Cosplayers and anime fans descended on the Pasadena Convention Center for Anime Pasadena on Saturday, Nov. 4, 2023. (Photo by Trevor Stamp, Contributing Photographer)
A figurine is displayed at one the many vendors at the Pasadena Convention Center for Anime Pasadena on Saturday, Nov. 4, 2023. (Photo by Trevor Stamp, Contributing Photographer)
Cosplayers and anime fans descended on the Pasadena Convention Center for Anime Pasadena on Saturday, Nov. 4, 2023. (Photo by Trevor Stamp, Contributing Photographer)
Cosplayers and anime fans make their way through Hall B of the Pasadena Convention Center for Anime Pasadena on Saturday, Nov. 4, 2023. (Photo by Trevor Stamp, Contributing Photographer)
Cosplayers and anime fans make their way through Hall B of the Pasadena Convention Center for Anime Pasadena on Saturday, Nov. 4, 2023. (Photo by Trevor Stamp, Contributing Photographer)
A cosplayer dressed as Luigi from Nintendo’s Super Mario series makes their way into the Pasadena Convention Center for Anime Pasadena on Saturday, Nov. 4, 2023. (Photo by Trevor Stamp, Contributing Photographer)
Cosplayers and anime fans descended on the Pasadena Convention Center for Anime Pasadena on Saturday, Nov. 4, 2023. (Photo by Trevor Stamp, Contributing Photographer)
Cosplayers and anime fans descended on the Pasadena Convention Center for Anime Pasadena on Saturday, Nov. 4, 2023. (Photo by Trevor Stamp, Contributing Photographer)
Cosplayers and anime fans descended on the Pasadena Convention Center for Anime Pasadena on Saturday, Nov. 4, 2023. (Photo by Trevor Stamp, Contributing Photographer)
Cosplayers and anime fans make their way through Hall B of the Pasadena Convention Center for Anime Pasadena on Saturday, Nov. 4, 2023. (Photo by Trevor Stamp, Contributing Photographer)
Kahlan De La Torre, 13, cosplays as Hua Cheng from Heaven Offical’s Blessing during Anime Pasadena at the Pasadena Convention Center on Saturday, Nov. 4, 2023. (Photo by Trevor Stamp, Contributing Photographer)
Cosplayers and anime fans descended on the Pasadena Convention Center for Anime Pasadena on Saturday, Nov. 4, 2023. (Photo by Trevor Stamp, Contributing Photographer)
Cosplayers and anime fans enter the Pasadena Convention Center for Anime Pasadena on Saturday, Nov. 4, 2023. (Photo by Trevor Stamp, Contributing Photographer)
Cosplayers and anime fans descended on the Pasadena Convention Center for Anime Pasadena on Saturday, Nov. 4, 2023. (Photo by Trevor Stamp, Contributing Photographer)
Cosplayers and anime fans wait outside of the Pasadena Convention Center before the doors open for Anime Pasadena on Saturday, Nov. 4, 2023. (Photo by Trevor Stamp, Contributing Photographer)
Cosplayers and anime fans make their way through Hall B of the Pasadena Convention Center for Anime Pasadena on Saturday, Nov. 4, 2023. (Photo by Trevor Stamp, Contributing Photographer)
Cosplayers and anime fans descended on the Pasadena Convention Center for Anime Pasadena on Saturday, Nov. 4, 2023. (Photo by Trevor Stamp, Contributing Photographer)
Cosplayers and anime fans wait outside of the Pasadena Convention Center before the doors open for Anime Pasadena on Saturday, Nov. 4, 2023. (Photo by Trevor Stamp, Contributing Photographer)
Anabel, 26, cosplays as Levi Ackerman from Attack on Titan during Anime Pasadena at the Pasadena Convention Center on Saturday, Nov. 4, 2023. (Photo by Trevor Stamp, Contributing Photographer)
Cosplayers and anime fans wait outside of the Pasadena Convention Center before the doors open for Anime Pasadena on Saturday, Nov. 4, 2023. (Photo by Trevor Stamp, Contributing Photographer)
Cj Levi Bain, 22, of Corona cosplays as Insokue Hashibira from Demon Slayer during Anime Pasadena at the Pasadena Convention Center on Saturday, Nov. 4, 2023. (Photo by Trevor Stamp, Contributing Photographer)
A cosplayer who goes by Suri Lockheart dresses as Moxxie’s mother from Helluva Boss during Anime Pasadena at the Pasadena Convention Center on Saturday, Nov. 4, 2023. (Photo by Trevor Stamp, Contributing Photographer)
Anime Pasadena, the city’s fifth year hosting the convention, promised attendees a weekend focused on anime and manga fans, artists and creators.
And from its Saturday, Nov. 4 showing, with a Sunday event still to come, it was doing just that.
In the true spirit of anime cons, most attendees cosplayed their favorite characters from a wide range of shows.
“It’s kind of like the Rose Bowl, you know, where you just like watch the parade of characters,” said vendor, Irish Huang.
A biologist by trade, Huang said she illustrates as a hobby and is a vendor at conventions for fun.
The excitement was palpable Saturday and the size of the Pasadena Convention Center comfortably served more than 350 vendors, 45 celebrity guests and, according to officials, 10,000 attendees.
Michael Munch was shopping in the artist alley when someone called out from across the room. But it wasn’t his name and face that he was recognized for but rather Ezreal from the video game, League of Legends.
This is common, he said. Just like seeing a celebrity, when attendees find their favorite characters, they approach for photos, videos and friendship.
“It’s fun with the interactions,” he said. “It brings joy to you and to the people who see you.”
For some fans, the best chance to get close to their favorite stories is to meet the people that bring them to life.
At conventions like these, illustrators, voice actors and writers join attendees for photo ops, autographs and discussion panels.
Edward Cheng said he has waited hours to see some of his favorite actors. On Saturday, he lined up to meet Robbie Daymond, the voice of Tuxedo Man from Sailor Moon. The Long Beach local said Anime Pasadena managed to feature voice actors that typically don’t visit the West Coast.
“Trying to meet them is like a dream come true because they live out there and they stay out there usually,” he said.
The cast lineup was so rare that some flew in from across the state, like North Carolinian, Jose Ruiz. An avid Funko Pop collector, he said it made more sense to travel with his collection for signatures rather than send them out to friends.
The decision was major for Ruiz who shared he had never traveled by plan before, never even had a vacation, until Anime Pasadena.
“I never really thought I’d be in LA ever,” he said. “Master Chief and Cortana were the main ones I really wanted to see — they were like the deal breakers.”
He said that the smaller scale Pasadenas event offered was more approachable for his first time away from home.
“I don’t want to be getting lost in the sauce,” Ruiz added. “It just felt like this con was going to be a good one.”
Unlike previous years, for its fifth iteration the convention utilized the entirety of the Pasadena Convention space to feature an array of attractions.
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.
According to the numbers, fans have consistently 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.
It comes back on Sunday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. For more information, including tickets and a schedule of events, visit animepasadena.com.
Georgia Valdes
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