Jena, May 03, 2026 – Colorful costumes and Japanese pop culture shaped the scene around the Sparkassen-Arena over the weekend. Hundreds of manga and anime fans celebrated the 15th edition of JenaCo there.
- Event: 15th Anime and Manga Convention „JenaCo“
- Location: Sparkassen-Arena, Jena
- Visitors: Hundreds of cosplay, anime, and manga fans
Elaborate Costumes and Like-minded People
The fascination for East Asian graphic arts and animation remains unbroken in Jena. For the 15th edition of the convention „JenaCo“, hundreds of enthusiasts flocked to the venue. A central part of the gathering was so-called cosplay: many participants took the opportunity to slip into elaborate costumes of their favorite characters from anime, manga, or video games, often created through months of manual labor.
In addition to the presentation of creative outfits, the focus was primarily on exchange. The event traditionally provided a platform to meet like-minded people, exchange ideas about current pop culture trends from Japan, and celebrate shared hobbies.
Background: The Sparkassen-Arena and the Phenomenon of Cosplay
The Sparkassen-Arena in the district of Burgau serves as the city’s largest multifunctional hall. It provides the necessary infrastructure for conventions like JenaCo to accommodate hundreds of visitors, exhibitors, and stage programs simultaneously. The phenomenon of „cosplay“ (a portmanteau of the English terms „costume“ and „play“) celebrated at such events has evolved globally over the past decades from a niche culture into a permanent, highly creative part of global youth and pop culture.
Source:
Anime Convention in Jena | MDR.DE
Transparency Note: This article was automatically generated, editorially reviewed, and expanded with AI support.