dokomi-2020

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DoKomi 2020 | 26-27 September 2020

DoKomi (short for ドイツコミックマーケット, doitsu komikku māketto, Japanese for German Comic Market) is the largest manga and anime convention in Germany, EU. Since its inception it is located in the city of Düsseldorf, the capital of North Rhine-Westphalia, squeezed between two large metro regions – Cologne+Bonn and Ruhrgebiet.

Since the first edition in 2009, the convention's size rose from 1.8k to 55 in 2019 (10k increase in just one year!). Since 2012 it was organized in Messe Düsseldorf, either in the congress center or in the fair halls (or both). It is well-known for the plethora of special guests, important cosplay contests, a lot of independent artists and commercial stalls, among others. I couldn't wait and bought my ticket already in 2019.

But it's 2020 and we can't have nice things… or can we? Although the convention was previously planned for 23-24 May 2020, due to the restrictions and ban on events until the 31 August 2020 and the availability of the site, they had to postpone it to 26 and 27 September 2020. To postpone, not to cancel! Of course, the special measures have been implemented (which has been described on photos), there was much more space available and the number of tickets was constrained (although when I asked some people who actually were at DoKomi 2019 they doubted that), etc. And most of the special guests were postponed to 2021. Well, Merryweather was present, that's something.

It was very refreshing to be able to go to a convention after so many month without this opportunity. Especially that I had two conventions that were cancelled/postponed very, very late, like e.g. 5 days before (in March!). We were able to buy many interesting goods, books, objects of wor… I mean figurines. The schedule was also very interesting indeed. Nonetheless, it would be very beneficial for an event like this to have more talks and panels, probably even a special zone for these. It was probably the thing that I was missing the most and some changes in that matter would be much appreciated. And it's com-ple-te-ly coincidental that I am a person who does talks at the conventions.

To conclude, the convention in Germany during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic has everyone wearing masks and being orderly. This is why Germany is allowed to have nice things.

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Rules of conduct, Matinee; Distance, Mask, Hygiene, Follow instructions, Ask the paramedics; Note the walking directions - In order to keep people from going at each other and to have sufficient space for social distancing, there are walking directions in a form of a cross. Watch the arrows on the floor. Of course, you can go through them several times.; Watch your hall ticket - everyone receives on the entrance to the hall a ticket for the small world in Hall XY, so that it won't get too crowded. Please, keep it in the Hall with you and keep an eye on it. In order for us not to be forced to close due to overcrowding, please return the ticket at the exit.; Stand/Sit down on markings - to safely take part in our programme, please always stand or seat on the "X". Either when you want to take part in a Workshop or you want to enjoy the stage schedule. Even if you wait for the Photostation, take care of your position in the queue.; Do not move the chairs - Keep the chairs in the marked positions, even (those) at the cozy round tables, so that the distance is always kept.; All the rules you can find on our website!; Have fun!

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