World Famous Live Entertainment!
From high-adrenaline sword fights and fire breathing, to interactive theatrical events and sketch comedy, there’s always something amazing to watch at METROCON! We’re focused on creating and sharing theme-park-style experiences and shows – immersion and entertainment are in our DNA, and it’s motivated us to create a unique convention experience unlike any other. Starting with the very first Anime Human Chess Match in 2004, METROCON has been bringing high-quality cosplay entertainment to the convention scene for over twenty years, and we’re teaming up with new groups from all over the country to join the roster of our in-house productions. You won’t want to miss any of these signature shows and events – learn more about each show by clicking below!
ALL-NEW Anime Action Spectacular!
METROCON has a long history of high-intensity live-action cosplay entertainment. Starting in 2004, METROCON produced the VERY FIRST Anime Human Chess Match – after over two decades of producing and expanding on that format, we’re upping the game even further and evolving!
DREAM/fight LIVE! is an all-new show at METROCON – we’re still taking your favorite characters and pitting them against each other in an ultimate dream match for the fate of the universe, but expect to see NEW thrills, NEW stunts, and even more of the action you know and love in METROCON’s fight show. DREAM/fight LIVE! also features a fully custom, integrated, and stunt-ready set, and promises to be a fully immersive multi-media adventure through time and space.
DREAM/fight LIVE! 2024 Info
War looms on the horizon! King Barnabas, famed Conqueror and King of Waloed, has made an offer to the nations that border his own: his armies stand poised to wage war on their lands. If these regal rulers wish to spare their people the cost of war, then they must present their champions to fight as gladiators. The stakes? Only the winning ruler will keep their crown…
With twists and turns, romance, and high fantasy adventure – DREAM/fight LIVE! promises for an exciting inaugural year with 2024’s Theme – SWORDS & SORCERY! Enjoy classic fantasy sword fights, incredible magic, and even a monster or two! Cheer on your favorite champions, and with any luck, your faction will be victorious!
DREAM/fight LIVE! takes place in Main Events, in the West Hall of the Convention Center. Check our programming schedule for specific showtimes and days!
Choreographed REAL Fire Dancing and Fire Breathing!
The METRO Fire Show is a themed live-fire performance, choreographed to a fitting soundtrack, that is sure to astound all of the senses and keep you at the edge of your seat. The show includes live fire-breathing, as well as fire dancing with poi, staff, rope dart, juggling, and the occasional twelve–foot–tall fire–breathing dragon (no, really, it happened in 2016!).
The METRO Fire Show is an immersive video and audio experience as well – leveraging 200′ of projected video and a full concert lighting and sound system, there truly is no other fire show like this one!
METRO Fire Show 2024 Info
The Dragon. Vlad Țepeș. The Count.
Dracula.
The legacy of blood – of him – runs strong through the veins of many creatures. The visions of a traveler through time give us a glimpse at the many faces of the beast, as the story of Dracula is told through the veil of flames.
Join us for this year’s dark fire extravaganza, Fire Show: Bloodlines, where Saint-Germain gives us a vision through time, recounting the many faces of Dracula, as well as the stories of his offspring, and the many who have fallen in their quest to bury the fanged menace once and for all. The show features music and stories heavily inspired by tales such as Castlevania, Hellsing, Vampire Hunter D, and many of your other bloody favorites!
The METRO Fire Show takes place Friday and Saturday night of the convention, in the Main Events Room (West Hall). Check out our full schedule for detailed times/listings.
Presented by the METRO Night Live Crew!
Princess Mononoke. Spirited Away. Ponyo. The classics of Studio Ghibli…
…all about to be butchered in a magical way you never thought possible.
Every film, every plot – in one hour or less (we think…).
Strap on your aprons, artists. We’re working overtime tonight.
We’re excited to bring fans an ENCORE PERFORMANCE of the highly-celebrated (and widely questioned) inaugural year of our “Abridged” format. This year, MNL once again Presents “The Complete Works of Studio Ghibli (Abridged)” – now with a (slightly) bigger budget, and a (much) larger space, we’re scaling things up for Ghibli: Abridged to dizzying new heights – more cardboard, more props, new jokes, and a whole new Ghibli movie that released since the last time we did this show!?!
Drawing great inspiration from the famous “Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged)”, a small cast stretched thin enough to snap will attempt to recreate the entire works of the famous Studio Ghibli in as complete a form as possible all in just about one hour.
As they race to the finish line, know this: no character is safe, and no treasured moment will go untouched. Expect at least a mild amount of audience interaction, and no small attempt at prop humor, amid wildly varying degrees of accurate adaptation, and at least several regrettable choices made by writers and actors who have (probably, definitely) seen these films at least one time.
Be sure to join us and clap LOUDLY for this comedic endeavor – or we’ll never turn your parents back into their human form!
Live from Downtown Tampa it’s METRO Night Live!
