EPICCON 11th Jan 2025
EPICCON is an event that was first thought of by the Not-For-Profit POP-CON INC., which I had the pleasure of attending not only as a patron but also as a content creator. The event took place on the 11th of January 2025 and started at 10am at the Citiplace Community Centre in Perth. The location for the event was really easy to get to, and the venue was a good size for POP-CON’s first event. I was pleasantly surprised at how organised the event was.
EPICCON is an event created by POP-CON INC. Its main focus is on cosplayers, with a secondary focus on artists. This unique approach really stands out from the usual conventions, offering a refreshing change. It was great seeing the variety of cosplayers who attended the event; all of the cosplays were incredibly well done. The artist stalls were thoughtfully designed and positioned, creating the feeling of walking down an artist's alley. It was an experience unlike any other convention I’ve attended, evoking a sense of warmth and ease.
EPICCON also featured a livestream throughout the day, hosted by princeoftofu, a local Perth cosplayer. Be sure to check out their Instagram! I’ll discuss more into the livestream further below.
I had the pleasure of participating as a content creator, interviewing attendees during the event and afterwards. I’ll delve into those interviews further below.
I truly hope POP-CON hosts more events this year. It would be a fantastic way for them to grow, gain recognition within the Perth community, and establish connections with other conventions. I’m excited to see what they achieve in the future.
The grand opening of EPICCON 2025
This is a photo from Khengy.
One of the wonderful people I got to interview at EPICCON was Amathyst, the President of POP-CON. She shared how EPICCON was inspired by Japanese cosplay conventions. Amathyst wanted to create something similar here in Perth, with a focus on cosplay and the photography aspects—something new compared to the usual conventions in the area.
Amathyst mentioned “while preparation was busy and a little stressful, I am excited and proud of the turnout and exceeded my expectations”. Attendance was even likely to double (at the time of the interview) the anticipated numbers. She said “I am incredibly thankful for the hard work that the team has put into the event“, which was clear from the success of the event. (Throughout the day, the artist alley and photography areas were full of cosplayers and patrons.)
President - Amathyst (photographer Zcreto)
I had asked Amathyst if there was any details about another EPICCON event, she replied saying “There are idea’s for another EPICCON, however there is nothing more to say as it’s a secret “. She was grateful for the opportunity to share her vision and ecstatic about how the event unfolded, feeling proud and optimistic about the future.
Photo of the Content Creators of EPICCON
Photograph taken by alexieromustdie
I was also able to take some time off a photographer for a little short interview, who was working at the event. He said, “My favorite photography background is the Sakura blossom background”. He also mentioned “ it seems to be the favorite of cosplayers as well” most likely due to the decorative flowers that they could interact with and use within photos.
When I had asked him about the ease of being able to take photo’s, he said “ it was mostly smooth to move around “, but was a little tricky around the artist alley area as there were many patrons there looking at all the stalls there. Overall he said “ the event was easygoing and relaxed, with so many opportunites to take photos and interact with the attendees ”.
He also mentioned “ I had seen cosplayers that came had lots of creativity, even though today was warm ”. Alex was incredibly impressed by the event, that it had also exceeded his expectations, that the event was intimate and cozy which was good for mingling and enjoying the event.
Alex is hopeful for more EPICCON and PopCon events in the future, due to the success of this one. He mentioned “ I strongly believe that larger crowds will come to future events” . As well as his keen interest to come to future PopCon events as a volunteer/photographer. Overall he is excited about the future of EPICCON events and seeing how it grows and evolves over the coming years.
I had the chance to talk with Dawn Rose, a creator attending EPICCON, about her experience at the event’s debut. Dawn described it as “a very enjoyable experience. For a first-time convention, it was smooth, had an awesome vibe, and was quite relaxing.”
She appreciated the creative touches, like the Sakura trees and the Japanese school theme. “It felt very homely and out of the ordinary, like, ‘this is our first time—please enjoy,’” she said. The warm atmosphere allowed for meaningful interactions between attendees, cosplayers, and creators—something she felt larger conventions often miss.
Dawn also highlighted the live-streaming setup, noting that it’s rare to have good internet at conventions. “The team thought outside the box, which I appreciated,” she mentioned. While she enjoyed the event, she suggested that future conventions could include a space for panels to encourage more interaction.
She also praised the staff, calling them approachable and attentive to attendees’ needs. “You could tell the organizers cared about making everyone feel welcome,” Dawn said. Overall, she was impressed with EPICCON’s friendly atmosphere and inventive execution. She’s excited to see how the event evolves in the coming years and hopes it will become a regular feature on the convention calendar.
I had the chance to chat with Pav, the "pineapple man," about his thoughts on EPICCON’s debut and his role in local conventions. Pav was genuinely impressed with the team’s hard work, saying, “I could not be prouder of what the team has put together.” He felt that the event came together smoothly and created a great vibe for everyone involved.
Looking ahead, Pav sees even more potential for EPICCON. He believes the venue could expand to make room for even bigger experiences. “A bigger space will give you more opportunity to do bigger and better things,” he explained. He’s excited about what the future holds, knowing that this is just the beginning for EPICCON.
When it comes to advice for other conventions, like PopCon, Pav stressed the importance of staying grounded and focusing on the community. “Stay true to the community because I think that is the primary focus,” he shared. For him, conventions are all about the people, and it’s crucial not to lose sight of that. “Do the best you can for the people who matter,” he added, reminding us that the heart of any event is its attendees.
Pav also spoke about his work with the Waach Community and Pixel Expo. “We’re a group that puts on meet-up events for local creators,” he said, emphasizing the importance of fostering collaboration among Western Australia’s content creators. He’s also involved with Pixel Expo, which is quickly becoming one of the state’s biggest pop culture events. “Pixel Expo every year has raised the bar, and year four is going to be no different,” he said, clearly excited for what’s to come.
You can find Pavs Instagram here.
Pav - Photo by Khengy
“It’s a really daunting task to step into the convention space and figure out what to do, what not to do, and I am incredibly impressed by the effort that Amy and everyone else has put in to do their research and get our understanding in the last year and put everything into practice.” - Pav
Artists.
Epiccon’s first convention left a lasting impression on the artists who attended, with each bringing a unique perspective to the table. One artist shared their enthusiasm, saying, “Epiccon was super fun, and I was pleasantly surprised by how many people came to support our small event!” They highlighted the live piano and games on the Wii U as standout features and added, “I didn’t get much time to sit down and draw upstairs—though I did get a good Nesquik!”
Another artist echoed the sense of community, describing the event as “a very enjoyable experience with an awesome vibe and awesome people.” They appreciated how the event fostered meaningful connections, saying, “It was nice to be in a space that felt like a community.” They admitted to being surprised by the turnout, especially given the venue's size and the event’s status as a newcomer. “It was actually crazy busy, which is great for the vendors,” they said.
The sense of togetherness extended to everyone present, as a third artist noted. “I had a wonderful time at Epiccon. I really enjoyed the environment and how it was organised. Everyone was so welcoming and friendly,” they shared. They praised the smooth organisation and layout, saying, “Even during the busier moments, it wasn’t too clustered. Everything was well-labelled and easy to find.”
Each artist also highlighted the inclusive and uplifting atmosphere. One described it as “wonderful, with so many people in cosplay and so much shared enthusiasm for anime and gaming. It was just lovely to be in a space like that.” Another noted how the cheerful vibe “rubbed off on everyone, making the day so enjoyable.” All agreed that the event was a resounding success for both attendees and vendors, with one artist summing it up perfectly: “Epiccon was a brilliant event—fun, family-friendly, and supportive of local talent. I can’t wait to do it again!”









Finally, let’s talk about the live streaming that took place during the event. It kicked off with the host, PrinceofTofu, and Amathyst introducing EPICCON and providing an overview of the convention. The live stream setup was seamless and beautifully presented, creating an engaging atmosphere for both in-person and online audiences.
Princeoftofu interviewing an artist
Taken by The Moments Good
Following the introduction, the host interviewed Palovaface, the face of Pixel Expo, followed by an entertaining and informative interview with Woken_Cosplay, who shared information about Pixel Expo among other things.
After a short break, EPICCON hosted several interactive quizzes that engaged both attendees and online viewers. The livestream continued with panels, starting with an impressive and well-thought-out discussion on Balan Wonderworld. This was followed by a Minecraft SMP panel, where participants shared the history of their server and discussed their involvement in the charity event Jingle Jam.
A standout moment was the Artist Promotions segment, which gave artists a platform to showcase their work and talk about their products. Later, the Minecraft SMP panel returned with a Mario speedrun, leading up to the event’s closing ceremony, hosted by PrinceofTofu and Amethyst.
Overall, the livestream was a fantastic addition to EPICCON. The interviews, panels, and interactive segments were well-organised and thoughtfully executed, adding an extra layer of excitement and engagement to the convention experience.
I will be attending the next event hosted by POP-CON. The atmosphere was truly wonderful and welcoming. If you haven’t already, make sure to check out their social media accounts on Instagram, Twitter/X, and Facebook to stay updated. I have no doubt their next event will be even bigger and better, so keep an eye out for announcements!
That’s all for now—see you all in the next post or game review!
Article made by Sirius Duskborne
I am a VTuber and am wanting to bring back the good old days of gaming articles and events back to gamers.