For 2026 panel applications, please click here to see our REGISTRATION page!
2026 Panels, Workshops, and other Events!
Katie’s Karaoke Parties LLC
Karaoke
Katie is a Bridgewater-based mobile karaoke jockey specializing in all-ages fun and welcoming vibes. Join her for an hour of Open Mic and celebrate your fandom through song!
10:00-11:00
Adam Hennessey & Jaime Bonsignore
Conventions: How Do They Work?
Join Adam Hennessey and Jaime Bonsignore plus a collection of current and former leaders from multiple east-coast conventions as they discuss how anime conventions have grown over the decades & what goes into planning, staffing and executing them. They will also be happy to answer questions regarding how guests are selected, what goes into scheduling, choosing venues and a lot of behind-the-scenes details that attendees might never see.
12:30-1:30
Jon Turner
Castle in the Sky: 40 Years Above the Clouds
Come along with Jon Turner as he explores the impact of this anime. Inspired by a passage from Jonathan Swift’s immortal “Gulliver’s Travels”, Hayao Miyazaki’s third animated feature has thrilled audiences since its initial release in 1986. In celebration of its 40th anniversary, you are invited on a special voyage to discover the legendary movie’s rich legacy. You’ll learn about the birth of a Japanese animation studio, real-life events & people who shaped the story, two different scores, its lasting legacy— and a whole lot more besides.
1:45-2:45
Marissa Lieberman
“Hack” the Library
2025 Schedule!
| 10-11 | 11:15-12:15 | 12:30-1:30 | 1:45-2:45 | 3-4 | 4:15-5 | |||||||||||||
| Lobby | Cosplay Catwalk Registration: 10:00 – 12:00All participants must register by 12:00. Please see the Cosplay Catwalk Page for rules and categories.
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| Glitter Tattoos & Balloon Animals 10:30 – 12:00Come back to the lobby at lunchtime for temporary glitter tattoos and cute balloon animals!
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Kandi Bracelet Creating & Swap 12:00 – 1:00 PLUR 💖💜💙💚💛🧡❤️ Visit to make and swap some Kandi bracelets! |
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| Door Dice Game– Roll to win your door-prize!Come win a prize donated by our generous members, staff and attendees! (prize not guaranteed) |
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| Silent Auction bidding 10:00 – 3:30Bid at least in $1 increments above the minimum on items in the large display case. Bidding ends at 3:30pm. Results are in the gym between 4:15-5pm. You must be present to win.
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| Gym | Stage | Cosplay Catwalk Prep: 1:15 – 1:45Get in line at gym curtains & get ready! Don’t be late!
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Cosplay Catwalk 1:45 – 2:45Strut your stuff & get into character in this contest!
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| DJ Boogie Woogie 3:00 – 4:00 | Silent Auction 4:15 – 5:00Find out if your bid beat them all to own something kawaii!
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| Artist Alley 10:00 – 5:00Buy some goodies from our amazing vendors!
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Photo Booth 12:00 - 5:00 at back of Artist Alley | |||||||||||||||||
| Clover Café 10:00 – 5:00 Selling food, snacks & drinks to the hungry otaku!
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| Conference Room | Pictionary with Prizes Come test your gamesmanship by presenting an anime or manga title pulled from a jar! Door prize tickets may be awarded :3
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Fanparodies “The Manly Battleships®
look back through 40 years of fan creativity. Sure to be a fun time!”
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Symbolic Shorthand "Mary McLaughlin has a fascinating presentation ready for the ways mythology, folklore, and other sources as well are pulled upon to create a repertoire of shared symbology in anime and manga."
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The Boy & The Heron A deep dive into Hayao Miyazaki's latest film, presented by Jon Turner.
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Guide to One Piece An approachable introduction by Nicholas P. Demkin to the epic length anime and manga.
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Fairy Racing An AI generated video series of unreal and nonexistent video games.
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| Green Room | Cosplay Pre-Judging SessionWhen you register in the Lobby, beside a line-up number, you can be given a time when your cosplay will be viewed & critiqued by our judges.
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Think YOU can be a voice actor?An engaging panel by Nicholas P. Demkin on voices. |
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| Yellow Room | Manga Library – Manga, comics, puzzles, and other quiet activities 10:00 – 5:00 No food or drink allowed Do not write in or on any of the books. Do not touch any of the drawers, cabinets, or closet Please keep quiet out of respect for others. There will also be specific coloring books and origami available - please ask (quietly and respectfully!) if you are interested in these! |
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| Red Room | Bleach: Thousand-Year Blood War (movie) Rated:TV-14 10:00 – 11:32 4 Episodes. The peace is suddenly broken when warning sirens blare through the Soul Society. Residents are disappearing without a trace and nobody knows who's behind it. Meanwhile, a darkness is approaching Ichigo and his friends in Karakura Town. |
Vampire Knight (4 Episodes) Rated:TV-14 11:45 – 1:21 4 Episodes Yuki Cross, a student at the Cross Academy, acts as guardian to the school's vampire population. |
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Inuyasha: Fire on Mystic Island (movie) Rated:PG-13 2:59 – 3:10 The past catches up with the world of Inuyasha and Kagome's present in a form they could never have anticipated. |
Bleach: Fade to Black (movie) Rated: TV-14 3:15 – 5:00An explosion happens in the middle of Seireitei, and Rukia has a memory loss. Then Urahara tries to seek the background of the events. | |||||||||||||||||
| Game Room (upstairs) | Video & Board Games – Play some old or new-to-you video & table top games. 10:00 – 5:00 Pick up a game room pass from the box at the bottom of the stairs. Return it to the box when finished.
Respect the staff and your fellow players.
BattleTech Demo: The 31st Century 12:00 - 2:00 (GM'd by Steven Hess) Dungeons and Dragons: Adventures in Zestra 1:00 – 3:00 (DM'd by Bobby Sommerville) |
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| Outside | Labyrinth – Breathe & ground your chi & renew your focus by walking this painted pathway.There's no "correct" way to walk a labyrinth. You walk the same path going in & coming out. Be mindful of your "journey" to think about what you want to leave behind as you move forward. Welcome to the 4-H Clover Labyrinth created by the Village Hidden in the Clovers. |
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Outdoor Games – Volleyball, badminton, etc!Please return all game equipment to the bin when you are finished playing. Thank you! |
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Picnic Tables, Tents & various Photo Op AreasWeather permitting Please be respectful of the buildings and grounds No littering Be careful of traffic in the parking lots and driveway |
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Kat Notarnicola
Hello Kitty: A Fandom Retrospective
Come and join in with Kat Notarnicola with their interactive quiz, audience participation & slideshow presentation. Whether you're an older or newer fan, you just might learn something about Sanrio today! Let's talk about the characters you already know and love as well as some rare & defunct ones. We will also discuss the history of the company and fandom from the 1950's to now.
11:15-12:15
Tosho-con’s Marissa Lieberman (ran their con for 16 years) and Stacey Shapiro, Cranford Librarians – The first half of this workshop will cover insider tips and tricks for anime and manga fans! We will cover how to request print and digital titles, explore local library anime clubs around the State and more! The second half will be an anime-theme Game Show!
4:15-5:00
Chris Dattoli
Think YOU Can Be a Voice Actor?
Ever wonder what Kazuhiko Nukumizu would sound like as a constipated Kermit the Frog? Well, let's find out! Join Voice Actor and Coach Chris Dattoli and let's practice your voiceover skills as we read through several scripts, record them in an actual portable recording booth, and give them a funny voice! We’re also going to talk about some important Voice Acting info like how to market yourself, what you need to know to run a voiceover business, where to find work, how to get agents, how to find discounted recording equipment and what to charge for voice acting! All participants will be emailed their recordings after the workshop!"
3:00-4:00