Anime Central, one of the Midwest's biggest three-day anime, manga, and Japanese culture conventions, has announced it will be canceling its 2021 gathering. In a recent posting on the convention's official website, organizers wrote that, "With the current state of the pandemic in America and the speed of vaccine distribution it would be unsafe to hold an event of our size." (In 2018, for example, the event had 32,653 in attendance.)

　　In a note explaining the decision, ACEN explains that it was with "heavy hearts" that they decided to cancel Anime Central 2021. Alternate plans for this year were considered including holding the event online, but after organizers consulted with hosts, panelists, guests, and volunteers, a decision was reached to cancel the event. However, ACEN did announce that its 2022 convention will be held May 20-22, 2022.

　　It is with great sadness that we must announce the official cancellation of ACen 2021. Our official statement and details can be found at this link https://t.co/T4RtPZPNzS We will return in person for ACen 25 on May 20th-22nd, 2022#acen2021 #animecentral #acen #cancellation pic.twitter.com/zmjXp7bcII

　　— Anime Central (@animecentral) February 13, 2021

　　"Cancellation is not an easy thing to deal with," the announcement reads. "Our industry is hurting right now."

　　C2E2, Chicago's annual comics and entertainment convention, normally takes place in late winter/early spring at McCormick Place but last year, the 2021 event was pushed to later in the year--December 10-12. As of this writing, the show is still happening.

　　David Wolinsky on Google+