Caped crusaders, aliens and anime characters took over the Manatee County Central Library for the fifth annual Mana-Con event Saturday.

About 1,600 people, both young and young at heart, came to Mana-Con to use their imaginations and have a lot of fun. While there were some villains, others dressed as crime-fighting heroes.

Mason Ware, 8, dressed as Captain America. He says he loves superheroes.

“They save the world and they beat the bad people and then they put them in jail," he said.

The event also celebrated anime. Anime lover Philomena Gabriel, 16, made her costume. She said that at Mana-Con, people can be who they want to be.

“There are so many people who are just being themselves," she said. "I love seeing it!”

Some also used Saturday’s event to make a difference. The proceeds from Japan Charity Craft Stand will go to the families in Japan affected by the 2011 tsunami.

“So many people lost houses and relatives, mother and father," volunteer Noriko Hines said.

The event was filled with activities like a karate show, arts and crafts, face paining and karaoke. It also promoted fun in the library with the hope  of getting kids to come back and pick up a book.

“A lot of fun, seeing new things that you haven’t really saw before," Mason said.

Event staff said Mana-Con is the largest library-sponsored comics convention in Florida.