Aaron Viera, of Lancaster, poses on Penn Square dressed as Miles Morales, Friday, March 22, 2019. Zenkaikon began Friday at the Lancaster County Convention Center.
The convention for fan communities of anime, Japanese culture, science fiction, fantasy, comics and video gaming is back in Lancaster for its 13th convention.
So if you saw cosplayers wandering the Square or hanging out at Central Market or a noodle shop, you can believe your eyes. The convention runs through Sunday at the Lancaster County Convention Center.
The festival includes speakers, a Pokemon World Tournament, the formal Cosplay Ball, the bawdy, adults-only Cosplay Burlesque and the Cosplay Masquerade competition.
Check out these photos from the first day of the convention:
Efrain Carrasco, of Lancaster, poses for a photo dressed as a zombie cop from Resident Evil 2, Saturday, March 23, 2019. Carrasco was one of hundreds attending Zenkaikon in the Lancaster County Convention Center. The three-day convention began on Friday.
Mary Zelenak, of Lancaster, shows off her contact lenses while portraying Yasha from Critical Role, Saturday, March 23, 2019. Zelenak was one of many people attending Zenkaikon on Saturday.
Mary Zelenak, right, of Lancaster, and Ariel Irizarry, of Levity, Pa., pose for a portrait in Steinman Park, Saturday, March 23, 2019. Zenkaikon, the three-day comic convention, began on Friday.
Alexia Cronin, of Drexel Hill, shows off her contact lenses as she portrays Roxas from Kingdom Hearts, Saturday, March 23, 2019. Cronin was one of many using contact lenses to change eye color for Zenkaikon.
Ash Uveges, of Perth Amboy, NJ., poses for a photo in Steinman Park dressed as Xion from Kingdom Hearts, Saturday, March 23, 2019. Uvegas was one of many portraying video game characters at this year's Zenkaikon.
Tim Heck, of Easton, poses for a photo in Steinman Park dressed as Axel of Kingdom Hearts, Saturday, March 23, 2019. Heck is one of many portraying video game characters at this year's Zenkaikon.
Ashley Tallos, of Lancaster, poses for a photo in Penn Square, Saturday, March 23, 2019. Tallos is among many dressed up to attend Zenkaikon, the three-day convention that began on Friday at the Lancaster County Convention Center.
Brian Tallos, of Lancaster, poses for a photo in Penn Square, Saturday, March 23, 2019. Tallos is among many dressed up to attend Zenkaikon, the three-day convention that began on Friday at the Lancaster County Convention Center.
Akyre Dean, of Lancaster, poses for a photo dressed as Frank from Dead by Daylight, in Penn Square, Saturday, March 23, 2019. Dean and a group of friends attended Zenkaikon at the Lancaster County Convention Center, a three-day convention that began on Friday.
From left: Kai Urban, of Lebanon, William Rollings, of West Grove, and Isabella Pfaff, of West Grove, pose for a photo on their way to the second day of Zenkaikon, Saturday, March 23, 2019. The three-day convention began on Friday.
Adam Bramble, of Middletown, Delaware, portrays the Joker as he walks toward Zenkaikon, Saturday, March 23, 2019. Zenkaikon, a three-day convention, began on Friday.
A group of passersby stop for a photo with a pair of furries who were attending Zenkaikon, in Penn Square, Saturday, March 23, 2019. Zenkaikon, a three-day convention, began on Friday.
In this file photo from March 2019, John Byle, of Lebanon, dresses up as Xaria, a European badger, in Penn Square. Zenkaikon, a three-day convention, returns to Lancaster Friday, March 22, 2024.
Alina Besarab, of Bensalem, Pa., shows off her contacts dressed as the undertaker, Saturday, March 23, 2019. Zenkaikon, the three-day convention started on Friday.
Cosplayers cross the street toward the Lancaster County Convention Center, Friday, March 22, 2019. Zenkaikon, the three-day cosplay convention, kicked off on Friday.
Emma Novak, left, role playing as Boosette, and Hailey Bricker, role playing as Bowsette, both of Montgomery County, pose for a photo on Friday, March 22, 2019. Zenkaikon, the three-day cosplay convention, kicked off on Friday downtown.
A cosplayer poses for a photo dressed as Prince Todoroki Shouto, in Steinman Park on Friday, March 22, 2019. Zenkaikon, a three-day cosplay convention, kicked off on Friday.
Charles Langley, left, and Peter Gerber, both of Philadelphia, are dressed for Zenkaikon as walk along North Queen Street in Lancaster Friday, March 22, 2019. Langley is dressed as Ke'ri, from "Fire Emblem Heroes," and Gerber is Reno, from "Final Fantasy 7."
Brandon Farver, of Berwick, is wearing a costume that a combination of Captain America and Spiderman, which he calls Captain Spiderman for Zenkaikon Friday March 22, 2019.
Craig Phillips, left, of Chester, and April Squitieri, of Norristown, walk across East King Street Friday, March 22, 2019. They were in costume for Zenkaikon which is being held at the Lancaster County Convention Center.
Aaron Viera, left, of Lancaster, poses dressed as Miles Morales for a photo with Kirsten DeSantis, of New Jersey on Friday, March 22, 2019. Zenkaikon began Friday at the Lancaster County Convention Center.
Aaron Viera, of Lancaster, poses on Penn Square dressed as Miles Morales, Friday, March 22, 2019. Zenkaikon began Friday at the Lancaster County Convention Center.
Tim Kern, left, and Rachelle Jacobus, both of Middletown, walk across King Street at Penn Square Friday, March 22, 2019. They were in costume for Zenkaikon which is being held at the Lancaster County Convention Center.
Zenkaikon attendees, from left, Kaitlyn Keller, Charlotte Kennedy and Josh Keller, all of Middletown, walk across King Street at Penn Square Friday, March 22, 2019. Kaitlyn is dresses as Anastasia, and Charlotte is dressed as Deku from "My Hero Academia." Josh will be in costume Saturday.
Alyssa B, of New Jersey, Hana Tanaka, of Japan, are dressed for Zenkaikon as they walk along East King Street in downtown Lancaster Friday, March 22, 2019. Alyssa B is Blue Diamond, from Steven Universe and Hana is Shirayuki.
Zenkaikon attendees walk along North Queen Street Friday, March 22, 2019. The are in costume for Zenkaikon which is being held at Lancaster County Convention Center.
Kellie Logrande, of Kingston, Pa., dressed as Marisa Kirisame takes a portrait of her friend in Steinman Park, Friday, March 22, 2019, on the first day of Zenkaikon.
Ylishyah Pugh, of New Holland, walks though Penn Square Friday, March 22, 2019. She is dresses for Zenkaikon as Shiro, from "Voltron." Zenkaikon attendees walk the streets of downtown Lancaster in costume Friday.
Jessica, left, and Chris Reinert, of Birdsboro, walk along North Queen Street in Lancaster Friday, March 22, 2019. They are dresses for Zenkaikon as Alice in Wonderland characters Alice and the Mad Hatter.
Kellie Logrande, left, of Kingston: photographs Brittany Foxx in Penn Square Friday, March 22, 2019. Logrande is dressed for Zenkaikon as Marisa, from "Touhou Project" and Foxx is dressed as Lunafreya, from "Final Fantasy."
Zenkaikon attendees Cheyenne McKinley, left, and Kelly Higgins, both of Palmerton, walk on North Queen Street in Lancaster Friday, March 22, 2019. McKinley is dresses as Stafire, from "Teen Titans," and Higgins is dresses as Jinx, from "Teen Titans."
Zenkaikon 2019: Cosplay convention in Lancaster [photos]
Efrain Carrasco, of Lancaster, poses for a photo dressed as a zombie cop from Resident Evil 2, Saturday, March 23, 2019. Carrasco was one of hundreds attending Zenkaikon in the Lancaster County Convention Center. The three-day convention began on Friday.
TY LOHR | Digital Staff
Mary Zelenak, of Lancaster, shows off her contact lenses while portraying Yasha from Critical Role, Saturday, March 23, 2019. Zelenak was one of many people attending Zenkaikon on Saturday.
TY LOHR | Digital Staff
Mary Zelenak, right, of Lancaster, and Ariel Irizarry, of Levity, Pa., pose for a portrait in Steinman Park, Saturday, March 23, 2019. Zenkaikon, the three-day comic convention, began on Friday.
TY LOHR | Digital Staff
Alexia Cronin, of Drexel Hill, shows off her contact lenses as she portrays Roxas from Kingdom Hearts, Saturday, March 23, 2019. Cronin was one of many using contact lenses to change eye color for Zenkaikon.
TY LOHR | Digital Staff
Ash Uveges, of Perth Amboy, NJ., poses for a photo in Steinman Park dressed as Xion from Kingdom Hearts, Saturday, March 23, 2019. Uvegas was one of many portraying video game characters at this year's Zenkaikon.
TY LOHR | Digital Staff
Tim Heck, of Easton, poses for a photo in Steinman Park dressed as Axel of Kingdom Hearts, Saturday, March 23, 2019. Heck is one of many portraying video game characters at this year's Zenkaikon.
TY LOHR | Digital Staff
Ashley Tallos, of Lancaster, poses for a photo in Penn Square, Saturday, March 23, 2019. Tallos is among many dressed up to attend Zenkaikon, the three-day convention that began on Friday at the Lancaster County Convention Center.
TY LOHR | Digital Staff
Brian Tallos, of Lancaster, poses for a photo in Penn Square, Saturday, March 23, 2019. Tallos is among many dressed up to attend Zenkaikon, the three-day convention that began on Friday at the Lancaster County Convention Center.
TY LOHR | Digital Staff
Akyre Dean, of Lancaster, poses for a photo dressed as Frank from Dead by Daylight, in Penn Square, Saturday, March 23, 2019. Dean and a group of friends attended Zenkaikon at the Lancaster County Convention Center, a three-day convention that began on Friday.
TY LOHR | Digital Staff
Zenkaikon goers walk down King Street, Saturday, March 23, 2019. The three-day convention began on Friday.
TY LOHR | Digital Staff
Zenkaikon goers walk down Queen Street, Saturday, March 23, 2019. The three-day convention began on Friday.
TY LOHR | Digital Staff
From left: Kai Urban, of Lebanon, William Rollings, of West Grove, and Isabella Pfaff, of West Grove, pose for a photo on their way to the second day of Zenkaikon, Saturday, March 23, 2019. The three-day convention began on Friday.
TY LOHR | Digital Staff
Adam Bramble, of Middletown, Delaware, portrays the Joker as he walks toward Zenkaikon, Saturday, March 23, 2019. Zenkaikon, a three-day convention, began on Friday.
TY LOHR | Digital Staff
A group of passersby stop for a photo with a pair of furries who were attending Zenkaikon, in Penn Square, Saturday, March 23, 2019. Zenkaikon, a three-day convention, began on Friday.
TY LOHR | Digital Staff
In this file photo from March 2019, John Byle, of Lebanon, dresses up as Xaria, a European badger, in Penn Square. Zenkaikon, a three-day convention, returns to Lancaster Friday, March 22, 2024.
TY LOHR | Digital Staff file photo
Alina Besarab, of Bensalem, Pa., shows off her contacts dressed as the undertaker, Saturday, March 23, 2019. Zenkaikon, the three-day convention started on Friday.
TY LOHR | Digital Staff
Cosplayers cross the street toward the Lancaster County Convention Center, Friday, March 22, 2019. Zenkaikon, the three-day cosplay convention, kicked off on Friday.
Zenkaikon attendees walk across North Queen Street in Penn Square Friday, March, 22, 2019.
BLAINE SHAHAN | Staff Photographer
Emma Novak, left, role playing as Boosette, and Hailey Bricker, role playing as Bowsette, both of Montgomery County, pose for a photo on Friday, March 22, 2019. Zenkaikon, the three-day cosplay convention, kicked off on Friday downtown.
TY LOHR | Digital Staff
A cosplayer poses for a photo dressed as Prince Todoroki Shouto, in Steinman Park on Friday, March 22, 2019. Zenkaikon, a three-day cosplay convention, kicked off on Friday.
TY LOHR | Digital Staff
A group of cosplayers walk downtown on Friday, March 22, 2019. Zenkaikon, the three-day cosplay convention, kicked off on Friday.
TY LOHR | Digital Staff
Charles Langley, left, and Peter Gerber, both of Philadelphia, are dressed for Zenkaikon as walk along North Queen Street in Lancaster Friday, March 22, 2019. Langley is dressed as Ke'ri, from "Fire Emblem Heroes," and Gerber is Reno, from "Final Fantasy 7."
BLAINE SHAHAN | Staff Photographer
Zenkaikon attendees walk the streets of downtown Lancaster in costume Friday, March 22, 2019.
BLAINE SHAHAN | Staff Photographer
Brandon Farver, of Berwick, is wearing a costume that a combination of Captain America and Spiderman, which he calls Captain Spiderman for Zenkaikon Friday March 22, 2019.
BLAINE SHAHAN | Staff Photographer
Craig Phillips, left, of Chester, and April Squitieri, of Norristown, walk across East King Street Friday, March 22, 2019. They were in costume for Zenkaikon which is being held at the Lancaster County Convention Center.
BLAINE SHAHAN | Staff Photographer
Zenkaikon attendees walk the streets of downtown Lancaster in costume Friday, March 22, 2019.
BLAINE SHAHAN | Staff Photographer
Aaron Viera, left, of Lancaster, poses dressed as Miles Morales for a photo with Kirsten DeSantis, of New Jersey on Friday, March 22, 2019. Zenkaikon began Friday at the Lancaster County Convention Center.
TY LOHR | Digital Staff
Zenkaikon attendees walk the streets of downtown Lancaster in costume Friday, March 22, 2019.
BLAINE SHAHAN | Staff Photographer
Aaron Viera, of Lancaster, poses on Penn Square dressed as Miles Morales, Friday, March 22, 2019. Zenkaikon began Friday at the Lancaster County Convention Center.
TY LOHR | Digital Staff
Tim Kern, left, and Rachelle Jacobus, both of Middletown, walk across King Street at Penn Square Friday, March 22, 2019. They were in costume for Zenkaikon which is being held at the Lancaster County Convention Center.
BLAINE SHAHAN | Staff Photographer
Zenkaikon attendees, from left, Kaitlyn Keller, Charlotte Kennedy and Josh Keller, all of Middletown, walk across King Street at Penn Square Friday, March 22, 2019. Kaitlyn is dresses as Anastasia, and Charlotte is dressed as Deku from "My Hero Academia." Josh will be in costume Saturday.
BLAINE SHAHAN | Staff Photographer
Zenkaikon attendees Inara and Jarred Eberd, of Lancaster, walk across Penn Square in downtown Lancaster Friday, March 22, 2019.
BLAINE SHAHAN | Staff Photographer
Costumed participants in Zenkaikon walked the streets of downtown Lancaster Friday, March 22, 2019.
BLAINE SHAHAN | Staff Photographer
Alyssa B, of New Jersey, Hana Tanaka, of Japan, are dressed for Zenkaikon as they walk along East King Street in downtown Lancaster Friday, March 22, 2019. Alyssa B is Blue Diamond, from Steven Universe and Hana is Shirayuki.
BLAINE SHAHAN | Staff Photographer
Zenkaikon attendees walk along North Queen Street Friday, March 22, 2019. The are in costume for Zenkaikon which is being held at Lancaster County Convention Center.
BLAINE SHAHAN | Staff Photographer
Kellie Logrande, of Kingston, Pa., dressed as Marisa Kirisame takes a portrait of her friend in Steinman Park, Friday, March 22, 2019, on the first day of Zenkaikon.
TY LOHR | Digital Staff
Zenkaikon attendees walk across North Queen Steet in Penn Square Friday, March 22, 2019.
BLAINE SHAHAN | Staff Photographer
Zenkaikon attendees Davida Silver, left, and Danny Dinh , both of Harrisburg, walk across North Queen Street in Penn Square Friday, March 22, 2019
BLAINE SHAHAN | Staff Photographer
Zenkaikon attendees walk in Penn Square Friday, March 22, 2019.
BLAINE SHAHAN | Staff Photographer
Ylishyah Pugh, of New Holland, walks though Penn Square Friday, March 22, 2019. She is dresses for Zenkaikon as Shiro, from "Voltron." Zenkaikon attendees walk the streets of downtown Lancaster in costume Friday.
BLAINE SHAHAN | Staff Photographer
Zenkaikon attendees walk the streets of downtown Lancaster in costume Friday, March 22, 2019.
BLAINE SHAHAN | Staff Photographer
Jessica, left, and Chris Reinert, of Birdsboro, walk along North Queen Street in Lancaster Friday, March 22, 2019. They are dresses for Zenkaikon as Alice in Wonderland characters Alice and the Mad Hatter.
BLAINE SHAHAN | Staff Photographer
Kellie Logrande, left, of Kingston: photographs Brittany Foxx in Penn Square Friday, March 22, 2019. Logrande is dressed for Zenkaikon as Marisa, from "Touhou Project" and Foxx is dressed as Lunafreya, from "Final Fantasy."
BLAINE SHAHAN | Staff Photographer
Zenkaikon attendees Cheyenne McKinley, left, and Kelly Higgins, both of Palmerton, walk on North Queen Street in Lancaster Friday, March 22, 2019. McKinley is dresses as Stafire, from "Teen Titans," and Higgins is dresses as Jinx, from "Teen Titans."
BLAINE SHAHAN | Staff Photographer
Zenkaikon attendees walk the streets of downtown Lancaster in costume Friday, March 22, 2019.
BLAINE SHAHAN | Staff Photographer
Zenkaikon attendees walk the streets of downtown Lancaster in costume Friday, March 22, 2019.
BLAINE SHAHAN | Staff Photographer
Check out this video from the Lancaster County Convention Center:
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