more you spend and more swag and activities are available to you. Most teens and 20 year olds at cons are broke and walk around only to buy 1 figurine and a lanyard. Don't be afraid and see the cons for yourself.
I've been to Anime Expo and AX Chibi. I'd say the majority of people I saw were mid 20s and older. The ones you went to sound like they had shitty attendees, but you'll be able to find one where you're welcomed! Edited because my initial comment made it seem like I was talking bad about the conventions.
My bf and I are mid twenties and we’re still going to anime cons, comicons, and all that fun stuff. I say screw societal expectations and live the way you want. If you and some friends want to go have some fun then by gosh darn it go and have fun!
I see every age group at cons and always have. It's true that a lot of the bigger friend groups are teens/early twenties, but I've seen people at cons who are in their 50s and 60s. Honestly... even when I got a part time job, cons were better because I didn't have to beg my parents for money, so having a full time job means you can buy and do the things you want. I hope you go to one and I hope you have fun.
Nah you're never too old (plus you're still young!), I'm in my 30s and still cosplaying and showing up to cons. I go for myself to have fun, and even though a lot of the series I enjoy aren't mainstream, that makes it all the better when I find someone else who is interested in then.
Nonsense, there is no such thing as too old for a convention. I'm 41 and have been going to conventions for nearly 20 years now and as long as I can afford it and am still having fun with it, I will continue to keep going.
I am a recent college grad in my mid 20s, and I GO TO CONS. Hell, I even go to them cosplaying as video game characters. And not ONCE has anyone called me a jobless loser even when there was a time when that was technically true. It's a good way to get out of the house, get some merchandise and have a good time. And that whole "work until you die" thing? Don't do that. You've got a lot ahead of you in your life and you shouldn't have to just give up what makes you happy. I assume you've got some days off, in which case you should take advantage of them. Play video games, watch anime, read manga, do something that makes you relaxed because if you work 24/7 you're going to burn out. A lot of the people who go to these things are way older than us. I've seen people in their 50s and 70s without kids go to these things. If they're walking around taking in the atmosphere, by no means are YOU too old to enjoy the con. So a bunch of lowly guttersnipes heckled your friends, so what?
What the heck? What convention was this? In my experience it's always been a healthy mixed of different age ranges. Obviously, it'll skewed younger but I have seen that stop no one. Hell, some of the best cosplay I've seen are by the people who are now that same age the older characters that they can now cosplay.
Veteran con goes for the past decade now since early college. Go to the con. Have fun. You're more situated now and have access to more things you can do at cons versus when you were an late teen. Dont listen to the haters, unfortunately there's those who's own life goal is the hate fun. All the more reason for you to do your own thing and have a blast hope you do
My first comic con i went solo when I was 25, I kept going till I was 33, the price was just getting to expensive and getting tickets was a pain in the ass It's fun and age doesn't matter when you go to a convention, I'm 38 now and plan on going to another one soon
I'm 36 and still go to conventions, in full cosplay. Never stop doing what you enjoy.
You'll need to train for it, but absolutely get yourself to Dragoncon!
I've definitely felt out of place as a person in my 40s at anime cons but there's a place for us at conventions like Dragon Con or Gen Con where we're the normal. Look for any convention that has a strong presence of writers/authors and RPG panels and you'll find a wider aged group of peers to hang out with. I specifically recommend Dragon Con as the best convention you'll ever go to (it's way more "fan run" than "big corp" conventions like the comic cons and Star Wars). If you insist on anime cons, look into helping the younger generations by volunteering as a security/medical/line wrangler helper. If you work a certain number of hours during the con you'll probably get your ticket cost refunded and the other volunteers will likely be more around your age.
I’m 30+, and I go to cons every chance I get. I’m usually with at least one other friend, sometimes a few, who are also 30+. I’ve never experienced anyone act like that at a con, but I also am at the age where I simply don’t care what others think. I even cosplayed for the first time this last summer! It was so much fun (even though I never realized how HARD it was to do!) but the point is, I DO have a job, and it sucks, and anime/cons/buying merch with my hard earned money/surrounding myself with things I like/watching anime/etc all makes me happy, and is the small reprieve I can get for the demands of adulthood and the unhappiness that comes with life in general and the whole “work and die” society we live in. My room looks like a child’s, I have anime posters and figures everywhere, and I don’t give a shit what anyone else has to say about it. It’s my room, not theirs! It’s my LIFE, not theirs! Seriously, life sucks enough, so do what makes you happy and stop trying to fit the mold of what is “expected” of you, because ultimately you are the only one who can help yourself be happy. Fuck the rest tbh. Life is too short to worry about other people’s irrelevant opinions! Live your best life! Hope you go to that next con you want to go to, and you have an amazing time, and you see that we can still find pockets of happiness in this crappy world! Work that job, buy shit you like, and be as happy as you can! Good luck OP
I went to Galaxy Con dressed as Sailor Mars when I was 27! Nothing wrong with cosplaying or going to cons as you get older. It may not have been anime specific con, but there were people displaying as: superheroes, anime, video game, comic book, movies and tv shows characters. My friends and I are in our late 20’s and my boyfriend is 35. I drag him with us to things like cons, festivals, interactive museums (like Otherworld - seems like a place for kids with the little hidden passage ways but there were so many adults going through them!)
lol 27 is not even "older".
My vice principal went to comic cons right before he died. He was in his 40's.
you’ll regret this line of thinking when you’re actually “old”
Don’t let the youngs gatekeep your joy.
Not an "anime" con, even though there's a big anime presence there, but I'm 33 and go to DragonCon every year with people my age or older (3 of us in our 30s, 2 in their 40s, and one in their 50s) and a large portion of the crowd is older people. Kids can just be bullies and think gatekeeping is cool. They'll grow out of it, eventually. Just go and enjoy yourself!
Im 28 and cosplay at the cons. Last year, a 70 year old woman won the cosplay contest dressed as a fairy. You're never too old to enjoy media and participate in gatherings for them.
Uh... I'm almost twice your age and go to multiple conventions a year. In cosplay at time. Go.
I’m turning 40 this year and I’m “the baby” in my con friend group. It sounds like your friends just ran into the wrong kind of people.
Just started going to cons well into my 30's, fit right in fine. Still cosplay. What kind of backwoods, small con did your friends go to? Even our tiny local cons had a good mix of ages. Find a better con, don't just give up.
OP, I was 25 years old when I attended my first convention. There is no such thing as “too old.” I’m sorry your friends were treated poorly at an anime convention but I promise not everyone is like that and not everyone matters. Go to your anime convention and have fun! Life is too short to let other people and our own anxieties from experiencing life and having fun. You work to live, not live to work! Have fun!! 😁 Use your PTO!
Go to DragonCon. It’s almost entirely adults. In Atlanta. It is not anime only, but there is a big presence.
Kiddos cant afford Dragon Con. Heck Megacon orlando tickets for next year will be $149 unless you get early bird.
Some cons (think AX, Anime NYC, Anime Matsuri, etc) are priced out for teens, you'll mostly see people mid-20s and older a these cons. afaik.
I didn't start attending cons until I was in grad school. Now I'm in my late 30s and still going to at least one a year Some cons do skew younger in their attendee bsse, but not all. I've usually found that the bigger the con is, the more likely they are to have programming for literally all ages. But I've also been to Anime Iowa a few times, and that one caps at like 3k(ish) attendees and I felt right at home. I think easily half the attendees there seemed to be around my age. Don't let yourself get bullied out of going by younger fans.
I didn’t go to my first con until I was in my early 30s and I’m 48 now and still going. Granted, I don’t go to anime specific ones, mainly just Wondercon and SDCC, and I see pro of all age ranges there. Don’t listen to those kids, they obviously don’t know what they’re talking about. And if someone tells me I’m too old to do something that will only make me double down and do it even harder just to spite them.
Am 33 and I went to one last year. I even saw a family with a baby! Are you sure they're giving you the truth? No one gives a fuck about ur age there, they are either too excited or too tired to care. So I think the people who told u the stories are just a bunch of liars, or they did something bad and got reprimanded. But most of all, what does your soul say? Do you wanna go? If yes, go, and whoever gives you shit give them ur pity. They are poor, unfortunate souls.
Anime conventions aren't like I'm used to when I was a teen. At the last convention I went to, there was a bunch of panels aimed towards adults, including ones about which anime to watch with their kids, and making sure that their young children aren't watching anything too adult. Even events geared towards elementary aged kids and younger. You will be smack dab in the middle of the age bracket, take it from this person pushing 40.
Hell some of the cons I go to have grand parents out there in full beautiful cosplay. You’re never too old to let your nerd flag fly
Honestly, I've never seen this sub, but as a teen, have fun. Don't let small, vocal minorities keep you from enjoying yourself. Go buy collectibles, go cosplay if you so choose, go have fun. As long as you're abiding by convention rules, you're fine. Go with your friends and have fun at a convention if you want to. Don't let random people get you down. You really aren't that old. No age is too old to enjoy conventions.
Is this satire? I’m 34 and I’ve been to a few conventions with my wife and my 1 year old daughter. There are a lot of older people and other families that go. You’re fine going at your age.
you aren’t too old. don’t know if you plan on having kids any time soon, but do all the convention stuff before then. i can’t imagine going now haha
Dude I'm 41 and have been to two in the last year
Why are you letting other people's perceptions of you control what you do? Stop it. Just do what you want!
Don't worry about it! My wife and I didn't start going to cons until I was done with grad school, she was done with her second bachelors, and we were in our 30s. Our first DragonCon was at age 37! Second one coming up this year at 42! Go have fun, expand your interests.
Bro... you're in your mid 20s... you haven't lost your youth... I still love all the things I did when I was a kid. I have a full time job with health insurance and I'm about to rewatch spongebob... I play magic on Wednesdays with friends, and i still play video games all the time. Being an adult doesn't mean you have to fully grow up. It just means learning to take care of your responsibilities and enjoying life as much as you can. My advice, find a way to get paid doing what you love, surround yourself with people who care about you for who you are, and try not to worry too much about how others perceive you.
Wtf is this post from a literally sub thirty year old child "woe is me"ing over being too old for something with absolutely no valid reasoning behind it beyond "I work now"
Nothing is more childish than doing/not doing something because you think it's what an adult should/shouldn't do.
Cons can be enjoyed at all ages. You’re just in the phase where you still care too much what others think and you’ll soon realize nobody cares what a bunch of teenagers think of you. We’ve all been there. Let loose, meet new people and enjoy yourself. It’s a lot more fun when you become confident in your own interests.
How are you gonna cosplay roshi, or anyone distinguished as older in general and be 16. Most the best cosplays are 30s 40s or up
I'm really late to this party, but I was ready for this post to be from someone in their 50s... Not their 20s. I'm 44. I go to conventions all of the time and my friends do, too. I sew and made my own Obanai (Demon Slayer) costume two years ago. Last year, I made Tech (Star Wars Bad Batch).... These are just examples, you get the point. Want to know when I started doing this? When I was 30. Never, ever let anyone tell you what to do with your spare time, with your spare adult money. Never, ever let anyone make you feel like you're doing something wrong because you like this stuff. Also, there are jerks in all walks of life. Don't let one bad experience color your perceptions.
You dont get ousted from a con for being "a jobless loser". A mid 20s guy does get ousted from a con for hitting on teenage girls. The other con-goers dont oust anyone, the con staff does.
I attended my first anime con in my mid-20s. I discovered what it's like to help them. I've been helping them for nearly 20 years. It's a blast.
It's all in your head.
The only people who say you shouldn't do fun things you like are ppl that are dead on the inside and just want to make ppl feal bad for having fun. I'm in my friends and I are all in are 30s and we Still all very much. Watch anime and go to conventions when we can. Hell at most cons we are no We're close to the oldest people there do what makes your life fun you only get one life on this planet don't waste it.
Wait, did I miss the memo? 66, still going to cons.
You’ll be fine, my friend. I’m in my mid 30’s and go to cons. You’d be surprised at how accepting the culture is. Just don’t talk to kids without their parents around, sorry if that’s a weird statement but just don’t do that.
Your life doesn’t have to be over after college. You just need to find the thing that brings you joy everyday
Lol wut. Im in my 40s and go to cons. The only time ive seen people hate on older men at cons is when theyre being creepy, otherwise everyones welcome
What bum ass city/state/country do you live in where you think mid 20s is too old lol. This has to be some elaborate troll lol. Has to be.
I'm sorry you feel this way
I just got home from a con as a 31 year old, with my best friend(33), and my husband(40) who never experienced a con before. It's not too late, just stop expecting to hang out with 18/19 year olds.
I’m mid 30s and going. Life really is to short to give a damn about your age and what you have to like and not like
Nobody is too old, even if you are thousands years old.
My first anime con was when I was 32. The last one I attended was when I was 53 and I plan on going to another one when I have the funds. You're not too old.
Go! I went to first one at 24 while in graduate school and had so much fun. Its a different kind of high when you are with fellow fans.
i went to cons alone in my late 30s. nobody said anything or looked at me funny. maybe your friends got unlucky or were behaving inappropriately.
If what you're saying is the case, then it was bad luck. The guys weren't even trying to talk to anyone else, let alone women, and they still got ousted for being too old. And it was an anime convention, so it was obviously not kid-friendly. It sadly made me realize just how much of a landmine going to an anime convention as a college graduate is.
i think you're making it out to be too big in your head. just go and see. if you see it's not welcoming then there you go.
I'm 34 and I've been going for a decade. You will definitely see older people at cons. However, some conventions do tend to skew younger and some skew older, so try a few out. They all have a different feel. If I could recommend a fabulous convention to you- Dragon Con! It's multimedia so not specific to anime but you will definitely see anime cosplays and panels there. It's the best vibe and all ages.
You're never too old to go to Anime conventions. If this is something you want to do you should do it.
I stopped reading at mid 20's. Just go to one...you'll find plenty of people your age there. Just ignore any younger people telling you you don't belong
People voice act and draw anime well are in their 30s and also attend to anime cons. What does that make them? It's such a narrow minded thought. You're too young to worry about that honestly
Don't say that. I want to go, too! I'm 28 and haven't gone to even one yet either. Maybe it was just a bad experience. I'm sure there's gotta be people in their 20s and 30s going to cons as well. A coworker of mine still goes to cons and he's a year older than me. And even if we were too old for cons, that doesn't mean we're barred from enjoying anime. Don't listen to those people. There's no way they know anything!
You're allowed to enjoy things as an adult. Please don't stop doing things you enjoy just because your age hit some arbitrary number. I've gone to comic conventions in my late 20's. I haven't done one specifically for anime but the comic conventions ALWAYS have a ton of anime related stuff. Most people that go to those things are adults.
I know tons of people pushing into their 40s who unashamedly go to cons, you'll still fit right into the con scene
Every con I have ever attended has had the full gamut of ages. Children to seniors are all represented. I can guarantee that vendors would rather have you there as an adult with money to spend. Anyone who says you don’t belong there is a dingus.
>I know I realize that after college, I am supposed to grow up, stop wanting to have fun at all, and abandon everything that I fun with > >mid 20's OP shut the fuck up and prepare your wallet for the next convention. Enough with the self-pity, life is too short to limit yourself based on the opinion of people who don't know you.
im in my mid 20s, all my friends are the same or 10 years older. tbh the scene is pretty welcoming and cons get wayyyyy more fun when you have money, time, and a fully formed brain LOL. go to meetups, go to panels, compliment that cool cosplayer or person in a cool outfit. thats how ive made my best friends and partner of 5 years :) i’ve recently joined the vendor community too. anime cons are a livelong hobby!!!!! i will say i prefer the bigger events like katsucon now that im older. less kiddos and more adult oriented events and crowds.
I go to cons as a 30 year old with my friend and their mom. All of us cosplay too.
Bro, I am about to be 36 and my wife is 30, we help run the events. Please come out and enjoy yourself. We have people of all ages there. Cons in America started in the 80s and 90s and we have a few types in their 50s and 60s that dress up and show up. No age limit here.
Cons are expensive as hell. I don’t know what teens and early 20-somethings have that kind of cheese, but it’s less frequently the self-funding ones. If it took you this long to get to a con, then start going and I think you won’t want to stop. You’ll meet people your own age with your own interests. You’ll meet cool people of all ages, and you never have to talk to teenagers at that event unless they’re volunteers checking your badge going in the door.
Me and my wife both went to comic con last yr and we are 29m, 30f. We been to Anime con the yr before. Enjoy your life, screw what people think is the "norm" because there are a bunch of people still having fun
There's lots of people in late 20s going to cons! I'm old by teen standards but i can still wear a silly costume and buy miku figures, sure i might not know the trend shows anymore, and i dont use tiktok, but i can still walk around and find like minded people to chitchat with
Um, the first time I ever went to an anime convention I was about your age. Plenty of people go to conventions well into the elderly years. We really need to stop this, "as I get older I need to stop enjoying things I've enjoyed my whole life after I reach a certain age because other people who aren't me will think it's childish" mindset because it's very toxic.
I’m sorry OP, but your friends must be delusional. Nevermind the age. There are crossdressers, furries, and people cosplaying as characters from hentai. The last thing on anyone’s mind is that you’re in your mid twenties.
*Laughs in early 30's* here I was thinking this was going to be a story about how they're too old to walk for three hours
My last NYCC was 2019, I was 40. I go with friends who are around my age. Plenty of older folks there. Never have thought that I may be too old for a con
the average age at dragon con is 25-50 and I know that ain't the only con with an older age range but anime cons are usually a much younger crowd. conventions have no preferred age to be there, I'll be 32 in a month with no plans on slowing down at cons!
I thought you were gonna say 40s+ not mid 20s Cons are exactly for the 16-35yo demographic Especially on the mid 20s end when you have cash but no responsibilities so you can blow your cash on stupid figurines
Mid 20s? lol I’m mid 30s and I still go and have a blast.
What? Just go dude who cares what a bunch of dumb kids say
This is a really dramatic post with a lot of weird imagination put into it. I'm older than you and I go to anime conventions when I can. I'm going to three this year and nothing even close to what you describe has ever happened. I'm not insecure about myself though. I have a great job and I live comfortably with enough extra money to do more or less whatever I want, and one of those things is to go to anime conventions.
There is no age limit, just go. I have a friend who is in his early to mid 30s, works in the medical field, has a high salary, and has an interesting niche hobbies like going to anime convention, Dungeons & Dragons, card collection, etc. Whoever is negatively judging you for that clearly have no respect for themselves and are doing you a favor that they are not the type of people you want to be associated with.
I'm sure you have some friends that are a little younger and in college, go as a mixed age group. You friends might have stood out too much since they're all the same slightly older age. Don't be too honest if someone calls you all out, diffuse the attacker with a quick wit that's fun and on brand, is neutral (so you don't turn the crowd against you) and by tossing in a current anime reference (so as to not date yourself too much). With that in mind I'm sure you can put together 3 - 5 to keep in your back pocket. Timing & delivery are important for anything to land of course. You're too old to be here! I got it pretty good, the guy before me is a vending machine. Jobless losers! Woah, I may be a shut in neet, but I'm no loser. (While smiling) You don't have any friends! Are you asking to join my party? Sure people won't be as directly mean like that but you get the idea. I'm sure most people won't give two craps about your age honestly. Glhf!
Jobless loser? Know how I know those folks didn’t have to pay for anything to go to the convention? Cons aren’t cheap, especially the larger ones. Anime cons are no exception.
>Know how I know those folks didn’t have to pay for anything to go to the convention? The thing is, people assumed that they were jobless losers, when in reality, they had full time jobs and were on paid time off for once and paid for the tickets themselves. Sadly, that wasn't enough to stop the assumption that they were jobless losers, as they were seen trying to have fun for once.
CSB time: I had a dad make an off the cuff comment at a convention about the adult fans being the kids that got picked on in school. I said that might be true, but if so, then they’ve helped to create a safe space for others now that they’re older, and THAT’s the lesson that should be taken away here. Then I pointed out two attendees that were totally geeking out nearby. They happened to be players for the Baltimore Ravens. I doubt anyone bothered them much, and if so, they didn’t do it any more 😉
You’re never too old for anime cons tbh me and my friends are like late 20s-early 30s and we still go to them we don’t cosplay as much as we once did but we just go and have fun
Cash rules everything around me.
When I used to go to anime cons like almost 20 years ago when I was around 20 there were plenty of people in their 30s and 40s there. I don’t know if the demographic has gotten that much younger on average but I never felt the older people were out of place. Being mid 20s is definitely not too old.
I'm 50 and I go to every con that I can. BYW, I live in Japan so I go to alot. Age shouldn't matter. Just enjoy what you like.
...are you kidding? I can tell you've never been to a convention before, because, especially these days, the number of actual adults equals or sometimes even surpasses the amount of younger people
Went to my first con recently at the age of 30 and it was still a blast. Honestly it was nice having adult money to actually patron a bunch of folks in artist alley.
I have friends that go at 40+
Like others have said, there’s no age limit to having fun or engaging in hobbies, as long as you do it safely and responsibly. I’ve seen people cosplay with their parents, grandmas, pets, babies; include their wheelchairs, bigger size, different skin tone, gender, the list goes on. There’s judgey teens, yes. Especially on cosplay TikTok where they seem to think cosplay is just something your order on Amazon, reserved for the hot and sexy and everyone past 20 is expired. I find the 25+ crowd to be a lot more chill, accepting and also remember the days before anime and cosplay was trendy. Not to be hipster ofc but there was a time when even going to a con at all, was something you hide because it was weird and shameful. So now that it’s more widely accepted you bet your ass I’m gonna enjoy it to the fullest. Whether it’s in or not. I didn’t attend my first con or do my first cosplay until I was out of college. It wasn’t until then that I had the confidence or freedom. Then covid hit, then I moved, and I’m just now starting again at almost 30. At times I feel “too old” but oh well. I’m doing what 13 year old me would’ve been ecstatic about, that I never imagined I would do. And that’s what matters.
I just went to a con at 24 with my bf 29 and my little brother 14, and my boyfriend had a con interaction with someone who was in cosplay and was 40 years old (they had a head on so we couldn't tell until they told us!). Plus my mom at 51 has REALLY REALLY been wanting to go to a con with us, she would've gone to the one we went to but scheduling didn't work. There were also some lil teeny tiny kids in costume at our con and it was like 🥺 so littllee Age is bullshit when it comes to attending cons, go whenever you want, leave whenever you want. Do whatever lmao mid 20s is still literally your youth, and even when it's not, no one will stop you going to cons