Anime Expo 2012 in Over 900 Photos
Over the past weekend, the yearly Anime Expo took place in downtown Los Angeles. Thousands of anime and manga fans from across the country flocked to the Los Angeles Convention Center for four days of fun with fellow enthusiasts. I may not have had the time or luck to attend every single day of AX 2012, but tried to get everything I could out of the event when I visited it on Saturday and Sunday.
While the convention center was still filled with the annual assortment of colorful characters and merchandise, the venue was now a sharing space with ESPN’s X Games. Many attendees were worried that the two crowds would cause a bit of a culture clash with one another, plus the amount of territory housing the X Games could make foot travel between the con and nearby locations like LA Live and the Staples Center much more difficult. I can’t say that I personally witnessed any incidents between attendees of both events,but I’m sure you’ll find a tale or two out there of someone who did. However, I definitely noticed the impact of having areas that were once easily accessible blocked off by ESPN’s fences and security. I wouldn’t flat out demand that the convention center book a future X Games event on a different weekend from AX 2013, but if they were absent, I definitely wouldn’t mind.
On a lighter note, the X Games didn’t stop hundreds of cosplayers from walking around proudly in their finest regalia. As usual, instead of spending money in the exhibit hall or checking out panels, I spent the majority of my time scouting the area for some of AX’s best cosplayers in order to show them to the world. Here are some of the highlights:
Batgirl and the first Alfred Pennyworth cosplayer I’ve ever seen.
“THAT’S MY PURSE!”
The horrors of Silent Hill.
Jessica Nigri may missed Anime Expo, but other Juliet Starlings did their best to fill the void.
This is Sparta!
Aela the Huntress seeks out new Companions.
The golden Raistlin and the mystical Staff of Magius.
Rule 63 also applies to the Super Mario Bros.
Kick! Punch! It’s all in the mind…
It was an honor to finally meet President Obama.
Skullgirls? No, it’s all about the Skullboys!
The Decepticons have once again slain Optimus Prime.
Rapunzel and her evil twin tangle with one another.
Red Sonja models her famed chainmail bikini.
Firefall’s Mourningstar and Typhon were on hand to greet fans at their mobile gaming unit.
Ah, so that’s why there are so many Bronies…
Even the mighty Thor can’t hold up Mjolnir forever.
The enormous Blitzcrank was surrounded by a bevy of League of Legends players.
Wow, a harmless treasure chest that’s bound to be filled with free goodies!
It’s fun to stay at the Aaaaaa-nime Ex-po!
Forget CGI! Appleseed now exists in our 3D reality.
A trio of Final Fantasy’s legendary villains.
Samus Aran’s latest bounty is hiding in Los Angeles.
Cowboy Bebop still lingers in the hearts of fans around the world.
We’ll never forget you, Bill.
Alex Armstrong kept his shirt on since he didn’t want to draw attention to his bulging biceps.
Ponyo, Ponyo, Ponyo, fishy in the sea…
Nothing to see here, folks. Just another day at an anime convention…
A lone Demon Hunter kept Diablo and his hellish minions away from AX.
A fan attempts to voice her concerns about ESPN’s presence.
If you’re hungry for more than 900 other photos of cosplayers I saw at Anime Expo 2012, be sure to check out our Flickr slideshow:
