Anime_Central

Anime Central

Anime Central

Annual anime convention in Illinois, US


Anime Central (ACen) is an annual three-day anime convention held during May at the Hyatt Regency O'Hare & Donald E. Stephens Convention Center in Rosemont, Illinois. The convention is organized by the Midwest Animation Promotion Society (MAPS).[3]

Quick Facts Status, Venue ...

Programming

The convention typically offers anime viewing rooms, artist alley, autograph sessions, concerts, dances/rave, dealer's room, gaming (arcade, role play, table top, trading card, video) formal ball, karaoke, masquerade, panels, and Q&As.[4][5][6] During the convention, the gaming room runs for 24-hour a day.[7]

History

Anime Central was formed in 1998 due to the lack of anime gatherings in the Central United States.[8] During the 2001 convention, construction was occurring at the hotel while the event was underway.[9] Guest Robert DeJesus got married by guest Jan Scott-Frazier, an ordained minister, during the convention.[10] At the 2003 convention, the weekend lines to register for the convention ranged from 90 minutes for pre-registered attendees to 3 hours for others.[11] In 2004 several scheduling problems occurred and opening ceremonies were delayed an hour due to audio-visual problems.[12] The convention experienced problems with its registration system in 2008 resulting in extremely long lines.[13][14] Two cosplay weddings were held at the convention in 2012, along with the Hyatt needing to be evacuated due to a fire alarm.[5] Anime Central hosted the 2014 US Finals for the World Cosplay Summit.[15]

Anime Central 2020 and 2021 were cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[16][17][18][19] The convention in 2022 changed its COVID-19 policies shortly before the convention, no longer requiring masks or vaccination.[20] Due to poor feedback from attendees, the policy was later modified requiring masks in several areas.[21][22]

Event history

More information Dates, Location ...

Anime Central Aftershock!

Anime Central Aftershock! was a programming track offered at the Chicago Comic-Con on August 6–9, 2009. Programming included anime showings, artist appearances, contests, cosplay, and panel events.[49]

Otaquest Connect

Anime Central partnered with Otaquest to hold an online anime convention on August 15–16, 2020.[50][51]


References

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  2. "Kalafina to Perform at Anime Central 2013". Anime News Network. Archived from the original on 2013-01-24. Retrieved 2013-03-01.
  3. Kelts, Roland (May 16, 2015). "Anime oasis of the Midwest flourishes". The Japan Times. Archived from the original on 25 May 2015. Retrieved 25 May 2015.
  4. Dent, Mike (2009-05-19). "Anime Central 2009 On location with Mike and Darius". Otaku USA. Archived from the original on 2014-06-05. Retrieved 2013-03-02.
  5. Rolph, Tim (2012-05-02). "Inside Anime Central '12". Gapers Block. Archived from the original on 2013-01-18. Retrieved 2013-03-02.
  6. Martinez, Jessenia (2014-05-04). "Geek freakout: Tips to prepare for Anime Central (ACen) this year". The DePaulia. Archived from the original on 2014-06-05. Retrieved 2014-06-01.
  7. Ponder, Jamaica (May 25, 2022). "Anime Central returns to Rosemont for first time since pandemic hit". CBS Chicago. Archived from the original on 7 June 2022. Retrieved 7 June 2022.
  8. Orozco, Stephanie (2014-05-22). "Who's that Cosplayer?! Anime fun at Anime Central!". The Phoenix Chronicle. Archived from the original on 2014-06-02. Retrieved 2014-06-01.
  9. Phillips, George (2001-05-11). "ACen 2001: Final Thoughts". Anime News Network. Archived from the original on 2012-11-11. Retrieved 2013-03-02.
  10. Phillips, George (2001-05-11). "ACen 2001: Marriage". Anime News Network. Archived from the original on 2014-01-03. Retrieved 2013-03-02.
  11. "Anime Central 2003 General Thoughts". Anime News Network. 2003-05-26. Archived from the original on 2014-01-02. Retrieved 2013-03-02.
  12. Koulikov, Mikhail (2004-05-26). "Anime Central 2004 Thoughts and Impressions". Anime News Network. Archived from the original on 2012-11-06. Retrieved 2013-03-02.
  13. Delahanty, Patrick (2009-01-23). "Looking Back on the Anime Conventions of 2008". AnimeCons.com. Archived from the original on 2019-04-27. Retrieved 2013-03-02.
  14. Len, God (May 20, 2008). "ACEN 08: God Len's final thoughts". Japanator. Archived from the original on 31 October 2014. Retrieved 31 October 2014.
  15. "World Cosplay Summit 2014 US National Finals to be Held at Anime Central (ACEN)". Anime News Network. Archived from the original on 2014-01-03. Retrieved 2014-01-01.
  16. Mateo, Alex (March 19, 2020). "Anime Central 2020 Convention Canceled". Anime News Network. Archived from the original on 2020-03-19. Retrieved 19 March 2020.
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  18. Hodgkins, Crystalyn (February 13, 2021). "Anime Central 2021 Convention Canceled". Anime News Network. Archived from the original on 2021-03-01. Retrieved 28 February 2021.
  19. "Anime Central 2021 Information". AnimeCons.com. Archived from the original on 2021-01-25. Retrieved 2021-02-28.
  20. Mateo, Alex (May 16, 2022). "Anime Central 2022 Reverses Mask Policy, No Longer Requires COVID-19 Vaccination or Negative Test". Anime News Network. Archived from the original on 2022-06-07. Retrieved 7 June 2022.
  21. Lacerna, Michael (17 May 2022). "Anime Central Attendees Are Furious Over Last-Minute COVID Policy Changes". CBR. Archived from the original on 7 June 2022. Retrieved 7 June 2022.
  22. Mateo, Alex (May 18, 2022). "Anime Central 2022 to Require Masks in Certain Areas, Events". Anime News Network. Archived from the original on 2022-06-07. Retrieved 7 June 2022.
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  47. "ACen Aftershock! at Chicago Comic-Con". ICV2. Archived from the original on 2013-06-26. Retrieved 2013-03-02.
  48. Hazra, Adriana (July 27, 2020). "Otaquest Connect Digital Event Features Yoko Kanno, Paru Itagaki, Shinji Aramaki, More". Anime News Network. Archived from the original on 2022-08-24. Retrieved 13 September 2020.
  49. Luster, Joseph (22 July 2020). "Anime Central and OTAQUEST Team Up for New Virtual Convention". Otaku USA Magazine. Archived from the original on 13 August 2020. Retrieved 13 September 2020.

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