I admit it: I’m a nerd. I’ve been known to read comic books and watch anime. So it should come as no surprise that I’m excited. Why? Because this July the Anime Expo returns to Los Angeles!

Last year the nation’s largest anime/manga convention set up shop in Los Angeles after nearly 10 years away and comes back this year with what will prove to be an awesome Fourth of July weekend. From July 2 through 5, the LA convention Center will play host to pretty much all things anime- and manga-related – including live people.

Among the nearly 13 guests of honor are Afro Samurai creator Takashi Okazaki and director of Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann and Neon Genesis Evangelion, Hiroyuki Imaishi. The amount of industry guests is more than triple that number, and is not limited to anime exclusively with the likes of “Robot Chicken”’s Seth Green, Breckin Meyer and Douglas Goldstein. There will even be about 16 Power Rangers from the various incarnations of the show (yes, the real actors) appearing throughout the weekend.

In addition to the various guests appearing there are plenty of interactive events. Cosplayers and fans of Cosplay can enjoy pageantry and competition in the immensely popular masquerade (which always fills up quickly). If singing and voice acting competitions (à la “American Idol”) are more your speed, be sure to catch the AX idol competition.

Cartoon Network will even be on hand in the Artists Alley to review your portfolio if you’d like to hear what pros think of your work. And there will be tons of screenings, panels (the art of glow sticking?) and much more.



For more information, visit anime-expo.org.