Thousands Dress Up & Flock To Miami Anime Convention

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MIAMI (CBSMiami) – Things are getting animated this weekend as animation and comic fans are flocking to the annual Animate Miami Convention.

"Sailor Moon" stars, "Attack On Titan" heroes, "Pokémon" characters and much, much more hit the showroom floor Friday.

"Everybody needs a hero right? All the heroes are at Animate Miami," said one convention goer.

The convention is what costume dreams are made of as epic outfits are on full display.

"Quite a bit of sewing quite a bit of taping quite a lot of measuring actually," said Ben Freixa. "The whole thing took a year and a half in total."

"When we go to conventions, we never do the same costume twice," said Angela Ball. "So today we'll do this, tomorrow we'll do another costume."

"So you must have a closet full of costumes?" asked CBS4 Reporter Gaby Fleischman.

"Yep!" replied Ball.

"What about regular clothes?" Fleischman followed up with.

"Those are boring!" she laughed.

About 12,000 people are expected to play dress up at the three-day animation and comic convention..

"These things are like second Halloweens for me. I love to dress up in these costumes. I like to see the art work, stuff people sell," said Freixa.

The convention is packed with booths, selling everything from stuffed animals to key chains. Even $2,800 comic books are being sold.

Convention goers can also watch or partake in costume contests.

And hardcore fans can sometimes meet some of the original actors behind their favorite characters.

"What's your best line?" asked Fleischman.

"It's time to boogey with the bear," said Karan Ashely.

Ashely played Aisha, the Yellow Ranger, on the popular show "Power Rangers."

"It's nostalgic… Multicultural cast we worked as a team everyone had somebody they could love," she said.

Margaret Kerry was also at the convention. She is the inspiration behind Peter Pan's Tinker Bell.

"I danced and did all of the things. Her personality is my personality and her walk is my walk," said Kerry.

With Halloween just about a week away, the convention is the ideal spot for family and friends to show off their costumes.

"Geek out. Let all we've been holding in and let it all out. Be ourselves. Be open and see the creativeness of all the people in their costume," said Caesar Jarquin.

"It's a nice thing because you also make new friends," said Max Buckler. "You can go to other conventions with so you're not alone."

If you're still looking for a Halloween costume, this could be the perfect place to get ideas and scout one out.

Animate Miami runs through the weekend.

For more information, head to www.animatemiami.com.