Fresno City College held the Anime Fresno conventions on campus on Sept. 13 and Sept. 14.
Many cosplayers and fans of anime and gaming arrived at FCC to participate in this event.
A lot of people that participated in this event have strong connections with the anime and gaming world, according to Samuel “Sonicxsam” Castaneda, professional cosplayer and YouTuber.
“I’ve been gaming since I was 5 years old on the Sega Genesis, and then I’ve been doing cosplays since I’m high school,” Castaneda said.
People that don’t have connections with anime also participated in the Anime Fresno event. Many, like Michael Betrovian, just enjoyed the atmosphere and activities at the convention.
“I don’t have personal connection with the Anime and gaming world, but this event is pretty cool,” Betrovian said.
Some cosplayers are part of the older generation and critiqued the new generation.
According to HupCapNinja, a gaming cosplayer who attended the convention, the new anime is losing its own magic and becoming too sexualized.
“I do have strong criticism against new anime,” HupCapNinja said.
HupCapNinja liked the Anime Fresno event.
“By the way, it looks pretty cool and pretty chill,” HupCapNinja said.
Some people arrived at this event to support the community because of their strong connection with anime.
“I’m from Selma. Here in Fresno, just doing anything I can do to support the community, so that’s why I’m here,” cosplayer Andrew Bruno said.
According to Bruno, he expressed a strong connection to anime, particularly “Dragon Ball Z.”
“My first anime ever watched was ‘Dragon Ball Z,’ this is the reason my Instagram’s name is goku2004 arb,” Bruno said.
FCC also organized “Exhibitor’s Hall,” a place where fans can buy something from the anime and gaming world.
In the “Exhibitor’s Hall” there were people who had a close bond with anime.
“I have a really deep connection to it, because I essentially was raised in a household full of like anime, and whatnot,” Luca, an artist at Anime Fresno, said.
During Anime Fresno, Luca sold prints, stickers and buttons.
Shelby Weatherbee, a vendor at Anime Fresno, also has connections with the community.
“There’s a number of games that used to play a lot more competitively than others like ‘Halo’ and ‘Call of Duty,’ Weatherbee said.
During Anime Fresno, Weatherbee sold items ranging from “Pokemon” and “Yu-Gi-Oh!”
“So, a lot of the stuff that we sell are kind of wood and laser etched, kind of nerd core stuff, anything from ‘Pokemon’ and Yu-Gi-Oh!,” Weatherbee said.
