Colorful characters spent the weekend in downtown Sacramento Special

Sacramento - If you are an Anime fan or into Cosplay, chances are you heard of or attended the SacAnime Convention, Northern California's biggest “dress-up” event. The Sacramento Convention Center hosted the three day show Jan. 3rd through the 5th.

Super Mario, Power Rangers, Lolitas and Dandies and a host of make-believe characters were seen roaming around downtown Sacramento. The convention was a themed event. Artists, video game enthusiasts, people dressed as characters from comic books, video games, TV shows were among the throngs in attendance. There were panel discussions, interactive workshops, Anime music video contests, video game and Pokemon tournaments and masquerades. To be eligible for masquerade competitions the costumed character had to be from a book, Anime, Manga, movie, music video, television show, or video game published in Japan, Korea, or China. More than one of the attendees wore a surgical mask that read, “I'm Unique!” Creative, but obviously not a unique idea. Late night concerts kept the active crowds engaged. Khaza, a rock band from Japan and Nylon Pink, an Asian-American band comprised of four girls played to fans and later, signed autographs. Couples with babies in strollers and a group of older Steam Punk guys and gals strolled through the exhibit halls, though the majority were 15 to 30 years old. One thing was evident; the days of dressing up as Cowboys and Indians has gone by the wayside, but only to make way for a more sophisticated role play.