top of page

ani-medford 2023

Ani-Medford has come a long way since it's conception and first anime convention in 2019. It has survived the Ashland Fires, and COVID-19. In 2021 and 2022 with the demise of the Ramada Hotel the site of Ani-Medford 2019, Ani-Medford moved to Josephine County Fairgrounds in Grants Pass, Oregon on interim. 2023 Ani-Medford returned to the Medford, Oregon area and expanded to two days instead of the one day events previously. This was huge in the area and Ani-Medford became the first ever two day anime convention in Southern Oregon. Jackson County Expo was the site for Ani-Medford 2023 and inside the largest venue to date in Southern, Oregon. A record number of vendors, exhibitors, and attendees made Ani-Medford a historic event for Southern, Oregon. Even with the record heat for the two days, it was an amazing event with special guest celebrities, video games, historic panels, and Anime Theater showing "Demon Slayer, Dragonball Z", and other anime featured films and television series. On Sunday August 13, 2023 attendees witnessed a Dragonball Z improve scene done on the panel stage where Goku (Peter Kelamis), Pan (Elise Baughman), and Dabura (Rick Robertson) meet for the first time. The scene will never be done again and was a great treat for Dragonball fans. If you  missed Ani-Medford 2023 you missed the best event in Oregon.

SPECIAL GUESTS

Ani-Medford 2023 had the most special guest of any Ani-Medford in the past. In fact the guest list may be the most ever for any Oregon convention. Celebrity appearances are very special because once a guest appears at Ani-Medford they won't appear again. Meaning celebrities only come to the area one time ever. That means if you love anime, you have to come to Ani-Medford and see these guests making each event an Oregon historical moment. Ani-Medford saw a Dragonball gathering that will never happen again in Oregon and may never happen again anywhere. Peter Kelamis (Goku), Elise Baughman (Pan), and Rick Robertson (Dabura), all part of the Dragonball Universe. There was also a Demon Slayer Reunion with Jackie Lastra and Michelle Marie. Marie Westbrook from "Cyberpunk: Edgerunners" made her convention debut at Ani-Medford. These special guests have a long list of characters they have portrayed, including hundreds of films and anime television shows, and at Ani-Medford attendees who love "Hello Kitty, One Punch Man, Gundam, and many more enjoyed getting photos and autographs from all the special guests.

_animedford2023_Peter Kelamis.png
animedford2023_Elise Baughman.png
346649300_3045269782448982_5004600241353349820_n.jpg
animedford2023_Jackie Lastra.png
347404352_264254579354150_824400321529645721_n.jpg
animedford2023_Marie Westbrook_(1).png

cosplay SPECIAL GUESTS

Cosplayers are the cornerstone of Ani-medford, and as every year we saw some regular favorites and some new faces. Cosplayers bring Ani-Medford the charm and excitement of what makes anime conventions fun for everyone. The Faustian Spider who is the only cosplayer to be a guest at every single Ani-Medford. The Faustian Spider is the cosplay face of Ani-Medford. The other cosplayers who rounded out the cosplay guest experience were Consul of Cosplay, Vivsai, Echochips, and MERITORIOUS.COS.

343595014_1227353671486226_7291161189839523563_n.jpg
363771144_682020730589252_2786584110249900145_n.jpg
342695687_570931815140829_2292617369531578234_n.jpg
animedford2023_echochips.png

ENTERTAINMENT GUESTS

Entertainment is always a  big part of Ani-Medford. This gives attendees things to do besides shopping for goodies. Our Anime Theater had great features this year on the big screen. All features involved the years special guests like Dragonball Z, Demon Slayer, with a special showing of original Ultraman. Starshine Maid Cafe came to Ani-Medford to entertain attendees and have loads of fun. The most energetic Maid Cafe in the world is Starshine. Their stage performances are second to none and made their second appearance at Ani-Medford. Under The Deko Tree also made another appearance at Ani-Medford with their sweet music. Attendees really enjoyed listening to their music and their CD is very sweet music. The band is one of the best in Oregon. Distance Nerding Podcast once again hosted the panels and started each day with an Anime Pop Quiz that offered cool prizes like Funko Pops. Itasha Vehicles also graced Ani-Medford and attendees were able to take photos with these cool vehicles. Both days ended with Cosplay Contests headed by all the cosplay special guests.

365165841_685241383600520_8645828931595874658_n.jpg
365754407_688939529897372_8935204267283699511_n.jpg
365737148_688454189945906_4242693977106350116_n.jpg
363381227_684700523654606_6871687656122751211_n.jpg
364715395_685246200266705_3612170140892974282_n.jpg
363810021_682020040589321_3742587020638915882_n (1).jpg
365101432_685247376933254_2826939467837568057_n.jpg

ani-medford sights & sounds

Ani-Medford 2023 broke many records from special guests, to attendees. It was the largest event in Southern Oregon, and look for more good things in 2024.

366282733_1338197570374594_7473951195684367964_n.jpg
366085426_1338197557041262_982006659510417691_n.jpg
366940822_690721676385824_1430466326879122282_n.jpg
366919202_1991960924495108_4206914891708490118_n.jpg
366370775_10161469631832650_6830291435952023463_n.jpg
366941523_10161469632097650_5822130263663681573_n.jpg
366674543_10161469631972650_8499772333340431494_n.jpg
365716281_10161469631802650_4683427948260791023_n.jpg
366572329_10161469631712650_8487285739815436100_n.jpg
366923925_10161469631597650_1358496936641653078_n.jpg
366991685_261232796672010_1097117822637215942_n.jpg
366978889_10161469631417650_3463259600819544370_n.jpg
367444573_10161700932869665_5988877820084689656_n.jpg
366696597_10222614861709183_4545284318264639063_n.jpg
365957830_10161698702779665_7831338175116530617_n.jpg
366979632_6421680327922799_8744084286891082868_n.jpg
366749367_6418597688231063_167168790993627578_n.jpg
366372067_6418595664897932_3410062538631459783_n.jpg
366929554_6418596951564470_6059026529652873264_n.jpg
366745476_6418595181564647_489789292681130166_n.jpg
368453182_6431673740256791_4409412561190767741_n.jpg
366729087_6418591138231718_2166587481435950451_n.jpg
364801287_1991960974495103_8238032581056110874_n.jpg
bottom of page