The Collins Plaza Hotel on Cedar Rapids' north side has been refurbished
since AnimeIowa's late trip here in 1999. The replica airplane and balloon
that hung in the atrium are gone, apparently taken back from the airport
from where they were borrowed. |
Hot dealers room items on Friday were these limited edition cat ear
sets. Only 50 were on hand when the room opened on friday afternoon and
most were gone by closing time. |
James "Zen" Bateman skilled the huge Otakon for the smaller AnimeIowa.
The fan fiction author still has his heart set on replacing his aluminum
spatula with a titanium-bladed model. |
Costumer Erica was one of the many fans who volunteered to run the
show. Looming over her is the Jigglypuff pinata that was fated to be broken
apart at the convention's midpoint, an AnimeIowa tradition. |
Opening day panels included a look at the growth of anime fandom, something
that has reached into the American midwest... |
...and a look at the costumes shown this year on this web site. |
