By Amir Browne
The library is a wonderful place to read, study and now to host an anime convention, one that is both free and local to Long Island.
EmCon Anime Fest is a free, two-day anime and pop culture festival hosted by the East Meadow Public Library located at 1886 Front St, East Meadow. The festival will take place from Saturday, April 25 (10 a.m. to 4 p.m.) through Sunday, April 26, 2026 (1 p.m. to 4 p.m.).
“We offer a safe space at the library…that’s the one thing I like about doing this: bringing something to the community where they can be among people of the same interest,” said Kelly Gordon, the event coordinator for EmCon.
This year’s EmCon will feature a variety of guest speakers, including artists, authors, and vendors. Leslie Carrara-Randolph, an actress, singer, and puppeteer best known as an Abby on Sesame Street, will host a meet-and-greet/Q&A; Francis Bonnet, writer and illustrator for Archie’s Digest; Carl Paolino, author and filmmaker, executive producer of MTV’s Death Match; and Frank Destefano, a Long Island native and the author of The Dark Legend of The Foreigner series, just to name a few.
Rizuki, a cosplayer mostly present in New York City and Long Island, will be returning once again. She is set to host a panel on starting your own cosplay group and, most importantly, will be the head judge of the cosplay contest. Another fan favorite, Michael Ford, better known as Sir Julius Ford, is coming back and also doing a concept costume with 3D cosplay studios–he’s a judge in the cosplay contest as well. Both their panels will occur on Saturday.
After two years of trying, Gordon finally got Eternal Hoshi, a J-rock (Japanese rock) Anime VGM band, to perform at a concert at EmCon.
“If you’re really into anime and you love a lot of the intros and outros of your favorite animes, they’re going to be encasing that into their performance on Sunday,” Gordon said. He describes them as a “high energy Japanese Rock and Roll and anime fusion type band.”
Click here for SciFiSland.com’s ultimate list of Long Island Cons in 2026.
The highly anticipated cosplay contest occurs on both days. The kids’ cosplay contest for ages 7-11 takes place on Saturday, with prizes donated by Viz Media. Kawaii Kiwi, another international cosplayer from Long Island, is coming to host the contest.
Before announcing the winners, two more cosplayers will join her, dressed as the main trio from K-pop Demon Hunters. There will be an intermission featuring a sing-along (karaoke-style) to the movie’s soundtrack. Outside of the kids’ cosplay contest, there will be face painting, crafts, and a photo booth where you can type in your email address and have them sent straight there. Teenagers aged 12-17 and young adults 18-plus have their own separate contest on Sunday.
“We’ve taken notice of the age gaps and separated the categories in the name of fairness,” said Gordon.
For those interested in participating, contestants will have an opportunity to meet with the judges.
All of these guests are going to be at EmCon for a purpose beyond just showing face. There will be intimacy. Gordon encourages anyone interested in a specific area to bring a portfolio (if they have one) and questions. It’s a great opportunity to pick their brains. He highlights this as a major benefit of having a small convention compared to something like New York Comic Con, which is much larger.
“People can come in and bring their stuff and talk to them. Why not? If the talent is there, take advantage and talk to these people,” said Gordon.
Aspiring authors, writers, cosplayers, and others can interact with guests who are willing and ready to answer any questions you might have.
“I’m just feeling blessed and grateful that we’re going to have all these people coming in,” Gordon said.
Diverging from guest speakers and the cosplay contest, there are the video game tournaments. From 12 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Saturday and 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday. On Saturday, the tournaments will feature Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, Guilty Gear Strive, Beat the Champ, and Pokkén Tournament DX. Sunday will host Dragon Ball FighterZ and Bleach: Rebirth of Souls. Winners are awarded. For those interested in casual play, there is a random selection of games, including Dragon Ball Sparking Zero, Tekken 8, Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, and Sonic Racing Crossworlds.
“People are going to go home with something free, regardless of winning any type of prizes and things of that nature,” said Gordon.
Comic Book Depot and Viz Media are providing a plentiful amount of manga and comic books.
“It doesn’t matter if you’re a newcomer or not; if you’re interested in any of these things, then come hang out, network, and expand your arsenal of knowledge,” said Gordon.
Amir Browne is a reporter with The SBU Media Group, part of Stony Brook University’s School of Communication and Journalism’s Working Newsroom program for students and local media.
Photo: EmCon Facebook page.
