Aki Con in Everett: Fans breathe life into their favorite characters

EVERETT — It’s not every day that mad-scientist chimpanzee Mojo Jojo gives free hugs.

Chris Vance, 36, of Kirkland is an anime fan and cosplayer (shorthand for “costume player”) who attended Aki Con. As Mojo Jojo — an evil genius featured on the “Power Puff Girls” — he stalked about the conference, quoting popular lines, mugging for photos with fans and generally acting as a cartoon villain should.

“Yes?” he growled into his cell phone, completely in character. “I will destroy you and the planet you live on!” Vance is a regular in the anime convention scene, with several YouTube videos of him ranting on and on as the cyborg simian. He was at Aki Con to have fun, and that’s what anime and cosplay is all about.

“These cons are great, and Aki Con is just fantastic. It reminds me of my first con,” Vance said.

Anime has seen a resurgence in pop culture recently. While old favorites like “Dragon Ball Z,” “Pokemon” and “Macross” are still winning fans, new shows like “Full Metal Alchemist,” “Ghost in the Shell” and “Cowboy Bebop” are showing up on cable TV.

Anime is here, and so are its fans.

Aki Con laid siege to the better part of the Holiday Inn, taking up more than 10,000 square feet for vendors selling items such as costumes to videos and local artists showing their craft to fans.

Attendees varied in age, and most were dressed as their favorite anime, video game or manga character.

No less than five Clouds (the Elvis Presley of character playing) from “Final Fantasy VII” were in attendance, along with Vash the Stampede from “Trigun” and Rorschach from “The Watchmen” graphic novel.

Two Links from the Zelda video game series battled in a ring — Link against Shadow Link.

Boomerangs were explicitly not allowed in the duel.

“We just got here yesterday, and so far it’s been so much fun,” said Angeline Schaaf of Bothell. Dressed in woodland garb with a sword and a shield, she was the very spitting image of the Zelda hero.

The event drew costumed performers from as far away as Japan — some made a special stop in Everett while touring U.S. anime conventions.

Kelly LaPointe, a bartender at the Holiday Inn, watched the convention attendees with a mixture of wonder and good humor.

“It’s pretty sweet. I think it’s great to see everyone all dressed up,” she said. “I never heard of anime, though. How did it get so huge?”

The convention saw better than expected numbers, more than 1,000 attendees. Organizer Nicole Pelham said that because of the popularity this year, Aki Con for 2009 will be opening early registration on Dec. 31 and will try to get more space for the convention.

“This has been fantastic. The area has always been very popular for anime, and so far we’ve seen a large majority of the people here say that this is their first anime convention,” Pelham said. “It’s nice to see we’re reaching out to a new audience.”

Until next year, anime fans will be sewing new costumes and coming up with inventive ways to express their inner superhero.

Even evil mutant chimps are excited for next year.

“Coming to cons like this is a way to let go and have fun,” Vance said. “Like kayaking or bungie jumping, this is fun. It’s a hobby, but most of all, it’s cool.”

Reporter Justin Arnold: 425-339-3432 or jarnold@heraldnet.com.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Local News

Olivia Vanni / The Herald 
The Mukilteo Lighthouse. Built in 1906, it’s one of the most iconic landmarks in Snohomish County.
The Mukilteo Lighthouse. Built in 1906, it’s one of the most iconic landmarks in Snohomish County. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Mukilteo mayor vetoes council-approved sales tax

The tax would have helped pay for transportation infrastructure, but was also set to give Mukilteo the highest sales tax rate in the state.

Marysville Mayor Jon Nehring gives the state of the city address at the Marysville Civic Center on Wednesday, Jan. 31, 2024, in Marysville, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Marysville council approves interim middle housing law

The council passed the regulations to prevent a state model code from taking effect by default. It expects to approve final rules by October.

x
State audit takes issue with Edmonds COVID grant monitoring

The audit report covered 2023 and is the third since 2020 that found similar issues with COVID-19 recovery grant documentation.

Bothell
Bothell man pleads guilty to sexual abuse of Marysville middle schoolers

The man allegedly sexually assaulted three students in exchange for vapes and edibles in 2022. His sentencing is set for Aug. 29.

Larsen talks proposed Medicaid cuts during Compass Health stop in Everett

Compass Health plans to open its new behavioral health center in August. Nearly all of the nonprofit’s patients rely on Medicaid.

Everett
Judge sentences man, 73, for intending to have sex with ‘teen’ in Everett

The Arizona man sent explicit images to an agent posing as a 13-year-old. Investigators found images of child sexual abuse on his phone.

Community members gather for the dedication of the Oso Landslide Memorial following the ten-year remembrance of the slide on Friday, March 22, 2024, at the Oso Landslide Memorial in Oso, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
The Daily Herald garners 6 awards from regional journalism competition

The awards recognize the best in journalism from media outlets across Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon and Washington.

State’s draft of climate action plan open for public comment

Residents can submit public comments or climate-related stories online through Aug. 22.

The Edmonds School Board discusses budget cuts during a school board meeting on Tuesday, April 15, 2025 in Edmonds, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Edmonds school board approves 2025-26 budget

After facing an estimated $8.5 million shortfall earlier in the year, the board passed a balanced budget Tuesday.

A wall diagram shows the “journey of the ballot” at the new Elections Center on Tuesday, July 9, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
County Auditor: No need for feds to meddle with state or local elections

Garth Fell’s comments were in response to a report of Justice Department mulling criminal charges against election officials.

Edmonds Police Chief Loi Dawkins speaks after the city council approved her appointment on Tuesday, July 8, 2025 in Edmonds, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Edmonds City Council confirms new police chief

Assistant Chief Loi Dawkins will begin in the role Aug. 1. She has more than 23 years of law enforcement experience, including three years in Edmonds.

The Edmonds City Council discuss the levy during a city council meeting on Tuesday, July 8, 2025 in Edmonds, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Edmonds votes to place levy lid lift on the ballot

By a vote of 5-2, the council decided to put the $14.5 million property tax levy lid lift to voters in November.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.