Anime NYC, a three-day Japanese animation and culture convention, kicked off on Friday (August 23) and is expected to attract its largest crowd to date since launching seven years ago.

More than 100,000 tickets have been sold for this year’s event, which is taking place at the Javits Center in New York City.

“It’s the biggest number yet,” said MK Goodwin, show director of Anime NYC.

This event started in 2017 with 20,000 fans in attendance that year. And according to organizers, interest has taken off because of “the breath of anime and what it covers [is] so broad, from romance to action, adventure to sci-fi to magical girl, There’s something for everybody.”

Anime derives from Japanese Animation in which animators use hand-written or computer-generated images to tell stories.

Many fans flock to the event dressed as their favorite characters from Japanese anime or video games.

“I love cosplay because it’s just like a really nice freedom of expression, especially for being black.” says Ashley Walker from New Jersey who came dressed up as the character, “Miracle” from “My Hero Academia.”

“There’s not like a lot of characters that are represented in our community. So I like to give that representation, especially for the next generation that’s up and coming for this,” Walker added.

“It gives you a lot of confidence to be someone else,” said Evan Cowdrey. “I love this convention so much. I t’s so much fun. I get to see all my friends here”

The convention is not just for Japanese anime-related exhibits. Panels and screenings are featured as Japan’s unique pop culture in the form of capsule toy vending machines called ‘Gashapon’ and miniature candy food.

Anime NYC will end on Sunday, August 25.

(Reuters)