Meet the Voices Behind Your Favorites: Special Guest Experiences at M.A.G.E.

When you think about anime and gaming conventions, chances are you picture two things: cosplayers filling the halls and celebrities sitting behind tables signing autographs while fans nervously rehearse their one-line speeches. At M.A.G.E. (Minneapolis Anime and Gaming Event), happening October 31 – November 2, 2025, at the Hyatt Regency in downtown Minneapolis, that dream scenario isn’t just a highlight—it’s baked into the experience.

The guests at M.A.G.E. aren’t just names on a flyer. They’re the voices behind your favorite anime characters, the gamers who inspired your Twitch setup, and the industry personalities you’ve probably quoted at least once in a heated online debate. Meeting them can be exciting, intimidating, and, let’s be honest, a little nerve-wracking. That’s why understanding how panels, Q&A sessions, autograph opportunities, and photo ops work will make your weekend way smoother. And since no convention experience is just about one thing, we’ll also go deep into the other events, attractions, and quirks that make M.A.G.E. an unmissable con.

Guest Panels: Your Front-Row Ticket to Insider Secrets

Panels are where the magic happens. This is your chance to hear directly from the voices and creators you admire. At M.A.G.E., the guest panels are built to feel accessible—you’re not just watching someone lecture on stage; you’re in a live conversation with them.

Expect voice actors to share behind-the-scenes stories about recording anime dubs, gaming personalities to talk about tournament culture, and actors to crack jokes about lines they’ll never live down. A panel can swing between heartfelt career insights and completely unhinged fan questions like, “Would your character survive on The Great British Bake Off?” Spoiler: they usually wouldn’t.

Special Guests

M.A.G.E. isn’t just about panels and cosplay—it’s also a chance to meet some seriously legendary guests.

Greg Ayres has been shouting, laughing, and breathing life into anime for over 20 years, voicing everything from Nishinoya in Haikyuu!! to Kaoru in Ouran High School Host Club. With more than 350 credits, he’s basically anime royalty with neon hair.

Quinton Flynn is another fan favorite, best known as Axel/Lea in Kingdom Hearts and Raiden in Metal Gear Solid. His voice credits also stretch across Naruto, Bleach, Final Fantasy, and a ton more—you’ve probably heard him even if you didn’t know it.

Oscar Seung is a powerhouse performer—an actor, opera singer, and musician who’s voiced roles in Attack on Titan, One Piece, Yuri on Ice, and Free! (plus he’s appeared on Netflix and Hulu, too).

If you love martial arts with a side of humor, you won’t want to miss Samurai Dan and Jillian. This husband-and-wife duo are full-time martial artists who turn 16th-century combat skills into shows that are equal parts history lesson and high-energy entertainment.

Anime veterans Tom Fahn (Digimon, Cowboy Bebop, Dragon Ball Super) and Dorothy Fahn (Demon Slayer, Trigun, Fire Emblem) will also be there, bringing decades of anime and gaming experience with them.

That’s just the tip of the iceberg—you’ll get the chance to hear their stories, ask questions, and maybe even snag a photo or autograph to make your con weekend unforgettable.

Q&A Sessions: The Awkward Olympics (But in the Best Way)

Q&As are a rite of passage. You’ll line up, clutching your question like it’s the One Ring, while your brain screams, Don’t mess this up. The trick? Keep it short, polite, and relevant. “What’s your favorite line to record?”—great. “Can you do the voice of [insert character] ordering at Taco Bell?”—maybe funny, maybe annoying, depending on the guest’s mood.

M.A.G.E. usually has staff nearby to help manage the line and cut off questions if time runs out. So don’t panic if you don’t get to ask yours—the Q&A is still entertaining even if you’re just listening. Half the fun is watching fellow fans fumble their way through big questions and watching guests turn them into comedy gold.

Autographs: Every Nerdy Fan’s Main Event

For many, the autograph line is the peak convention moment. At M.A.G.E., autograph sessions run throughout the weekend, and most guests will sign one item for free—usually something official you bought or brought. Additional signatures or specialty items may cost extra, so plan your budget accordingly.

Here’s what you need to know:

• Bring Official Merch: No bootlegs. If you grabbed that suspiciously cheap DVD set off eBay, leave it at home. Stick to licensed goods (the Dealers Room has plenty).

• Come Prepared: Have the item ready to go, marker uncapped if needed. Don’t be the person fumbling with your backpack at the table.

• Be Polite with Photos: Not every guest allows selfies at the autograph table, especially if the line is long. Always ask staff or the guest before snapping a picture.

• Mind the Time: Remember—hundreds of people are behind you. Keep it quick and kind. Think of it as a handshake, not a full-on brunch date.

For families or first-timers, here’s the good news: M.A.G.E. staff keep things friendly and approachable. Kids are encouraged to ask questions, and if you’re nervous, remember—the guests are people who literally signed up to meet fans like you.

Photo Ops: Strike a Pose (Without Looking Like a Deer in Headlights)

Photo ops are structured differently than autograph sessions. You’ll buy a ticket for a professional photo with a guest, stand in line, and then—bam—it’s your turn. It happens quickly, but those few seconds can feel surreal.

Best advice: decide your pose ahead of time. Don’t wait until you’re in front of your favorite voice actor to suddenly debate finger guns vs. peace sign vs. awkward thumbs up. If you’re cosplaying, guests often love when you’re in character. And if you’re bringing kids, let them stand up front so they’re not hidden in the picture.

Beyond Guests: Why M.A.G.E. is More Than Autographs

Sure, celebrity guests are a huge draw at any convention, but M.A.G.E. is built like a nerd buffet—you’ll want to pile your plate with a little bit of everything. If it’s your first time, here’s a deeper look at the experiences you absolutely don’t want to miss, plus some tips to help you navigate them like a pro.

Cosplay Contest
The Grand Costume Contest isn’t just a runway walk—it’s where legends are made. Judges don’t just glance at your outfit and move on. They scrutinize craftsmanship (yes, even the stitching), presentation, and how convincingly you embody your character. It’s performance art as much as fashion.

If you’re competing, prepare like you’re going on stage at Broadway. Know your character, practice your poses, and check the rules ahead of time (you don’t want to be the person turned away because your oversized prop violates safety guidelines).

Not competing? Don’t skip it. The contest is one of the biggest, most high-energy events of the weekend. Bring your camera and a fully charged phone, but remember cosplay photo etiquette: always ask before snapping a picture, and don’t block the aisles mid-show for the perfect shot.

Pro tip: If you want a good seat, line up early. This event fills fast, and the best view isn’t from behind someone’s Pikachu ears.

Gaming Tournaments
M.A.G.E. doesn’t half-step when it comes to gaming. Whether you’re a console loyalist, a PC strategist, or a tabletop dice-roller, there’s a tournament or casual session waiting for you. You’ll find everything from Super Smash Bros. grudge matches to competitive Magic: The Gathering duels, plus Dungeons & Dragons one-shots for those who want to roleplay their way into chaos.

If you’re new to the gaming side of cons, don’t be intimidated. Many tournaments have beginner brackets or casual play zones where you can jump in without fear of being stomped in the first round.

Pro tip: Bring your own controller if you’re picky about inputs—borrowed gear can feel like playing with oven mitts. And keep snacks and water handy; some sessions run longer than you think.

Artist Alley & Vendor Hall
Think of this as M.A.G.E.’s beating heart of creativity and consumer temptation. Artist Alley is where indie creators shine—prints, stickers, charms, original comics, even handmade plushies. Every table is a chance to meet the person who designed the thing you’re about to fall in love with.

Vendor Hall, on the other hand, is a collector’s dream. You’ll see official merch, rare finds, wall scrolls, plushies bigger than you, and maybe that one figure you thought you’d never see outside eBay.

If it’s your first time: pace yourself. The shopping floor is overwhelming, and your wallet will start sobbing if you drop everything on the first shiny object you see. Walk through once before you buy, then loop back for the treasures you truly can’t live without.

Pro tip: Bring cash as well as cards. Some artists don’t take card payments, and ATM lines at cons are the stuff of nightmares.

Maid Café
Yes, it’s quirky. Yes, it’s a little over-the-top. But that’s the point. The Royale Maid Café is part performance, part snack break, and part interactive silliness. Maids and butlers serve treats, play games with guests, and generally make you feel like the star of a cozy anime episode.

For first-timers, it’s an easy, low-pressure way to take a breather from the con chaos while still soaking up the atmosphere.

Pro tip: Reservations often fill up fast, so if you want a seat, book early. And don’t be shy—half the fun is leaning into the whimsy.

Escape Room: The Cabin of the Cackling Man
This isn’t your standard mall escape room. Imagine stepping into a creepypasta fever dream wrapped in retro gaming vibes. You and your group will solve puzzles and race against the clock to escape before—you guessed it—the Cackling Man catches up to you.

If you like team challenges, puzzles, or just want to scream and laugh with your friends in equal measure, this is worth squeezing into your schedule.

Pro tip: Go with a mixed-skill group. You’ll want someone good with word puzzles, someone observant enough to catch tiny details, and at least one person who doesn’t panic under pressure.

Late-Night Dances & Concerts
When the panels wrap up, M.A.G.E. doesn’t go to sleep—it levels up into party mode. Concerts range from nerdcore rap and J-pop tributes to live bands covering anime and game soundtracks. Then there’s the late-night dance, which is basically a rave powered by glowsticks, EDM, and cosplayers who somehow still have energy at midnight.

If formal elegance is more your vibe, the Fantasy Ball is your ticket. Imagine waltzing in cosplay under chandeliers—it’s every fairy-tale RPG cutscene come to life.

Pro tip: Bring comfortable shoes. Your cosplay boots might look amazing, but they weren’t built for three hours on the dance floor. And hydrate—glowstick raves are not for the faint of heart.

Fan-Run Panels: Expect the Unexpected

This is the part of the convention where things really go off-script—in the best way possible. Fan-run panels are dreamed up and hosted by attendees themselves, which means no two are ever alike. Sure, you’ll stumble into plenty of anime debates, gaming deep-dives, and discussions about your favorite fandoms, but the real magic is that you could end up learning about almost anything.

One panel might walk you through the nuts and bolts of planning your own event, planting the seed that maybe next year you’ll be the one at the front of the room. Another could veer into travel advice, with a host sharing which tourist spots to avoid when exploring Japan. Then, without missing a beat, you might find yourself in a tech-minded session, where someone’s talking about using virtual reality in classrooms or breaking down the latest in AI technology.

Of course, not every fan-run panel is about tech or travel. You could wander into a discussion on digital marketing, where attendees swap strategies like they’re trading cards, or sit down for a crash course in designing storage solutions for minimalist spaces that actually feel livable. Some hosts lean into lifestyle topics—you might hear about indoor gardening, trying out a vegan diet, or picking up meditation as a daily habit. Others might take a more practical approach, sharing tips on generating business ideas, upgrading your gaming setup, or even learning a second language. And then there are the truly unexpected gems, like a panel where you walk away with new cocktail recipes or a newfound appreciation for something you didn’t know you cared about ten minutes earlier.

That’s the charm of these sessions: you never know what you’re walking into, and that unpredictability makes them some of the most memorable parts of the weekend. Fan-run panels often feel less like formal presentations and more like hanging out in a living room with friends who happen to be wildly passionate about very specific things—and they brought slides. It’s casual, quirky, and welcoming, and it might just spark your next obsession.

Ticket Information: Buy Early, Save Money

Let’s talk logistics. Tickets for M.A.G.E. are straightforward:

• Weekend Badge: $40 ($37 if you snag the early deal before August 19, 2025).

• Day Badge: $30 (Sunday-only is $15).

• Platinum/VIP Badge: $150 (extra perks, early access, exclusive stuff).

The early-bird deal isn’t just about saving a few bucks—it also helps the con bring in more guests and bigger events. If you know you’re going, grab your pass early. Plus, it locks in your Halloween weekend plans.

Practical Tips for Maximizing M.A.G.E.

Alright, let’s get real—cons are fun, but they can easily get exhausting what with all the events and experiences you would not want to miss out on. Here’s how to survive and thrive:

• Stay Hydrated: Between panels, shopping, and dances, it’s easy to forget to drink enough water. Bring a refillable water bottle.

• Budget Wisely: Divide your spending money between merch, food, and experiences like the Maid Café or escape room. Otherwise, your rent money may mysteriously transform into plushies.

• Plan Your Schedule, But Stay Flexible: Highlight your must-sees, but leave room for spontaneous adventures. That random fan panel on “AI and cocktail recipes” could end up being your favorite event.

• Hotel Convenience: If you can swing it, stay at the Hyatt Regency. With rooms at $135/night for attendees, it saves you the hassle of late-night commutes, and you’ll appreciate being able to crash between events.

• Be Kind and Respectful: Whether it’s with guests, cosplayers, or staff, con etiquette goes a long way. Everyone’s there to have a good time.

Why M.A.G.E. Should Be on Your Must-Attend List

M.A.G.E. is a three-day mashup of anime, gaming, cosplay, music, and community—all under one roof. Between meeting your favorite voice actors, competing in games, getting lost in Artist Alley, dancing until 2 a.m., and discovering new hobbies through fan-run panels, there’s literally no way to be bored.

If it’s your first anime convention, this is a perfect introduction. If you’re a seasoned pro, M.A.G.E. still delivers enough variety and depth to keep you hooked. And with the dates locked in—October 31 to November 2, 2025—you can officially block out your calendar now. See you there!