Over 4,500 anime fans converged on Baltimore over the July 4 weekend for Otakon 1999, the United States' second largest anime convention. Crescent Blues reporter Lynn I. Miller and photographer Ward Rinehart were there and offered this sampler of the weekend's events. Miller's in-depth report on Otakon surprises and stars will follow soon. (All photos by Ward Rinehart. Click on each image for a full-sized view and caption.)