2014动漫博览会开幕

2014 Anime Expo regarded as the largest anime conference in the world. We head over to the Los Angeles Convention Center, where this colorful conference is held every July.

Anime fans in costume play, more commonly referred to as "cosplay," take over the L-A Convention center for the opening day of the 2014 Anime Expo on Thursday. The four day event is expected to attract approximately 200,000 fans.

"Well, this year is huge, we're growing, we're expecting over 200,000 people to come this year, we have a lot of exhibitors, our exhibit hall is sold out, a lot of new people coming and, you know, it's not just an industry event where people are trying to sell things to the attendees, it's really a celebration of both the attendees and the industry coming together. Because a lot of the people who start working in the industry, they originally were fans themselves." Meg Amo, Brand Manager of Society for the Promotion of JP Animation said.

"Yes, the fanbase is definitely increasing, this is my fifth year of staffing at Anime Expo and I have been involved with other events as well and the number of attendants is increasing here and elsewhere and also among just the general public." Akira Negi, Panel interpreter said, "Pretty much everybody knows Dragon Ball or Pokemon but not only just that, if you ask people things like Kill La Kill, things that are not so main stream, a lot of people will know it too. So, the general fanbase I think is definitely on the increase."

Most attending the event credit the complexity of Japanese Anime storylines and character development for their love of the genre.

"Well, American cartoons I'd say, are a little more, how do you say, they're more comical, they're more just, kind of random when Anime on the other hand, it's got a story to it. It's got something, you know, it's got something that makes you want to watch it, not just something that you'll watch one episode and you'll go, oh, I know what the whole thing is about. It kind of keeps you wanting more." Erika Perez, Anime fan said.

Some fans demonstrate their dedication by crafting their own cosplay.

The Anime Expo is currently the largest Anime convention in North America, and features panels, concerts, a fashion show and late night dances, among other things. The expo takes place from July 3rd through 6th.