Anime Detour facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Anime Detour
Status	Active
Venue	Hyatt Regency Minneapolis
Location(s)	Minneapolis, Minnesota
Country	United States
Inaugurated	2004
Attendance	6,217 in 2017
Organized by	Anime Twin Cities, Inc.
Filing status	501(c)(3)
Website	http://www.animedetour.com/

Anime Detour is a super fun three-day event held every year in Minneapolis, Minnesota. It's a big gathering for fans of anime (Japanese animation) and manga (Japanese comics)! This awesome convention usually happens in March or April at the Hyatt Regency Minneapolis. It's organized by a group called Anime Twin Cities, which is a non-profit organization.

What Happens at Anime Detour?

Anime Detour is packed with exciting activities for everyone! You can watch cool anime music videos or hang out in special anime rooms. There's an artist alley where talented artists sell their amazing creations. You can also see incredible costumes in the costume contests and the big masquerade show.

Many special guests, like voice actors, come to share their experiences in guest panels. You can also find cool stuff to buy in the vendors' room. Plus, there are workshops where you can learn new skills, like drawing or making costumes!

Anime Detour's History

Anime Detour has grown a lot since it started. In 2009, so many people wanted to come that tickets sold out a whole month before the event! They had a limit of 3,500 attendees that year.

The convention has also done a lot of good for others. In 2011, they held a fundraiser for a voice actor named Greg Ayres. He needed help with dental work because of an injury he had when he was younger.

That same year, Anime Detour 2011 raised an amazing $36,000 to help people affected by the 2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami in Japan. Because of this, the American Red Cross gave Anime Twin Cities a special Donor Award!

In 2013, the convention and its parent company, Anime Twin Cities, helped voice actress Carrie Savage. They raised money to help with her medical costs for muscular dystrophy. Later, in 2017, they also created a fundraiser for voice actor Christopher Ayres to help with his medical costs for COPD.

Because the convention kept growing, it moved to a bigger location in Minneapolis in 2018. Sadly, Anime Detour 2020 and 2021 had to be cancelled because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Past Events and Guests

Here's a look at some of the past Anime Detour events, where they were held, how many people attended, and some of the special guests who came!