Aberystwyth is gearing up to host its first anime convention – the brainchild of a Ceredigion woman frustrated at having to travel to go to similar events.

Abercon will be part of the Wales One World Film Festival which begins on Thursday, 21 March, with WOW working with Mencap Ceredigion to organise the festival at Aberystwyth Arts Centre.

Anime fans have 26-year-old Bethan Kench, who lives in Llandyfriog, to thank for the convention as it was a meeting between Bethan and Rhowan Alleyne, of the WOW Film Festival, which sparked the formation of the convention, which will take place on Saturday, 23 March.

Bethan, who has autism, is a big anime and animation fan and has attended several conventions in England, but questioned why there were no similar events closer to home.

After meeting Rhowan, who has her own interest in anime after spending time studying in Japan, the two have been working closely together, along with Mencap Ceredigion to launch Abercon, as well as a monthly animation club held in Aberaeron, which Bethan is creative director of.

Bethan’s mother, Jan Kench, who is the chair of Mencap Ceredigion, said: “Abercon is an event that we have dreamed of holding for years.

“Many of our members would like to attend the conventions in the big cities but do not have the means and support to travel.

“This is a chance for them to access this kind of event here in Ceredigion.

“Abercon will welcome everyone and we hope that it will bring people together from all walks of life around a shared interest in anime, cosplay and fandoms. It’s going to be a lot of fun.”

The convention will feature screenings of anime films, as well as stalls, a special animation workshop and competitions.

Jan said Mencap Ceredigion’s work with the monthly animation club had helped members and provided them with something different.

She said: “What’s come out of it is they have a social outlet and get to share an interest as a lot of people struggle to get out and meet people.

“These people who normally wouldn’t get any enjoyment from socialising are really enjoying it.”

Jan said that had led to Abercon which had grown more than they first expected after Bethan had first asked why Ceredigion didn’t have similar conventions to those she had visited.

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