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There’s a three-day weekend coming up in Japan, which ordinarily is enough to put people in a good mood. Animation fans, though, have something extra-special to look forward to, as the Anime Japan 2014 expo is being held at Tokyo Big Sight this Saturday and Sunday.

The event is sure to attract a large crowd of both enthusiasts and industry professionals, who won’t even have to wait until they get inside the venue for a taste of the most popular franchises, as the nearest train station to Tokyo Big Sight is already decked out with decorations featuring some of anime’s hottest series.

Almost everyone in Tokyo is thankful when a convention is held at Big Sight, as the other major exhibition facility in the region, Chiba’s Makuhari Messe, home to the Tokyo Game Show, is an hour outside the capital, plus a lengthy walk from the closest station. Big Sight, on the other hand, is centrally located, and nearby Kokusai-Tenjijo Station spits you out a much shorter stroll to the entrance.

With most guests likely to arrive for Anime Japan by train, the event’s organizers felt they should provide an appropriate greeting, as these photos show.

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In particular. the magical girls of Puella Magi Madoka Magica are out in force, no doubt to mark the April release of the franchise’s third feature film, which opened in Japanese theatres last October.

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Given the low height some of the posters are hung at, we’re wondering how long until someone, we figure it’s only a matter of time until fans start using their hands to cover up a certain character’s head while snapping pictures, in an effort to recreate the brutally violent anime’s infamous decapitation scene.

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Fans of both Madoka and supernatural action series Tokyo Ravens can save time with this angle that lets them photograph both casts in one shot, thereby allowing them to arrive at the convention that much sooner.

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Samurai heartthrob franchise Hakuoki is also represented, continuing its march towards total public transportation domination that began earlier this month on the Kyoto subway.

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Finally, the larger-than-life feats of super hero team Kotetsu and Barnaby require a similarly grandiose banner to commemorate their exploits in the recent Tiger and Bunny: The Rising theatrical release.

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Just remember, on the days of Anime Japan, the last train from Kokusai-Tenjijo to Tokyo Station departs at 11:58 p.m., so unless you feel like walking home, make sure you get all your pictures taken before then.

Event Information
Anime Japan 2014
Site: Tokyo Big Sight, East Exhibition Halls 1-6
Tokyo-to, Koto-ku, Ariake 3-11-1
東京ビッグサイト 東展示棟 東1〜6ホール
東京都江東区有明3-11-1
March 22-23
9 a.m.-5 p.m.

Related: Anime Japan
Source: Jin
Top image: Blogimg
Insert images: Jin, Blogimg (2, 3, 4), Jin