Submitted by The Evergreen State College
Chibi Chibi Con, Evergreen’s colorful anime festival, returns to the college after a two-year hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The event will run from 12 p.m. to 11 p.m., Saturday May 21. Admission to Chibi Chibi Con is free, which makes it an inviting, low-barrier opportunity to explore anime convention culture. As a health precaution, attendees this year will have to show proof of COVID-19 vaccination to enter.
This convention has been produced by Evergreen students since 2001. Currently named the Chibi Chibi Con Committee, the group is one of the college’s longest-enduring registered student organizations.
“The really great thing about Chibi Chibi Con is that it allows people to ease into the culture,” says managing coordinator Nat Barrett. “It’s also just a great way for Evergreen to welcome the Olympia community in a very fun, family-friendly way.”
Though the name Chibi Chibi loosely translates from Japanese to mean “Little Little,” Chibi Chibi Con is the largest one-day anime convention in the Pacific Northwest. Organizers estimate that the convention had around 4,500 attendees in 2019, with some coming from as far as Canada to participate.
This year’s convention will feature favorite events from past years – including the Cosplay Contest and lip sync battles. There will also be special interest panels and drop-in tabletop gaming throughout the day. The convention’s popular Artist Alley is also back, offering handmade and hard-to-find merchandise.
The Evergreen State College’s Olympia campus is located at 2700 Evergreen Parkway NW. Visit the convention website for maps, schedules, policies and information on volunteering.
