Anime Nebraskon electrifies the midwest for a good cause

When most people hear the word “convention,” their minds leap to San Diego Comic-Con — that Hollywood-saturated spectacle of movie stars, trailers, and pop culture excess. But across the Midwest, far from the flashing lights and studio hype, smaller, homegrown conventions still thrive — built by fans, for fans. These are the heart and soul of fandom, where passion beats louder than profit, and community takes center stage.

Last weekend, one such event filled the Mid-America Center in Council Bluffs, Iowa, just across the river from Omaha. Anime NebrasKon — affectionately known as “NebKon” to regulars — returned for another year of anime celebration, creativity, and community, drawing thousands of attendees from across the region for three days of panels, cosplay, concerts, gaming, and charitable giving.

In a year where the most popular global sensation is Netflix and Sony’s “KPOP Demon Hunters”- just ask any 7 year old what they’re dressing up as for Halloween- and films like “Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle” are destroying box office records, the the overwhelming passion at NebrasKon was palpable from fans both young and young at heart. 

Founded in 2004 by the University of Nebraska–Lincoln’s anime club, NebrasKon began as a modest fundraiser that attracted around 300 attendees. Two decades later, it has grown into one of the Midwest’s largest and most beloved fan conventions, routinely drawing crowds of 7,000 to 8,000. Despite its growth, the convention has held onto its community-first spirit — something NebrasKon Public Relations representative Becky Potter said has been key to its longevity.

“We had talked, in the club, about hosting an anime event- and it was sort of, ‘okay, who has been to one before?’ and one person had been to a convention. We had so many questions- whats a panel? What kind of guests do they have? What vendors?” Potter recalled. 

Anime and the celebration of Japanese culture in the early-2000’s was a far more niche hobby than it is today, back when “otaku”, or fans, had to swap bootleg VHS tapes (fan translated) of imported anime and pay exorbitant prices for figurines off third-party websites…a far cry from opening Netflix to watch “Naruto” or seeing “My Hero Academia” plush toys at your local Walmart.

That grassroots energy remains. Attendees still come for the same reasons they did twenty years ago — a love of anime, Japanese culture, and connecting with others who share their passions.

NebrasKon isn’t just about costumes and fandom; it’s about compassion. Since 2008, the convention has raised over $130,000 for local and national charities. This year’s partner was NAMI Nebraska, the local chapter of the National Alliance on Mental Illness — a nonprofit dedicated to improving mental health education and services across the state.

Funds were raised throughout the weekend through events like the Charity Live Auction, where attendees bid on autographed memorabilia and handcrafted items, and a silent auction that ran in the Vendor Hall.

Stepping into NebrasKon’s vendor hall felt like walking into a neon-colored dreamscape. Nearly 200 booths filled the 30,000-square-foot floor, packed with plushies, imported snacks, hand-painted artwork, trading cards, custom jewelry, and just about every piece of anime merchandise imaginable. Artists added last-minute touches to their displays, and vendors stacked figurines and plushies into towers that seemed one wrong move away from collapse.

“You get to see all the antics and energy before the doors open,” one exhibitor said. “Everyone here is kind, helpful, and genuinely loves what they do.”

Among them was artist effrey Delgado, known as “JDelgado”, was just one of the dozens of artists at the convention who eagerly awaited the flood of guests that Friday afternoon. Delgado, who warmly embraced Potter as she led media through the convention hall, said that he owes a large part of his career to Nebraskon. “Nebraskon was one of the first conventions we ever attended as artists,” said Delgado, “and that’s how we found a lot of our following, people discovered us here at Nebraskon. it’s not just a great convention but it means a lot to us- the people, the staff- it’s all one big family.”

Each year, NebrasKon invites an impressive lineup of guests spanning the worlds of anime, gaming, music, and cosplay. 2025’s roster was no exception.

Voice actors Barbara Dunkelman, Arryn Zech, Kara Eberle, Lindsay Jones, and Michael Jones — all known for their work on Rooster Teeth’s hit series RWBY — drew long lines of fans for autographs and panels. Meanwhile, voice stars like Zeno Robinson (My Hero Academia), Jonah Scott (Beastars, Demon Slayer), Edward Bosco (Hazbin Hotel), and AmaLee (My Dress-Up Darling, One Piece: Film Red) brought their vocal magic to the Midwest.

Fans also cheered on beloved creators like Ciarán Strange, an LGBTQ+ voice actor and musician, and Lady Guenivere, a VTuber and mental health advocate blending creativity with counseling.

On the cosplay side, the guest list shined just as bright. Industry standouts like Melanie Jasmine, Uptown Cosplay, Midwest Avenger, Folxy Cosplay, and Pros and Cons Cosplay led workshops and judged competitions, while new faces like Crystal Brakhage Designs showcased their craft with dazzling handmade costumes.

Beyond the main stage and vendor chaos, NebrasKon’s Cosplay Academy offered a haven for makers. The Academy hosted workshops on foam crafting, wig styling, glove making, and even how to buy fabric for your next project. Sessions like “Cell Shading Basics” with Stay at Foam Dad Creations and “Buying Fabric at Post-JoAnn’s World” drew packed rooms of eager learners.

Panels spanned every corner of fandom — from karaoke to Japanese language basics to deep-dive discussions on series like Attack on Titan and One Piece. For the kids, there was even a “Children’s Masquerade” — an adorable crowd favorite.

Of course, for a convention with so many moving parts, it does literally take a village. According to Convention Chair Jesse Smith, NebrasKon’s staff numbers in the 200-220. “There’s a lot of moving parts- you have to feed and house volunteers, coordinate with all of them, and make sure that guests, vendors, and the general public all feel safe and taken care of as well,” said Smith from one of the Mid-America Center’s suites overlooking the vendor hall.

As the sun set, the energy only intensified. Friday night’s Cosplay Burlesque Show, featuring the Shinjuku Strays, brought out a packed crowd for a night of humor, dance, and artistry. Saturday’s Cosplay Contest and Formal Ball turned the Mid-America Center into a sea of sequins and sword hilts. 

And when the lights dimmed, the rave roared to life — a thunderous, bass-driven spectacle where glowsticks, light-up sneakers, and ecstatic energy reigned supreme with beats from artists such as LessThan3, Ghost Data, djBLAC, Hyddin, LoafOvBread, Shylynx, TyeDup bringing the house down with beach balls volleying through the smoke and lasers with the kind of sights one could only find at a convention: Gandalf head-bobbing while Jack Skellington twirled glowsticks as Doctor Who, Star Fox, and a plethora of KPop Demon Hunters broke it down in a nearby circle. 

What makes Anime NebrasKon truly special isn’t just the costumes, celebrity guests, or endless merch — it’s the sense of belonging. In a world that can often feel divided, NebrasKon remains a reminder of what happens when creativity, kindness, and community collide.

After 21 years, that heart hasn’t faded. If anything, it’s only grown stronger — one handmade costume, one shared laugh, and one auctioned plushie at a time.