Now entering its 10th year, Metrocon is a Tampa anime convention that started in 2003 at the Crowne Plaza hotel near the Florida State Fairgrounds.

Due to near-instant popularity, within two years Metrocon would move from the Crowne Plaza hotel to the Tampa Convention Center in Downtown Tampa which has been its home home ever since. Metrocon is now entering its 10th year it has grown into one of the biggest cons in the Southeast.

Mixing together hardcore gamers, anime lovers, and comic book followers, this yearly event brings people from all walks of life together for one weekend filled with excitement. Human chess matches, zombie walks, and colorful raves are just part of what goes on at Metrocon.

Personally, going to Metrocon a few times over the years, I always have fun.  It's great meeting comic book creators and voice actors, taking pictures of the amazing people in costume and being myself. I have made many friends and many good times that were forged in those special three days every year.

Metrocon is one place where you can just be yourself. If you want to dress up like a favorite superhero villain or monster, go for it. This is the one place where you don't get made fun of or get those weird stares from people just because you are in a costume.

Metrocon also brings together many great artists in one place at the convention known at artist alley. The artists showcase their work portraying well-known comic book heroes or villains. They also show characters that they came up with themselves. I love walking through the many rows looking at all this great artwork and buying a few pieces myself.

Many young adults now grew up with anime as part of their childhood. Metrocon is the hub of anime life in the Tampa Bay area. People are on the region conference three days to celebrate their love for anime, comics and video games at the one only Metrocon.

So this coming summer, if you see Superman jumping cross the hood of your car in Downtown Tampa, I promise you are not seeing things. Just follow him and the other superhero to the Tampa Convention Center for Metrocon 2012 going down June 15 - 17, 2012.