RETRO MATSURI is New England’s Throwback Anime and Video Gaming Convention, celebrating the nostalgia of classic Japanese animation, retro gaming, and vintage fandom culture. From fuzzy CRT monitors and classic console tournaments to screenings of beloved anime from the ’80s, ’90s, and early 2000s, Retro Matsuri invites fans to rediscover the magic that sparked their passions.
We’re aiming for a blend of old-school style with modern community energy. Panels, cosplay, collectibles, vintage exhibits, up and coming artists, and a place to share your passions with friends new and old alike.
History
Retro Matsuri was first conceived by our founders while they were loading equipment out of another anime convention, called “Another Anime Convention“, which was at the time held in New Hampshire. The vision was simple: a convention where we looked to the roots and origins of anime and video games, which have become a pop cultural phenomenon but which were once relegated to the outskirts of society.
This was many years ago. The folks who would become the founders of Retro Matsuri hung out together frequently, dreaming about the convention that they did not have time to actually start. They had babies and moved and changed jobs and did adult things. There was no time for merriment.
Then, in 2024, they had a realization which was not at all influenced by King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard: if not now, then when?
They put their big kid boots on and started RETRO MATSURI in 2025. A couple hundred people came. They sang Laserdisc karaoke and played Quake. It was a hoot. And we’re doing it again.