Cosplay is a shortened form of "costume play," a term that refers to an activity in which people dress and act as their favorite fictional characters. These characters typically hail from anime series, but can come from other sources as well. Cosplay participants interact with one another to continue existing story lines or create their own in a dramatic and entertaining fashion. Invite a group of friends to participate in an interactive cosplay event. Get together beforehand to have a group costume-making session in which each person prepares an outfit representing his favorite character.
Much of the appeal of anime has to do with its specific artistic style. Celebrate the artwork behind anime series by participating in a drawing session. You could host your own anime workshop among friends, or you could investigate courses being offered in your area. Practice your skills by creating your own artistic interpretations of existing characters, or invent your own characters and plots using the typical anime drawing style. A similar idea could be to join forces with friends to create your own anime series.
Many anime series have corresponding card games; some specific examples include the popular Pokemon and Yu-Gi-Oh! franchises. If you and your friends enjoy these kinds of card games, consider hosting a competition. The competition duration could vary depending on the game you select, so if you don't think you'll be able to complete the competition in a day, consider making it an ongoing event on certain days each week. Create your own brackets to try and determine whose skills will reign supreme, and serve anime-themed refreshments like character-shaped cookies or traditional Japanese fare.
Plan an anime movie marathon for friends and family to enjoy your favorite titles. Select movies that are age-appropriate for the audience. Some anime films are meant for adults only, but there are a variety of kid-friendly titles like "My Neighbor Totoro" that would be suitable for younger viewers. If it's a nice night, consider screening the films outdoors using a projector and a large white sheet as the background. Otherwise, hunker down indoors for your movie marathon, offering your guests traditional Japanese snacks like chocolate biscuit sticks or wasabi peas.