By Samantha Simon
Hundreds of cosplay enthusiasts gathered at AnuCon, Antigua and Barbuda’s annual cosplay convention, on Saturday, under the theme “Ascension.”
The event, now in its fourth year, featured a variety of activities, competitions, and vendors showcasing local talent and creativity.
Glen Toussaint, one of the organisers, expressed his satisfaction with this year’s turnout.
“This year was even, I would dare say, it’s our best year yet. We’ve seen a much larger turnout. We’re still doing the count to make sure our numbers are correct, but by our estimation, we’ve had an even larger crowd if we are to go off of the responses of our vendors,” he said.
Attendees had the opportunity to participate in various competitions, including physical challenges like the “One Punch Man test of strength” arm wrestling tournament, a ramen noodles eating contest, trivia games, and the highly anticipated cosplay pageant.
Contestants showcased their elaborate costumes, some even enacting scenes as their chosen characters.
The art contest, themed “Astrology” this year, saw impressive submissions across two age categories.
Trinity Archibald won the 18+ category with her piece “Celestial Twins: A Dance of Light and Shadow,” while Demi Jones took first place in the 12-17 category with “Year of the Dragon.”
In the cosplay competition, Canice James emerged victorious for the second consecutive year with his portrayal of Allen Walker from the anime series “D-Gray Man.”
Dominique Trotman, 1st Runner Up in the Queen of Carnival 2024 competition, also made an appearance as Storm from the X-Men.
Local vendors played a significant role in the event, offering themed products such as anime and video game themed cupcakes and handmade crafts.
“We try to encourage them as well,” said Toussaint, emphasizing the importance of incorporating local businesses and skills into the convention.
Looking ahead, the organizers have ambitious plans for AnuCon’s future.
“Where do we see ourselves moving forward next year? Bigger and better, that is our motto,” Toussaint stated.
The team aims to attract international cosplayers to Antigua and Barbuda for their fifth anniversary and to support local cosplayers in representing the country at regional and international competitions.
AnuCon has become more than just a “nerds carnival,” as Toussaint put it.
“We see it as another way by which we can showcase our culture, another way that we can bring interest here to Antigua. Another way that we can incorporate our economy into what it is that we’re doing.”
With its growing popularity and commitment to promoting local talent, AnuCon is poised to become a significant cultural event in Antigua and Barbuda, bringing together the anime community and providing a platform for self-expression and creativity.
