Anime Corpus Christi returned for their third consecutive year the weekend of Feb. 7-9. For the fans of anime or pop culture, the event not only had a stacked lineup with talent from series like “Death Note,” “Dragon Ball Z,” “One Piece” and many more with plenty of merchandise and unique offerings, sure to please those who experienced it all.

Upon entering visitors were greeted with a dedicated booth of staff members welcoming you in, handing out passes and pamphlets with information for special guests, events and more. The theming around the entrance was consistent and well done. Adorning the entrance was a set of decorative tentacles and a booth featuring exclusive merch for the event and the Anime Corpus Christi mascot character: a white octopus.

Entering the exhibit hall brought you to the artist alley and vendor area. The convention as a whole was a great showcase for vendors and artists, as many local and statewide artists offered a variety of unique products. These included handmade art and figurines, a vast assortment of prints, keychains, jewelry, and clothing, all themed around anime and pop culture. As someone who attends multiple conventions, it’s always a treat to see returning artists alongside the new pieces they bring. A tattoo booth was also present for anyone who wanted a more permanent souvenir from the event. There were also plenty of replica weapons and props for sale for those who wanted to add to their cosplay or collection. Beyond products, the exhibit hall also had catering and a section for guests to play a variety of video games, from racing to arcade fighting games, plus stations for head-to-head matches.

Also available was a dining area, located close to the exit doors of the show floor, which offered both fast food and local options including Mexican food and baked goods. If none of those were to your liking, there was also a maid cafe located near the lobby that offered a unique dining experience. With multiple options, my dining experience was with an order of nachos and some mini tacos from Taqueria Rivas shared with a friend. One of the best parts of any convention is the experiences shared with those around you, and it’s what makes these events so unique. Anime Corpus Christi was no exception. Dining in the exhibit hall was one of the best parts of the event, as it highlighted the social aspect of sharing moments with friends and meeting new people.

Friday offered panels for fans of series like “Spy Family,” “One Piece” and “Castlevania.” The “Spy Family” panel was hosted by Alex Organ and Natalie Van Sistine, main voice talent behind Loid Forger and Yor Forger respectively. Other events included unique versions of games like Wheel of Fortune and Jeopardy alongside trivia contests based around anime series and franchises. Classes were also available all weekend long hosted from the Texas State Museum of Asian Cultures and  Education Center, including art classes and special Valentine’s Day mochi classes. Having participated in several of the events, they were well organized while being both enjoyable and entertaining. One of the best aspects was the enthusiasm from both the panel hosts and participants, who all seemed to have a great time.

Saturday continued with a multitude of performances and features. The Corpus Christi Taiko Club held two performances, the first taking place Saturday. Both performances offered viewers a chance to try the drums for themselves after the show. Similar to the other games being held, Saturday held a spelling bee and “guess that theme song” panel. Both Taekwondo and Zumba events were held, as well as multiple karaoke shows. The premiere event for the weekend was the cosplay contest, headlined by around 100 contestants. Having taken part in this contest, the structure and handling was well done and organized. Similar to other conventions with cosplay contests, contestants were required to meet for pre-judging. Each contestant was given an introduction and a brief amount of time on stage. The judging was based on the construction of the costume, the materials used, the amount of effort that went into the cosplay and stage presence. The amount of effort and creativity that was put into each costume was nothing short of impressive. Many were done with such a clear level of passion and care that anyone would have a hard time picking only three winners in a contest!

Sunday concluded the festivities with more panels and fan events. Of which was the “Death Note”-themed panel: “The Notebook” featuring many of the voice actors for the main cast. The panel was headlined by  Brad Swaile, Alessandro Juliani, Shannon Chan-Kent and Brian Drummond who play the characters Light Yagami, L, Misa Amane and Ryuk respectively. The panel provided fans with a great opportunity not only to hear stories directly from the cast of their favorite series, but ask questions about other roles the voice actors had performed in other franchises. One of the more interesting side panels that day was the swap meet, which provided attendees a means to trade and sell collectibles and props amongst each other in a dedicated space. This aspect of  trading and selling during a convention was a neat idea, something that  isn’t encountered at most cons. The main event of Sunday was the kid’s cosplay contest. Similarly it was a competition which picked the best costume based on construction and effort applied. This would be the final event of the convention, thus concluding Anime Corpus Christi 2025.

From the main floor of the exhibit hall to the multiple panels being held all weekend, Anime Corpus Christi offered something for everyone. Beyond anime and video games, the convention served as a great weekend activity and experience for those seeking something different.