2019 MetroCon Heads To Tampa Convention Center July 11

TAMPA, FL — Thousands of anime and comics fans from around the world will converge in Tampa July 11-14 for the 17th annual MetroCon, Florida's largest anime convention.

The event, taking place at the Tampa Convention Center, 333 S. Franklin St., includes celebrity guests, exhibitors, panel discussions and the MetroCade, featuring the latest arcade and video game releases.

Also scheduled for the convention is the 10th annual Anime Human Blood Drive in collaboration with OneBlood, the Metro Fire Show with a themed live fire performances, the Kaiju Big Battle wrestling match featuring the monsters of Kaiju Universe and nightly raves with DJs from around the world spinning records.

Near Here Productions will present "Rhyme nor Reason," a story-driven cosplay variety show with favorite characters, and the Metro Night Live!, comedic sketches featuring favorite anime and video characters presented each night on the Riverwalk.

The Metrocon Masquerade, scheduled for Friday from 6 to 9 p.m., will allow anime enthusiasts to dress up as their favorite characters. Tickets are $10 online and $12 with convention registration.

First introduced in 2004, the convention includes the Anime Human Chess Match, a fusion of Renaissance Faire combat chess and a scripted cosplay involving anime characters from multiple shows.

Also on tap are character photo shoots on the Riverwalk; the 2019 Anime Idol Friday from 1:30 to 3 p.m.; workshops on no-sew costumes, silicon mold-making, 3-D printing and body painting; autograph signings; Jeopardy and trivia challenges; costume contests; a lip synch battle; dance contests; and scavenger hunts.

This year's celebrity guests include voice actors David Matranga, Monica Rial, Luci Christian, Alexis Tipton, Kara Edwards, Josh Grelle and Amanda Lee; guest artist NoFlutter; cosplay guests TeppyBAKA, Dei Cosart, Duy Truong, Erin Hurst, C80s Thingamabobs, Magda Alexandra, Toughtink and Blueeyesdante; fight choreography Kyle Rowling; with entertainment by Youtube musical artist Caleb Hyles, Geekapella and Noise Complaint.

For a full schedule of events, click here.

Convention hours are Thursday from noon to 2 a.m., Friday from 10 a.m. to 3 a.m., Saturday from 10 a.m. to 3 a.m. and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Click here to register.