Every year on Labor Day weekend, DragonCon invades downtown Atlanta. Though its main focus is on anything related to fantasy and science fiction, the convention also features a programming track dedicated specifically to anime. Anime fans show up at the event dressed as their favorite anime characters and leave with bundles of anime merchandise in their arms.

Two of the most frequented places at DragonCon are the Dealers Room and the Exhibit Hall, where merchandisers are free to sell their products, and anime distributors are not lacking in their presence amongst them. Fans leave having purchased anime plushies, figurines, soundtracks, and posters, in addition to anime and manga.

Perhaps the most detailed and developed part of DragonCon’s anime track is the wide array of panels, speakers, and workshops that it features every year. Generations and Anime, 'Ghost in the Shell' Discussion, Anime Music Videos 101, and Voice Acting are just a few of the panels that con-goers can attend. There is also Hentai 101, which focuses on adult-themed anime, and Yaoi for Dummies, which focuses on adult anime featuring same-sex couples.

Every year, the anime track features various anime-related guests such as voice actors and artists. This year’s guests included Vic Mignogna, American voice actor, best known for the voice of Edward Elric in Fullmetal Alchemist. Mignogna has appeared in more than 80 titles, including Streetfighter, Spriggan, Excel Saga, DN Angel, Yu Yu Hakasho, Those Who Hunt Elves, Dirty Pair, Dragonball Z, Angelic Layer, Kitty Grade, and the director’s cut of Evangelion. He just finished playing the role of Ikkaku in Bleach, and he is currently voicing Fay in Tsubasa Chronicle.

DragonCon’s anime track also hosts its own cosplay contest, in which manga, DVD’s, and figurines are given away as prizes. There is even an anime music video contest, which gives contestants the chance to show off their creativity and editing skills as they create videos of their favorite anime clips, set to music. There’s a little bit of something for everyone if you’re an anime fan attending DragonCon.