The first-ever ATLAnime Fest brought the best of multiple fandoms to Atlanta for a celebration of music and culture. Earlier this month, thousands gathered at Center Parc Stadium for live music, cosplay contests , gaming tournaments, artist meet-ups, and interactive experiences.

In its first year, the event served as evidence of the expansion of the anime fandom as “cool,” especially among Black audiences.

“It’s always been cool on an underground level, so to speak,” explained expert LeAlec Murray, host of Crunchyroll’s The Anime Effect podcast on a Zoom call ahead of the event, as he detailed the RZA’s link to Afro Samurai, the Hip-Hop and Jazz elements in Cowboy Bebop, and later Megan Thee Stallion’s influence.

He added later, “I love all of it, because we as Black peop

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