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J1-Con Expands to 2-Day Anime Convention In 5th Year

J1-Con I choose you! Now in its 5th year, the popular anime convention created by anime fans for anime fans, has added a second full day.

J1-Con I choose you!

Now in its 5th year, the popular anime convention created by anime fans for anime fans, has added a second full day.

This year's Con will run Sept. 17-18 at its new location, the Philadelphia Flea Markets (820 Spring Garden St.). This year's theme celebrates the 20th anniversary of Pokemon.

A celebration of Japanese anime, the convention also involves comics, cosplay, games, and western favorites like Marvel and DC comics.

"We're the only widely known 100 percent black-owned and operated Japanese animation convention in the United States," said Jason Richardson, the creator of J1-Con. He said he started the event "with the hope of bringing anime culture together" with those who love it in a major city like Philadelphia.

The convention floor will be packed with vendor tables for various independent artists, musicians, prop makers in addition to movie viewings, panels, workshops, and special guest appearances by Pokemon voice actors Eric Stuart and Alyson Leigh Rosenfeld.

With guests encouraged to dress up, every Pikachu, Vash the Stampede and Astro Boy will be seen battling their way across the convention floor headed towards this year's major highlight: the cosplay contest, where guests can compete to see who has the best costume and win a spot on next year's J1-Con commercial that airs on Cartoon Network.

Tickets are available for adults and kids, so dust off your samurai swords, scrub up your tentacles and fire up your mecha suit.