Passion on display at anime gathering
Characters as diverse as the green Power Ranger Tommy Oliver, Pokemon’s Pikachu and Marvel superheroes and villains roamed downtown Boston streets yesterday, turning the city into a comic fantasy.
The annual three-day Anime Boston convention was in town, drawing tens of thousands of fans of all genres from across New England to the John B. Hynes Veterans Memorial Convention Center.
The Japanese animation genre has grown tremendously in popularity since Anime Boston debuted in 2003 with some 4,000 guests. The convention, which ends today, is expected to attract more than 27,000 fans this year, officials say.
Each year, fans spend weeks sewing and crafting elaborate costumes of their favorite characters — and compare and contrast with the ensembles of other fanatics.
“The reason why I come is to see the passion everyone has,” said Adam Kuhn, 31, of New Haven, Conn., who dressed as the green Power Ranger. “I think it is so cool to see the creativity and craftsmanship and love people have for the genre . ... It is the only place you can dive in head-first and everyone else is right there with you.”
Fan favorites right now include Japanese comics, known as manga, “My Hero Academia” and “Black Clover.” But old classics such as Pokemon continue to hold their own in the scene.
Industry experts say it is hard to predict what the next big thing will be until it breaks.
“Every few years, there is a show that will break out,” said Chris O’Connell, president of the New England Anime Society. “It is usually something that has a lot of depth that people recognize as not just good anime but just a good show. It is hard to tell what it will be until it explodes on you.
“We’re definitely seeing a growing interest in anime,” O’Connell added. “Certain words like ‘cosplay,’ or costume play, are entering popular culture. Even if you’re not into it, you’re aware it exists. It has helped us grow to become one of the feature events in Boston.”
Part of the growing fan base is due to increased exposure through Adult Swim, Cartoon Network and online streaming services.
But many fans say they are drawn to the genre because of its art, imagination and ability to reflect a small part of themselves.
“It is definitely growing,” said Greg Bailey, 27, of Quincy who dressed up as Franky from the comic “One Piece.” “It’s a fantasy. Because it is hand-drawn, there is no limit to the imagination. It can delve deeper.”
“It is foreign but it has something that strikes us as familiar,” O’Connell said. “It is romance, drama, action and comedy. It has something for everyone.”