Posted Sunday, December 2, 2012 --- 1:35 p.m.

MILWAUKEE (AP) -- A Milwaukee group of fans of Japanese cartoon style animation say they expect 4,000 people for their local convention next year.

Anime Milwaukee Convention organizers say the convention will include costume contests, educational panels, video game and board game contests and anime viewing rooms for new and popular shows.

The sixth-annual convention runs Feb. 15 through Feb. 17.

The Japanese Animation Association founded the group at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee but spokeswoman Crystal Hampton says they working to branch out as a separate nonprofit.

Anime is a multibillion dollar industry ranging from TV, DVDs and video games to toys and trinkets. It explores a surreal world of fantasy and science fiction.

Copyright 2012: Associated Press