What is Anime Central?
Anime Central (ACen) is the largest anime, manga and Japanese popular culture convention in Chicago and the Midwest. Our event is located less than 30 minutes from downtown Chicago, in Rosemont, IL. As part of its mission, ACen brings fans together with guests from the Japanese and US sectors of the anime and manga industry, as well as gaming, cinema, and Asian culture personalities. The event includes a huge exhibit hall, a massive video game room, concerts, dances, educational panels and workshops, premiere screenings, autograph sessions, 24-hour video rooms, tabletop gaming and much, much more!
May 16th-18th, 2025
Donald E. Stephens Convention Center & Hyatt Regency O’Hare
Rosemont, IL, 60018
Rosemont, IL, 60018
33,000+
Unique Attendees
Unique Attendees
What does Anime Central have to offer?
What's New?
Additional Retailer Opportunities
In addition to traditional booth spaces, Anime Central offers unique opportunities for different retailer types to connect with a highly engaged audience of anime and pop culture enthusiasts. With multiple…
Read More Artist Alley Lottery and Retailer Pre-Boarding is Open!
Are you an artist, creator, or retailer with a passion for Japanese pop culture, anime, manga, and beyond? Anime Central (ACen) is excited to announce that the artist alley lottery…
Read More Hotel Room Block Updates for the 2025 Convention
We are announcing today (October 11) that rooms at the following hotels will open for reservations on Friday October 25, 2024 at 12:00pm (noon) CDT. Rooms will open at: the…
Read More Attendee Registration, Cosplay Gatherings and Panel Applications Open 10/11!
Attendee registration, cosplay gathering applications and live event applications (panels) will open on October 11, 2024. Each of these areas how different deadlines and pricing tiers in the case of…
Read More Get Convention Updates by Subscribing!
We send out updates periodically to our mailing lists before the convention. These emails will summarize general convention updates, guest announcements, and other reminders for Anime Central.
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