In Character, In Community

How two Decatur locals have embraced the magic and splendor of MomoCon

By Michael J. Pallerino

Gray Jackson remembers the sunlight. It wasn’t during a panel, a photoshoot or even one of the many costumed meetups that unfold every year at MomoCon. It was in a golden, quiet moment before it all began—a calm before the fandom storm. For Gray, a Decatur and MomoCon participant, there has always been a magical moment walking through the atrium between Halls A and B on the Wednesday afternoon before the horde descends on the Georgia World Congress Center.

The first time was in 2011. It was Jackson’s first trip to the four-day fanfest that annually draws more than 60,000 residents each Memorial Day Weekend for cosplay, animation, gaming, music, and more. More than just an event, MomoCon, now in its 20th year, is part tradition, part creative outlet and all community.

“The glass ceiling diffuses the gold of the sunlight across the nearly empty floor, lighting up the huge wall poster of Kaiju Momo on the other end,” says Gray, who now serves as MomoCon’s Social Media Director. “It’s like taking a breath. ‘The deep breath before the plunge,’ as Gandalf (a protagonist in J. R. R. Tolkien’s novels The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings) might say.”

When the final tallies are done, this year’s event is expected to have an economic impact of $42.2 million on metro Atlanta, according to the Atlanta Convention & Visitors Bureau. But for attendees like Gray and Shanice Turner, a fellow Decatur area resident, the real value lies in the moments that cannot be measured.

Gray first attended MomoCon in 2011, tagging along with their dad for a smaller, free convention. Self admitted nerds, they say that while her dad leaned more sci-fi, Gray was anime through and through. Years later, a friend offered a free volunteer ticket and Gray jumped back in. Gray has been involved ever since, eventually going on to lead the social media team during the convention. Describing the experience as exhilarating, exhausting and entirely worth it, Gray, who walks between 20,000 and 30,000 steps a day, goes as many as 58,000-plus while cosplaying characters with what they call a simple theme: “Has pants.”

“Given all my poetic waxing, I think it is safe to say my favorite part is simply being involved,” Gray says. “I’ll toodle around the Con and maybe participate in a few things, but I genuinely cherish the work that I do. Of that work, I think I have to say that my Wednesday late night walking tour live stream is probably my favorite. I’m a very nosy person, so I figure everyone else might also be nosy. I feel that the livestream gives attendees waiting for the con to start a sense of the space and a feeling of anticipation, and also might tempt potential attendees who are still on the fence.”

For MomoCon novices, Gray says that what sits at the heart of the lively event with something always happening is the camaraderie. MomoCon is run by people who work well together and care for the Con in a deeply personal way. “I think that shows in the atmosphere of the show,” Gray says. “A convention is an ephemeral thing. It lives for a weekend out of the year, but the impression it leaves behind? That lasts forever.”

Ririchiyo Shirakiin from *Inu × Boku SS*
Shanice Turner’s first MomoCon experience was in 2016. As Ririchiyo Shirakiin from *Inu × Boku SS*, the voice actress, speaker and nonprofit consultant wanted to be in a space where she could cosplay, talk about anime and cartoons and not be perceived as peculiar.

The moment took. Attending every other year since in and around family and business obligations, her cosplay list reads like a mashup of gamer icons and anime legends: Princess Tiana, D.Va, Sheva Alomar and Sakura from *Naruto*. She also volunteers in the media relations department, gaining a new appreciation for the work behind the scenes.

“It’s amazing to look at MomoCon through the lens of a staff member and see how we make every year better for our guests,” Shanice says. “The people, cosplay, working with the staff and media relations team and guests keeps me coming back. Knowing that there’s always so much more to be seen and learned. And there is such a strong community, artistic and creative displays, amazing costumes, cosplay and great people.”

Her MomoCon experience also has helped shape her creative pursuits. Shanice says the convention has pushed her deeper into voice acting, where she has interviewed industry stars like Rob Paulsen, Troy Baker and Estelle. “MomoCon brings a sense of family, fun and fandom. There’s a space for everybody.”

For both Gray and Shanice, MomoCon is more than a date on the calendar; it’s a touchstone—a place to create, connect and feel fully seen. Whether it’s through the lens of a livestream, a character brought to life or the quiet glow of sunlight before the doors open, MomoCon continues to offer something rare: a space where passion meets purpose and everyone belongs.

And in a world that moves fast, that kind of magic is worth coming back for—again and again.