Anime Overload, Austin

Anime, manga, and cosplay lovers flock to Austin's Anime Overload each year for three days of panel discussions, workshops, and gaming. The Japanese anime and pop-culture convention saturates the long weekend with activities, including dances and anime screenings that go into the wee hours. Read on to learn about some of the con's can't-miss offerings:

• Maid Cafe: Like the cosplay restaurants in Japan, Anime Overload's Maid Cafe features waitresses in classic maid costumes performing songs and dances for visitors. Maid Cafe hosts its own events throughout the con, including Neko Neko Hour, during which maids add cat ears and tails to their costumes, and Butler Hour, during which the maids are swapped out for handsome butlers who all respond to "Mr. Belvedere."

• Special-Guest Appearances: Anime Overload hosts anime voice actors Jason Liebrecht, Tia Ballard, and Xanthe Huynh, who have all voiced a range of animated characters. It also features two powerhouses in the cosplay world—Twinzik and Colony Drop Cosplay.

• Games: In addition to the games in Maid Cafe, including Game Night Hour with Apples to Apples and Words with Friends, Anime Overload includes a gaming-console room and card-game area. There, tournaments unfold, including Magic the Gathering and Pokémon.