FANS of cult Japanese animations should be drawn to Tyneside next month for the first of two national conventions.

Newcastle United’s St James’ Park is playing host to a day of gaming and demonstrations, with associated stalls and talks related to anime or manga comic art forms.

Enthusiasts from across the country, many expected to be dressed as their favourite cult comic character, are expected to attend the now annual event, which is a precursor to a larger three-day convention to be staged at the stadium, next summer.

Both are organised by Sunderland-based SunnyCon, which is responding to a surge in popularity of the Japanese cartoon, tv, video game and comic book characters.

SunnyCon ambassador Michael Tuckwell said: “This is our fifth year and the events just get bigger and bigger.

“We’ve completely outgrown all our previous venues, which is testament to the popularity of Japanese animation.

“We’re really excited about moving across the water to St James’ Park, because, not only is it one of the UK’s biggest and most iconic football stadiums, but it gives us the capacity and flexibility to expand the event and open it up to more people than ever before.”

Day tickets for the September 13 ‘mini-con’, which runs from 9.30am to 5pm, cost £15, while a full weekend ticket for next June’s convention are available for £25, with single-day access priced at £17 per day.

Tickets for both events can be purchased via www.sunnycon.co.uk