- View More Images from this story View and ORDER more photos.

The ConnectiCon Convention brought together anime fans from across the globe

Date published: 8/1/2006

By TAMIKA TAYLOR

YOUTH CORRESPONDENT

HOUGH THE RECENT Comic-Con gathering in San Diego may have attracted a lot of attention, its participants couldn't possibly have been more passionate about their hobby than those at the fourth annual ConnectiCon Convention.

The anime convention had an official attendance of about 4,000 people, according to convention chair Mathew Daigle.

From July 7 to July 9, people of all ages from around the country converged on Hartford, Conn. It was an event that everyone would remember.

"I decided to become a chairman because I was tired of driving to different convention[s]," Daigle said.

But the turnout wasn't limited to those on the East Coast.

"We've had people travel from Canada and the Netherlands to help out," he said.

There's no question that anime fans are willing to go to great lengths to share their passion.

"Anime" ("Ann-uh-may") is the term used to describe animation in Japan. Japanese animation is famous for mixing genres and themes. For example, historical anime can be based on Japanese history.

The convention offered screenings of popular anime cartoons, and held workshop sessions on topics such as how to create your own character and how to make it come alive with the help of some animator experts.

There were other events where participants could meet and greet celebrities--not your typical Hollywood types, but rather, the creators of well-known comic books.

Among the memorable musical performances was Piano Squall, a pianist who specializes in video game and anime music.

Not only could attendees learn a thing or two, but they could purchase bags, dolls, manga (Japanese comic books) magazines and T-shirts. There were also buttons, stickers, drinks and goodies that are made in Japan.

For a reasonable price, ConnectiCon artists drew caricatures of willing participants.

But vendors aside, the real fun began with the anime fans themselves.

On the second day of ConnectiCon was a costume competition, followed by a masquerade where anyone who was costumed got to file through the halls and show off.

While some people came in costume as familiar characters from "Star Wars" to "Pirates of the Caribbean," others donned truly outlandish garb, dressing up as anime characters from "InuYasha" and "Naruto."

Date published: 8/1/2006