Anime Central (ACEN) returns to the Donald E. Stephens Conventions Center in Rosemont, Il. The event runs from May 19th through May 21st.
Experience the ultimate playground for everything anime-related during three days of events, family-friendly attractions, and world-renowned celebrities.
Take a picture or get an autograph with some of your favorite celebrities. Make memories that will last a lifetime!
With ACEN less than a month away, it’s time we started looking at what we can expect to see this year. This is a nice, easy list to see which celebrity guests are, or were, expected to make an appearance.
CELEBRITIES
Azusa Tadokoro was born on November 10, 1993 in Ibaraki, Japan. She is an actress, known for The Garden of Words (2013), Brynhildr in the Darkness (2014) and Tokyo ESP (2014).
Dorah Fine is known for Black Desert: Eternal Winter (2022), Stand by Me Doraemon 2 (2020) and Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba (2019). Her anime roles include: Senpai’s mother in Don’t Toy with me Miss Nagatoro; Boo, Misako, Cheimi’s mother & Shinobu’s mother in Junji Ito Maniac: Tales of the Macabre; Tomoe in Lupin the 3rd Part 6and as Weather Forecast’s mother in Jojos Bizarre Adventure: Stone Ocean. You can hear Dorah’s voice in Pokemon Master Journeys as Helia; Yashahime as Ms. Kyubi; Beyblade Burst QuadDrive as Mone Surio; Odd Taxi as Odokawa’s landlord & Wadagaki’s mom; Ghost in the Shell SAC_2045 as Akina Murase; I want to eat your pancreas as Sakura’s mother; Gundam Build Divers Re:Rise as Hulun; Beyblade Burst Turbo as Toko Aoi; and Magi: The Kingdom Of Magic as Aum Madaura.
Eiichi Koshiishi
Eiichi Koshiishi is a line producer from Kinema Citrus. Koshiishi spent his first 3 years as a production assistant at studio Asread after joining the anime industry. Later he joined Kinema Citrus and immediately started working as a production assistant for Cardfight!! Vanguard overDress TV series. Currently Koshiishi is supervising the production line of Cardfight!! Vanguard will+Dress anime.
Helen McCarthy was born on February 27, 1951 in the UK. She is an actress, known for K.O. Beast (1992), Otaku Unite! (2004) and The Real World: Anime America 1995 (1995). Helen co-founded the UK’s first professional anime magazine, Anime UK. She later edited Manga Mania magazine, and has written over 100 articles for European, American, Japanese and online publications, from Super Play magazine and Kyoto Journal to the Daily Telegraph Online. Since then, Helen has written a dozen more books, including works on anime and manga superstars Hayao Miyazaki, Osamu Tezuka and Leiji Matsumoto. She is co-author of The Anime Encyclopedia, considered the pre-eminent research guide to the medium. She has also contributed to numerous academic works, and written more playful material – a manga cross-stitch guide, two how-to books on drawing and the shortest, most picture-packed and most colourful history of manga on the market.
Hisayuki Tabata is known for Cowboy Bebop: The Movie (2001), Weathering with You (2019) and Doraemon: Nobita’s Secret Gadget Museum (2013).
John Swasey was born on October 18, 1964 in Houston, Texas, USA. He is an actor and producer, known for Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood (2009), Where the Heart Is (2000) and Dark Water (2002). He has voiced bazillions of characters such as All for One in My Hero Academia, Kumatetsu, The Beast in The Boy and the Beast, Bols in Akame Ga Kill, Undertaker in Black Butler, Salvador in Borderlands II (VG), Gendo in Evangelion, Lord Death in Soul Eater, Hohenheim in Fullmetal Alchemist, Sir Crocodile in One Piece, Dodoria in DBZ Kai, Hades in Fairy Tale, Zachary in Attack on Titan, Aramaki in Ghost in the Shell, Jinnouchi in Summer Wars, and El Rey in Nomad of Nowhere, as well as roles in numerous live action films including the ever popular spoof Lake Texarkana Gamera.
Jonah Scott was born on September 8, 1993 in Villa Hills, Kentucky, USA. He is an actor, known for Blue Beetle (2023), Beastars (2019) and The Flash (2023). Jonah has provided his voice to many video games and serials including Dying Light 2, Attack on Titan, JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure and more.
Kana Ichinose is known for Mobile Suit Gundam: The Witch from Mercury (2022), Weathering with You (2019) and Darling in the Franxx (2018).
Kazuki Yamanaka is known for Magical Girl Chukana Ipanema (1989) and Rakuyôju (1986). He is the animation producer behind the hit series Attack on Titan Season 1-3, Kabaneri of the Iron Fortress, Laughing Under the Clouds Gaiden. In 2022, he produced Bubble the movie, and SPY×FAMILY.
Kyary Pamyu Pamyu, also known as “KPP,” has been captivating audiences around the world with her unique and colorful style, inspired by Harajuku fashion and Japanese pop culture. She burst onto the music scene in 2011 with her debut single “PonPonPon,” which quickly became a viral sensation, and has since released multiple hit singles and albums.
Kyôji Asano is known for Ghost in the Shell 2: Innocence (2004), Jin-Roh: The Wolf Brigade (1999) and Spy x Family (2022).
Naokado Fujiyama is known for Wotakoi: Love is Hard for Otaku (2018), “Noitamina” in Fuji Television, “Scum’s Wish” and “Wotakoi: Love Is Hard for Otaku“. He has worked in the production of “Golden Kamui“, “BURN THE WITCH,” “VINLAND SAGA,” and currently working on “VINLAND SAGA SEASON 2” as the producer.
Born & raised in California as a second generation American, Ricco studied musical theater at UC Irvine. He then trained in classical acting at Southern Methodist University. After completing his graduate studies, he stayed in Texas & found himself living as well as working regularly in so many different ways. From shooting movies, TV shows, commercials, doing voice work, getting physical w/ motion capture, dance, fights, stunts, traditional theater, hosting live events & teaching the occasional acting workshop-he does it all. A lover of all the creative mediums involving the body & voice (& his cats), he’s constantly cultivating himself to be ready for whatever artistic endeavor’s coming next.
Rie Tanaka was born on January 3, 1979 in Sapporo, Japan. She is an actress, known for Mobile Suit Gundam Seed (2002), Mobile Suit Gundam Seed Destiny (2004) and Project X Zone (2012).
Takahiko Abiru is known for Paprika (2006), The Girl Who Leapt Through Time (2006) and Redline (2009). He debuted as a key animator for “Death Note“. His first work that he has done as an animation director was “Kaiji: Ultimate Survivor” in 2010. From 2011, he was the animation director for the series “HUNTER x HUNTER” for 3 years. In 2019, for the first time, he was the character designer and the animation director for “VINLAND SAGA“. Currently, he is also in charge of both character design and animation for “VINLAND SAGA SEASON 2“.
Tomokatsu Nagasaku is known for Date a Live (2013), Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood (2009) and Star Driver (2010).
Tony Oliver was born on May 12, 1958 in San Juan, Puerto Rico. He is an actor and producer, known for Lupin the 3rd: The Mystery of Mamo (1978), Akira (1988) and Mighty Morphin Power Rangers (1993).. HIs projects include p “Daigunder” for ABC Family/Disney; “Gurren Lagann” for the Sci Fi Channel, “Eureka Seven: Good Night, Sleep Tight, Young Lovers” which premiered on theatrical screens nationwide, and numerous video games including “BlazBlue: Continuum Shift”. “.hack//GU”, “Delta Force: Black Hawk Down”, “Lord of the Rings: The War of the Ring”, “Dynasty Warriors”, “World of Warcraft”,”Basara 3” and “Bravely Default
Yurika Kubo is known for Girls’ Last Tour (2017), High School Fleet (2016) and The Parasite Doctor Suzune: Genesis (2011).
Yusuke Takeda is known for Memoirs of a Geisha (2005). His massive list of anime credit history include Giant Robo, Gundam Wing, BLOOD THE LAST VAMPIRE, Ghost in the Shell, Aim for the Top, East of Eden, Kimi ni Todoke, Guilty Crown, Sword Art Online, Hori-san to Miyamura-kun, Shirobako, The Ancient Magus’ Bride, Great Pretender, Jujutsu Kaisen, Vivy: Fluorite Eye’s Song, Chainsaw Man and VINLAND SAGA.
To see what Cosplay Conventions are coming to your area,
be sure to check out our Cosplay Convention List!
ABOUT THE SHOW
Opening Hours:
Friday: 10 AM
Saturday: 10 AM
Sunday: Noon
Location:
Donald E. Stephens Convention Center
555 N River Rd.
Rosemont, IL 60018
Who Organizes Anime Central?
The convention is sponsored by a not-for-profit, 501(c)(3) organization named MAPS (Midwest Animation Promotion Society). The convention is staffed by volunteers who dedicate their time and energy to putting on a fun and exciting convention event.
The purpose of the Midwest Animation Promotion Society is to promote the development of the animation industry in North America and to further the appreciation of anime and manga as valid art forms.
Click for Directions to Anime Central
The secondary purpose of the Midwest Animation Promotion Society is to educate people about Asian culture and traditions. Each year, the Midwest Animation Promotion Society sponsors a number of events and gatherings devoted to anime, manga, and Asian culture. Our primary annual event, Anime Central, is held annually for all our members. Anyone who purchases a membership badge for M.A.P.S. is invited to attend Anime Central as a member of the organization.
When is Anime Central and How Long is it?
Anime Central typically takes place on a weekend mid-May running Friday through Sunday. From opening ceremonies to closing ceremonies, we never completely shut down. We have some events that run all night, so you can consider us a 24-hour convention.
Click to see what hotels are in Anime Central’s hotel block
How Do I Attend Anime Central?
In order to attend Anime Central, you will need to purchase a membership. Memberships can be purchased through our registration system. More information about attending can be found on our attendee registration page.
Click to see what food options are around the convention
Convention – Anime Central
Anime Central (ACen) is the largest anime, manga and Japanese popular culture convention in Chicago and the Midwest. ACen happens once a year in the Spring (around April or May) less than 30 minutes from downtown Chicago, in Rosemont, IL. The convention is held at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center and the Hyatt Regency O’Hare in Rosemont, IL.
As part of its mission, ACen brings fans together with guests from the Japanese and US sectors of the anime and manga industry, as well as gaming, cinema, and Asian culture personalities. The event includes a huge exhibit hall, a massive video game room, concerts, dances, educational panels and workshops, premiere screenings, autograph sessions, 24-hour video rooms, tabletop gaming and much, much more!
