Animazement 2024: A Heartfelt Celebration of Anime, Culture, and Community in Raleigh

May 26

📍 Raleigh Convention Center | May 23–26, 2024

RALEIGH, NC — From May 23rd through 26th, thousands of anime fans gathered at the Raleigh Convention Center for Animazement 2024, a vibrant celebration of Japanese animation, pop culture, and tradition. With over two decades of legacy, Animazement continues to be a cornerstone event in the Southeast for anime enthusiasts, cosplayers, and cultural lovers alike.

Originally born in 1997 from a 36-hour anime marathon hosted by NC State’s Triangle Area Anime Society (TAAS), the convention has grown into a multi-day celebration of Japanese language, entertainment, and visual art. Its mission is clear: to provide fans of all ages with a joyful, family-friendly immersion into anime and Japanese culture.

🎤 Star-Studded Guest Appearances & Panels

This year’s event welcomed a stunning lineup of Japanese and American talent, including:

Masako Nozawa, legendary voice of Goku (Dragon Ball)
Yoko Kanno, world-renowned composer of Cowboy Bebop

Attendees enjoyed interactive panels on voice acting, manga artistry, and behind-the-scenes anime production, offering a rare opportunity to engage directly with the creators shaping the anime world.

👘 Cosplay, Culture & Community

One of the weekend’s most anticipated highlights was the Cosplay Contest, showcasing jaw-dropping creations—from a dazzling Sailor Moon transformation to intricately detailed Gundam armor. As a longtime cosplayer myself, it was deeply inspiring to see the craft and dedication on display.

Beyond the fandom, Animazement 2024 embraced the broader richness of Japanese tradition. Guests explored:

🌸 Calligraphy & Origami workshops
🎵 Taiko drumming performances
🍵 Tea ceremony demonstrations
🍱 Japanese cooking experiences

This beautiful blend of old and new made the event a culturally immersive experience, far beyond anime alone.

🎉 A Personal Journey Come Full Circle

Animazement holds a deeply personal place in my heart. My very first convention was Animazement 2010—it lit the spark that led me to cosplaying, volunteering, and even organizing cons. Returning in 2024 felt like coming home. The friendships, the joy, the learning—it reminded me why I fell in love with this world in the first place.

🛍️ Vendors, Artists & Exclusive Screenings

The Artist Alley and Vendor Hall offered everything from rare figures to handmade crafts. Fans browsed exclusive merch, met independent creators, and snagged one-of-a-kind pieces. Meanwhile, anime screenings and sneak-peek premieres kept the excitement going from morning until late night.

📅 Convention Hours

DayHoursThursday6:00 PM – 12:00 AMFriday9:00 AM – 2:00 AM (Sat)Saturday9:00 AM – 2:00 AM (Sun)Sunday9:00 AM – 5:00 PM

Whether you're a lifelong fan or a first-timer, Animazement 2024 proved once again that anime conventions are more than just events—they're places of belonging, discovery, and celebration.

As I look forward to Animazement 2025, I carry with me not just photos and autographs—but the reminder that anime continues to bring people together, spark creativity, and create lasting memories.

🔗 Learn more: www.animazement.com

🧠 Panels & Programming Highlights

Animazement 2024 delivered a rich lineup of informative, engaging, and fan-favorite panels that spanned across fandom, industry insight, and cultural enrichment. Some standout sessions included:

Voice Acting 101 – Featuring Q&A and live readings from guest voice actors.
Meet the Legends: Spotlight on Masako Nozawa – A once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to hear from the original voice of Goku.
Composing the Sound of Anime – A music-focused panel with Yoko Kanno on her process behind scoring Cowboy Bebop and other iconic titles.
Cosplay on a Budget – Tips and tricks for creating stunning cosplays without breaking the bank.
Behind the Scenes of Anime Localization – Industry veterans shared the process of adapting anime for international audiences.
Cultural Connections: The History of the Kimono – An educational panel that explored traditional Japanese fashion and its influence on anime design.
Anime and Mental Health – An open discussion on how anime has helped fans through personal challenges and what representation means today.

In addition to panels, the convention hosted AMV contests, karaoke nights, game tournaments, and late-night dance parties with DJs spinning anime and J-pop hits.

🧒 Family & Kid-Friendly Events

Animazement has always welcomed fans of all ages. This year’s family-friendly programming included:

Chibi Drawing Workshops
Japanese Language for Beginners
Anime Storytime
Kid-Friendly Cosplay Parade
Origami Zoo Craft Station

🎮 Gaming & Interactive Areas

Gaming fans enjoyed:

A retro arcade with classics like DDR, Street Fighter II, and Sailor Moon S
Tabletop zones with titles like One Piece Card Game, Yu-Gi-Oh!, and Dungeons & Dragons
Fighting game tournaments including Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, Tekken 8, and Guilty Gear Strive

The escape room-style puzzle event, Rescue the Mascot, was also a hit—putting con-goers to the test in a limited-time anime-themed mission.

📸 Cosplay & Photo Ops

In addition to the main Cosplay Contest, Animazement 2024 offered:

Themed cosplay meetups for fandoms like Demon Slayer, My Hero Academia, JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure, and Studio Ghibli
Professional photo booth setups for attendees to snap high-quality pictures in costume
Cosplay Repair Station with tools, hot glue guns, and sewing kits on standby