One of the biggest conventions in the Central Valley is returning to the Fresno Fairgrounds for a two-day event on March 17 and 18. The 7th Annual Ani-Me Con will bring everything in pop culture together under one roof.

Ani-Me Con will highlight everything from anime to comic books and everything in between. The event is set to feature 150 different vendors, cosplayers, voice actors, food trucks and special guest panels, giving a variety of things to do.

In charge of the event is coordinator Rick Phoeung who has been putting the event together since 2011, when it was originally held at Manchester Mall. Phoeung does what he can each year to put on the biggest and best convention he possibly can.  

“We try to cater to our fans having more vendors and special guests for everyone to enjoy. We will have up to 50 special guests this year from all genres of popular culture. From anime, gaming, sci-fi, YouTube, ‘Star Wars’ and more,” Phoeung said.

One thing to expect is attendees dressed up and cosplaying as their favorite pop culture characters. All decked out in costumes that are put together down to the smallest details, each are ready to take pictures with.

Get your wallets out and ready as Ani-Me Con is set to have several vendors returning to the event, selling a variety of different merchandise that can turn into must-haves at a moment’s notice. Vendors and special guests set to return at this year’s con are Kinu Cafe, Kamikazegamez, Anime Coast, Benti Samurai, anime voice actress Sarah Anne Williams.

This year’s event will feature cosplayer Hana Bunny, vendor Nippon Sentaku, vendor Kisoro Anime, Candylion Cosplay, and more. Each new addition brings different things to the event to keep fans coming, while also creating new fans of the event in the process.

“We listen to our fans on what they like to see in upcoming events, and what we gather [is] they want to see more vendors and more special guests from their favorite shows,” said Phoeung.