2024 Old School (Pre-2001) Cosplay Gathering

[InsaneDavid]

Greetings old school cosplayers!  Getting back to the Old School Gathering last year was a blast as always, thank you all for your amazing attendance, awesome cosplay, being genuinely considerate of your fellow cosplayers, and continued representation of the fandoms that created anime conventions!  Of course I'm back to host yet again!  Continuing the tradition of the gathering that got me into cosplay, I announce the...

Fanime 2024 Old School (Pre-2001) Cosplay Gathering!

Come celebrate the rich history of Japanese entertainment culture!

This is a hugely open gathering for those of you / us who cosplay as characters from the previous century.  Essentially if your cosplay character appears in Anime, Manga, Video Games or Live Action that began PRIOR to 2001, then this is the gathering for you!  Although I like to have a decidedly Japanese lean to this gathering, it is not completely exclusive.

Day : Friday, May 24th, 2024 (Day 1).
Time : 6PM - 7PM.
Meeting Place (MP) : Same as Location.
Location (L) : Gatherings G3, Panels Wood Stairs.

This will be our seventh year hosting! Please note we will be moving back to the location we used in 2018 and 2019 - enter the Convention Center from the front, turn right from the main Convention Center entrance, and head down the stairs to the panel rooms on the lowest level.  We will be on the downstairs wooden tiered platforms between the stairs and the escalators.

Gatherings G3 is the wooden tiered platform area along the stairs that lead down to the panel rooms on the lower level.  We weighed a lot of options for location and decided upon returning to G3 as it provides better protection for some of our younger cosplayers and better accessibility for some of the older.  We also really like the tiered platforms.


Cosplayers : If you would like, please post who your cosplay character is, what title it is from and what year you are representing!  As this gathering is a total wildcard mix of different characters, series, studios, and genres - spanning time rather than properties - a definitive list is otherwise not provided.  Part of the fun of the OSCG is seeing just who shows up.


Legal Statement : Fanime / gathering co-host will likely be taking group pictures during the Gathering/Event this year. If you do not want to be included in those pictures please step aside for those photos. By remaining with the group when the pictures are being taken you give your consent to be photographed.


Photography Order : If there is any specific setup or shot you would like, just let me know!  This gathering is to celebrate all of us as cosplayers who keep the vintage fire alive.

Group shot.
By era - 1960's (or earlier).
By era - 1970's.
By era - 1980's.
By era - 1990's (to 2000).
Characters who use swords / knives / blades / etc.
Characters known to get physical / fighters / brawlers.
Military / rank and file / soldiers.
Characters with psychic powers / spiritual powers / espers / magic / etc.
Pilots / drivers / craft operators / mech jockeys.
Teachers / students / faculty / school attendants / etc.
Characters who use firearms / laser guns / projectile weapons / etc.
Magical girls.
Animals / pets.
Spacefaring characters / those who live off-world.
Robots / androids / synthetic people / mecha.
Characters who are mysterious / shadowy.
Public servants / government organizations / secret organizations.
Characters with secret identities.
Characters in uniform of any type.
Battle teams.
Video game characters.
Characters who are on the run / fugitives / scoundrels / bounty hunters.
Monsters / demons / youma / zombies / etc.
Characters who are technically minded / deductive / intelligent / geniuses.
Great warriors / legendary masters.
Civilians.
Aliens.
Heroes.
Villains.
Heroes vs Villains.
Cosplayers representing the manga version of their character.
Age vs Youth / old characters vs young characters.
Live Action only characters.
Pairings / couples.
Group shot for late attendees (regular / humorous).

Series groups (dependent on attendance / cosplayer request).
By studio / production team (dependent on attendance / cosplayer request).
Solo shots (cosplayer request).
Additional requests (cosplayer request).

I am always up for future ideas to add to the list!  A good portion of the photo order is built upon suggestions from previous years.  We have continued to consolidate the list to get the order cycled faster.


Facebook Event Link: https://www.facebook.com/events/1082396079539878


This is an excellent gathering to psyche you up for the convention weekend.  If you're an old school cosplayer, stop by and join us!  Feel free to pop in for a moment to say hi, see some incredible cosplay, pose for some pictures, and continue to prove that just because it's old doesn't mean it isn't awesome!


Thank you so very much.  Let's have another great turnout and continue this wonderful Fanime tradition!

[InsaneDavid]

We will be back at Gatherings Location G3 this year, like in 2018 and 2019.  Gatherings G3 is the wooden tiered platform area along the stairs that lead down to the panel rooms on the lower level.

[InsaneDavid]

Hold Space (B).

[InsaneDavid]

Hi everyone!  Things may be a little different this year due to massive changes within official Cosplay Gatherings at Fanime.  We completely, totally, 100% support and stand by the Cosplay Gatherings Department staff - they are awesome people who have done so much to support ALL cosplayers.

If cosplay gatherings happen officially at Fanime this year, we will follow the process as it is presented and register for an official spot.  If cosplay gatherings are not offered in an official capacity this year, then we will host the gathering as an UNOFFICIAL event.  Either way, we intend to run the gathering as we always have, to support the massive retro cosplay fandom, and give us all an event to show how awesome old school cosplay is.

I'm actually gearing up to move again right now (same as this time last year), but I should be easy to reach here or on Facebook if you have any questions or concerns.

And yes... I'm planning on updating the gathering banner.  I still really like the one we've used for years (I mean it spans Tetsuwan Atom to Dai-Guard... a robotic child superhero - to a group of office workers piloting a super robot) but it could use an update favoring more 80's and 90's stuff.

[Angelx624]

Official or unofficial gathering, I'll still be there! I also support the Cosplay Gatherings Department staff as well as everyone else who has resigned.

[Barnes]

I look forward to this again. I just hope I show up on time for the opening.

[InsaneDavid]

Official or unofficial gathering, I'll still be there! I also support the Cosplay Gatherings Department staff as well as everyone else who has resigned.

I look forward to this again. I just hope I show up on time for the opening.

Thank you both!

I'm in the middle of fully packing up my apartment right now to move yet again, but I hope to get some gathering promotion going this weekend.

[InsaneDavid]

Submitted officially!

[InsaneDavid]

Good evening old schoolers!

Super busy lately, and I'll make a proper update shortly across all channels, but we've been approved for Friday at 6pm as usual!  We'll be moving back inside to the old G3 location (riser stairs just outside of where video rooms used to be, now panels).  Every location has its pros and cons, but I like G3 as it allows us to be staggered together for photos and is more convenient access for some of our regulars who find it difficult to get to the other spots we've been at recently.

[InsaneDavid]

Good evening old schoolers!

Formally announcing that we have been confirmed as an official gathering for 2024.  We'll be on Fanime Friday, 6pm-7pm as has become normal.

This year we're moving back to Location G3, the tiered wood platform steps just outside the panel rooms (formally the video rooms).  This is where we were in 2018 and 2019 and we've been looking forward to moving back since.  The second post has an updated map.

[InsaneDavid]

Good evening old schoolers!

Sorry I haven't been as promotion heavy with the gathering as in years previous.  All systems are still go!  I've been occupied with some adjustment pains after relocating recently, and trying to get my Fanime panel (Vintage Anime - Name That Year! on Saturday at 10am) buttoned up.

[InsaneDavid]

Thank you everyone who attended for a great Friday evening of amazing cosplay!  I'm glad we got to move back to what was always intended on being our "usual" location, G3.  We'll have the co-host pictures up in a week or so, and will post the link in the usual place.

It was NINE years ago (seven Fanime's) when I inherited the Old School Gathering.  That is just crazy to me, even more so that many who attended this year were there way back when.  I know there is a lot of uncertainty in the immediate future, and a lot of people are considering changes for 2025. 

My commitment remains to you, to us, the amazingly diverse retro / vintage / old school cosplayers.  I hope that one year from now, on the Friday of Fanime 2025, I'm there welcoming the group (even if it's not made up of the usual attendees) of Old School Cosplayers to another gathering, a decade after I first did so.

If you'll be stepping off here, I thank you - SO MUCH - for coming along with me nine years after my journey began.  For supporting the gathering.  Supporting this great tradition.  And for supporting me, helping me to build the confidence to continue to host year after year, which also lead me to hosting panels - again, year after year.  Thank you - it really is impossible for me to put into any kind of words how much your support means to me.

[InsaneDavid]

Good evening old schoolers!

Here is the link to the album with our unofficial host pictures of the 2024 Old School (Pre-2001) Cosplay Gathering:

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?vanity=mokkoricosplay&set=a.842973874519607

We do our best to at least a couple solid pictures of everyone in addition to running the gathering and crowd control.  I'm thinking of setting up a couple of lights next year to get more consistent focusing now that we're back at the preferred location and can get settled in like we were starting to prior to 2020.  Please feel free to share and tag (apologies if Facebook tagging is having issues as it sometimes does).  If you would like a picture removed, please message me and I'll accommodate you as best I can.

If you have pictures of the the gathering, please let us know so that we can share them with attendees.  Hopefully Fanime will be back to having official photographers at all gatherings next year.

Thank you for attending!!  This was our SEVENTH consecutive Fanime hosting since inheriting this long-running gathering nine years ago.  Next year will mark TEN YEARS since we began hosting duties and we hope to see you all again.

[Barnes]

My photos for this and other gatherings are here. I set the album to "public", so I hope this works. My position was awkward, but oh well XD

EDIT: It's gone. I'll explain another day.

I'll remove photos upon request if someone in them doesn't like them.

[InsaneDavid]

My photos for this and other gatherings are here. I set the album to "public", so I hope this works. My position was awkward, but oh well XD

https://app.photobucket.com/u/CapeBarnes/a/fc44e1f5-dbf5-4d16-9041-2683f6eacf07

I'll remove photos upon request if someone in them doesn't like them.

Thank you for photographing the gathering and for sharing your gallery here!

Everyone's position in that location is awkward. lol That big pointless info sign kiosk thing is the problem.  My wife was in front of it this year so that she wouldn't get shuffled behind someone when setting up cosplayers, but next year we think we have to pick a side (probably the side opposite from where you were, I've seen some good pictures from that side) and photograph from there.

[Nina Star 9]

Thanks for organizing the gathering, as usual, and thanks for all the pics!
(I was the Natsuki from Hyper Police this year)

My photos for this and other gatherings are here. I set the album to "public", so I hope this works. My position was awkward, but oh well XD

https://app.photobucket.com/u/CapeBarnes/a/fc44e1f5-dbf5-4d16-9041-2683f6eacf07

I'll remove photos upon request if someone in them doesn't like them.

Lmao all the photos are fine but it's such an awkward angle with where I was standing and the lighting and all I see is "wow that's a lot of sidebutt" lmao

There really isn't a good spot for photos in that area, though, due to said weird pillar signpost thing in the middle.

[Angelx624]

Yeah, the photos are fine but the location is just awkward in general.

Anyway, I enjoyed the gathering as always! I was the Ukyo from Ranma 1/2! And sad to say, this was my last time attending this gathering for now as I don't plan to attend Fanime next year. :( But thank you for always hosting this wonderful gathering!! It's been one of my favorites to attend!

[InsaneDavid]

Thanks for organizing the gathering, as usual, and thanks for all the pics!
(I was the Natsuki from Hyper Police this year)

I thought that was you! Awesome cosplay, thank you so much for attending.

Yeah, the photos are fine but the location is just awkward in general.

Anyway, I enjoyed the gathering as always! I was the Ukyo from Ranma 1/2! And sad to say, this was my last time attending this gathering for now as I don't plan to attend Fanime next year. :( But thank you for always hosting this wonderful gathering!! It's been one of my favorites to attend!

Thank you for attending over so many years, your cosplay looked great as always! ^_^  Totally understand people wanting to check out other cons, Fanime's current issues or not.


As things are now, we're still planning on attending for 2025 and hosting the gathering once more, in addition to finally adding on two panels that I've wanted to do for a while (and hopefully hosting Vintage Anime - Name That Year! again).