Anime enthusiasts and cosplay aficionados are gearing up for the highly anticipated 2nd annual Anime St. Pete, a vibrant celebration of anime culture. Set to take place from September 30 to October 1 at the St. Petersburg Coliseum (535 4th Ave N), this year’s event promises an even more exhilarating experience for attendees.
Drawing inspiration from the resounding success of its inaugural edition, which saw a remarkable turnout of nearly 4,000 attendees, Anime St. Pete 2023 is set to captivate enthusiasts anew. A premier destination for both anime enthusiasts and cosplayers, the event boasts a diverse array of attractions and activities that cater to all things anime and manga.
Anime St. Pete features panels with famous voice actors
One of the event’s highlights is the presence of five prominent voice actors, renowned for their portrayals of over 30 beloved characters in popular anime shows. Attendees will have the opportunity to meet and interact with:
- Mela Lee, known for voicing characters in a range of iconic series including Demon Slayer, Seven Deadly Sins, and RWBY.
- Anairis Quinones, whose credits encompass My Hero Academia, Pokemon, and Attack on Titan, among others.
- Nicholas Roye, recognized for lending his voice to characters in Naruto, Boruto, and Tokyo Revengers.
- A.J. Beckles, celebrated for his roles in Bleach, Tokyo Revengers, and Bungo Stray Dogs.
- Gabe Kunda, acclaimed for voicing characters in My Hero Academia, Chainsaw Man, and One Piece.
Distinguished cosplayers arrive in the Sunshine City
Complementing the vibrant world of anime, Anime St. Pete welcomes three distinguished guest cosplayers from throughout the state, including:
- Avera Cosplay, a nationally acclaimed cosplayer from Fort Myers with a track record of winning top honors at prestigious conventions such as DragonCon and MegaCon Orlando.
- Cassandra Ariel, an experienced guest cosplayer from Orlando, known for her appearances at MegaCon Orlando and Cosplay World.
- Gravity Gremlin, a Jacksonville-based cosplay expert renowned for her portrayal of Chuuya Nakahara from Bungo Stray Dogs, complete with an elaborate themed photo space.
Gaming enthusiasts will also find their haven at Anime St. Pete, with a free gaming area and an exciting Street Fighter 6 Tournament featuring enticing prizes.
The event’s entertainment quotient is elevated with four engaging contests boasting a combined prize pool of $1,500. Cosplayers will showcase their creativity and skill in Craftsmanship and Runway contests, while the lip sync contest and TikTok film festival promise a dose of fun and flair.
Experience the TikTok Film Festival
And attendees can engage in enlightening panel discussions on various topics, ranging from ‘Anime Feud’ and ‘Makeup for Anime’ to engaging Q&A sessions with voice actors from My Hero Academia and Demon Slayer.
Anime St. Pete is proudly presented by the organizers of St. Pete Comic Con, Holiday Cosplay Tampa Bay, and Sunshine City Scare, adding to its appeal as an event that captures the essence of anime culture in St. Petersburg. And the event is sponsored by Florida Comic Cons, Florida Cosplay Digital Magazine, I Love the Burg, and That’s So Tampa.
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