Friday Convention Hours 12:00 PM to 2:00 AM
12:00 PM to 1:00 PM
- MainStage – Idol Fest Rehearsal
- Panel RM 1 – Fanfiction IS Literature!: Fandom Studies 101 – Host: Dr. Nerd Queen
- Did you know that you can read fanfiction and study fandoms… as a JOB? At this panel, we’ll talk about the field of fandom studies, its origins, and how fanfiction, cosplay, and fanart ARE, in fact, literature! Whether you’re in academia or not, you can contribute to fandom history, and Fandom Studies 101 has something for every nerd out there, so come join us!
- Panel RM 2 – Cafe Ai; An Immersive Maid Cafe
- A fully immersive maid café for all ages, inspired by the cosplay cafés found in Japan. Relax while your maids play games with you, and perform a dance! Limited spots available!
- Family Programming – Uchiwa Fans (workshop)
- Iowa Summers can be hot. Come and decorate your owntraditional Japanese Fan, called an uchiwa, to keep cool at the convention. One per person. While Supplies Last.
- Panel RM 3 – All About Wigs! – Host: Costumes by Corissa
- This is your all in one stop to learn about wigs! Taught by a theatre professional, we’ll go over different waysto make, style, and wear wigs for cosplay!!
- Panel RM 4 – Registration Open Till 6:00 PM
- Pre registered Sponsors pickup is located near the Marketplace
- Panel RM 7 – Sports Anime Stretch Hour – Host: WhoWhatWaifus
- Stretch your muscles with some floor stretches and light exercises, and chat about your favorite sports anime.
1:00 PM to 2:00 PM
- MainStage – Idol Fest Rehearsal
- Panel RM 1 – Final Fantasy XV Ten Years Later – Host: Crazy Chibi Cosplay
- Take a look back at the messy history of FFXV’s game development, cut content, and other games inspired by it.
- Family Programming –Uchiwa Fans (starts at Noon)
- Iowa Summers can be hot. Come and decorate your owntraditional Japanese Fan, called an uchiwa, to keep cool at the convention. One per person. While Supplies Last.
- Panel RM 3 – Ultimate Game Show – Host: Hearts&Spades Cosplay
- Game show panels are a staple of con, so what if we put them all in one? Have fun and win prizes playing Jeopardy, Family Feud, Bingo, and more!
- Panel RM 4 – Registration Open Till 6:00 PM
- Pre registered Sponsors pickup is located near the Marketplace
- Panel RM 6 – Doctor Who / History of Earth and Humanty – Host: Rose Steffensmeie
- There’s a lot they don’t teach in History 101. Learn about it from start to end according to Doctor Who.
- Panel RM 7 – Formal Partner Dance Series 1 – Host: Anime Formal Dancing (AFD)
- the first series of Newcomer (no dance experience) partner dance lessons! This panel will instruct in American Syllabus Rumba and Slow Waltz. No dance partner or any dance experience is necessary and both dance types will be applicable during the formal ball!
2:00 PM to 3:00 PM
- MainStage – Setup
- Panel RM 1 – Foamcrafting Foundations – Host: Blushing Violet Cosplay
- Join cosplay guest Blushing Violet Cosplay for an introduction to the basics of crafting with EVA foam, with discussion and demonstrations for how to achieve clean seams and professional finishes.
- Panel RM 2 – Kandi Make & Take (2hr Workshop) – Host: TJ and Dan Kandi
- make and take. Supplies provided. Make a bracelet or beaded lizard for yourself or a friend.
- Family Programming – Closed for Clean up
- Panel RM 3 – The World of being a Plus Size Cosplayer – Host: Ajax and Mix
- Join us as we deep dive cosplay companies who highlight “having plus size cosplays” to see are they true about what is shown, and share tips and tricks of the craft to make sure you are comfortable! Open to everyone no matter the size, just let plus size voices shine first.
- Panel RM 4 – Registration Open Till 6:00 PM
- Pre registered Sponsors pickup is located near the Marketplace
- Panel RM 5 – Rhinestones, Ribbons and dirt?! A Guide to cosplay Embellishing –
Host: LaRire Cosplay- LaRire Cosplay will talk about and showcase some fun examples on taking artistic liberties and adding embellishments to make any cosplay your own creation!
- Panel RM 6 – Kpop Trivia – Host:
- Kpop Trivia A Kahoot game about Kpop idols, groups, songs, and dances. Bring your mobile device to play.
- Panel RM 7 – Formal Partner Dance Series 2 – Host: Anime Formal Dancing (AFD)
- The second series of AFD’s Newcomer (no dance experience) partner dance lessons! This panel will instruct in American Syllabus Salsa and Foxtrot. No dance partner or any dance experience is necessary and both dance types will be applicable during the formal ball!
3:00 PM to 4:00 PM
- MainStage – Opening Cermonies – Host: Anime Iowa Staff
- Welcome to Anime Iowa’s 30th year! Let’s start the con right with some fun previews of the weekend’s events, introductions of our Guests of Honor, and more!
- Panel RM 1 – Exploring Korean Webtoons with Jillyfoor – Host: Jilly Foo
- Korean scroll comics known as Webtoons are all the rage. Let’s dive into what’s in a K-webcomic and recommend some good ones.
- Panel RM 2 – Kandi Make & Take (2hr Workshop) – Host: TJ and Dan Kandi
- make and take. Suppliesprovided. Make a bracelet or beaded lizard for yourself or a friend.
- Family Programming – Buttons & Badge Ribbons Host: Anime Iowa Staff
- Seen other Attendees walking around with badge ribbons? Would you like to design some of your own to hand out or keep for yourself? Come and decorate three badge ribbons. But wait, there’s MORE!!! Why not stay and make a button too? Whether it be your favorite fandom or an original design– we have the supplies, bring yourself. Let’s have fun!!
- Panel RM 3 – Cosplay 150: Pattern Basics – Host: B Team Cosplay
- A beginner’s guide to working with patterns.
- Panel RM 4 – Registration Open Till 6:00 PM
- Pre registered Sponsors pickup is located near the Marketplace
- Panel RM 5 – Digimon, a Prodigious Retrospective! – Host: Zach Allan
- Look through the digi-history of one of the biggest mon franchises on the planet! Bring your digivices and let’s digivole together!
- Panel RM 6 – EGL Shopping Survival Guide – Host: Susie
- Learn how to shop for lolita fashion with confidence. We’ll cover popular brands, budget and plus-size options, and practical tips for building your wardrobe.
- Panel RM 7 – Kpop Random Dance – Kpop Amazing Random Dance
- Enjoy the amazing kpop random dance play. You’re welcome to join in on the dancing or you can watch- 100% judgment free.
4:00 PM to 5:00 PM
- MainStage – Setup
- Panel RM 1 – Setup
- Panel RM 2 – Setup
- Family Programming -Reset
- Panel RM 3 – Cultural Clothing in Cosplay – Host: Mourn the Dead Cosplays
- Discussing the topic of cultural clothes in the cosplay community!
- Panel RM 4 – Registration Open 6:00 PM
- Pre registered Sponsors pickup is located near the Marketplace
- Panel RM 5 – Cosplay for Spoonies – Host: Prismatic Cosplay and Twilight Jasmine
- Cosplay Tips for cosplay with chronic, mental and invisible illness: time/task management, mobility aids, sensory adaption, etc.
- Panel RM 6 – Iowa Pokémon League – Host:
- Seoulkat, Bulbadream, Str-Ogre, Dib, Broodmother, Ren, Tess, Foxy, Aro Wanna to be the very best? Come down and challenge the Iowa Pokémon League to find out! Will be using S/V and Champions!
- Panel RM 7 – Kpop Random Dance – Host: Kpop Amazing Random Dance
- Enjoy the amazing kpop random dance play. You’re welcome to join in on the dancing or you can watch- 100% judgment free.
5:00 PM to 6:00 PM
- MainStage – Anime Idol Fest – Host: Mainstage (2 hours)
- Come cheer on our talented lineup of idols from across the Midwest as they sing, dance, and transport you to a new world! Heart-pumping performances await at our 5th annual Anime Iowa Idol Fest!
- Panel RM 1 – Anime Idol Fest seating
- Panel RM 2 – Anime Idol Fest seating
- Family Programming –Shrinky Dinks – Anime Iowa
- Draw something huge and then shrink it down to make a key chain or magnet. While Supplies Last.
- Panel RM 3 – Anime Then And Now – Host:
- Artist Steve Bennet speaks about how anime has changed over time.
- Panel RM 4 – Registration Open Till 6:00 PM
- Pre registered Sponsors pickup is located near the Marketplace
- Panel RM 5 – Ask A Cosplayer! – Host: DawnStarCosplays, SewRozeCosplay
- Ask cosplayers anything, from wigs to contests to horror stories, come share tips and stories in this interactive Q&A!
- Panel RM 6 – Iowa Pokémon League – Host: (3 hours)
- Seoulkat, Bulbadream, Str-Ogre, Dib, Broodmother, Ren, Tess, Foxy, Aro Wanna to be the very best? Come down and challenge the Iowa Pokémon League to find out! Will be using S/V and Champions!
- Panel RM 7 – Kpop Random Dance – Host: Kpop Amazing Random Dance
- Enjoy the amazing kpop random dance play. You’re welcome to join in on the dancing or you can watch- 100% judgment free.
- Back Patio – The Way of the Samurai – Host: Samurai Dan
- Driven to perfection. Relentless in the pursuit of martial excellence. The Samurai warriors embodied honor, discipline, and lethal elegance. Come see Japan’s greatest warriors brought to life.
6:00 PM to 7:00 PM
- MainStage – Anime Idol Fest – Host: Mainstage (2nd hour)
- Come cheer on our talented lineup of idols from across the Midwest as they sing, dance, and transport you to a new world! Heart-pumping performances await at our 5th annual Anime Iowa Idol Fest!
- Panel RM 1 – Anime Idol Fest seating
- Panel RM 2 – Anime Idol Fest seating
- Family Programming – Shrinky Dinks – Anime Iowa
- Draw something huge and then shrink it down to make a key chain or magnet. While Supplies Last.
- Panel RM 3 – Iron Cosplay – Con Men Productions
- Cosplay Stadium is ablaze with a fiery passion for fabric! Can you stand the heat? Compete, judge, or watch the chaos!
- Panel RM 4 – Registration Closed
- Re-opens at 9:00 AM on Saturday
- Panel RM 5 – Nanba Prison Night Party – Host: Mystix.Cosplays
- The boys broke out of their cell- again! This time the guards can’t find them which means SLEEPOVER PARTY! Join for games and fun!
- Panel RM 6 – Iowa Pokémon League – Host: (3rd hour)
- Seoulkat, Bulbadream, Str-Ogre, Dib, Broodmother, Ren, Tess, Foxy, Aro Wanna to be the very best? Come down and challenge the Iowa Pokémon League to find out! Will be using S/V and Champions!
- Panel RM 7 – Pop Party Dance-Off (2 hours) – Host: Hearts&Spades Cosplay
- We had so much fun at the Vocaloid V. Kpop panel last year, we’re bringing you MORE! Come dance to popular pop songs from around the world.
7:00 PM to 8:00 PM
- MainStage – Setup
- Panel RM 1 – Setup
- Panel RM 2 – Setup
- Family Programming -Cleaning Setup
- Panel RM 3 – DnD Court – Host: Avant-Garde and EttuFruitus
- Victim of a TPK? Dissent in the party? Submit your case before the judge and let the jury decide your fate!
- Panel RM 4 – Cosplay: From Beginner to Branding – Host: Semetary Cosplay
- Learn the basics of cosplay and how to expand to the branding side.
- Panel RM 5 – Competitive Hearts and Cospla Competitions – Host: LaRire Cosplay
- LaRire Cosplay talks about the Cosplay Competition. Come pick the brains of a seasoned competitor, judge, and Runner
- Panel RM 6 – Cosplay Hot Takes – Host: Cosplay Hot Takes
- A debating game about some common cosplay hot takes.
- Panel RM 7 – Pop Party Dance-Off (2nd hour) – Host: Hearts&Spades Cosplay1
- We had so much fun at the Vocaloid V. Kpop panel last year, we’re bringing you MORE! Come dance to popular pop songs from around the world.
- Back Patio – Love Live Random Dance Festa! – Host: Froggy Socks
- Dance to iconic songs from across the Love Live! idol series. Hear one you like? Get up and dance, or sit and watch!
8:00 PM to 9:00 PM
- MainStage – Formal Ball – Host: Anime Formal Dancing (3 Hours)
- Enjoy an evening of dancing while being isekai’ed into a royal ball of a fantastical kingdom. No experience needed. Instructors wil lead two panels teaching the fundamentals of several dance styles and will also be providing assistance during the Formal Ball itself Cosplay is welcome and formal attire is encouraged.
- See details and dress code at: Anime Iowa Formal Ball
- See details and dress code at: Anime Iowa Formal Ball
- Enjoy an evening of dancing while being isekai’ed into a royal ball of a fantastical kingdom. No experience needed. Instructors wil lead two panels teaching the fundamentals of several dance styles and will also be providing assistance during the Formal Ball itself Cosplay is welcome and formal attire is encouraged.
- Panel RM 1 – Formal Ball – Host: Anime Formal Dancing
- Panel RM 2 – Formal Ball – Host: Anime Formal Dancing
- Family Programming –Project Cosplay
- Come join your fellow Anime Iowa Attendees in this fun timed event. Teams of 3-6 people will be chosen at random and given set amount of time to create a cosplay base on a theme given. Supplies will be provided. Limited spots to participate, but feel free to stayto watch, support and cheer on the teams.
- For our Chibi Group 12 and under (No Hot Glue Guns). You get to create and design cosplay for Buu-Chan based on a theme given, all on your own
- Panel RM 3 – ANIME IOWA MATCH GAME ‘26! – Host: Mike and Stephanie (2 hour)
- Come and Match the STARS! Celebrity guests AGSE and Charles Nelson Riley answer silly questions much to the delight of congoers!
- Panel RM 4 – Kingdom Hearts Lore Speedrun – Host: Costumes by Corissa
- Want to know more about Kingdom Hearts? We will go over the entire lore of the series starting from the mobile game all the way to Kingdom Hearts 4. SPOILER WARNING
- Panel RM 5 – I Want To Be a Voice Actor – Host: Brian Beacock
- A brief overview of how to get started in the world of voice over, including tech that you may need to learn, building a demo reel, along with having fans in the audience participate in mock auditions.
- Panel RM 6 – Jujutsu Kaisen Sleepover
- Panel RM 7 – K-Pop Random Dance (HYBE Edition) – Host: Cherri and Lily (2 hour)
- Ready to go Hooligan? This K-Pop RDP is all HYBE songs! From TXT to Illit, this panel is Magnetic! Come dance with us!
9:00 PM to 10:00 PM
- MainStage – Formal Ball – Host: Anime Formal Dancing (2nd Hour)
- Enjoy an evening of dancing while being isekai’ed into a royal ball of a fantastical kingdom. No experience needed. Instructors wil lead two panels teaching the fundamentals of several dance styles and will also be providing assistance during the Formal Ball itself Cosplay is welcome and formal attire is encouraged.
- See details and dress code at: Anime Iowa Formal Ball
- Panel RM 1 – Formal Ball – Host: Anime Formal Dancing
- Panel RM 2 – Formal Ball – Host: Anime Formal Dancing
- Family Programming -Clean Reset
- Panel RM 3 – ANIME IOWA MATCH GAME ‘26! – Host: Mike and Stephanie (2nd hour)
- Come and Match the STARS! Celebrity guests AGSE and Charles Nelson Riley answer silly questions much to the delight of congoers!
- Panel RM 4 – Before Sekai: A Vocaloid Boomer History Lesson – Host: Off the Balcony
- One expert on the whole history of vocaloids delves deep on the subject. Fro humble beginnings, to Miku, to Kaito, and much more.
- Panel RM 5 – Magical Girls Throwin’ Hands – Host: DT
- See why magical girl anime punch above their weight in action animation. Fun for fans of frills or flying fists!
- Panel RM 6 – Battle of the Characters: Tokyo Revengers vs Windbreaker – Host: Jiro & Astrid
- If you like Tokyo Revengers and Windbreaker, this panel is for you! Come build your team and go head to head to see who will triumph.
- Panel RM 7 – K-Pop Random Dance (HYBE Edition) – Host: Cherri and Lily (2nd hour)
- Ready to go Hooligan? This K-Pop RDP is all HYBE songs! From TXT to Illit, this panel is Magnetic! Come dance with us!
10:00 PM to 11:00 PM
- MainStage – Formal Ball – Host: Anime Formal Dancing (3rd Hour)
- See details and dress code at: Anime Iowa Formal Ball
- See details and dress code at: Anime Iowa Formal Ball
- Panel RM 1 – Formal Ball – Host: Anime Formal Dancing
- Panel RM 2 – Formal Ball – Host: Anime Formal Dancing
- Family Programming –Art Jam: Post-It Notes & More – Host: DrSwissCheesy (2 hour)
- There is always room for more art jams! Come hang out and draw on post it notes or sketch with other materials. I’ll have a bunch of post it note sketches to give out and some prizes:)
- Panel RM 3 – You Don’t Know Japan! 18+ – Host: Con Men Productions
- Join us for some fast-paced trivia as we get wild and weird! Think you really know Japan? Think again!
- Panel RM 4 – Battle of the Book Boyfriends! 18+ – Host: SweetPinkKat
- A bracket-style battle for the honor of your book boyfriends. Bring your best points as to why your Book Boyfriend should reign supreme!
- Panel RM 5 – Welcome to Demon Hashira 18+ – Host: Moongoddness_cos & angel himikotoga_ (2 Hours)
- What would it be if your favorite Hashira was turned into the upper moons? Join us for our “terrific” chaotic demon meetings.
- Panel RM 6 – Hyakumonogatari Kaidankai Ghost Storytelling Circle 18+- Host: Jilly Foo
- Play a condensed version of a traditional Japanese ghost storytelling party. Bring your best/favorite short ghost stories to share.
- Panel RM 7 – Rajio Taiso – Host: AI PanelingTeam
- Have you ever heard of radio calisthenics? Come join your fellow attendees to learn about Rajio Taiso and stretch together.
11:00 PM to 12:00 AM
- MainStage – Setup 11:00 to 11:30 for Rave. Rave starts at 11:30 PM till 1:30 PM
- MainStage – Rave – Host: Ft. DJ Dark Inq (2 Hours- Begins at 11:30 PM)
- Dance with your friends and jam out at Anime Iowa’s biggest dance party!
- Panel RM 1 – 11:30 – Rave with Ft. DJ Dark Inq
- Panel RM 2 – 11:30 – Rave with Ft. DJ Dark Inq
- Family Programming –Art Jam: Post-It Notes & More – Host: DrSwissCheesy (2nd hour)
- There is always room for more art jams! Come hang out and draw on post it notes or sketch with other materials. I’ll have a bunch of post it note sketches to give out and some prizes:)
- Panel RM 3 – Quiplash! (Anime Edition) 18+ – Host: Emma
- Come play the classic Jackbox game with a bunch of other nerds who might get your references and finally get rewarded for being the funniest in your friend group
- Panel RM 4 – Anime Rule34lde 18+ – Host: Hearts&Spades Cosplay
- You’ll be given two anime characters or franchises and guess which has more results on Rule34. You might be surprised at what you find.
- Panel RM 5 – Welcome to Demon Hashira 18+ – Host: Moongoddness_cos & angel himikotoga_ (2nd Hour)
- Play a condensed version of a traditional Japanese ghost storytelling party. Bring your best/favorite short ghost stories to share.
- Panel RM 6 – Let’s Play Spooky Games & Read Creepypasta – Host: Celestia Cosplays
- Join us for live horror game playthroughs while hosts comment and read creepy internet stories!
- Panel RM 7 – Con Horror Stories 18+ – Host: Blushing Violet Cosplay
- Conventions are always a grand time and a hot mess! Join cosplay guest Blushing Violet Cosplay to share your favorite horror stories!
Midnight to1:00 AM
- MainStage – Rave Closes at !:30 AM
- Mainstage re-opens at 10:00 AM on Saturday
- Panel RM 1 – Rave
- Panel RM 2 – Rave
- Family Programming -Closed at Midnight
- Family Programming re-opens at 9:00 AM on Saturday
- Panel RM 3 – Defend Your Ships 18+ – Host: Wynryn
- Are you ready to defend your OTP against others? Just want to watch others fight? Come join us for the ultimate ship!
- Panel RM 4 – I Can’t Believe It’s Not Hentai 18+ – Host: LuckyPupCosplay, wormungandr
- Cannonground As the line blurs between lewd anime and degenerative hentai, are you cultured enough to tell the difference between them using only terrible descriptions?
- Panel RM 5 – Fujo Out With Us!! 18+ – Host: sparkleshark, MP3
- Do you have a yaoi or yuri ship that you can’t stop yapping about?? COME TELL US!!! We are letting YOU take the mic and info dump to a captive audience!!
- Panel RM 6 – Let’s Play Spooky Games & Read Creepypasta – Host: Celestia Cosplays
- (2nd hour) Ends at 2:00 AM
- Panel RM 7 – Closed
- Opens Saturday 9:00 AM
1:00 AM to 2:00 AM
- Panel RM 3 – Defend Your Ships 18+ – Host: Wynryn (2nd hour)
- Are you ready to defend your OTP against others? Just want to watch others fight? Come join us for the ultimate ship!
- Panel RM 4 – Anime When My Parents Walk In 18+ – Host: Off the Balcony
- Watching a movie with your parents and THAT SCENE comes on and you want to sink into the floor? View the most awkward scenes in anime and prepare to cringe.