Anime Central 2027

Anime Central (ACen) is an annual anime, manga and Japanese popular culture convention in the Midwest, held each spring in Rosemont near Chicago. The not-for-profit Midwest Animation Promotion Society runs it, with guests, a retailer hall, Artist Alley, gaming, concerts and cosplay events.

Anime Central 2027

Anime Central runs May 14–16, 2027 in Rosemont.

What it is

Anime Central (ACen) is a fan convention for anime, manga and Japanese popular culture, held less than 30 minutes from downtown Chicago. The Midwest Animation Promotion Society (MAPS) runs it. MAPS is a not-for-profit 501(c)(3), and volunteers staff the convention.

The organizer says ACen started in 1998. The weekend brings in guests from the Japanese and US anime and manga industries along with gaming, cinema and Asian-culture personalities. The program includes:

• a retailer hall selling Japanese-culture merchandise
• an Artist Alley
• a free-to-play gaming hall with tournaments, arcade, PC and console gaming
• tabletop gaming
• concerts and dances
• panels and workshops
• autograph sessions
• 24-hour video rooms
• the Masquerade cosplay showcase

Some events run all night, and the organizer describes ACen as effectively a 24-hour convention.

How admission works

Entry to ACen comes through a MAPS membership, which every age needs.

• A full-weekend membership or a single-day pass can be bought in advance or at the convention.
• Advance weekend memberships cost less the earlier they are bought.
• Friday and Saturday passes can be picked up from 4 pm the day before. Sunday passes are sold on Sunday only.
• Children's and toddler badges cover the whole weekend.
• Anyone 16 or older needs a photo ID to buy onsite or pick up a badge.
• Cash is not accepted for attendee registration, and neither are American Express or tap-to-pay.
• Weekend memberships paid in full by April 1 are eligible for badge mailing at extra cost. Everything else is picked up at Will Call with photo ID.