By: Bren Belmonte, Jan. 21, 2025
Thousands of fans attended the annual four-day convention at the Long Beach Convention Center, Animé Los Angeles, Jan. 9-12, including Cal Poly Pomona students who were there to cosplay, meet fellow fans and perform music with an orchestra.
The community-focused convention featured fan events including concerts, cosplay gatherings, a manga room and an artist alley with more than 200 artists. The vast halls occupied cosplayers and fans in their natural element of geeking out and enthusiastic conversation.
“I’ve been looking forward to meeting up with my friends,” said Kaia Yeung, an apparel merchandising and management student, dressed as Regulus from the game “Reverse: 1999”. “Conventions are where I get to meet up with my cosplay friends … we don’t usually get to see each other outside of con.”
Cosplay gatherings located around the convention center were a highlight for the individuals in costume. It consisted of people from the same fandom exchanging social media contacts, group photos and handing out ribbons to put on badges.
“This year, there are more people on Thursdays, which is surprising because there are fires happening right now,” said Lumi Zheng, a Mizi cosplayer from the Korean music video project “Alien Stage.” “People want an escape.”
Despite the current California wildfires, the convention continued. The executive board encouraged con-goers on an Instagram post to take the necessary precautions for their health and safety.
Joshua Bonode, a civil engineering student, performed video game and anime pieces such as “Crescent Moon Dance,” “Heartbroken Kiki” and “Symphony of Boreal Wind” with the Tonario orchestra as a clarinet player on day three. Bonode is also part of CPP’s Wind Ensemble and Kappa Kappa Psi, a band fraternity.
“The second that the first note played, it was a tune that I’d recognize … because I’ve played the game or watched the movie before,” Bonode said. “It was the most fun I’ve ever had.”
Brandon Tsao, an AMM student and a social media handler for CPP’s Neo Anime Club, said it was his second time attending the convention. Dressed as Caelus from the game “Honkai: Star Rail,” Tsao stated this year was more lively compared to last.
Fans also dressed up as a wide array of fandoms not normally represented at anime conventions, such as “Critical Role,” a web series featuring professional voice actors playing “Dungeons & Dragons.” Many niche fandoms were showcased through specialized panels, live entertainment and merchandise booths.
The exhibitor halls were bustling with willing patrons to support local artists, window shoppers and individuals chatting with the vendors about their mutual fandoms. Keychains, buttons, bags, photo cards, stuffed animals and art prints are just a few types of products sold within the booths.
“I’m happy that Identity V is more recognizable, said Bee Pautz, an Annie Lester cosplayer from the horror game, Identity V. “There’s more merchandise, and hopefully I can find more friends at this convention.”
Feature image courtesy of Bren Belmonte
