Anime is big draw

Artists and art fanatics gather at
the 2005 Kawaii Kon convention

CINDY ELLEN RUSSELL / CRUSSELL@STARBULLETIN.COM
Damian Han, 3, did not want to leave his Kikaida friends Saturday during the 2005 Kawaii Kon anime convention and conference, which was held at the Ala Moana Hotel throughout the weekend. It was the first time producers held the event in Hawaii, which brought in 800 visitors on Friday alone. The event featured guest speakers, a costume contest, drawing workshops, vendors and more.

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CINDY ELLEN RUSSELL / CRUSSELL@STARBULLETIN.COM
Many attendees dressed as their favorite anime characters. Reflected in the hallway mirror were Angela DeReis as "Fuu," Lance Mento as "Mugen," Joshua Egged as "Revolver Ocelot" and Kesey Allen as "Hyatt."

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CINDY ELLEN RUSSELL / CRUSSELL@STARBULLETIN.COM
Ferd Paredes expressed his love while talking to his friends Mike Rivad and Heather Paredes at the convention on Saturday.

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CINDY ELLEN RUSSELL / CRUSSELL@STARBULLETIN.COM
Lora Umamoto and Nick Sedeno viewed the art of Manga Bento, a local anime art group.

Anime is big draw

Artists and art fanatics gather at the 2005 Kawaii Kon convention

Artists and art fanatics gather at
the 2005 Kawaii Kon convention