The costumed festivities continue this weekend with Anime Pasadena, a two-day convention pulling fans from all over who love anime, manga and Japanese pop culture.
Unlike previous years, for its fifth iteration the convention will utilize the entirety of the Pasadena Convention space to feature an array of events, including at least 350 vendors, over 45 celebrity guests, live music, games, panels and meet-ups.
This year, officials said, it’s all about giving back to the fans with an array of activities and “freebies” included with the attendance cost, such as two free professional photography booths, a scavenger hunt, a free arcade zone and even limited edition Anime Pasadena trinket giveaways.
“Pasadena itself is just a beautiful city with some amazing people and I think that we bring something more to the table than just like a normal comic convention,” said Colin Bass, marketing director of Anime Pasadena.
Outside the bustle of Los Angeles yet still centrally located, the 130,000-square-foot LEED Gold Certified Pasadena Convention Center includes a Civic Auditorium with 1,800 seats. Here, fans can sit in to hear from their favorite creators. This year’s panels focus on the contemporary fan shows like “Chainsaw Man,” “Jujutsu Kaisen” and “Bungo Stray Dogs” and games like the “Kingdom Hearts.”
The long awaited Kingdom Hearts 4 was announced in 2022 at the Kingdom Hearts 20th Anniversary showcase, along with the mobile addition, Kingdom Hearts Missing-Link, which is also in development with a 2024 release.
With this year’s success of Netflix’s live-action rendition of “One Piece,” organizers made sure to invite the iconic English voice cast for the ongoing anime that started in 1997 — that is 20 seasons, 11 sagas with 32 arcs for more than 1,000 episodes in counting!
In between panels, con-goers can dent their wallet at the Artist Alley, join a gaming tournament, order tea at the Dreamworld Maid Cafe, sing in Anime Karaoke, try the Four Empires interactive experience and meet up with other cosplayers decked out as characters from the same shows.
If all that isn’t enough, an additional pass can be purchased for admission to Saturday’s after party featuring the band, Not A Phase, a Pop Punk/Emo cover band.
“We want the attendees to always have something fun to do in between the vendors or the cast panels or meeting celebrities,” Bass said. “We are on year five now, and we’re starting to really become a like a community.”
According to the numbers, fans have consistantly shown up. Visit Pasadena estimates that this year’s Anime Pasadena will bring $1.7 million into the city. This projection, officials said, is based on direct business sales from 2022 attendees, organizer, and sponsors in the lodging, transportation, food and beverage, retail, recreation, space rental and business services industries.
Grateful businesses have joined in the spirit of giving back through the “Show Your Badge” program, offering discounts for local food, drinks and entertainment.
“Anime Pasadena is a fantastic event, celebrating one of the most passionate and diverse fan communities in the world,” Michael Ross, CEO of Pasadena Center Operating Company said. “This weekend, fans and cosplayers of all ages and backgrounds will light up downtown Pasadena during this celebration of Japanese pop culture. Along with a fascinating weekend of programming with major anime celebrities, we are delighted to see the attendees explore our walkable shopping, dining, and entertainment districts in their favorite costumes.”
For more information, including tickets and a schedule of events visit animepasadena.com.
