Anime fans across Illinois are gathering for the fourth annual Anime-Zap Convention. Dressed as anime characters from their favorite shows, nearly 200 people came out for the festivities. The two day event includes a costume competition, dance party, and lots of anime merchandise. Several people will also take part in a date auction.

Organizer Jesse Larson says the event gives anime fans the opportunity to share a common interest that not everyone knows about. "Its Japanese cartoons and it's not really well known by most of the community, but for those who watch it, they're normally addicting.  (The TV shows) they’re just always so fun and interesting,” said Larson.

Anime fan Kayla Kubinski says while she doesn’t know everyone at the convention she feels comfortable meeting new people with a similar interest.

"It's kind of like, a family you never met before, so even though you don't know anyone it's like, you feel like you can just go up to people and you can talk to them.  And it's kind of nice to get to interact with people,” said Kubinski.