Astoria will host its own free anime and comics festival on Sunday, Nov. 1, when Astoria Anime Fest takes over the 31st Avenue Open Street from 1 to 5 p.m. The block party sets up at 34-20 31st Ave., between 34th and 35th streets, and is open to all ages. Admission costs nothing, and organizers are asking attendees to RSVP in advance.

The organizers bill the afternoon as Episode One, the first edition of an event built around anime, manga, comics and gaming fans in Queens. The festival's own page describes the group's goal as building a community for those fans across the borough, and Anime NYC, the city's large anime convention, has listed the Astoria event on its community page as a brand new, free celebration of anime, manga, gaming and the local neighborhood.

Vendors and Local Artists

According to the lineup the organizers have posted, roughly two dozen artists and small makers will sell work along the open street for the full four hours. The roster includes illustrators and studios such as Loraine Zhou Illustrations, Dusty Quartz Studios, Merriaki Studios, Stef & Stuff, CORVIDAY, Snowifer, Bizarre Blues, smolcactus creates and bunnies & nonsense, along with Corsetree. Stupid Treasure is listed for live drawing in addition to selling. Comic author Brandon T. Snider appears on the vendor list as well.

Food is part of the mix. Elly's Pastries is on the lineup as a food vendor, and Noba Boba is listed among the sellers. The organizers note that the list may still change and that they will update it as the date gets closer.

Workshops, Games and Activities

The schedule runs well beyond shopping. A calligraphy workshop led by Taisan is set for 2 to 3 p.m., and an origami workshop follows from 4 to 5 p.m. Anime NYC's listing describes both as free. The Astoria Reading Party will host an activity from 1 to 2 p.m., and the Queens Public Library is scheduled to run an activity from 1 to 4 p.m. Anime NYC's description also mentions a manga library on site.

Gamers have their own corner. TheBladerVerse will run a Beyblade area for the full afternoon, and Penny Potluck is listed for game playtesting. Midori will host anime trivia, and the Otakus & Opinions Podcast is on the schedule from 4 to 5 p.m. A community trinket swap table, run by the festival itself, will be open throughout, so visitors can bring small items to trade.

Costumes are welcome. Anime NYC's listing says cosplay is highly encouraged, and the organizers have named several cosplayers who plan to attend, along with three street photographers who are listed to shoot the event from 1 to 5 p.m.

Who Is Behind It

Astoria Anime Fest is organized by a group that operates under the same name and handles sign ups through its event page. The organizers list a roster of supporters that includes the 31st Ave Open Streets, the Japan Society, publisher HarperCollins, and neighborhood businesses such as Mochi & Cream, T-Swirl, Tea & Milk, Anime Claw, The Ribbit Factory, The Coffee Lab and President of the Anime Club.

The organizers say that RSVPs help vendors, sponsors, activity hosts and nearby businesses plan for the size of the crowd. They also say that details about raffles and freebies will go only to people on the RSVP list, so anyone hoping to take part in those should sign up and keep notifications turned on. As of this week, more than 320 people had marked themselves as going.

The festival lands the day after Halloween, which gives anyone who put together a costume for the holiday one more chance to wear it out in the neighborhood.

Getting There

The festival block sits on 31st Avenue between 34th and 35th streets. The closest subway option is the N or W train to the 30 Av station at 31st Street, roughly a 10 minute walk to the event. The M and R trains at the Steinway St station, at Steinway Street and Broadway, are also within walking distance, about 10 minutes away on foot.

Plan Your Visit

Astoria Anime Fest: Episode One takes place Sunday, Nov. 1, from 1 to 5 p.m. on the 31st Avenue Open Street at 34-20 31st Ave., Astoria. Entry is free. RSVP through the festival's event page on Partiful, where the organizers also link to the full and updated schedule of vendors, workshops and guests. Questions about sponsoring or donating can go to the organizers at AstoriaAnimeFest@gmail.com.

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