When Planet Comic-con first announced their new venture into a more, Anime focused convention experience. With a complimentary convention centered on solely Anime you tend to run into some constrains rather quickly. Now with this conventions third year behind it, the growing pains are becoming evident. Having spent three days at the show and getting to chat with cosplayer, exhibitor and enjoying it from a veteran convention attendee perspective, I hope to offer you all an insight and our personal review for the convention itself. I was not apart of the press pool as I sadly lack the requirements that Planet requires to other such creators to meet, so I sadly lack a lot of photo options that I would have otherwise tried to have grabbed. I was a simple 3-day attendee for this one!

A Convention That’s Polished And Enjoyable

From the standpoint of going to a convention with the goal of having the best experience possible, Planet Anime Kansas City (PAKC here on out) is by far a stellar offering for anyone within the area. Not only are the staff accommodating, numerous and easily approachable, they work to ensure that YOU, the attendee, has the most enjoyable time possible. In my three year attendance of this convention, and four with Planet Comic-Con Kansas City, I’ve not once had an issue or detracting experience with their staff. If anything, their attitudes and warm personalities make interacting with them such a breeze. Even the After Dark Staff are massively enjoyable and a delight to talk with. Whether you are needing to get directed, help with purchasing a badge or just getting around they have the expertise to help. Which is saying a lot as other conventions within the area have historically struggled with over zealous staff members who border on controlling. With that being said, I am aware that it’s never always sunshine and rainbows as several cosplayers did express issue with staff. The largest complaint received was that even with a wristband shown and displayed properly they were still given an incredibly hard time.

Yet it is also the way in which they make use of the convention center that also makes the con extremely navigable. Having Everything you want to see in one, huge vendor hall makes the experience of getting the art you want while also seeing your favorite voice actress or actor an enjoyable affair. Granted this will present an issue with lines and walkway management if you happen to have a highly in demand guest, like May Hong. Yet, I can assuredly say that for all of Saturday and Sunday, the lines were never intrusive and seemed to be managed with expertise and ease. The spacing for Vendors also felt marginally wider and allowed for easier navigation during the show floor’s operational hours. Even the cosplay meet up spaces were operationally accessible. The only area of weakness that has been pervasive within the exhibit hall, has been the food court area and the sever lack of proper seating space. As the primary eating space next to the food trucks were a hot commodity and in short supply.

I still feel that given their use of only half of the total space in the convention center, that they managed to make the most of it. Maybe move some of the tables from the rear area of Celebrity Row and bring them over towards the cosplay meet-up space and food truck space to help allow better ease of access to sitting space. Another facet of this area that could stand to improve was the large size given to a a trading card zone, that saw little to no use. When it was being used, no one was trading cards at all and were just simply using it as a lounge space. I would have personally liked to see it moved into a dedicated panel room or even within the tabletop gaming space, as that is also where many of the TCG competitions were being organized.

Where the exhibit floor holds all manner of goods and talent, the rest of the convention space is reserved for panel rooms, event rooms, activity rooms and the main stage. With the standard affair of panel offerings from guest Q&A, to Idolfest’s and J-Fashion shows. The offering of fan panels this year seemed to be the densest yet. With a good variety of options to be had for both the day and night. As when the sun goes down and the day wears on, the convention flips to an 18+ After Dark with Rave rooms, adult coloring rooms and even adult focused panels. If you are unable to find something to satisfy a craving then, I don’t know what you are doing. Because the sheer amount of options for an anime convention is incredible.

From cosplay contests to the ever pervasive nature of photoshoots, there is so much to find at PAKC. Having partook of some photoshoot plans myself, the convention space and surrounding are have many wonderful sight-lines. From a spacious and covered back patio space, to the incredible fall colored streets. There’s a spot and place for you to meet and shoot in. Even the interior options and connecting Sky Bridge offers a great option for aspiring photographers and season cosplayers the space to look stunning!

An Emcee that feels too showboating and sincere lack of industry representation.

Any good convention that seeks to differentiate itself from the rest or even that of parent convention, will often attempt to find ways to switch up the formula. However with PAKC borrowing so much of it’s genetic makeup from it’s parent convention, Planet Comic Con, there is the inevitable issue where it will present the similar issues that can potentially placate a convention that isn’t as focused on film talent. The showman style and Emcee that was helming many of the guest panels felt out of place, and while the questions themselves were fine, it would make for a better panel to allow the guests to helm it themselves. Allowing guests to guide the show and have them present something to the attendees would have been preferential to what we usually experience out of Planet Comic Con. Other competing conventions of similar size usually offer formats similar to the above described one. It cuts out the awkward need to an Emcee that feels out of place in an industry where the fan interaction with the guests can be a more intimate one and not controlled purely by whatever the emcee in question is scripted to ask.

This touches on another aspect that would be an immense boon towards future growth with PAKC: Industry exhibitors and guests. Wait I hear you say, but they already have voice actresses and actors who are effectively representing their industry! Yes, that would be correct however they aren’t a Crunchyroll nor a Good Smile. Having the opportunity to bring in companies, which have historically offered industry panels, or companies that offer vendor experiences, such as Good Smile or Viz Media would garner some sense of larger offerings, as well as open the doors for PAKC to diversify itself away from the standard format that has been adapted from its parent convention. It not only gives your attendees an experience that would elevate it from the rest of the local conventions, it would allow PAKC to operate in direct competition with other venues like ACEN or SanJapan.

While the logistics of procuring guests can be daunting, I am sure there is a process to go through for them to consider such endeavors, but I assure them that it would be well worth the effort. Aside from even that option, there is always the ability to diversify even their guests by including Japanese voice talent or even mangaka. Branching out to the Japanese itself would be a good first step in bringing in fans who might prefer the subbed material over the dubbed ones. Mangaka even can bring in smaller talent wishing to show off their doujinshi or main line releases you would see from the likes of VIZ media. Food for thought as I would like to say, but it is ultimately a direction for positive growth that could elevate this convention into the next phase of its life.

All in the complaints themselves are a small aspect from the feedback we gathered from convention attendees. The over all consensus from them and even ourselves was that this was by far, the best PAKC held yet. With only three years behind its belt, there is plenty of road ahead for it to go. However I do hope that the convention organizers are cognizant of differentiating the convention away from the Planet Comic Con formula in favor for something more bold. Something that can help elevate this con to be a true anime experience beyond just the English speaking scene. All in, 2025 was still a rousing success and a sign that the convention is still maturing and growing into itself. With many aspects of this con having already influenced even its parent convention. I have high hopes that Chris and the crew will continue to strive to make this the best anime convention possible. My only hope is that they look into some of the recommendations here and genuinely take them to heart.

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