Get ready for an exciting anime gaming convention coming to Fresno next month!
Beginning Saturday, Feb. 3 through Sunday, Feb. 4, the Big Fresno Fairgrounds will transform into an ultimate convention for anime and video game enthusiasts in the Central Valley. The event promises a fantastic lineup featuring vendors, local artists and special guest celebrities from the industry. Convention participants can meet and get autographs from the voices of popular characters from “Avatar: The Last Airbender,” “Honkai: Star Rail,” “Street Fighter,” “Chainsaw Man,” “Bleach” and “Naruto” during the weekend-long event.
Single day, two-day and VIP tickets are available for $10 to $55. The VIP package offers exclusive benefits, such as a brief meet-and-greet session, early entry, poster, pin, stickers and an exclusive event shirt. Throughout the two-day extravaganza, attendees can participate in cosplay contests, video game tournaments and trading card game tournaments for prizes.
“As the owner of a small local business, events like the Anime Gaming Convention helps reach more of the audience and community,” said Carlos Mendoza, owner of Bird Dog Cards & Comix, a Fresno card shop that is proudly attending the event as a vendor. Fresno is a growing community for anime and the convention experience, said Mendoza, and he anticipates thousands of guests will be in attendance for the event.
Mendoza was an active hobbyist and collector who decided to pursue an entrepreneurial career from his interests. He opened Bird Dog Cards & Comix in October 2022 at the northeast corner of Bullard and North Fresno avenues. The shop is open seven days a week from 2-8:30 p.m. The store offers a diverse range of trading card game products and supplies, including Pokemon, One Piece, Yu-Gi-Oh, Disney’s Lorcana and Magic the Gathering.
“Since its release, One Piece (trading card game) has been growing fast. Pokemon continues growing while everyone is chasing points to get into the World Championship event and the shop is the perfect venue to learn, trade and compete in weekly tournaments,” Mendoza said.
For beginner players or those looking for a casual experience, Mendoza has also designated days for public freeplay. In addition to trading cards, customers can find decorative wall scrolls, clothing, accessories, manga, comic books, statues, Funko figurines and more. Since its opening, the card shop has participated in several events, including Fresno’s Cards and Collectibles Show, Toys for Tots and Konami’s Official Holiday Charity Event.
Mendoza said he has plans to partner with Valley Children’s Healthcare to help teach families how to play different card games. Mendoza uses the wall space of his card shop for paintings and artwork from local artists to sell their work with consignment agreements. In the future, Mendoza plans to expand and continue to build upon the roots that he has successfully established in the Central Valley to further reach potential customers interested in trading card games, Japanese media and entertainment and collectibles.
Bird Dog Cards & Comix Tournament Schedule
6:30 p.m. Monday to Friday, 2 p.m. Saturday and Sunday
Monday – One Piece
Tuesday – Freeplay
Wednesday – Yu-Gi-Oh!
Thursday – Pokemon
Friday – Magic the Gathering
Saturday – Dragon Ball Super/Lorcana
Sunday – Digimon
For more information about Anime Gaming Con events and tickets inquiry, visit animegamingcon.com.
For more information on Bird Dog Cards & Comix, visit their location or follow them on Instagram, Facebook and Discord.
