Castle Point Anime Convention: Jersey's Anime Jewel!!!
Joseph W.
AnimeNYC is the premiere anime convention on the East Coast. Every year, thousands reign into the Jacob Javits Center to share their love of manga, anime, and Asian culture. Special guests also come to discuss the new, the old, and upcoming shows and events taking place in the pop culture marketplace. As many fans touch down to this annual gathering, friends also come together to showcase their cosplay; characters from specialized 1-shots, video games, anime, and manga, to the world...
And while AnimeNYC is considered the Shangri-La of anime conventions, across the Hudson, located within the Meadowlands Expo Center in Secaucus, NJ, there is an anime convention that’s smaller than AnimeNYC, but matches its heart and soul: Castle Point Anime Convention.
Kate Wilcox - Vice Chair of Publicity
Castle Point Anime Con (CPAC) has a unique history. It began as a student-run anime and manga convention organized by students at the Stevens Institute of Technology, located in Hoboken, NJ (not Secaucus). What started as a campus event steadily grew into a full-scale celebration of fandom. The magic of CPAC lies in its spirit of passion, community and shared knowledge. As Vice Chair of Publicity, Kate Wilcox puts it, “It takes dedication.”
After attending CPAC 2024, I caught up with Wilcox at Anime NYCC ‘24. What she told me only confirmed what I already felt—CPAC is a standout showcase of innovation, growth, and creativity.
“Everyone who volunteers for CPAC is either an alumnus or a current Stevens student.”
The evolution of this convention is rooted in the heart and soul of Stevens Institute of Technology’s student body. For over 17 years, CPAC has grown by listening to past students and staying ahead of emerging trends in pop culture. A prime example is CPAC’s Anime Rave Party ’24—an event designed to foster a more community-driven atmosphere.
“We just wanted to have more of a community event, where people can come together and really dance, because that’s really a big tradition here in anime spaces. K-Pop and J-Pop are very closely related to that too... So we figured, bring it here with our own little spin on it, and I feel like we made it into our own little community that we hope to bring back next year (2025)”
— K. Wilcox
SIdeNote: In 2024, Aniparty hosted an anime rave had attendees waving, dancing, and chanting along to their favorite anime hits, turning the convention floor into an electrifying dance floor.
CPAC began as a lowekey anime club back in 2008—but as anime viewership exploded and streaming services took off highlighting more and more anime and manga, it transformed into something way bigger. What started as a small gathering morphed into a full-blown, must-attend annual celebration of anime and pop culture with convention fans growing every year.
With CPAC, members and anime fans alike have turned this convention into a national treasure, drawing attendees, both national and international, eager to meet voice actors and music stars such as Shinnosuke from the group Rookiez is Punk’d.
And while voice actors and famous stars are a gem for CPAC, the energy for this convention lies in the assistance of its staff and the energy of its vibrant cosplay community, gaming scene, and diverse vendor marketplace, each adding their own magic to this convention experience.
CPAC ‘24
CPAC. It’s more than just anime. Aside from the magic, many assemble to also experience this evolving culture. Whether you're someone who’s been immersed in the scene for years or just starting out, CPAC’s easy vibes, indie culture, and amazing energy provide a broader cultural experience for fans.
Cosplay
CPAC '24
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CPAC '24 〰️
Anime cosplay is an art form, and as fans pay attention to detail, their ‘fits—from styled wigs and body armor to mesh bodysuits and painted tattoos—bring their characters to life here. Add in the character’s personality, and these creators pull off one of the greatest feats of human creativity.
Gaming
Computer gaming and arcade games are the standard of pop culture conventions, and while CPAC has them locked down, I’m also blown away by their Mahjong section and a dedicated trade card section for both Pokémon, Yu-Gi-Oh!, and surprisingly, UNO.
Vendors
The vendors at CPAC continue to provide an amazing experience, offering everything from anime collectibles, up and coming conventions, custom art; drawn, chiseled to handmade crafts to con exclusive merchandise. I also saw a limited-edition crocheted Gengar, discovered a new artist, and met some up-and-coming creatives.
Anime Rave
As the sun sets, the energy shifts. This energy doesn’t slow downs—it speeds up with glowing props, club music, and anime themes creating a packed dance party bouncing with high-energy vibes. J-pop, K-pop, hip-hop, anime intros; Here, it's not just a party—it’s a cultural celebration of Fandom.
Final Thoughts
At CPAC, the power of anime lies with its fans and staff (students)—their passion and dedication here fuel its influence and growth. As alumni members of Castle Point come together to share knowledge to their new and next generation of members, this convention continues to evolve. Here, ladies and gentlemen, they’ve found the blueprint for con success. From cosplayers to fans to gamers and vendors, this community continues to grow and make CPAC more than just an annual tradition. For CPAC, It’s a movement, one I can definitely support.
Respect.
From its first debut as a convention in 2008 within the halls of the Stevens Institute of Technology, CPAC has proven that when driven by the love of anime, the community—even the smallest gatherings—can become something extraordinary. They are truly One For All.
Respect.
