Ani-Medford is back and bigger than ever for 2023.

The event is for lovers of all things anime, manga (Japanese comic books), tokusatsu (Japanese live-action films or TV shows with tons of special effects) and more.

It will run Saturday and Sunday, Aug. 12-13, and has grown so much that it’s now being held at The Expo, 1 Peninger Road, in Central Point. Ani-Medford was first held in 2019 at the Ramada Medford Hotel and Convention Center. After the venue closed down, the event moved to the Josephine County Fairgrounds in Grants Pass in 2021 and 2022.

“It’s basically comic-con, but focused on anime,” said David Haworth, president of business operations for Colossus Girl Entertainment, the company that puts on the event.

“This year is really important — it’s a two-day event. It’s previously always been one day. It’s important for everyone to come out and support it,” he said.

Haworth emphasized the family-friendly focus of the event and encouraged parents to take advantage of an opportunity to “connect” if their kids are interested in anime.

The event will feature film screenings, retro video games, local cosplay groups, over 250 vendors, Itasha car and bike displays, live music performances and panels with celebrity voice actors, including Elise Baughman, voice of several anime characters and video games but most notably Pan on “Dragon Ball GT” and related games.

Other special guests include Jackie Lasta, who lent her voice to characters in “Demon Slayer,” “Maestu!,” “Hunter X Hunter,” “One Punch Man,” “Pokémon Masters” and more; Rick Robertson, who voiced Dabura on “Dragon Ball Z”; and Peter Kelamis, voice of Goku in English dubs of the “Dragon Ball” series. Kelamis is also noted for his work as a stand up-comedian and a voice actor for cartoons such as “Ed, Edd, and Eddie,” “Superdog” and Marvel Motion Comics’ “Absolute Carnage.”

Two key components of Ani-Medford are its location and compact size, Haworth said. Visitors can relax and have a conversation with celebrities and other fans, unlike at larger events in Portland where an autograph is the most that could be hoped for. He described the event as “smaller and more intimate.”

The event also strives to provide something for fans of anime and related elements of Japanese pop culture who don’t have the time or resources to drive up to Portland. Ani-Medford is the only event of its kind serving Southern Oregon. Fans sometimes drive from Idaho, Washington and California — some even come down from Portland, he said, to take advantage of the event’s unique qualities.

“It’s a once-in-a-lifetime event. I always tell people, ‘If there’s someone you really want to see, come out and see them because all the celebrities only come once, then never again,’” he said.

While held annually in Southern Oregon since 2019, Haworth said, the event has had to weather the chaos of recent years, including the Ramada Inn becoming a source of emergency housing after the Almeda Fire. The pandemic also complicated holding an event that routinely sees hundreds to thousands of visitors, and after the past two years in Grants Pass, Haworth said organizers felt it was time to bring the event back to where it started.

The event runs from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. both days. Visitors are encouraged to join in the cosplay fun — a cosplay contest will be held for ages 17 and older Saturday, and for kids and groups Sunday.

Admission tickets for both days for ages 13 and older cost $25 in advance, $35 at the door; for Saturday only tickets cost $15 in advance, $20 at the door; Sunday admission is $10 in advance, $15 at the door. Family packages are available for purchase online only. Kids 12 and younger get in free with a paying adult. Active military, veterans and their families can get complimentary tickets online through vettix.org.

For details, including a full schedule of events, and to purchase tickets, see ani-medford.com.