Anime Milwaukee has canceled their 2021 physical convention in favor of an online event due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

The change to an online only event for 2021 was announced on the convention’s official site. Convention organizers also expressed an expectation that the event would be able to return in full in 2022.

“Anime Milwaukee (AMKE) is a three day anime convention that operates at the Hilton Milwaukee City Center and Wisconsin Convention Center in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. We celebrate and educate fans about anime, manga, Asian culture, music and gaming. This is our thirteenth year, and we are proud to be providing the Milwaukee area with three packed days of entertainment geared towards the anime and gaming communities. Last year we welcomed over 10,000 attendees, and this year we welcome of all ages to come join us. AMKE started as a college anime club meeting that grew into the idea for an event, and that event has been growing and thriving ever since.”

The physical convention was expected to run from February 14th through the 16th and be hosted at the Hilton Milwaukee & Wisconsin Center. The online virtual event is expected to run during the same dates.

The convention also cautions would-be attendees to cancel their hotel reservations if they have made any, as Anime Milwaukee “did not announce or open room blocks at any hotels in anticipation of cancellation” and are unable to help with any issue with the hotel.

The 2021 virtual event “will not require a mandatory purchase to attend”.

Image: Official Site