a message from anime matsuri's ceo

What is Anime Matsuri?

Anime Matsuri is an annual three-day anime convention traditionally held during spring at the George R. Brown Convention Center in Houston, Texas. The convention's name comes from the Japanese word 'matsuri' meaning festival. Based on self-reported attendance numbers, Anime Matsuri is the 2nd largest North American anime convention as of 2017.

What happened to Anime Matsuri Hawaii 2016 convention?

"Anime Matsuri Hawaii cancels 2016 convention". Honolulu Star Advertiser. Retrieved 28 May 2017. ^ "Anime Matsuri Hawaii 2015 Information". AnimeCons.com. Retrieved 2016-01-05.

What is Boycott Anime Matsuri?

Boycott Anime Matsuri was formed in 2018 to inform about the conventions past actions, with guests such as Johnny Yong Bosch, Steven Universe voice actors, and Femm later canceling. Leigh also apologized for his past actions.

Where is Anime Matsuri held in Houston?

The convention in 2015 remained at the George R. Brown Convention Center and used the first and most of the second floors. Anime Matsuri 2020 was moved from July to August due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and was later canceled after Houston announced the city would be holding no more events in 2020.

Why was Matsuri 2020 canceled?

Anime Matsuri 2020 was moved from July to August due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and was later canceled after Houston announced the city would be holding no more events in 2020.

Where is the anime convention in Ohio?

Anime Matsuri is an annual four-day anime convention traditionally held during spring at the George R. Brown Convention Center in Houston, Texas. The convention's name comes from the Japanese word ' matsuri ' meaning festival.

Did Matsuri Hawaii return in 2016?

Yuegene Fay, a cosplayer, was unable to make a guest appearance due to immigration issues. Anime Matsuri Hawaii did not return in 2016.

Who are the founders of Matsuri?

The founders of Matsuri, John and Deneice Leigh, had approached Skrobarczyk a few months earlier, wanting to partner with Delta H Con to share the cost of bringing Spade to Houston.

Who forfeited the anime matsuri charter?

That year was also when Anime Matsuri forfeited its charter with the Texas Secretary of State.

Why did Matsuri leave the Woodlands Waterway?

Matsuri was leaving The Woodlands Waterway Marriott simply because it had outgrown that facility. Curiously, though, Harris County Court records show the Waterway as suing Matsuri for $14,000 in unpaid room rates and restaurant expenses. The Waterway later withdrew its suit.

Where did Deneice and John go to expand Matsuri?

Shortly after the accusations of sexual harassment involving John started appearing online, he and Deneice flew to Hawaii, where they are hoping to expand Matsuri by holding a convention there. Previously they’ve also sponsored Lolita events in Germany, looking to bring the Matsuri experience to Europe. At a meet-and-greet in Hawaii, Matsuri waved away the harassment allegations, a local promoter who attended told us. John has resigned as a Kawaii Ambassador, a significant position in the Lolita community, and prominent figures on the anime circuit such as Glass and the Japanese fashion model Minori continue to cut ties with Matsuri and refuse to work with the convention.

Did Matsuri pay a vendor?

The amount of litigation revolving around Matsuri continues to grow, though. In 2011, Matsuri didn’t pay a vendor the $10,000 he says it owed him. R.G.G. Services, Inc. provided security for Anime Matsuri at the convention when it was hosted at the Crowne Plaza Houston Hotel near Reliant Park. By that point, Matsuri was reporting attendance numbers nearly double those of its first convention. Later that year, R.G.G. sued Matsuri for the unpaid invoice, and this time the complaint made it to trial. The judge ruled against the Leighs and they were ordered to pay. When we contacted R.G.G. regarding the case, a representative told us the company had no comment.

Who is Mike Udompongsuk?

Mike Udompongsuk, a Houston laser technician for a medical company, had two things when he met the Leighs and became involved in Matsuri: access to a significant amount of money and a dream for Houston to have a first-rate annual anime convention. According to Udompongsuk, Matsuri used the latter to relieve him of the former.

Who convinced Udompongsuk to make Matsuri?

Udompongsuk considers Deneice the driving force of what became Matsuri. He rarely saw John, who often spent his time off the floor of Planet Zero in the office. It was Deneice who convinced him that they could ready a new convention in less than a year, and it was again Deneice who got Udompongsuk to hand over five figures.

Who is the CEO of anime matsuri?

On February 2, John Leigh wrote a message as the CEO of Anime Matsuri published on the Anime Matsuri blog regarding the legal action and past accusations of sexual harassment. For the group who call themselves Boycott Anime Matsuri it’s all too little too late.

Where is the anime matsuri convention?

Taking place each year at the George R. Brown Convention Center in Houston, Texas, the convention helps to bring thousands to the Lone Star State. Anime Matsuri 2018 is scheduled from March 30 ...

Why are anime dismissed?

communities have been shouting about these problems for years, but have been dismissed due to lack of evidence, lack of public statements from victims, or a general lack of public awareness and concern for the problem of sexual harassment.

When did the group "MeToo" organize?

Encouraged in part by the #MeToo and #Time’sUp movements, the group decided to organize in early 2018.