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Anime and cosplay convention draws variety of fans

March 21, 2016

Anime and cosplay fans rejoiced at Shuto Con 2016 this weekend, an annual anime and cosplay convention held at the Lansing Center and Radisson Hotel in Lansing.

The three-day convention, Friday through Sunday, brought fans from all around the Great Lakes region wearing their favorite anime characters costumes.

Fans enjoyed the sights and sounds of other people’s costumes, along with meeting voiceover professionals, and partook in various competitions such as, cosplay and video game competitions.

For comparative culture and politics sophomore Meghan Petipren, the love for anime has been there since she was young. Currently she is the treasurer of the MSU Anime Club.

“I love it here, it’s such a welcoming community,” Petipren said. “I volunteered this year and last year and I just absolutely loved it.”

Petipren was dressed as the 11th Doctor from the British television series, "Doctor Who." Popular costumes this year included Deadpool and Pokemon.

Human biology junior Brian Wagner didn’t consider himself an anime fan as a young child. Shuto Con provided him many ways of finding people with commonalities that are not just anime.

“What made me want to come out here was meeting different people and experience all the panels,” Wagner said. “At a young age I was more of a video gamer and not as much anime, but meeting people with similar interests is a great way to network.”

Shuto Con wasn’t just for the excitement of the fans. Voiceover for "Dragon Ball Z’s" Majin Buu Josh Martin currently is a stay-at-home dad with three children. Martin said he loves coming to conventions to be able to connect with his fans.

“Its why you do it,” Martin said. “It’s awesome having fans come and tell you, ‘hey I like what you did.’”

Reynoldsburg, Ohio natives Levi Allen and Michaila Eakin made the four-hour trip to Shuto Con. Eakin carried around a microwave with bananas in it to represent her favorite anime, "Steins;Gate," a science adventure series. In "Steins;Gate," the mircowave turns into a time-travel device.

Shuto Con wrapped up Sunday at 5 p.m. with closing ceremonies. 

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