Originally written 4-23-16

Tokyo Takes over Downtown Detroit
Arianna Smith
        
 Halloween weekend took on an Asian twist on October 30 as the Youmacon festival descended on Downtown Detroit for the 11th year in a row. Anime fans from around the state and country poured into the city and filled it to the River Walk to the Fox with their excitement and uniqueness for big, shiny eyes and oversized weapons.

           “I couldn’t stop smiling the entire way down there. I had no idea what I was in for this year, but I knew it would be great,” said senior Tamera Davis.

            The Youmacon convention is a three to four day celebration of Japanese entertainment in America. Every aspect of pop culture is represented, from music, food and graphic novels to video games and cinema. It’s the tenth biggest convention in Michigan, right behind the Midwest Media Expo and Motor City Comicon.

            “We’ve been planning this trip for months,” said Alex Parker, a sophomore at MSU. “We booked a room in August. This (Youmacon) is my favorite time of year.”

            Held at both the Renaissance Center and Cobo Hall, Youmacon parties nonstop for three days. It requires badges tailored to fit individual experiences with discounts for young chibi children and special privileges for those 18 and older. Raves, celebrity panels, table top and video game tournaments, anime viewing and movie rooms, even maid cafés and real life video games- Youmacon literally has it all.

            “My favorite parts are the Cosplay and the Video game rooms. They have some really cool vintage arcade systems and the outfits are insane,” said Detroiter Trayele Cotton, who dressed as Tamaki Suo from the anime Ouran HS.

            One day tickets start at thirty dollars, and the experiences change year after year. You might run into a fully armed Deadpool chatting it up with Darth Vader at the chimichanga cart, then take a group selfie with Eren Yaeger and buy a real samurai sword at the Dealer’s Hall. Anime fans in Detroit can only hope that Youmacon stays strong in the coming years and continues to get better and better.

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