Fans land at Planet Anime in Downtown Kansas City this weekend
Planet Anime brought costumes, collectibles, celebrity appearances to help fans celebrate all things anime
fans celebrate all things anime in downtown kansas city
SOURCE: Jay Bartell/KMBC
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Planet Anime brought costumes, collectibles, celebrity appearances to help fans celebrate all things anime
Downtown Kansas City was filled with costumes, collectibles, and characters this weekend as Planet Anime brought people together to celebrate all things anime culture.
Fans of all ages arrived dressed to the nines to take part in the festivities with heroes and villains walking alongside one another in harmony.
Chris Phelan, an organizer for Planet Anime, says it’s an opportunity for people to connect.
“That’s what makes it special… it’s just a welcoming place,” Phelan said. “And everybody can come and celebrate, and just have a good time together.”
Even members of the KMBC 9 team joined in on the fun.
KMBC 9 producer Ian Nickens dressed in one of his favorites.
“Well, I’m dressed as chainsaw man. I’m a man with a chainsaw, part man, part chainsaw,” Nickens said. “I’ve been here every year since it started.”
Some attendees came to see their favorite characters in real life like Jim Cummings.
Cummings is the voice behind beloved characters like Winnie the Pooh, Ray from The Princess and the Frog, and the Tasmanian Devil.
“I’ve had people come up to the table and they’re kind of in tears because Winnie the Pooh says things like ‘stay sweet as honey’ and God bless them, they’re like five years old again,” Cummings said. “It’s fantastic, I love every second of it.”
Cummings’ latest work can be seen in “Coyote vs. Acme” where he voices the Tasmanian Devil.
Planet Anime is hosted by the same group behind Planet Comic-Con, the largest and longest-running independent comic book convention in the nation.
Phelan says both events have made Kansas City a premier destination for events like this in the Midwest.
” You know, years ago, people didn’t necessarily think of Kansas City as a destination. And Planet Anime KC, Planet Comicon KC have helped turn Kansas City into one,” Phelan said. “But that’s really it’s the fans that have done that.”
