For lovers of anime, manga and cosplay in the Midwest, conventions and opportunities to meet people who share their passions are few and far between. Luckily for them, Ani-Ames, an anime convention, is set to be hosted at the Gateway Hotel on Nov. 9. 

Coordinators of the event and members involved in the cosplay club at Iowa State talk about the event and the activities to be held at the convention.

Stephanie Wessels, a senior in industrial technology and general manager and CEO/president of the cosplay club, said Discover Ames reached out to the club to start an anime convention in Ames. 

“Our team has been growing starting with the officers of the cosplay club and then growing to members and friends around us who wanted to help,” Wessels said.

Elli Allen, a senior in apparel merchandising and design and General Manager and Sponsorship Chair/Vice-President of Cosplay Club, said they have spent the last six to seven months gathering sponsors, inviting guests, tabling at welcomefest, club fest and they are going to two conventions this weekend to promote the convention there.

“We’ve had so many artists and cosplayers reach out to us and be like, ‘Hey, how do we get involved? We want to make this happen.’ So it’s been really cool,” Allen said.

Furthermore, Allen said they have been doing a lot of outreach to different clubs and they have the gaming club helping and the pride alliance and arrow alliance involved. 

“Our conventions are very diverse,” Allen said. “We center not just on cosplay. We have cosplay competitions, but we’re also going to have eSports components.”

Allen mentioned that they got in touch with the Simpson College eSports team and they are helping with prizes and running the tournaments.

“We also have gotten in touch with a couple of locally owned student businesses, one of the food trucks and we’ll also have Superdog supplying food,” Allen said. “There’s going to be a crepe stand. The Ames Public Library will be running, like, a manga library. The Erickson Public Library in Boone will be doing crafts and arts and movies. So it’s just really anyone.”

General admission for the event is $20 until Nov. 1, and after that, it will be $25. Children have discounted tickets as well 

“We also have a VIP ticket that would include a t-shirt, a tote bag, a lanyard and a couple of, like, other prizes and gifts,” Allen said. 

Wessel said she started going to anime conventions when she was 13, and her favorite part about the club and the convention is the community.

“I just met some of the nicest people who I still am in touch with, who really inspire me to work harder on just life in general and with cosplay,” Wessel said. 

Allen said her favorite part is the cosplay competitions at the conventions which include prizes up to thousands of dollars.

“Our club, not to brag, but we’re full of winners,” Allen said. “Our former president has been sweeping the competition at every competition she’s been at, and she’s going to be coming as a judge. Stephanie has won awards as well. And it’s just really cool. So I like seeing ‘Oh yes,’ we’re representing ISU in the best way possible by winning.”

Austin Arndt, a senior in history and the weapons, safety, and security head and general member, said that when he was a transfer student interested in World War II reenactments, someone reached out saying to try the Cosplay Club.

“I’ve really enjoyed it ever since,” Arndt said. “I didn’t know how to work a sewing machine. I didn’t know how to hand sew, didn’t know anything about makeup, etc, and I built those skills over time, and it’s a huge confidence boost.”

Arndt said this is a good opportunity for people to attend a convention.

“It’s a really good opportunity, good location for Iowa State students that have always wanted to go to a convention,” Arndt said. “And it’s kind of like, it’s a good place to start.”

Allen said that this is a really great place for people to make connections and it is still open to get involved.

“We’re employing multiple student-owned and student-run businesses, as well as a lot of student artists from [graphic design], from the College of LAS, like people with their own independent businesses are having the opportunity to sell and promote as well as connect with others,” Allen said. “We also have a lot of clubs that are involved, like running panels, getting the chance to promote their club as well and connect with, like, community organizations.”

To get involved with the Cosplay Club, visit this website. For more information on the Ani-Ames convention, click here.