For fans of media like anime, gaming and comic books, conventions are an increasingly popular way to find a sense of community and meet like-minded people. Virginia’s convention scene is dominated by several major names, including GalaxyCon Richmond and Nekocon, which attract thousands of visitors every year. Charlottesville locals typically have to travel across the state to enjoy events like these, but four passionate student organizers are changing that with Daigakon, the University’s first anime and gaming convention.
Taking place Sunday, the all-day event is a collaborative effort between members of the Cosplay Costuming & Crafts Club and Comics and Animation INternational Exploration, also known as CAINE or Anime Club. Four students — third-year College student Cathy Le, third-year College student Link Fu, fourth-year College student Charlene Huynh and third-year Architecture student Joe Liang — banded together as its main organizers.
It will span three floors of Newcomb Hall including the ballroom, which will be transformed into a vendor hall and artist alley with a large selection of arts, crafts and merchandise from over 50 student and local businesses. Meanwhile, the gaming hall will offer arcade machines and a tournament for the popular card game Magic the Gathering.
Amidst these offerings, there will also be a lineup of live entertainment to enjoy in Newcomb Theater. First, a talk from game developer and Class of 2022 alumnus Andrew Tsai will take place in the afternoon followed by varied performances by the likes of martial arts group Virginia Wushu Club, idol group Sweet and Sweet Idols and Peach Tea PUNCH!, a cover band from the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area.
An enduring staple of anime, gaming and comic conventions is cosplay, and Daigakon hopes to similarly bring a crowd of costumed attendees to Grounds. Visitors are encouraged to dress up as their favorite characters and show off their outfits with a free photo booth featuring themed backdrops and props. In addition, anyone 18 and older can sign up for a cosplay contest and win prizes for their crafting skills. All told, Daigakon will be a jam-packed day with plenty for fans of all ages to see and do.
To bring the convention experience to as many people as possible, Daigakon will be open to the public and free to attend. The event is committed to offering an accessible alternative to the typical convention scene and satisfy the demand for such an experience in central Virginia, according to Liang.
“We are hoping to build a fun, affordable, space for people to express their passions for anime, gaming and pop culture,” Liang said.
Although planning for Daigakon began in earnest in late December, its inception dates back to 2021 with former members of CAINE, according to Liang. It was originally envisioned as a collaboration with Virginia Commonwealth University Anime Club and several other colleges across Virginia, but Liang said that logistical and funding issues put the idea on ice. In late 2025, current students began to make it a reality. Le said she was inspired to help put on the event by her experiences at similar conventions, where she saw people come out of their shells and make new friends in a welcoming space.
“Being able to talk to people I’ve never met before based on shared interests is really exciting for me and is a reason why I love going to [conventions],” Le said. “I thought to myself, ‘Why isn’t there an event like this at U.Va.?’ I’m sure that a lot of people would be interested, and I want to encourage people to be their true selves in a fun and engaging environment.”
The event has been made possible thanks to funding from Student Council and the University Programs Council, as well as support from Scholars’ Lab Makerspace and other student organizations like U.Va. Esports and Student Game Developers. Since the idea began to take shape, Daigakon has grown into a complex undertaking for its small team of organizers, according to Fu. She expressed her gratitude for the support of the University community in their help bringing Daigakon to fruition.
“Coordinating 200-plus people simultaneously is a lot of responsibility for the four of us, but we’re grateful to also have this large team behind us,” Fu said. “From artists, website designers, to judges and volunteers, we couldn’t have gotten this far without them.”
Huynh shared similar sentiments, speaking on both the challenges and fulfillment of putting together such an ambitious event.
“Frankly speaking, planning for Daigakon has been an extremely draining process, but it is rewarding to build a space where fans and cosplayers can connect in the Charlottesville community,” Huynh said. “I wouldn’t take back any ounce of effort I poured into this convention.”
Together, these four students are hoping to bring a day of creative expression, joy and camaraderie to the University community and Charlottesville at large.
“I hope that people are able to find a community that celebrates their true self and also are encouraged to try new things,” Le said. “A lot of people have said they appreciate that an event like this is happening in Charlottesville, and we are really glad we can provide an outlet.”
Anyone interested in attending Daigakon can visit the event’s website to learn more or pre-register to secure exclusive goodies before the fun kicks off Sunday at 12:00 p.m.
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