The 26th annual event hosts a range of comic-themed costume contests, paranormal training seminars and hands-on sessions for the manufacture of bygone-era armor. Late-night hotel lobby parties spilled into the wee hours Friday, when collections of anime-themed characters caroused with zombies and herculean robots.

This year's convention had a record 30,000 pre-registered attendees, according to Dan Carroll, a spokesman for the event.

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