Manga and anime addicts, don't forget your costumes

You know you are a rabid fan of Japanese anime (animation) or manga (comics) if:

• You know the difference between "Full Metal Alchemist" and "Full Metal Panic!"

• You, if given the chance, dress in a lavender wig or a metal bandana or a blue leather jumpsuit, orange leotards, a white kimono or any other getup that represents your favorite fantasy character.

• You'd be willing to savor every minute of this weekend's 55-hour Sakura-Con.

Cosplay (a melding of costume and play) will be at the core of the 10th annual Sakura-Con (Sa-ku-ra-con), which runs round the clock from 10 a.m. Friday through 5 p.m. Sunday at the Washington State Convention and Trade Center. But while it celebrates this hardy fandom niche, Sakura-Con first and foremost pays homage to Japanese art forms that cut a wide swath, from Pokémon to the Oscar-winning "Spirited Away" to anti-war protestations.

The event also features lots of film and gaming, Asian culture demonstrations, appearances of industry celebrities and panel discussions on everything from "how to draw anime kitties" to "getting over stage fright."

Sakura-Con has grown fast and steadily since its inaugural convention in 1998. Then, 313 fans turned out. Last year, about 7,500 attended. Organizers hope the event attracts at least 10,000 this weekend.

It also has evolved into more than a local event. Last year, only about half the attendees were from this area.

The audience is younger and more tightly bound than with most fantasy or science-fiction conventions. Almost half of those attending last year were between 18 and 26 years old; 21 percent were between 14 and 17. And unlike most fandom conventions, males do not dominate; females accounted for 45 percent of last year's attendees.

The event is planned and hosted entirely by volunteers from the Asia-Northwest Cultural Education Association (ANCEA), a group dedicated to promoting Asian culture, especially through Japanese animation.

It was first called "Baka-Con." Baka means "idiot," which organizers thought best described the idea of an anime and manga celebration. As the event took hold, it took on the more respectable name of Sakura, which means cherry blossom.

There will be more than 1,200 hours of programming and more than 30 guests of honor. Among the Japanese contingent are:

Hideyuki Kurata , script writer for popular anime such as: "GUNxSword," "Hellsing Ultimate" and "Read or Die."Kouta Hirano , creator of the manga "Hellsing."

Yasuhiro Nightow , creator of "Trigun" and of characters and story for the Sega/Red Entertainment anime and video-game series "Gungrave."

Sumi Shimamoto , a Japanese voice actress with major roles in several Miyazaki titles such as "Princess Mononoke."

The convention will also feature Japanese pop bands m.o.v.e and LiN CLOVER.

Richard Seven: rseven@seattletimes.com