Last weekend, the Taylorsville Redwood Student Center was invaded by ninjas, lost boys, superheroes, wookies, and demonic butlers.
- Character creation
- Mortal Kombat
- Japanese humor
- Interest in Insanity
- Cosplay kink
- Cosplay wigs
- Cosplay photography
- Mascot cosplay
- Props and armor
- Battle Kareoke
There was also an event called Batsu(torture) Games. Teams of six people pick a card, and the one who picks the joker must undergo some type of torture without making a sound.
Torture for this game involved putting panty hose over a contestant’s face and then pulling it off by the top, or blowing up a balloon under a contestant’s shirt until it pops.
Along with the activities there were plenty of vendors selling a variety of goods such as jewelry and artwork. The Student Event Center had a capacity of 21 vendors, with an overflow into the hallway.
Hundreds of anime, science fiction, and superhero fans attended Anime Salt Lake on March 2 and 3. This convention offered attendees the unique opportunity to show up in costumes depicting their favorite character from the world of comics, movies, television, and video games.
“I found my costume on a web site that sold all kinds. I put the gear together myself,” said ninja Austin Combs.
Cosplay, or ‘costume play’, is the art of dressing up as a fictional character. Traditionally, the subject matter is pulled from Japanese anime or manga, but western superheroes and science fiction characters have also become part of the scene.
A Bat Man that looked like he could have walked off the movie set showed up, along with Chewbacca from Star Wars, who stood about eight feet tall.
“I’m Rufio, who is a character from the movie Hook,” said Brittany Tryon.
Cosplay in Salt Lake City
Cosplay is particularly popular in Japan, but the trend is growing in the US and other countries. Anime Banzai is a similar annual convention which takes place in Salt Lake City, and it has been steadily growing since its premiere in 2005.
“I’m Sebastian from the show Black Butler, which is an anime show,” Mike Farrell said. “I came to my first Anime Banzai here at SLCC six years ago, before this we did it for over 10 years in Denver.”
Some of the convention goers are cosplay veterans. Flowers the Clown has been doing this for 20 years.
“I do anime face painting, I also do magic, and balloons too,” said Flowers the Clown.
“Everyone on staff is part of the Japanese club,” said event manager Chris Wilcox.
Anime Salt Lake will return in March of 2013. Details can be found at animesaltlake.com.
The next Anime Salt Lake convention will -NOT- be held this fall in Davis county.
This is anime banzai con and not Anime Salt Lake that will be held in Davis county in the fall.
Anime Salt Lake will be held between March – May 2013 Based on the event location.(which is TBA)
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