Spiraken Convention Report: Animazement 2024

by Xan Villanueva.

Animazement 2024 returned to the Raleigh Convention Center from May 23rd to 26th, marking another year of growth for this fan-driven event. What began in 1997 as a college film festival has evolved into a vibrant convention, and after my first positive experience in 2023, I dove in fully this year—panels, guests, and all. The result? A weekend that solidified Animazement as one of my favorite conventions on the circuit.

Guests & Highlights

This year’s lineup boasted an impressive mix of veteran voice actors and industry talent. Legendary seiyuu Toshio Furukawa (Kai Shiden in Gundam, Ataru in Urusei Yatsura) and Kikuko Inoue (Belldandy in Ah! My Goddess) drew crowds, while Noriko Hidaka (Akane in Ranma ½) and Shino Kakinuma (Naru in Sailor Moon) brought nostalgia to the forefront. On the English dub side, Erica Mendez (Ryuko in Kill la Kill, Gon in Hunter x Hunter) kept panels lively with her infectious energy.

Musical guests Angel-Taka, Kaizan Nitta, and Hakusui Ogiyama added a dynamic layer to the weekend, while industry veterans like Trish Ledoux (co-founder of Animerica), Hiroshi Nagahama (Uzumaki, Revolutionary Girl Utena), and Kohi Nagai (producer of My Hero Academia) offered deep dives into anime production.

Panels: Successes & Surprises

This year, I ran four panels—all well-received, but two stood out as highlights.

• "The Live Action Equation: Anime in The Flesh" (Friday) sparked heated debates, especially over Netflix adaptations, while surprising attendees with the first live-action anime adaptation (hint: it wasn’t Death Note).

• "I’m Not Old! Main Characters Over 30" (Saturday) packed the room, with fans passionately defending (or protesting) picks like Alucard (Hellsing) and Mr. Fujisawa (GTO).

• "Horror in Anime & Manga" (Saturday night) remained a cult favorite, though I was shocked how few had seen Vampire Hunter D: Bloodlust.

• "24 Manga Recommendations for Grown-Ups" (Sunday) was my personal triumph—engaging discussions, new readers hooked, and requests for sequels.

As an attendee, I caught Third Impact Anime’s "10 Years Later: Anime in 2014" (a brutal reminder of my age) and Fatal Fanatix’s "Cool Manga No Anime," which unearthed hidden gems I’ll definitely cover in future Wheel of Manga episodes. The "2025 Anime Music Challenge" game show had a clever gimmick (though I still think my Anime Tune Showdown format reigns supreme).

Dealer’s Room, Artist Alley & More

The Dealer’s Room was well-organized but lacked the rare manga finds of years past—CheapManga.com and Sci-Fi Continuum were sorely missed. Still, Discotek’s booth delivered, and I walked away with some stellar Blu-rays.

Artist Alley showcased incredible talent, though the creeping presence of AI art raised eyebrows. Meanwhile, the new Video Game Room—with arcade cabinets, consoles, and PCs—was a welcome addition, if not yet on par with Otakon’s legendary setup. The Manga Library, while smaller than Anime Next’s, impressed with its local-library collaboration system.

Cosplay & Vibe: Comfortably Crowded

Cosplay at Animazement is always a highlight, and this year’s eclectic mix included Maomao (Apothecary Diaries), Fallout wastelanders, Sakamoto (Sakamoto Days), and even Conker (Bad Fur Day). The atmosphere was relaxed yet energetic—crowded enough to feel lively, never suffocating. Attendees played board games, debated anime, and lingered in halls without the usual con stress.

Final Thoughts: A Keeper

Animazement retains the charm of a "homey" fan convention while expanding thoughtfully. The layout was intuitive, the panels diverse, and the attendees genuinely happy to be there. After two years, I’m convinced: this is a convention worth returning to. See you in 2025, AZ!

Overall Rating 

Drop Everything & Go – This Is Worth It!" (Highest – Must-attend, flawless execution)

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