Anime Milwaukee (AMKE) is an annual three-day
anime convention
An anime and manga convention (often called just anime convention) is a fan convention with a primary focus on anime, manga and Japanese culture. Anime conventions are commonly multi-day events hosted at convention centers, hotels or college cam ...
held during February at the
Baird Center and
Hilton Milwaukee City Center in
Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Milwaukee is the List of cities in Wisconsin, most populous city in the U.S. state of Wisconsin. Located on the western shore of Lake Michigan, it is the List of United States cities by population, 31st-most populous city in the United States ...
.
It is Wisconsin's largest anime convention.
Programming
The convention typically offers anime music videos, an art contest, artist alley, charity ball, cosplay chess, a dealer's room, fashion show, maid cafe, manga library, masquerade, movies, rave, tabletop gaming, and video game tournaments.
The convention runs for 24 hours a day.
The 2017 charity ball benefited the Milwaukee LGBT Community Center.
History
Anime Milwaukee began in 2007 and was founded by the Japanese Animation Association at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee.
In 2011, the convention moved to the
Hyatt Regency Milwaukee &
Frontier Airlines Center
The Baird Center (formerly Wisconsin Center, Midwest Express Center, Midwest Airlines Center, Frontier Airlines Center, and Delta Center) is a convention and exhibition center located in downtown Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The center is part of a g ...
in Milwaukee, which allowed for 24-hour programming.
Attendees who preregistered for Anime Milwaukee in 2013 could receive a discount for the
Distant Worlds concert held the day before the convention on February 14, 2013.
The convention shared space in 2014 at the Wisconsin Center with Pheasant Fest, a hunting convention.
The combined conventions economic impact were expected to be $1.5 million.
In 2015, Anime Milwaukee's expected economic impact was over $1 million and it shared Wisconsin Center space with the Midwest Twisters Gymnastics Invitational.
The convention brought $1.2 million to the local economy in 2016.
Anime Milwaukee in 2017 occupied all the floors of the Wisconsin Center to expand panels and video gaming.
The convention was estimated to bring $2.5–3 million to the local economy.
Anime Milwaukee was estimated to bring $4 million to the local economy in 2019.
Anime Milwaukee 2021 was cancelled due to the
COVID-19 pandemic
The COVID-19 pandemic (also known as the coronavirus pandemic and COVID pandemic), caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), began with an disease outbreak, outbreak of COVID-19 in Wuhan, China, in December ...
.
Anime Milwaukee had COVID-19 policies in 2022 that included mandatory masks, with ether vaccination or a negative test.
Prior to Anime Milwaukee 2025, the burlesque show was cancelled due to online harassment involving performer applications.
Event history
References
External links
Official website
{{Coord, 43, 2, 23, N, 87, 55, 2, W, region:US-WI_type:event, display=title
Anime conventions in the United States
Recurring events established in 2008
2008 establishments in Wisconsin
Annual events in Wisconsin
Culture of Wisconsin
Tourist attractions in Milwaukee
Festivals in Milwaukee
University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee
Conventions in Wisconsin