On March 23, Carnegie Mellon held its fourth year of ScottyCon, the university’s singular anime and video gaming convention. That weekend, cosplayers roamed the halls of Cohon University Center, embodying their favorite characters with impeccable detail and creativity. There was a cosplay for almost every fandom you could think of — Genshin Impact, Persona, Hazbin Hotel, and more. All around, attendees marveled at the intricate costumes and posed for photos with their beloved characters come to life.
ScottyCon offered attendees a plethora of exciting events this year. There was a host of panels that anyone could drop into, the guest of honor being Maria Marionette, an English Virtual Youtuber from NIJISANJI EN.
Ikigai Arcade also provided arcade cabinets for ScottyCon, featuring a wide selection of rhythm games for attendees to choose from. While the arcade area buzzed with life and people were battling it out on the dance floor, just a few doors down was the manga library. For those in need of a brief respite, the manga library provided a cozy oasis. Attendees could immerse themselves in popular mangas like Naruto, The Promised Neverland, and Cowboy Bebop, taking a moment to unwind and recharge before diving back into the excitement of the convention.
In addition to the gaming and cosplay festivities, ScottyCon also featured a variety of performances and competitions. One of the most anticipated events of ScottyCon was the Masquerade, a cosplay competition where participants showcased their talents and craftsmanship on stage. Esteemed judges Leilani Zhang, Corwynte Cosplay, and Steph Pixxi presided over the competition. Competitors showed off their cosplays through guitar performances, singing acts, and dances. The main performances concluded with a dazzling display from a group cosplaying as K-DA, delivering an electrifying performance of the hit song “POP/STARS.”
All around the convention, you could see the glowing faces of those walking around.
“I loved ScottyCon,” said Zuleima Noriega, a second- year majoring in International Relations and Political Science. “It was a great chance to support student artists on campus, buy fanart from some of my favorite shows and games, and hang out with my friends right on campus.”
This sentiment echoed the feelings of many attendees who appreciated participating in the vibrant events at ScottyCon while supporting fellow students and enjoying the company of friends.
But, undoubtedly, one of the highlights of ScottyCon is its Artist Alley, a dedicated section where independent student artists showcase and sell their art. This year, over 70 Carnegie Mellon students were participating, selling original and fan art merchandise. Keychains, prints, stickers, even earrings — whatever you wanted, Artist Alley had it.
Annie Chong, a second-year art student, was one of the artists participating this year. Her stand was decorated with keychains and stickers of adorable birds, animals in the form of breakfast foods, and more.
“Artist Alley is a really good way to work on in-person sales and pitching your art,” Chong told The Tartan. “It’s good to be able to talk to people amiably and describe what you draw regardless. I also found it really informative finding out which of my art performed the best in terms of sales, and seeing if there’s a trend depending on the presentation and format. Some people beelined straight to my table because a large print caught their eye, but more people bought stickers overall.
“But my favorite parts of the convention would definitely have to be looking at other artist’s merch and trading and purchasing,” she continued. “Some merch you can get at ScottyCon is stuff you wouldn’t be able to get anywhere else. And I consider it my rare chance to support a lot of artists without talking myself out of it.”
If you missed ScottyCon this year, don’t fret — there’s always next year to look forward to. And if you’re an artist yourself, you may even take part in Artist Alley, giving you the invaluable opportunity to showcase and sell your artwork to fellow students. Mark your calendars and get ready for another unforgettable ScottyCon experience next year.
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