OKALOOSA ISLAND —Destination Anime will make its way back to the Emerald Coast this weekend with a new location, new guests and the same unique offerings.
The convention will be at the Ramada Plaza Beach Resort on Saturday and Sunday.
Organizers decided to move the event in an effort to differentiate themselves from other conventions, said James Carroll, chairman of Sukoshi Con, the company that oversees Destination Anime.
The drive to be different likely will mean the convention eventually will be held in the summer instead of the winter, Carroll said.
“We want to be a more beach-based convention,” he said.
This year, voice actor Blake Shepard will be on hand as well as Cosplay guest Jessie Pridemore.
This year’s Cosplay, or costume contest, will have cash prizes and trophies. There also will be a number of panels, gaming opportunities, contests, vendors and more.
For anime enthusiasts, Carroll said he wants to provide a safe environment for them to meet and talk about the things they enjoy.
“I always want them to feel like they’ve gotten something different from us,” he said.
Carroll hopes those new to anime will be blown away by the fans who attend.
“We want them to get a feeling that this is a really fun place to escape your everyday environment,” he said.
Contact Daily News Staff Writer Lauren Delgado at 850-315-4445 or ldelgado@nwfdailynews.com. Follow her on Twitter @LaurenDnwfdn.
WANT TO GO? Destination Anime will be from 10 a.m. to midnight Saturday and from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday at the Ramada Plaza Beach Resort. Tickets cost $30 for a weekend pass, $25 for Saturday and $10 for Sunday.