Anime Central 2024

Anime Central is a bit of a sleeper con. If you consider that Chicago is the third largest city in America, you might think this convention should be huge. Attendance is estimated to be somewhere north of 20k, which isn't huge in the world of anime conventions. It might not even be on the list of the top ten largest. Anime Expo in Los Angeles has over 100k attendees and Anime NYC is approaching that if it hasn't beat it already. So what's going on with Anime Central?

Anime Central has all the things you'd expect from an anime convention and the locals I know seem fond of it. The vendor hall is quite large and the venue is serviceable, although somewhat odd. It's an older convention center with signs of renovations at different points in time. The main events area looks like it's straight out of an episode of the Golden Girls with flowery carpet, a pink marble fountain and bleached oak paneling. The lobby looks very 1980s with gray, red, chrome and mirrored surfaces. You can walk continuously in a half-circle from the vendor hall to the artist alley and onto the gaming area. There's an odd ramp right between the vendor hall and artist alley which clearly indicates the two parts of the building were built at different times with not enough accommodation for the elevation of the floor. The lighting is a mishmash of different types and quality. Some fluorescent, some maybe mercury vapor, and perhaps some modern LEDs are being added over time. The structure has a concrete floor with wood beams in some areas and steel in the other. Old wiring which looks like it hasn't been used in years runs up the beams and along the ceiling joists. The entrance leading to registration has massive concrete and steel doors which look like they're from a missile silo. They're rather impressive so be sure to take a gander if you visit. Overall it all reminds me of the buildings at my local state fair. It serves its purpose without any pretense of being fancy or especially attractive.

There are events held at the neighboring Hyatt Regency hotel which gives this convention a night life. The hotel, unlike its ugly neighbor, has architectural significance. It was designed by John Portman who also designed some of the more famous hotels in downtown Atlanta such as the Hyatt Regency and Marriott Marquis. It has an open atrium and an impressive glass staircase. The central elevator stack has rounded glass elevators and walkways spreading from it like spokes on a bicycle connecting to the rooms. The hotel is located right across the street from the convention center, but somehow it still requires a nearly two city block walk to get there. Don't get me started on the weird skywalk which runs from the hotel and across the roof of the convention center. I'm sure it's meant to be a convenience, but it is often backed up and is still quite a distance to walk.

It's anybody's guess why this convention isn't bigger. It might be the unimpressive and quirky venue. Maybe the time of year (mid May). Or perhaps it just doesn't have any standout features like Colossalcon's water park resort or Holiday Maturi's holiday theming. When I say the name "Anime Central" in my mind, I think, "Yikes! Maybe it's the name." It just doesn't make you think of anything. "Central", meaning it's in the middle of the United States, more or less, is too generic; too boring. All of these things are forgivable if the con is fun. And maybe that's the very reason people attend - it's fun. That's the ultimate goal of an anime convention - to have fun.

Despite it's unfortunate venue and inconvenient accessibility and whatever the case might be as to why this convention isn't better attended, it's still a convention worth checking out. Flights should be easy to get if you plan ahead. The convention center is literally next door to the massive Chicago O'Hare airport. Do plan ahead if you want to book a room, though. The nearby hotels book up quickly.

Thanks to everyone who participated in my video.