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
Rosemont is a village in Cook County, Illinois, United States. Located immediately northwest of Chicago, as of the 2010 census it had a population of 4,202. The village was incorporated in 1956, though it had been settled long before that. Wh ...
. The convention is organized by the Midwest Animation Promotion Society (MAPS).
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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. During the convention, the gaming room runs for 24-hour a day.
History
Anime Central was formed in 1998 due to the lack of anime gatherings in the Central United States. During the 2001 convention, construction was occurring at the hotel while the event was underway. Guest Robert DeJesus got married by guest Jan Scott-Frazier
Jan Scott-Frazier (born Scott Frazier) is an American who has worked in various roles of the Japanese anime industry for 20 years, including producer. Frazier was one of the few foreigners to work in the Japanese anime industry.
Career
Frazier m ...
, an ordained minister, during the convention. 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. In 2004 several scheduling problems occurred and opening ceremonies were delayed an hour due to audio-visual problems. The convention experienced problems with its registration system in 2008 resulting in extremely long lines. Two cosplay weddings were held at the convention in 2012, along with the Hyatt needing to be evacuated due to a fire alarm. Anime Central hosted the 2014 US Finals for the World Cosplay Summit.
Anime Central 2020 and 2021 were cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The convention in 2022 changed its COVID-19 policies shorty before the convention, no longer requiring masks or vaccination. Due to poor feedback from attendees, the policy was later modified requiring masks in several areas.
Event history
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.
Otaquest Connect
Anime Central partnered with Otaquest to hold an online anime convention on August 15–16, 2020.
References
External links
Anime Central Website
{{Anime conventions in North America
1998 establishments in Illinois
Anime conventions in the United States
Annual events in Illinois
Festivals in Illinois
Recurring events established in 1998
Tourist attractions in Cook County, Illinois
Conventions in Illinois
Rosemont, Illinois