Photos : Kat Astrophe , Aryona Espino
The Tampa Convention Center was alive with energy as METROCON 2025 brought together thousands of anime, gaming, and pop culture fans for an unforgettable weekend. With the theme “Yesterday’s Future,” this year’s convention celebrated the retro-futuristic visions of classic anime and video games, blending nostalgia with modern fandom in the most spectacular way.
A Weekend Packed with Fandom Fun
From epic cosplay showcases to high-energy gaming tournaments, METROCON 2025 delivered non-stop excitement. Attendees enjoyed:
Gaming zones where fans competed in tournaments for Street Fighter 6, Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, and retro arcade favorites.
Artist Alley & vendor halls filled with exclusive merchandise, rare collectibles, and stunning fan art.
Cosplay gatherings where fans dressed as characters from Akira, Cowboy Bebop, Ghost in the Shell, and other iconic retro-futuristic series.
“Yesterday’s Future” Comes to Life
The convention’s theme paid homage to the optimistic sci-fi visions of the past, imagining what 2025 would look like through the lens of classic anime. Fans embraced the concept with:
A dazzling Cosplay Contest featuring inventive takes on vintage cyberpunk and space-age designs.
“It was amazing to see how fans brought this theme to life,” said one convention organizer. “From the cosplay to the discussions, everyone really embraced the spirit of what anime once thought the future could be.”
Star-Studded Guest Highlights
This year’s celebrity guests drew huge crowds, with panels, autograph sessions, and photo ops that left fans thrilled. Memorable moments included:
🎤 Voice Actor Panels:
Tia Ballard (Zero Two, Happy) sharing behind-the-scenes stories from Darling in the Franxx and Fairy Tail.
Jonah Scott (Legoshi in Beastars) bringing his signature humor to a lively Q&A.
Ricco Fajardo (Mirio in My Hero Academia) hyping up the crowd with his infectious energy.
👗 Cosplay Stars:
Kaye Cosplay and Lady Cels hosted workshops on advanced costume techniques.
Sarah Spaceman wowed fans with her stunning sci-fi-inspired outfits.
Looking Ahead: METROCON 2026!
With METROCON 2025 now in the books, fans are already marking their calendars for next year:
📅 July 31 – August 2, 2026
📍 Tampa Convention Center
For individual photos click here. Metrocon 2025
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