U.S. cosplayers gather for Anime Expo in L.A.
Tens of thousands of anime fans descended on the Los Angeles Convention Center on July 1 for the opening of the Anime Expo.
Cosplayers in Anime EXpo 2011
The event is the largest convention of its kind in North America, the Society for the Promotion of Japanese Animation (SPJA). This year, the four-day expo expects more than 120,000 attendees, some traveling from other states and countries.
Autograph-signing sessions, hundreds of exhibits, a cosplay contest, and several concerts, including the U.S. debut of the holographic ”singer” Hatsune Miku, are some of the highlights of the 20th annual event.
Japanese Vocaloid “Hatsune Miku”
Kalafina, three Japanese girls’ unit, has provided memorable songs for popular anime series including “Kara no Kyoukai – the Garden of sinners,” “Kuroshitsuji ― Black Butler,” and “PUELLA MAGI MADOKA☆MAGICA. ” Since their debut in 2008, Kalafina has had an impressive string of hits with seven singles reaching the Top 15 on the Japanese Oricon Charts while the group’s two albums have claimed #5 and #8 spots.
Kalafina
The event has come a long way from its beginning in Northern California in 1992 when there were 12,000 attendees.
According to SPJA Chairman Marc Perez, more and more fans have been drawn to Japanese anime by the depth and sheer variety of the stories that appeal to all ages. And with increased popularity has come increased availability.
“The Japanese do recognize this is a bigger market, and it’s also still a growing market,” says Perez.
Anime Expo 2011
In fact, “Anime Expo”in L.A. is similar in tone to the “Japan Expo” in Paris.
| U.S. cosplayers gather for Anime Expo in L.A. |  |
Tens of thousands of anime fans descended on the Los Angeles Convention Center on July 1 for the opening of the Anime Expo.
Cosplayers in Anime EXpo 2011
The event is the largest convention of its kind in North America, the Society for the Promotion of Japanese Animation (SPJA). This year, the four-day expo expects more than 120,000 attendees, some traveling from other states and countries.
Autograph-signing sessions, hundreds of exhibits, a cosplay contest, and several concerts, including the U.S. debut of the holographic ”singer” Hatsune Miku, are some of the highlights of the 20th annual event.
Japanese Vocaloid “Hatsune Miku”
Kalafina, three Japanese girls’ unit, has provided memorable songs for popular anime series including “Kara no Kyoukai – the Garden of sinners,” “Kuroshitsuji ― Black Butler,” and “PUELLA MAGI MADOKA☆MAGICA. ” Since their debut in 2008, Kalafina has had an impressive string of hits with seven singles reaching the Top 15 on the Japanese Oricon Charts while the group’s two albums have claimed #5 and #8 spots.
Kalafina
The event has come a long way from its beginning in Northern California in 1992 when there were 12,000 attendees.
According to SPJA Chairman Marc Perez, more and more fans have been drawn to Japanese anime by the depth and sheer variety of the stories that appeal to all ages. And with increased popularity has come increased availability.
“The Japanese do recognize this is a bigger market, and it’s also still a growing market,” says Perez.
Anime Expo 2011
In fact, “Anime Expo”in L.A. is similar in tone to the “Japan Expo” in Paris.
Loading...