Anime Expo 2008 Masquerade

Four enthusiasts of the game “Suikoden V.” (Tara Godvin / Los Angeles Times)

Sept. 16, 2014 4:20 AM PT

Donning tutus, elven ears, creepy contacts, kimonos and arsenals of plastic weaponry, anime enthusiasts from around the country _ and even Toronto _ convened at the Anime Expo’s Masquerade Saturday night at the Nokia Theatre in downtown L.A. to show off their fantasy finery and watch others compete for the title of Best in Show.

“We’re really into the accuracy part,” said Miyu, center, who along with her companions, only provided the name she uses online. “There are real wings ripped from a fairy,” said Courtney, right. The trio are dressed as characters from the game “Odin Sphere,” including Cameron as Ingway, Miyu as Velvet and Courtney as Mercedes. (Tara Godvin / Los Angeles Times)

Anime Fashion (Tara Godvin / Los Angeles Times)

Ella Marcelin, left, is dressed as Fran from the game Final Fantasy II. Adrian Villanueva is Warrior. And Talia Marcelin, right, is dressed as Lani from Final Fantasy IX. All three hail from Fontana, Calif. (Tara Godvin / Los Angeles Times)

Nikole Dixon, left, and Kasi Camille of Burbank, Calif., arrived dressed as their own original characters. (Tara Godvin / Los Angeles Times)

Dianna Ramon of Bakersfield, Calif., is the Blue Knight from the manga series Tokyo Mew Mew. (Tara Godvin / Los Angeles Times)

Characters from the manga and anime series Vampire Night were popular at the expo, including with this trio from Santa Monica, Calif. (Tara Godvin / Los Angeles Times)

Chloe Meisner of Santa Monica, Calif., made her costume out of paper and clothing procured at charity shops. Her sword is biodegradable, she said. (Tara Godvin / Los Angeles Times)

Sisters Nikki and Alex Warner came as characters from the anime series “Dragon Ball GT.” Infini, right, who only provided her online name was dress as a character of her own design. “I’m just wearing a wig.” she said. All three are from Toronto, Canada. (Tara Godvin / Los Angeles Times)

Anime Fashion (Tara Godvin / Los Angeles Times)

Courtney Lorenz, left, is Sister Kate from the manga series “Chrono Crusade.” “It’s basically nuns with guns,” said Suzanne Beaudoin, center, who came dressed as a Wa Lolita. Michell Dupray, second from left, is March from the game “Eternal Sonata.” Shannon Harris, second from right, is Jolteon from “Pokemon.” And Jennifer Dupray is Rosette from “Chrono Crusade.” (Tara Godvin / Los Angeles Times)

This cast of characters came up from Phoenix, Ariz., for the expo. (Tara Godvin / Los Angeles Times)

Cassidy Warner, left, of Denver, Colo., and Michael Smith, of Provo, Utah, are dressed as characters from, respectively, the games “Final Fantasy X” and “Kingdom Hearts.” (Tara Godvin / Los Angeles Times)

Anime Fashion (Tara Godvin / Los Angeles Times)

The Masquerade on the third night of the expo included skits performed by costumed competitors all wanting to be called the “Best in Show.” (Tara Godvin / Los Angeles Times)

More Masquerade competitors, of all ages. (Tara Godvin / Los Angeles Times)

Anime Fashion (Tara Godvin / Los Angeles Times)