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Anime comes to life at Ramencon Comic Convention

Lynn Gumeer and Dan McLain could’ve picked anywhere to have their “Sword Art Online”-themed wedding.

They chose to share their special day Friday with a couple hundred of their closest friends during the 5th Annual Ramencon Comic Convention at the Radisson in Merrillville. The bride, of Oak Lawn, Ill., wore a shimmering pink kimono, just like her favorite character, Asuna, wore during her wedding to Kirito in the series’ first season. McLain, of Hobart, donned a white tuxedo.

For the uninitiated, “Sword Art Online” started as a Japanese light novel that later became an animated TV show and a few video games.

The wedding ushered in the popular conference’s first milestone, said Bill Jarvis, of Schererville, whose son, Chris Jarvis, created Ramencon. Relegated to the hotel’s upper ballrooms when it started, the fans, many in cartoon character costumes, will fill the hotel over the three-day weekend, and they hope to expand even further next year.

“We’re kind of hoping they’ll let us have the theater next year, too, for some of the events we hold,” said Suzy Gonzalez, Chris Jarvis’ sister, who helps him out each year.

As many as 2,600 fans are expected this year, organizers said.

Bill Jarvis said Chris and his daughter, Kimberly, have been anime fans for at least 10 years, and there are many things they could be into that wouldn’t be nearly as fun.

“I think it’s fantastic,” Bill Jarvis said. “It gives the kids the opportunity to socialize where they might not be comfortable otherwise. You can see their personalities just come out when they interact with other characters.”

Koty Flora, of North Liberty, had someone in mind for a little murderous action. Dressed as “Jeff the Killer” from the Creepy Pasta horror website, Flora, 21, was on the hunt for a “Slenderman” so the two could battle.

Flora and pals Amber Furlong, 18, of North Liberty, and Dylan Roberts, 24, of Merrillville, love conferences for their “come as you like and be who you want” vibe.

“It’s a ‘no judgment’ zone,” Furlong said. “People will look at you and say, ‘Yeah, that’s cool, more power to you,’ where at home, they look at us like, ‘What are you doing?'”

Jon St. John, a voice actor from California who’s best known as the voice of Duke Nuke’em, has been voicing video games since 2000. His favorite part of it all is the unconditional love.

“How many jobs are there where you have this kind of fan base?” he said. “I’m flown places to party and do panels, and I meet all kinds of wonderful people. Who wouldn’t want this job?”

The newly hitched McLains, who’ve been together four years, have participated in many conferences, but Ramencon for them has special meaning

“This is where we solidified our relationship,” Dan McLain said. “It’s always been our favorite.”

So how do newlyweds spend the weekend after becoming husband and wife? By changing into different “Sword Art Online” costumes and continuing on with the party.

“This is our little honeymoon before the honeymoon,” Lynn Gumeer McLain said.

Michelle L. Quinn is a freelance reporter for the Post-Tribune.