Anime Matsuri is an annual three-day anime convention held at around the George R. Brown Convention Center. This year it fell on Easter weekend. The convention is the ninth largest North American anime convention as of 2014.

When you get there it is usually overwhelming because there are many people that tend to “cosplay”- dress up as characters from popular culture. But as you walk around you get to go to panels where you have discussions on things like materials to use for making cosplay outfits, or you can see special guests such as anime voice actors, celebrity cosplayers or actors just from any type of show. There are also stores and cafes where you can be able to eat and buy souvenirs. There are other events and competitions for anything as far as cosplay outfits with Marvel VS DC or robot battles. In the evening, there’s an event called Club A.M Anime Matsuri where DJs and musicians come by and perform. You must be 18 or older to go. But above all, the convention can be just a place where you get to hang out with friends.

My first experience at Anime Matsuri was a blast into this amazing world. When I first came up to the building, there were so many cosplayers walking around. It was amazing to see the efforts in these costumes that these people had put together. There was a long line outside to go into the vendor area but people are only allowed to go in with a pass. Con-goers had to take the escalator upstairs to register or buy a pass if they had not already.

After attaining the Friday pass, the first picture I took with a cosplayer was an adorable guy in a Rilakkuma costume. He had a huge helmet for the Rilakkuma’s head and was shuffling on to the vendor. When I asked for a photo, he politely agreed and asked to help put on his helmet and zip up his back. After the photo was taken, he asked to help get out of the costume and continued shuffling on until more people asked to take a picture. This boy was seen through the whole convention.

As the event moved on, I explored the vendor area where concessions were held and cosplayers roamed around. There are so many talented artists and people who created and sold little nick-knacks. They sold items such as wigs, charm bracelets, perler bead patterns, clothing, art pieces, custom t-shirt designs, and much more.

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There were plenty of cosplayers that I took pictures with and said hello to. I believe that to be one of the greatest things about cosplayers. When they dress up, they understand that people are going to take pictures with them and that is okay because they are being acknowledged for their work. There were panels being held for famous cosplayers such as Vampy and Goldy. I never got the chance to go to one, but seeing Goldy in his Voltron robot costume was really epic. And knowing that he’s Vampy’s inspiration and role model made me even happier.

There were more events happening at the same time that I did not get the chance to see. There was the Marvel VS DC cosplay competition, and also a Robot competition as well. Also Maid Café pajama party was taking place upstairs. I learned later on that there was a Modified Vehicle Exhibition called the Ricebowl Street Spirit. The event took place on Saturday.

Overall, my first Anime Convention was an amazing experience and I’d be happy to go again next year.