Info

About Animarathon

Animarathon is a family friendly one-day convention hosted by Anime in Northwest Ohio, the anime club at Bowling Green State University. First held in 2003 to celebrate ANO’s one-year anniversary, Animarathon celebrates any and all aspects of anime, related Japanese media, and the overall “nerd culture” that we’ve all come to know and love. Each year, Animarathon features a wide variety of events and performances, including video game tournaments, anime screenings, informational panels, a raffle, and of course, cosplay competitions. The Dealers’ Room is open throughout the day with excellent anime merchandise, as is the Artist Alley, which features dozens of talented artists. This year’s convention will also include the return of the Kids' Room, the Manga Reading Library, and the Kawaii Kafé, as well as performances by the Game and Anime Music Ensemble, and Hayabusa Taiko. Since its first incarnation in 2003, Animarathon has grown consistently. Starting with only 200 attendees, the addition of space, events, and panels over the years has garnered an incredible response, attendance increasing to over 700 by Animarathon V. In 2008, Animarathon VI broke 1000 attendees, and in 2009, Animarathon VII had over 1500 guests in attendance. Animarathon VIII saw roughly 1750 in attendance, while Animarathon IX had 2000 attendees on March 26, 2011. Come help us make our 10th anniversary AMAZING!

About Anime In Northwest Ohio

Anime in Northwest Ohio is the official Bowling Green State University anime club. The club was formed nearly a decade ago, and it became formally registered as a student organization in February 2002. Since forming, the group has continued to grow. When it first began, ANO had only 12 members, but by the end of its first semester that number had doubled. ANO membership for the 2010-2011 school year currently exceeds 150 registered members, including both BGSU students and non-students, and the club continues to enjoy a strong and involved membership. In 2005, ANO began hosting activities beyond its regular weekly screenings, currently including themed Saturday Screenings, bake sales, cosplay workshops, and an annual group trip to Ohayocon. More events related to anime, manga, and Japanese popular culture will occur in future semesters. ANO also enjoys a friendly affiliation with various other groups on campus, including the BGSU Gaming Society and the BGSU Game and Anime Music Ensemble.

When is this year's Animarathon?

Saturday, March 23, 2013 at 10:00am - midnight.

Where is it?

Bowen Thompson Student Union, Bowling Green State University, Bowling Green, Ohio 43403

• Take I-75 to Exit 181 o turn to head west on Wooster St. (Coming from the north, turn right onto Wooster; coming from the south, turn left. If you are on Wooster and pass Meijer, you have gone the wrong way.)
• Continue driving west; the BGSU campus will be on your right.
• Turn right onto Mercer at the Wooster/Mercer intersection.
• Turn left onto Ridge. (Ridge is located past two sets of residence halls)

How much does it cost?

This year, Animarathon Staff has decided to begin charging, so we can make your experience better. We want to be able to bring in AWESOME SPECIAL GUESTS for you, and continue to make Animarathon better.

Prices:
- Pre-Reg: $7 -->closed March 15th
- Regular Admission: $3
- All Children under 12 Free (Guardian with child $2)

If you have questions, put them here http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/PDSNVJ3 and we'll try to answer them both on here and Animarathon.com.

When are the Artists' and Dealers' Rooms open?

11:00 AM until 6:30 PM.

Can I cosplay?

Yes. Please read the cosplay rules here.

Can I bring a weapon for my cosplay?

Yes, provided all of the following:

• The prop weapon is NOT metal
• If the prop weapon is a blade (dagger, sword, etc), it MUST remain securely tied shut in a scabbard/sheath
• If the prop weapon is a gun, it MUST have a bright orange tip
• Yaoi paddles of ANY kind are NOT permitted under ANY circumstances

What is there to do at Animarathon?

At Animarathon there are panels about various subjects related to anime, Japanese culture, Asian culture, geek culture, and games or gaming. As a university convention, it is our goal to provide both intellectual discussion panels and panels to just have fun. We also have a concert, dance, several game rooms both electronic and tabletop based, and a dealers room and artist alley. See the program page for more details.

Is it safe for my child to attend?

Yes! Animarathon is a family-friendly event that welcomes attendees of all ages. You will find that there are events for everyone, although we ask for you pay to attention to the program, which will list the age ratings of both panels and anime being screened in the room. We leave it to your discretion to determine what is appropriate. If you would like more information, visit the For Families page.