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People dressed head-to-toe in anime and superhero cosplay – ranging from Jujutsu Kaisen’s Gojo to Studio Ghibli’s Kiki – gathered for the Luna Cat Cafe’s annual LunaCon convention on Saturday. With a turnout five times as large as last year’s, attendees showcased a shared affinity for Japanese and otaku culture that Luna Cafe is known for.

“We had an incredible turnout, the biggest yet,” Josh Davis, Luna Cafe’s owner, said. “We had crowds out the door, in the building — it was great.”

LunaCon featured an array of handcrafted Japanese artwork and culturally significant garments along with gaming and cosplay booths, like RetroGameCon, Syracuse’s largest gaming convention. The event aimed to spotlight vendors in the central New York area and those selling handmade goods, Davis said.

Wenjing Zhu | Contributing Videographer

Tables were lined with homemade knick-knacks, nostalgic Nintendo figures, Pokémon merch and various creative stickers showcasing everything from queer representation to quirky puns. Cosplayers strolled through the aisles, sipping on lemonade and fruit teas as they browsed local vendors. Many took breaks to cozy up with the rescue cats who are housed in Luna Cafe.

The event also hosted a cosplay contest featuring three judges who viewed attendees’ elaborate costumes. An eventgoers’ portrayal of Aerith Gainsborough from Final Fantasy won first place and a $100 Visa gift card.

The cafe offered attendees various special menu items, including Japanese favorites like Gyūdon, a savory rice bowl, Onigiri, seaweed-wrapped rice balls filled with salmon, and bubble tea.

“I want people to see Luna Cat Cafe as a place to celebrate Japanese culture,” Davis said. “I’m already brainstorming ideas to expand next year’s event—maybe make it a weekend event and increase the space.”

Sean Sterling | Staff Photographer

Cats and the Syracuse community joined Saturday for Luna Cat Cafe’s LunaCon. The convention sought to highlight the creativity of Syracuse vendors.

Ty Archer, a first-time vendor, represented xAltered, a shop based in Liverpool that focuses on alternative styles. xAltered opened in March and has quickly gained a loyal customer base, Archer said.

“We’re big on representation for the queer community and the goth-alternative scene, which doesn’t have a lot of visibility in Syracuse yet,” Archer said.

Megan Cooper, owner of KraftyKoopa, specializes in wall art and keychains made from fuse beads. She said wanted to come to LunaCon because of her love for anime and gaming culture.

Cooper said she is expanding her participation in local shows after the COVID-19 pandemic, and LunaCon was the perfect opportunity to connect with the community. Watching people recognize classic anime or try to name all the Pokémon in her display, especially kids, brought her joy, she said.

Cooper and Archer expressed their enthusiasm for LunaCon and other local or game-focused conventions such as UticaCon or Crazy Daisies. Cooper said these events are vital to connect with locals, especially in areas where community-based, affordable places for vendors can be difficult to find if you don’t know where to look.

“I don’t come into the city often, so I wasn’t sure what to expect,” Cooper said. “But it’s been great to meet so many people and support such a cool cause.”

Ty echoed similar sentiments about the importance of community-centered events. Both KraftyKoopa and xAltered reflect LunaCon’s core mission of spotlighting local talent and bringing diverse communities together, highlighting the event’s growth as a Syracuse cultural hub.

“I feel like people are speaking up more, representing their communities, whether that’s Goth culture or LGBTQ+ people,” Archer said. “Events like LunaCon help foster that sense of belonging and make people feel seen.”

Published on September 29, 2024 at 10:57 pm

Contact Kymani: kkhughes@syr.edu