The zany world of Japanese anime invaded California as hundreds of fans in colorful wigs, elaborate make up and intricate costumes gathered at the Los Angeles Convention Center for Anime Expo 2012. It's North America's largest gathering for devotees of manga, anime and all forms of J-pop culture.
Fans queued around the block, all eager to be among the first to enter the largest Japanese comics and animation convention in the US. While the convention offers enthusiasts the opportunity to speak with their idols and learn more about the anime world, it's also a great chance to network with other fans.
While they waited, fans passed the time by taking photos together and role playing their favorite characters.
Daniel Joseph, cosplayer, said, "It's kind of unique and it's also a great way to meet new people who have the same interest as you. And, you know what, out there today, it seems like not many people are really doing that."
Tina Chang, cosplayer, said, "I think a lot of these people, they're people that are hiding away in little tiny holes and they just need something to just bring them out. This brings them out and allows them to actually socialize and actually feel like they're not alone in this anime world because, this anime world, although it seems big it's still pretty small."
The four day event was organized by the Society for the Promotion of Japanese Animation and is a real annual Mecca for thousands of anime fans and industry professionals.

2012美國動漫博覽會在加利福尼亞舉行，成百上千的動漫愛好者戴著五顏六色的假發，畫著精致的妝容，穿著各種角色服裝涌進洛杉磯大會堂參加這場盛會。這是北美最大的一場動漫和流行文化愛好者的盛大集會。
動漫迷們排隊等在中心周圍，都渴望第一個進入會堂。盛會將提供機會給動漫迷們與他們的偶像進行交談并從中學習更多有關動漫世界的知識，這場盛會也是一個與其他動漫迷交流的大好機會。
動漫迷們一邊在外面等待，一邊一起拍照留影并扮演他們最愛的角色以打發時間。
動漫參賽選手Daniel Joseph說:“這是唯一可以認識志同道合朋友的最佳途徑。而且，你們知道，今天離開這兒以后，似乎就沒有太多人喜歡動漫了。”
動漫參賽選手Tina Chang說:“我想很多的動漫愛好者他們都是將自己隱藏在小洞中的，他們只是希望能有某種東西可以將他們帶離那里。這場盛會就將他們帶離那里并使他們能否夠真實地地進行交際，同時也讓他們感覺到他們在動漫世界中并不孤單，因為這個動漫世界雖然看起來很大但其實仍然很小。
這場為期四天由日本動漫促進協會主辦的盛會是千萬動漫愛好者和專業人士每年都渴望去的地方。