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Anime Midwest is one of the largest conventions in Chicago, Illinois – and full of memorable experiences! In this guide, we go over what kind of fun activities and panels you can expect during the three-day event, which takes place at the Hyatt Regency O’Hare and Stephens Convention Center in Rosemont from July 4-6, 2025. And you can even learn how to save money on your convention tickets with a promo code.
Anime Midwest Events
Anime Midwest actually has over 100 events each year! Some of the highlights you can look forward to include:
- Concerts
- Expect everything from unique rock shows to anime theme song covers
- Immersive concert experiences with excellent lighting and speakers
- Exhibit Hall
- Lots of vendors
- Artist Alley with handmade crafts and beautiful prints
- Rave Dances / Epic Dances
- High-energy EDM sets
- Guest DJs like YTCracker and Greg Ayres
- Arcade Room
- At least 12 arcade games
- Maid Cafe
- Ticketed Japanese-style cafe experience
- NOTE: Applications are closed for this year’s Maid Cafe
- Ticketed Japanese-style cafe experience
- Tabletop Gaming Room
- Demo area for new board games
- Relaxing coloring room
- Miniatures Room
- Tabletop wargaming
- Gaming sessions
- Workshops
- Photoshoots & Cosplay Meetups
- NOTE: If you’re wondering what to wear to Anime Midwest, you can find some great cosplay options here.
- Grand Cosplay Competition (Masquerade)
- Costume contest judged by professionals
- Cosplay Prom / Fantasy Ball
- Free for convention attendees with a badge
- Formal dance lessons taught by professional instructor before the event
- Semi-formal outfits (or dressier) required
- ConSweet
- Free snacks and drinks
- While supplies last
- Karaoke Krypt
- Sing J‑Pop, classic songs or anime themes
- Stage Shows
- Forbidden Fandom Dames’ Burlesque (18+)
- Interactive game shows
- Videogaming Lounge
- Panels
- Fan‑submitted and guest-led discussions
- Variety of topics, like:
- Movimiento Nortaku: How Anime influenced Mexican Music
- Women in Anime, TV, Film, and Beyond
- History of Japanese Anime w/ Kohei
- Entering the Music and Voice Acting Industry with Raj Ramayya
- Theatre Nerds Unite: The Read-thru w/ Jessica Cavanagh
- NOTE: The first volunteers who sign up get to join in a live read-through of a one-act play with special guest actor Jessica Cavanagh! This seems like an amazing opportunity for anyone with theater experience – or anyone who wants to have theater experience.
- Escape Rooms:
- The Cabin of the Cackling Man
- Solve the mystery of the cursed video game you find while lost in the woods!
- Isekai Fantasy: Crypt of the Warlock Fiend
- Use your powers based on the character you are cosplaying or from classic hero types (like Wizard, Ranger, or Bard).
- The Cabin of the Cackling Man
- 3D Printing Room
- See 3-D printed models
- Watch printing in action
- Learn how to design your own creations
- Sugoi Tattoos Booth
- On‑site professional tattoo services
- Pachinko Area
- Authentic Japanese pachinko machines
- Choya Umeshu Tasting Experience
- Free Japanese plum wine sampling
- Must be 21+ years of age with valid ID
- Fabulous Date Auction
- Fun charity auction where winners get date(s!) for the Formal Ball
- 10% of the proceeds donated to charity
Special Guests
A big part of anime conventions is getting to meet special guests from some of your favorite fandoms!
Special guests at Anime Midwest include:
- Greg Ayres – Voice actor with 376+ credits
- Jay Hickman – Voice actor (known for Chief Kurama in Elfen Lied, Mechazawa in Cromartie High School, and many more)
- Robert L. Mungle – Voice actor and comedian (Ghost Stories, Excel Saga, and more)
- Samurai Dan and Jillian – Martial arts demonstrators and instructors
- Alyson Leigh Rosenfeld – Voice actress (Bonnie in Pokémon, Rio in Yu-Gi-Oh!)
- Billy West – Voice actor (Fry in Futurama, Doug, Ren & Stimpy, Bugs Bunny in Space Jam, and much more)
- NOTE: He’s had so many impressive roles, but I think it’s voicing Doug Funnie that makes me geek out the most!
- Frenchy and the Punk – Post-punk duo
- Kohei – R&B and soul singer originally from Tokyo
- Britney Hamada – Manga artist and writer
- Raj Ramayya – Indo-Canadian singer, lyricist and composer
- Wendy Powell – Actress (Mukuro in Yuyu Hakusho, Ilena in Claymore and more)
- FUN FACT: She is a graduate of the Disney College Program and studied editing on The Rescuers Down Under and The Rocketeer, two favorite movies from my childhood.
- Toshio Maeda – Erotic Japanese manga artist
- Andy Field – Voice actor best known as HandUnit in the Five Nights at Freddy’s games
- John Swasey – Voice actor and director
- Cynthia Cranz – Actress best known for her extensive voice work dubbing anime shows
- Carey Means – Voice and stage actor (Frylock on Aqua Teen Hunger Force, Thundercleese on The Brak Show)
- Mega Ran – Hip-hop artist
- Barry Yandell – Voiceover artist and regional stage actor based in North Texas
- Schaffer the Darklord – Rapper and comedian based in New York City
- Kyle Jones – ADR director, producer, writer and actor at Sentai Filmworks & AMC Networks
- Cinder “The Handyman” Houghton – Cosplayer and panelist known for craftsmanship
- Mike “Enclave Hellfire” Cummings – Cosplayer and Fallout series enthusiast
- Destination Atlas – Creator of complex cosplays
- cosplayhooray – Popular Instagram cosplayer
- blank paper – Unique and anonymous musical duo
- Jessica Cavanagh – Voice actor, writer and theatre artist
At Anime Midwest, some of the guests charge a fee for autographs. However, there are scheduled free autograph sessions with some of the guests where you can get 1 free autograph per person.
Coupon
Clearly, Anime Midwest will be an amazing experience this year. And I’m sure you’d like to save money on your convention tickets!
Luckily, we currently know how you can save up to 21% on admission. This includes one day tickets as well as tickets for the whole weekend (all three days). You can get your discounted Anime Midwest tickets here.
And here’s how much you can save:
- Friday Admission on July 4, 2025 – 15% Off
- Saturday Admission on July 5, 2025 – 10% Off
- Sunday Admission on July 6, 2025 – 15% Off
- Weekend Admission from July 4 – July 6, 2025 – 21% Off