Explore our experience at Brick City Anime Fest 2024! From VIP perks and meeting top voice actors to supporting local artists, here’s why it was a must-attend event for anime fans.
The Brick City Anime Fest took place on January 11-12 in Ocala, Florida, and it was an unforgettable experience for our family. This annual anime convention brought together fans of all ages for a weekend packed with excitement, creativity, and unforgettable moments. I attended with my kids, and it was such a positive experience from start to finish.
Brick City Anime Fest 2024: Family Adventures, Voice Actors & Vendor Finds
In this post, I’ll be sharing our personal stories from the event, including why I felt the VIP tickets were worth it, our experiences meeting incredible voice actors, the engaging panels we attended, and the talented local artists we discovered on the vendor floor.
Despite some understandable cancellations due to the California fires, the guests who were able to attend made it a weekend to remember!
Attending with Kids
Brick City Anime Fest was a fantastic family experience. The event was super organized, making it easy to attend with kids. The atmosphere felt welcoming, and the variety of activities kept everyone entertained. I attended with my daughter (11) and son (8), and both had an amazing time in their own way.
My daughter was all about meeting the voice actors.
She couldn’t wait to get autographs and chat with some of her favorites.
The guests were friendly, patient, and truly engaged with fans.
Watching her light up while meeting the voices behind her favorite characters was unforgettable.
On the other hand, my son gravitated toward the vendor area—especially the free-play video game section.
He was in heaven with the retro Nintendo games and Japanese arcade machines.
The fact that they were free to play made it even better.
He spent so much time exploring the different games, and I loved seeing how excited he was.
This family-friendly anime convention really stood out with how well it balanced fun for all ages. Staff members were helpful, and the layout made it easy to explore without feeling crowded. Whether you were there for voice actor signings, shopping, or just soaking in the anime vibes, the event made sure everyone had a great time.
It’s not often you find an anime convention with kids that feels this smooth. Brick City Anime Fest nailed it!
Cosplay Fun at Brick City Anime Fest
Cosplay was everywhere at Brick City Anime Fest, and it added so much excitement to the event. My daughter, who’s just starting to explore making her own costumes, was especially inspired by all the creativity. Right now, most of her outfits are store-bought, but she’s getting more into makeup and design. Seeing other cosplayers gave her so many ideas for future conventions!
My son had a blast with cosplay too. He mostly wears costumes that match his sister’s picks or reuses his old Halloween outfits, but he still had fun dressing up. On day one, they both wore unique cosplays, and it was so cool seeing people ask for pictures.
My daughter was one of only two Hunter x Hunter cosplayers, and my son was the only Donquixote Doflamingo from One Piece—which made their outfits stand out even more.
Taking photos with other attendees was such a fun part of the weekend. It’s a big part of the cosplay experience at conventions like this. If you spot someone from the same fandom, it’s totally normal to ask for a picture! Everyone was so kind and respectful when asking my kids for photos, which made the experience even more special.
Cosplay really brings family-friendly anime conventions like this to life.
Whether you’re a pro cosplayer or just starting out, it’s such a fun way to connect with the community and celebrate your favorite fandoms!
VIP Ticket Experience: Worth Every Penny
I purchased VIP tickets for Brick City Anime Fest during their early sale, paying $125 per ticket. Since kids 10 and under were free, I only needed two tickets (though my daughter is now 11—of course!). Despite the extra cost, I absolutely feel the VIP perks made it worth it, especially when attending with kids.
The VIP package included:
- Early entry both days of the convention.
- Shorter VIP lines for voice actor autographs.
- A VIP exclusive t-shirt, pin, and lanyard.
- A large, high-quality tote bag that I’ll definitely use again.
The shorter lines alone made the VIP upgrade worth it. Voice actor lines can get extremely long—some people I spoke to waited almost three hours in the general admission line for a single signing! With the VIP passes, we breezed through in a fraction of the time. It made a huge difference, especially with younger kids who aren’t as patient.
I do wish they had a VIP Junior option like I’ve seen at other anime conventions. Some events offer a slightly discounted VIP ticket for ages 11-15, which would have been ideal since my daughter just turned 11. However, those other events also had significantly higher VIP prices, so the value we got at Brick City Anime Fest still felt very fair.
The merch included was also a nice surprise. The tote bag was large, sturdy, and well-made—something I’ll use regularly. The t-shirts were printed on-site and were great quality, making it a fun, personalized touch.
If you’re planning to attend Brick City Anime Fest and want to meet voice actors without long waits, VIP tickets are definitely worth considering!
Meeting the Voice Actors: Memorable Moments & Amazing Talent
Meeting the voice actors at Brick City Anime Fest 2024 was an unforgettable part of the weekend, especially for my daughter. She’s a huge fan of many of these actors and had some incredible experiences during our meet-and-greets. Each guest we met was professional, kind, and genuinely made the fans feel special—whether it was a quick autograph or a longer conversation.
Erika Harlacher – Hunter x Hunter, Persona 5, Demon Slayer
This was our third time meeting Erika Harlacher, and she continues to be one of my daughter’s absolute favorites.
Her line was long, but it was 100% worth the wait.
My daughter even talked to her about the last time they met at a Tampa convention, and Erika made such a heartfelt effort to act like she remembered.
Whether she truly did or not, the way she asked my daughter how she’d been since then completely made her day.
It’s moments like these that show how special voice actor interactions can be.
Zach Aguilar – Demon Slayer, Genshin Impact, Cyberpunk
Zach Aguilar was another highlight.
His line was incredibly long, but he was so friendly and welcoming that it didn’t matter.
He’s clearly passionate about the fan experience, taking time to chat and make every interaction feel meaningful.
My daughter was thrilled to meet him, and his positive energy made the wait worth it.
Mark Witten – Demon Slayer, Attack on Titan, Fire Emblem
We also met Mark Witten, who was both personable and hilarious.
He took a super fun picture with my daughter’s Demon Slayer poster, which she’s been working on getting signed by multiple voice actors. His funny energy and kindness left a lasting impression.
His line was long too, but the wait was filled with excitement knowing how engaging he was with fans.
Leah Clark – My Hero Academia, Fruits Basket, Black Butler
Leah Clark was so warm and friendly—it felt like talking to a close friend.
Her line was shorter, but she gave just as much attention and kindness as the actors with longer waits.
My daughter had her sign two items from different shows, and Leah was genuinely enthusiastic about both.
When my daughter gifted her a hand-drawn picture of Toga from My Hero Academia, Leah reacted like it was the best thing she’d ever received.
Moments like that turn a fan interaction into something truly unforgettable.
Christopher Wehkamp – My Hero Academia, Fairy Tail, Attack on Titan
Christopher Wehkamp was the definition of dad energy in the best way.
He was funny, welcoming, and full of dad jokes, which made our interaction so memorable. As a parent himself, he related to me about raising preteens, and it felt like chatting with an old friend. My daughter had him sign a photo of Eraserhead from My Hero Academia, and when she gifted him a drawing of the character, he made her entire weekend.
He promised to display the drawing at his booth and even said if someone offered to buy it, he would refuse since it was an original piece made just for him. Seeing her light up with happiness after that moment was priceless.
Handling Voice Actor Cancellations with Empathy
While the guest list was impressive, there were a few cancellations due to the California fires. Some fans were understandably disappointed, as meeting their favorite actors is a huge part of events like this. However, the cancellations were completely understandable. These are real people dealing with a major crisis, and their safety and personal lives come first.
Even with the changes, the guests who did attend went above and beyond to make the weekend memorable. Their kindness, professionalism, and fan interactions showed just how special the anime convention experience can be. Brick City Anime Fest truly delivered an unforgettable event, even in the face of challenges.
Panels & Events: Engaging and Unforgettable Moments
The panels at Brick City Anime Fest were just as exciting as meeting the voice actors themselves. We attended both the Demon Slayer panel and the My Hero Academia panel, and they were absolute highlights of the weekend.
The voice actors were so engaging and personable throughout both panels. They brought a fun, energetic vibe while still being professional and thoughtful with every answer. It was fascinating to hear them dive into their voice acting process, sharing behind-the-scenes insights about how they bring these beloved characters to life. Some questions from the audience were just plain fun, while others were surprisingly deep, making the conversations even more interesting.
At the Demon Slayer panel, the actors balanced humor with heartfelt stories, and the way they interacted with each other and the audience made it feel like a giant hangout with fellow fans.
The My Hero Academia panel was equally impressive. The actors shared their thoughts on their characters’ personalities, growth, and even how they find emotional inspiration for key scenes.
I especially appreciated how welcoming they were to all attendees, taking every question seriously—even the silly ones! Their positive energy really made these panels stand out. If you’re attending an anime convention with kids, panels like these are a great way to experience the fandom together.
Vendor Floor & Local Artists: A Treasure Trove of Creativity
The vendor floor at Brick City Anime Fest was such a vibrant part of the experience! It felt like stepping into a mini artist alley filled with creativity, passion, and incredible talent. The atmosphere was lively yet easy to navigate, making it perfect for exploring with kids.
What really stood out to me was the amazing quality of the local artists and handmade goods. Everywhere you turned, there were beautifully crafted prints, stickers, pins, plushies, and even handmade cosplay accessories. So much of it was original art inspired by anime, video games, and pop culture. It felt personal and unique—exactly the kind of thing you want to take home from a convention.
I love supporting local creators, so we made sure to grab a few special items while browsing. Not only are these purchases meaningful keepsakes, but they also directly support artists who pour their hearts into their work. It’s inspiring to see independent creators thrive in spaces like this, and it reminds me why shopping small at conventions matters.
If you’re planning to attend Brick City Anime Fest, definitely make time to explore the vendor floor. Whether you’re looking for unique fan art, handmade gifts, or just want to appreciate incredible talent, it’s a must-see part of the event!
Would We Go Again? Absolutely!
Brick City Anime Fest 2024 was such a memorable experience for our family. From the VIP perks and meeting incredible voice actors to exploring the panels and supporting local artists, it truly had something for everyone. The event felt family-friendly, well-organized, and welcoming—everything you could want from an anime convention with kids.
I would absolutely attend again, and I highly recommend grabbing VIP tickets if you can. The shorter lines alone made the upgrade worth it, especially when attending with kids who may not have the patience for long waits. Plus, the included merch and early access added even more value to the weekend.
If you’re considering attending Brick City Anime Fest, I can’t recommend it enough! It was a wonderful mix of fandom, creativity, and unforgettable experiences.
Have you attended an anime convention recently? I’d love to hear about your favorite moments and cosplay experiences! Drop a comment below or share your stories with me on social media.
Ready to experience the fun for yourself? Check out the Brick City Anime Fest website for updates on their next event!
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