News Feed
January 23, 2026
We are excited to announce Iris Garden x Haenuli as our fashion guest for Naka-Kon 2026! You'll see the debut of brand-new designs at the fashion show, spend time with them at the Lolita Fashion Tea Party, and shop their collection in the exhibit hall, with more surprises to come!
January 21, 2026
Nakama! We are excited to announce the return of DJ Sameshima. He is part of the group called BAN BAN BAN, who were guests at Naka-Kon 2025. This year, he’s joining us as a solo Anison DJ and will provide support to our guest of honor during Naka-kon 2026. Sameshime-san is an expert DJ in the Anison genre. Anison Disco is a fun, interactive event open to all ages and fandoms, where attendees can enjoy dancing (otagei) to their favorite anime songs (anison).
January 19, 2026
Nakama - It’s time to beat the drums of liberation and nostalgia!
Our Naka-Kon 2026 guest of honor is an artist who has been part of the ONE PIECE franchise from the beginning: Maki Otsuki!!!
January 19, 2026
Haven't submitted your fan panel application? The deadline for applications is tomorrow - Tuesday, January 20th! Visit the programming page and submit your panel application today!
All applicants will receive an email from Programming Directors within 48 hours after the deadline with details on the next steps of their application. Be sure to check your spam folder if you haven’t received an email by then and email programming@naka-kon.com with any questions.
January 14, 2026
Nakama! Are you ready to howl at the moon! Cause it’s time for our next guest announcement! All the way from Cherryton Academy, this six eyed demon house husband is excited to meet, and not beat or eat all of you! Sound off for Jonah Scott!
📅 March 13-15, 2026
📍 Overland Park Convention Center
🎟️ Get Your Tickets Now
January 13, 2026
Nakama, the convention is getting close - it's only two months away. Have you brushed up on the rules? Or have you just simply forgotten to take a look? Time to fix that.
We've made a few changes, primarily to our Dress Code and Prop/ Weapon Policy. Please check them out and if you have any questions don't hesitate to contact AC at accesscontrol@naka-kon.com.
December 23, 2025
Nakama! I hope you’ve been on your best behavior! Cause it’s time to announce our next guest! Please welcome Xanthe Huynh!
She’s known as our very own Mother, Eve, in Records of Ragnarok! Sailor Guardian Pallas in Pretty Guardian Sailor Moon Eternal, and of course get ready to fight with your soul against Haru Okumura of the Persona franchise! All of these and many more!
December 19, 2025
Nakama and other humans: Prepare your light sticks and get ready for an alien invasion! Please welcome dystopian-pop idol PAiDA to Naka-Kon 2026!
This intergalactic and international performer sings bouncy doomer music while doing her part to save the planet - will you join in?
Until then, what's an alien's favorite dessert? It's pie, duh!
Catch PAiDA’s live performance and other appearances at Naka-Kon 2026!
December 17, 2025
Oh Nakama Baby birds! Start practicing your American Breathing and pick up your trash while you’re at it! Quit Trippin! Naka-Kon is pleased to announce returning guest Zeno Robinson!
You know him from iconic characters such as:
⚡ Hawks (My Hero Academia)
⚡ Genya (Demon Slayer)
⚡ Jabber (Gachiakuta)
⚡ Gamma 2 (Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero)
⚡ Goh (Pokémon Journeys)
⚡ Cyborg (Young Justice)
December 16, 2025
Applications open today at 6pm for the Naka to Nihon event!
Information and application are available on the Naka to Nihon page.
Application closes on February 3, 2026 at 6:00 p.m. CT! If you have any questions, please email nakatonihon@naka-kon.com!
December 16, 2025
Heads up, Nakama! The contest lineup at Naka-Kon is changing for 2026!
We're excited to present a refreshed AMV Contest, featuring online entries, genre categories, cash prizes, and free badges for all finalists! Plus, audience members at our AMV Showcase events will have the chance to vote for which AMVs will win in each category. It's an AMV Contest you won't want to miss!
Here's a quick summary for the refreshed AMV Contest rules!
December 12, 2025
Nakama, ready your crafting supply stash, because this is the official announcement of the cosplay showcases available for the 2026 show! This includes the Mainstage Cosplay Contest, where we are again delighted to partner with Holiday Matsuri to offer the Winter Cosplay Championship Delegate Award. There are some exciting new opportunities for contestants this year, so please read the rules carefully. Registration opens Tuesday, January 6, at 6:00 p.m. CT
December 5, 2025
Naka-Kon’s mission has always been to celebrate Japanese culture, and we’re excited to announce a brand new experience to support that cause. Naka-kon is sending one outstanding member of the Naka-Kon community on a 5-day, 4-night trip to Tokyo, Japan! The trip includes tours, special events, and more. Naka-Kon will cover the cost of airfare, hotel, a guide, and the itinerary for one, and when you return, you will share your experiences with the rest of the Naka-Kon community...
December 3, 2025
Exhibit Hall status emails have been sent. Please check to make sure you received one. If you did not receive an email, please email vendors@naka-kon.com so we can check your status and get back to you.
November 1, 2025
Nakama Idols - the time has come! The 2026 Sunflower Idol Festival portfolio submissions are open! If you or anyone you know wants to strut their stuff on the largest Idol stage in the Midwest please fill out this form. Make sure to read all the instructions before submitting! This form will be open until December 1st at 6pm CST.
October 1, 2025
Nakama! The Naka-Kon 2026 registration and hotel blocks are now open! Register and book your rooms now!
Update October 13th: The Sheraton Hotel room block is sold out on Friday and Saturday nights! Please check the hotel page for overflow hotel options.
September 24, 2025
Nakama - mark your calendar, we will be opening 2026 registration and the hotel room block next week on October 1st.
September 8, 2025
Nakama Artist and Vendors: Exhibit Hall applications are now open for Naka-Kon 2026! The applications will be open for the rest of the month and close on October 7th, 2025. The process is juried so we will review all applications. We can't wait to see which artists, vendors, and other exhibitors might be joining us this year!
June 2, 2025
Calling all support class Nakama! Ready to level up your Naka-Kon experience and join our quest to make 2026 the best convention yet? We're putting out a call for all volunteers!
Whether you're able to help year-round, con-weekend, or pre-con only, we have a spot for you on our team. Bringing an event as fun as Naka-Kon to life takes a lot of teamwork, dedication, and care. So, if you are ready, apply today!
March 13, 2025
We are excited to offer attendees complimentary shuttle buses between convention hotels and local restaurants and shops again this year. Stops include our supporters KC Craft Ramen and Leone Original Pizza, which is planning to have Japan-inspired specialty pizzas just for Naka-Kon attendees this weekend!
Visit the Shuttle Bus page for a map, schedule, and list of stops.
March 12, 2025
WELCOME TO HI-NAKTANE
The Naka-Kon dance party is back again with a brand new energy! This year we have a double performance featuring Japanese artist and UK Hardcore legend GETTY. Supporting him will be DJ Chef Nyguen, scratch_ xor_sniff and TsundereThots (Idol Thots b2b TsundereBoys).
Get ready for two nights filled with non-stop, high intensity music inspired by Japan's club scene. Wear your best outfits, your best cosplays and party with us all night long!
March 11, 2025
For those Nakama night owls, our screenings schedule is now available. We've got anime running from 3pm on Friday until 4:30pm on Sunday. So if you need a break from the con or just want to watch some anime, head on over to the Sheraton rooms Hawthorne 1 & 2 to catch a show.
March 9, 2025
Naka-Kon is excited to partner with the Kauffman Center of Performing Arts to give away tickets to the upcoming concert, NARUTO: The Symphonic Experience! Please fill out the following form by Thursday, March 13, 2025, for your chance to win a pair of tickets. Winners will be emailed on Friday, March 14, 2025.
March 3, 2025
Nakama, are you ready? March 14th is almost here! The schedule is also ready! Have you snagged your badge yet? If not, what are you waiting for? Grab your badge now