Now here’s the fun part: the activities! You won’t have any problem finding anything to do around ACEN, partially due to the huge shopping center that is the convention hall! This is where most of the action will take place, as pretty much all the major anime publishers and figurine manufacturers have set up shop. Whether you’re looking for recent anime DVDs or upcoming figures, you’ll be able to find what you want. Of course, if hunting for something older or not really en vogue anymore, there are tons of smaller vendors with a wide variety of older collectibles who have set up shop.

Of course, that’s only part of what you can shop for. Ever want a poster of your favorite anime to hang up in your room but just can’t seem to find that special piece? Head over to the artists alley section of the con floor and check out what prints are for sale. If there’s a particular character you’re really obsessed with, but just no one seems to be putting out art for, never fear, several artists accept commissions! However, this section can be a bit crowded at times which can make it difficult to find certain artists, so you’ll need to keep your eyes open.

If you get tired of shopping, consider resting up at a panel. You’ll find all sorts there, from educational ones, like assertions on LGBTQA+ positivity in Yuri on Ice!! to goofier ones like a spirited debate over who’d win in the fight. It’s not limited to only anime, however, as you’ll find panels on gaming and comics too. And not just commentary on them either; if you’re an aspiring game designer, for example, you can find several panels that are meant specifically for amateur game designers to meet up and exchange information, as well as talk tools of the trade.

However, it’s the night events that are the major draw for ACEN. Friday night you’ll have one of the aforementioned rave, which draws many of the hottest DJs from Japan. However, if you’re not up to party all night, there are other events you might check out, such as Anime Hell, where fans collect their favorite anime and Japanese culture clips and share them on a big screen in the ballroom for the sake of comedy. If you’re over 18, you’ll find a very similar hentai-related event, but this tends to be such a big draw that it’s almost impossible to get into unless you line up early for it!

Saturday is main event. The Masquerade starts in the early evening, and you’ll see loads of extremely talented cosplay on display. It’s not just for show, though, as these cosplayers, before the event, went through a rigorous judging process and are given rewards at the very end of the event. But it’s not just about cosplay! Fans will also assemble skits and performance routines about their favorite series or game, ranging from a breakdance performance between Cloud and Tifa from Final Fantasy VII to a musical about Light from Death Note sung to the tune of “Zero to Hero” from Disney’s Hercules.

For those who wanted to get away from the hustle and bustle of the con floor, there was the arcade. This was a much bigger event than it has been in past years, as it was effectively in a gigantic auditorium this year with much more room. You were be able to watch tournaments of Overwatch and Super Smash Bros on giant projector screens so you could more easily root for your favorite players! Also, there were tons of imported arcade games that have traditionally been exclusive to Japanese arcades, like Bishi Bashi and Groove Coaster, so for many, it was their first chance to see what our friends overseas were playing! There were also plenty of retro arcade games like Galaga, Robotron, and Pac-Man for play, so you always try to compete with your friends for high schools! All play was free too, so there was no need to bring along your quarters.