The awesomeness of Anime Minneapolis

Ryan L. Kopf
5 min readApr 26, 2023

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Anime Minneapolis is an annual convention held in the bustling city of Minneapolis, Minnesota. Each year, thousands of anime fans from around the country flock to this event to celebrate their love of Japanese animation, video games, and pop culture. From the moment you step into the convention center, you are immersed in a world of color, sound, and excitement.

Concert by V is for Villains in Minneapolis at an AnimeCon.org convention.

One of the highlights of Anime Minneapolis is the cosplay. Fans come dressed as their favorite anime characters, and the level of detail and craftsmanship on display is truly impressive. Whether you are a seasoned cosplayer or just enjoy admiring the work of others, you will be blown away by the creativity and dedication of the cosplayers at this event.

In addition to the cosplay, Anime Minneapolis also features a wide variety of panels and workshops covering everything from voice acting to video game design. These panels are hosted by experts in their respective fields and provide a unique opportunity for fans to learn about the industry and the creative process behind their favorite anime and video games.

Another exciting aspect of Anime Minneapolis is the guest lineup. Each year, the convention brings in a variety of voice actors, artists, and industry professionals. Fans have the opportunity to meet these guests, attend Q&A sessions, and get autographs and photos with their favorite celebrities.

A couple of the voiceover guests coming to the convention.

Jennie Kwan and Lizzie Freeman are just two of the many voice actors attending the convention.

Jennie was then introduced to television as series regular, Samantha Woo, the wacky singing sensation on NBC-TV’s situation comedy, “California Dreams” which aired for five successful seasons. Some of Jennie’s other television credits include The Nanny, Family Matters, Beverly Hills 90210 and Oliver Stone’s mini series “Wild Palms.” Film credits include “Trojan War”

Not being a stranger to the music world, Jennie was a proud member of Hollywood Record’s vocal group, “Nobody’s Angel” who earned their first gold record for performing two songs on the “Princess Diaries” soundtrack in 2002 and was a creator for the pilot, “Nobody’s Angel” for the television network ABC Family. She lends her voice to the character, Suki, on Nickelodeon’s hit animated series “Avatar: The Last Air Bender,” as well as all video games for the series. Jennie has also voiced numerous anime and video games like Capcom’s Street Fighter 6 voicing Chun-LI.

Lizzie Freeman is an LA based voice actress born in Oklahoma, City, and raised in Utah. A cat lover, coffee enthusiast, and shower singer, she began her career in 2012 working on indie titles like “Dust: An Elysian Tail” and online animations. After making the move to Los Angeles in 2016, she began making strides in her career and has lent her voice to several anime titles and video games. Her more prominent roles include Trish Una in JOJO’S BIZARRE ADVENTURE: GOLDEN WIND, Yanfei in GENSHIN IMPACT, Chisato Nishikigi in LYCORIS RECOIL, Kotoko Iwanaga in IN/SPECTRE, Hinata Tachibana in TOKYO REVENGERS, Chizuru Ichinose in RENT-A-GIRLFRIEND, Cardinal in SWORD ART ONLINE: ALICIZATION, Mujika in THE PROMISED NEVERLAND, Sempai in MAGICAL SEMPAI, and Thrasir and Larcei in FIRE EMBLEM HEROES. She can also be heard in other titles like: KAKEGURUI, DRAGALIA LOST, LUPIN THE THIRD: GOODBYE PARTNER, ENA, POKEMON MASTERS, CELLS AT WORK: CODE BLACK!, MAGIA RECORD: PUELLA MAGI MADOKA MAGICA SIDE STORY, ISEKAI CHEAT MAGICIAN, SECRET OF MANA, FATE GRAND CARNIVAL, and many more!

The many voice actors attending have been in thousands of different anime shows from Japan.

One of the most unique aspects of Anime Minneapolis is the dealer’s room. This massive room is filled with vendor booths selling everything from anime merchandise to handmade crafts. You can find everything from plushies and figurines to t-shirts and jewelry. Whether you are looking for a rare collectible or just want to stock up on your favorite anime merch, the dealer’s room has something for everyone.

Of course, no convention would be complete without entertainment, and Anime Minneapolis delivers on that front as well. The convention features a variety of events and activities, including video game tournaments, anime screenings, and concerts. There is always something going on, and you are sure to find something to keep you entertained throughout the weekend.

Perhaps one of the best things about Anime Minneapolis is the sense of community. This event brings together fans from all over the country, creating a welcoming and inclusive atmosphere. Whether you are attending alone or with friends, you are sure to make new connections and form lasting friendships.

AnimeCon.org is the group behind AniMinneapolis, and they also run several other anime conventions across the United States. In addition to AniMinneapolis, AnimeCon.org also organizes Anime Midwest, Kanpai!Con, Con Alt Delete in Rosemont, and Anime-zing! in Iowa.

AnimeCon.org’s mission is to provide high-quality anime conventions that are safe and inclusive for everyone. They work hard to create an environment where fans can celebrate their love of anime and pop culture without fear of judgment or harassment. This commitment to inclusivity is reflected in the diverse guest lineups and programming at their conventions.

The company’s president has took a stand on behalf of members of the LGBTQIA+ community for example. The company is clearly committed to diversity and inclusion of all people.

One of the things that sets AnimeCon.org’s conventions apart is their focus on supporting the anime industry. They regularly invite voice actors, artists, and industry professionals to their events, providing fans with the opportunity to learn more about the industry and connect with their favorite creators. This support for the industry is reflected in their partnerships with anime publishers and retailers, which helps to ensure the longevity of the industry.

In conclusion, Anime Minneapolis is an event that should not be missed by any anime fan. From the cosplay to the guest lineup to the dealer’s room, there is something for everyone at this convention. Whether you are a seasoned convention-goer or attending for the first time, you are sure to have an unforgettable experience at Anime Minneapolis.

Tickets start at $47 right now for access to all 3 days, but single day passes are available too at a discount.

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Ryan L. Kopf
Ryan L. Kopf

Written by Ryan L. Kopf

Serial C.E.O. and Entrepreneur. Great at technology, innovation, and entertainment arts.

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