Introducing Anime Arcana! Delaware's newest celebration of anime, manga, and Japanese pop culture. Designed for fans by fans, Anime Arcana brings together a diverse community for a weekend filled with creativity, cosplay, art, and connection. Break out your favorite cosplay for our cosplay contest, join our gaming tables, activities, and vendors that highlight the best of anime culture — all under one roof!
April 11, 2026
in
Wilmington, DE
Entry is only $5 per person!
Officially accepting vendor applications
Our vendor call for Anime Arcana is live as of December 2025. Please feel free to view and download our vendor application PDF for details about vending at our event including spaces, fees, times, FAQ's, and more!
RSVP on our FB Events Page!
We always encourage people to put Interested or Going on our FB Events to reflect interest and be up-to-date on any cool things happening!
RSVP to Anime Arcana at
About Our Venue
The John Dickinson School in Wilmington, DE will be our wonderful venue for Anime Arcana following the success of our Dickinson Fall Fest event to benefit the business and entrpreneurship CTE program!
We are excited to be taking over both gyms and the cafeteria as well as hall space within the school, making it a totally indoor event!
We can't wait to see y'all for this one. It's bound to be SO MUCH FUN!
From one fan to another, let's make this Anime Arcana something to talk about!!!
Event Address
Please forgive the difference in the address between Google Maps and the official Anime Arcana flyer. After our last event at this venue, we were told by multiple attendees that they had to put "Old Milltown Road" in the address to make it work, despite the actual address being simply "Milltown Road".
We tried to appease the masses, but now it sounds like "Old Milltown Road" is giving people trouble, too.
When in doubt, just look up "The John Dickinson School" and follow the direct link!
Thank you for your patience, as it seems no matter what address we use someone says it's wrong - lol!
Harassment Policy
We have a zero tolerance harassment policy. If anyone is found harassing another con goer, exhibitor, guest, or volunteer, they will be instantly ejected from the convention and no refund will be given.
If you feel you are being harassed, witness someone else being harassed, or have any other concerns, please contact a staff member and report it immediately! Staff has the ability to contact local law enforcement, and adult volunteers can provide escort, or otherwise assist those feeling they have experienced harassment to ensure they feel safe for the duration of the convention. Also, and we can not stress this enough, COSPLAY IS NOT CONSENT!
Anime Arcana FAQ's
Can I pay for admission in advance?
Admission is available at the door the day of the event.
CASH ONLY
$5 per person, with kids 10 and under being free entry with paid adult (limit to 2 children per paid adult for adult supervising purposes)
We are not currently accepting digital or card payments for this event.
We are sorry for any inconvenience.
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Do the vendors only take cash, or can I pay with a credit card or Venmo?
That depends on the vendor!
All of them typically take cash, but only some are set up to take digital payments or cards. Be sure to ask what forms of payment they accept before agreeing to any purchases. But really, do bring cash please. It's the most accepted form of payment with small businesses, and you need $5 cash per person to get in, anyways.
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Is Anime Arcana wheelchair and ADA accessible?
Yes! Our host venue is a public school, and is fully accessible to all mobility aides according to public school standards and requirements for the state of Delaware. Wheelchair accessible bathroom stalls will also be available.
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Are fans allowed to wear costumes at the convention?
Allowed?! We want and encourage you to wear your costumes!! Come dressed to impress as your favorite anime character, comic book villain - literally anything you'd like! Of course you can come in regular clothes, too - but don't leave your cosplay at home for fear of being the only one dressed up!
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Are there costume/cosplay rules or guidelines?
Yes!
We insist that your costume not have any parts or accessories that can readily cause harm to you or any of your fellow con goers. No real weaponry (live firearms, metal blades or metal weapons of any kind, crossbows, etc.) may be carried.
No airsoft, pellet, paint, or BB guns.
Nothing that can fire a projectile of any kind.
Nerf weapons are the exception here, but leave the darts at home please!
Realistic gun props MUST have an orange blaze on the tip, and must not be made of metal.
Use common sense.
If you have any worry that a part of your costume might cause a problem or get you removed from the convention, arrested, or injured, please leave it at home. We understand you are trying to create the most realistic and fantastic cosplay, and we want that for you, too. However - we must keep ourselves, or costumes, and our accessories on the side of safety and legality.
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Note that any convention staff member can ask you to take any item to your vehicle at any time if they feel that item may be a danger.
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Is there a dress code?
We only ask that your dress be appropriate. No clothing with expletives, nudity, or hate speech on it. Make sure nothing is showing that a bathing suit would normally cover. And please, no ahegao or hentai depictions on clothing.
Again - use common sense. Our hosting venue IS a school, after all.
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All decisions on costumes and weapons made by convention staff are final.
Please be respectful!
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Can I take pictures at this event?
In general, photos are welcome within the event space. However, please do not take photos of attendees or vendors without permission.
Some people may not want their picture taken, and some artists/vendors may not want pictures taken of their work or products, so be sure to ask first.
Other than that, we encourage you to take photos of the convention! And we also encourage you to share them to Little Corner Events, or to the event page on FB if we are allowed to use them to show off how awesome Anime Arcana is!
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Please be sure not to block aisles when taking photos.
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Is there a costume contest?
We are actively working on establishing an official cosplay/costume contest for Anime Arcana. With fingers and toes crossed, stay tuned for updates!
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Are bags and backpacks permitted into the show?
Yes they are.
We do ask that you use common sense when toting them around, as some backpacks are large, bulky and unwieldy and can block aisles or knock into things when you turn around.
Also, bags may be subject to search, so be sure you don’t have anything in there that you shouldn’t!
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May I bring a pet to the show with me?
No, you may not. This is a show to leave your fur, feather, and scale babies at home.
The only animals allowed at the show are service animals.
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Will there be food available?
Yes! Anime Arcana will be hosting a variety of food and beverage vendors and trucks! We will also have our host venue's school cafe open to the public with a select menu run by Dickinson's Business and Entrepreneurship students!
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If something is not explicitly mentioned in this list, it doesn't mean you don't have to follow the rules of common sense, public decency, decorum, and have respect for one another.
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Stay safe, stay smart, have fun!
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Thank you so much for helping make this show a success, and we can't wait to see you there!
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