#2 | Greenville Anime-Fest, Pixel Pig Expo

Plus what's it like to go to an anime convention?

Author

Matias Faundez
January 24, 2025

Community Cork Board

Today on the cork board:

  • Hey there! I’m Vaughn, a hip hop musician in the RTP area. If you like songs with an encouraging message, listen to my music here: (Spotify)

    Website | Contact: [email protected]

    – Vaughn W

Upcoming events

Some recommendations on things to do over the next few months.

What’s it like to go to a con? | Thoughts from Animate! Raleigh

Animate! Raleigh is an anime convention that takes place in Raleigh, NC. This year it happened on January 3-5. It’s a celebration of all things anime and more, with industry panels, cosplay contests, video game tournaments… You could even sign up for your first Sumo match!

I didn’t try Sumo, but I did walk around reflecting on how I felt going to my first few cons. The promise of immersing myself in a world of fandom with other people just as passionate as me was often overshadowed by a fear of the unknown. What would I be getting myself into? Would people laugh at me if I showed up in cosplay? Would I not make any friends and spend the whole time in misery by myself?

Of course, none of those things ever happened, but they were real fears nonetheless. So I decided to get some other people’s takes on it. I walked up to strangers and asked them two questions:
1. What do you like about this convention?
2. What would you say to someone who’s never been to one before?

You can watch what they had to say in this video. Enjoy :)

External YouTube link in case the embed doesn’t work.

Okay! Now the details on some upcoming events:

Greenville Anime-Fest

Greenville, NC – January 25, 2025 @ 10 AM - 5 PM | Official website

This is tomorrow!! There are quite a few of these one-day cons around, and this one’s all about anime. If you got $20, this is a pretty good day trip. They’ll have:

  • Exhibitors & vendors

  • Voice actors & industry professionals

  • Local manga artists

  • Lip sync contest

  • Cosplay contest

  • Trivia & other activities

Their IG: @greenvilleanimefest could use some love, but they have a few fun videos from voice actors that are worth a follow for!

Cost: $20. You can buy in advance or at the door.

Address: Holiday Inn, 203 Greenville Blvd. SE, Greenville, NC

Pixel Pig Expo

Lexington, NC – February 1-2, 2025 | Official website

If you’re looking for something near the triad, this one’s got a fun name. Pixel Pig! It’s put on by Arts Davidson County, a nonprofit organization and partner of the NC Arts Council. They offer a family-friendly environment with:

  • Panels

  • Artists

  • Local musicians

  • Tabletop gaming (and contest)

  • Costume contest

The website isn’t too descriptive, but it’s $15 and run by a local arts nonprofit so it’s gotta be a good day trip. If you’ve ever been before, I’d love to hear your thoughts on what it’s like! I may make a trip out to Lexington for this myself.

Cost: $15 day pass or $20 for the weekend.

Address: Arts Theatre 202, 202 N Main St, Lexington, NC

That’s all for this issue. Don’t forget to share with your friends if you know anybody who might like this type of content. And let me know what else you’d like to see!

This is Matias, signing off.