Anime fest draws thousands

More than 5,000 people filtered into the East Meadow Public Library last weekend to participate in the building’s annual anime festival, coined EMCon.

The two-day event, which took place on Saturday and Sunday, featured a video game tournament, board games, crafts, musical performances, Anime Jeopardy, drawing classes, and visits from special guests, including Samurai martial artist Yoshi Amao, voice actress Eileen Stevens, and Kyle Herbert, the narrator of “Dragon Ball Z.”

Participants donned their most colorful costumes at the library, and those who didn’t were able to decorate themselves with tattoos and face paint.

The attendance set a new record in the event’s four-year history, and was two thousand more than last year.

The event was co-founded by Kelly Gordon, who said he started EMCon because he felt there was a need for anime in the local community. “This is truly a wonderful celebration of the arts,” Gordon said. “Because that’s what I find EMCon is all about, a celebration. Rejoicing in all the creativity and inspirations of so many categories like, animation, writing, illustrations and so much more that captivates the brain, visuals and soul.”