Far East collided with wild, wild West at the fifth anniversary of Anime Los Angeles, by all accounts the biggest and brightest event so far for this young and still intimate gathering.

Over 3,000 attendees decorated the hotel with a kaleidoscope of cutesy kitty kung-fu, giant robot shimmer, fairy boot fashion and ninja assassin action.

The weekend included gaming, live music, guest panels, vendors, workshops – and a lot of partying. For cosplayers who’d damaged their clothes in action, there was even a costume repair station – with over three quarters of fans in elaborate attire, this was shrewd planning.

As evening fell, the cosplayers were out in force, displaying their regalia at the masquerade ball and turning the courtyard pool into photoshoot heaven. And special kudos to fans that hit the convention circuit the day after New Year, a testimony to the hardcore dedication that started 2009 with Anime aplomb.

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