Anime Central (ACen), is an annual Anime convention held in Rosemont, IL. This is the premier anime, manga, and Japanese popular culture convention in the Midwest. This year’s event ran May 17th-19th.
This year PopCultHQ.com was on site, however we could only make it there on Saturday. This is usually the best day for cosplay anyhow.
There was one thing that made Anime Central 2024 stand out from the other big cosplay conventions in Chicago. This is one thing that you don’t really think about when it is there, but you definitely notice when it’s missing. Avid conventions goers have desperately missed it in the Chicago area.
ALL HAIL THE CARPET!!!!!
ACen had two different color carpets set up in different areas and it covered a huge portion of the space. As grungy and dirty as it is, WE LOVE THE CARPET!! It makes a huge difference. When your are walking around all day, that small amount of padding can be the difference between walking and hobbling home.
Rate the Con
Our new thing for 2024 is to ask our readers to take a poll on some basic components of the con. We want to know how you rate the parking, the vendors and the food. The poll closes after 30 days and we will use this as a baseline for next years convention. We plan to keep a rating system set up for many of the conventions.
We realize that these don’t apply to all conventions, so if they don’t apply to your con, give them a 5 star.
**Later additions to the rating systems will include things such as guests and ticket prices**
Security
Now on to the negative about the con, the security line. Not that having security is bad, or even the scanners themselves. The line going up the block waiting to get through security was ridiculous. HOWEVER, the length of that line was not because of security, it was because of the patrons. When I approached the convention center, I had to gasp at how long the line was, it appeared to be up a mile. The other side was long, but not quite as long.
However, as I crossed the street I noticed something. Almost nobody was using the security entries in the center of the entryway. everyone was lined up along the edges. The center queues only had about 30 people in them. Unlike those people, way at the back, I walked up and passed through security within a few minutes.
Honestly, I don’t have a problem with the metal detectors or the X-ray machines. Those have become a fact of life in today’s society. I do have a problem with the size of the detectors. They are not designed for cosplay! There are better metal detectors out there, or they can choose to wand the big cosplays. Why were they forcing huge expensive cosplays to fit through that tiny space that a wheelchair barely fits into?
Donald E. Stephens Layout
Once you were through the entrance though, everything was great. They used the whole facility and made it easy to navigate. There were a lot of vendors with a great variety of merchandise, and a large artists alley. The cosplay area was huge (but a little disorganized). There was lot of places to sit and rest, take cosplay photos, do photoshoots or chat with friends. I’m not a gamer, but the gaming area seemed spacious and well laid out.
Cosplay Galore
Of course there was cosplay, lots of cosplay. I only captured a small portion of what was on site Saturday and regret that I was unable to make it the other days. The first batch of photos from Anime Central 2024 can be found here.
As usual, if you make a comment we will tag you in the photo.
tom @south_owo_rth
As always, if you see yourself or a friend leave a comment on a photo we will tag you in it.
About Anime Central
Anime Central (ACen) is the largest anime, manga and Japanese popular culture convention in Chicago and the Midwest. Anime Central 2024 will take place from May 17-19 at the Hyatt Regency O’Hare and Donald E. Stephens Convention Center in Rosemont, Illinois.
To see what Cosplay Conventions are coming to your area,
be sure to check out our Cosplay Convention List!
that’s me and my partner as tom and isabelle! Isabelle is @_skunk_boi on Ig and tom is @south_owo_rth on IG!
Great cosplays. I have updated the photo with your tags