what is a anime convention

by Lyda Kerluke 8 min read
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An anime convention is an event or gathering with a primary focus on anime, manga

Manga

Manga are comics or graphic novels created in Japan or by creators in the Japanese language, conforming to a style developed in Japan in the late 19th century. They have a long and complex pre-history in earlier Japanese art.

and Japanese culture. Commonly, anime conventions are multi-day events hosted at convention centers, hotels or college campuses. They feature a wide variety of activities and panels.

Full Answer

What is the biggest anime convention in the US?

Anime Central is the largest anime convention in the American Midwest, and takes place in springtime each year. Guests from the Gaming and Manga industries and Japanese pop culture icons come to visit and meet fans at the convention, and other interactivities are available in between.

What are some anime conventions?

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When is the next anime convention?

The Next Evolution of Anime Convention Register Today! June 10, 2022 – June 12, 2022 AnimeNEXT News Check out our NEXT News for regular updates and more information & how to get involved! Click Here AC Convention Center, Atlantic City, New Jersey

When is anime con?

Anime Conventions. SUPERSHOW CON LONG ISLAND HOLIDAY SPECTACULAR. Westbury , NY. Nov 27, 2021. Anime Frontier. Fort Worth , TX. Dec 3-5, 2021. WasabiCon's Holiday Marketplace. St. Augustine , FL.

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What happens at an anime convention?

Anime conventions often have panels, which are open ended discussions involving some pre-determined topic, usually related in at least some way to anime. Panels usually come in two segments, the host puts on a presentation or does an interview with a guest, and then the fans are asked to give questions.

What does anime convention mean?

Anime conventions are events for fans of anime (Japanese animation) and other related media, such as manga (Japanese comic books) and video games, to gather and share there interests.

Can an 11 year old go to an anime convention?

These wristbands are optional; though we do highly recommend them as a safety precaution. Ages 6-13: Child badges have the same access as a 4-day badge. Attendees age 13 years old and under must be accompanied by a parent or guardian over the age of 18 for the duration of their time at the event.

Are anime conventions fun?

Anime Conventions – like all conventions of this nature – are a lot of fun! There's even opportunities for Live Action Role-Playing (aka LARP). So don't be afraid to explore and take advantage of every part of the convention you can.

Can a 10 year old go to a cosplay convention?

COSPLAY IS AN ALL-AGES EVENT. There will have one competition for children 13 and under and then a contest for anyone else entered.

Why do people go to anime conventions?

Meet and interact with other anime fans Anime conventions are a great place to meet other people who share your interests. You can make new friends, learn about different aspects of Japanese culture, and get recommendations for new anime and manga to check out.

Is there an age limit for cosplay?

As cosplay has become more mainstream and accessible, people have been able to enter the world of costume creation at younger ages. On average, cosplayers wear their first costume to a convention at age 21. However, there is no age limit for cosplay.

Do you have to pay for anime conventions?

Smaller anime conventions usually cost around $30 for a pre-registered badge. Larger conventions can cost $50-$60 for a badge. You may also need to factor renting a hotel room or a home stay, as well as transportation, such as airplane tickets or parking and gas for a car.

Are cosplay conventions safe?

Contrary to their reputation, anime and comic conventions are actually pretty safe. This is especially true over the past decade as anti-harassment policies have been put in place and groups have worked to bring awareness to issues of consent to photographs and hugs.

What do you do at your first anime convention?

10 Essential Tips For Surviving Your First Anime Convention,...10 Cosplay Safety. ... 9 Consent. ... 8 Know the Weather. ... 7 Drink Water. ... 6 Plan A Breakable Experience. ... 5 Prepare for Emergencies. ... 4 Please Be Clean. ... 3 Stay Safe.More items...•

What is the biggest anime convention?

Biggest Anime Conventions In The World1 Japan Expo, France.2 Anime Matsuri, Houston. ... 3 AniMinneapolis, Minnesota. ... 4 Anime Expo, Los Angeles. ... 5 Montreal Comiccon, Canada. ... 6 Comic Fiesta, Malaysia. ... 7 Polymanga, Switzerland. ... 8 Sakura-Con, Seattle. ... More items...•

What do you do at a convention?

5 fun things to do at conventions that won't make your wallet cryPanels - Panels can be awesome fun. ... Play some games - A lot of conventions will have console setups in place. ... Chill out zones - Be sure to look this up before you head to a con but some shows have their own chill out zone.More items...•

What do people dress up in at a convention?

People dress up in the most outrageous of outfits, including, but not limited to, kimonos, Japanese school uniforms, tutus, Victorian dresses or suits, and various cosplay outfits. While not all attendees are nerds, geeks or the like there are a great many, and are very fun to talk to. As are most other convention people.

What does "cosplay" mean in anime?

noun. a place for people who like anime to hang out and talk about it. many dress up as their favorite anime characters i.e. cosplay. it is a freakshow of sorts for normal people to see but it is not that bad really. most are not otaku, just watch out for the fat old ones -wink-. most people there would look normal or semi-normal in a regular setting. contradictory to popular belief, not all fans there are completley obsessed, they are just there to have fun. you can pretty much talk to anyone and they are friendly.

What is a Japanese anime convention?

A Gathering where fans of Japanese Animation and Video Games unite. It has the typical geeky convention vibe, as most conventions do. You will find your fair share of cosplayers, crossplayers, and wapanese. But, not everyone there is wapanese, many are regular folk that enjoy Anime.

7 Anime Japan, Tokyo

One of the biggest anime festivals in the world would have to be in Tokyo, and this event has consistently hosted more than 100,000 guests every year since it started in 2014. The 2020 event was canceled, but the most recent 2021 convention was successfully held online, and planners are hoping to get back to normal in 2022.

6 Madman Anime Festival, Australia

The biggest anime event on the smallest continent, the Madman Anime Festival tends to rotate between Australia's major cities for location. The first festival was held in Melbourne in 2016, with Perth, Brisbane, and Sydney taking turns in the years since.

5 Sakura-Con, Seattle

One of the biggest and most popular events to be held annually in the entire Pacific Northwest, Sakura-Con is scheduled for a weekend in April at the Washington State Convention Center for 2022. This convention is famous for its massive cosplay participation, card game competitions, parties, raves, and even a masquerade ball.

4 Comic Fiesta, Malaysia

One of the biggest anime conventions in Asia outside of Japan, Comic Fiesta is held every December in Kuala Lampur.

3 Anime Expo, Los Angeles

Also known as AX, this popular convention is hosted by Society for the Promotion of Japanese Animation (SPJA) every year, often in the summer. New York and Anaheim have also hosted this event, but it's usually held in LA, and in 2022, it's scheduled to take place there again.

2 Anime Matsuri, Houston

Not to be outdone by the folks in California or the Pacific Northwest, the heart of America has its own massive anime expo. What's even more fun about this convention is that it supports a related holiday event that takes place in Florida in December and Matsuricon, another anime convention that takes place in Columbus, Ohio.

1 Japan Expo, France

This isn't just a celebration of anime, video games, and manga, but an exposition of Japanese culture in general. People who are enthusiasts of Japanese cooking, history, cuisine, and clothing will enjoy the Japan Expo as much as the typical anime fan.

What is the largest anime convention in the world?

Anime Expo is the largest anime convention in the world by attendance. It was originally called “Anime Con” and it is known for bringing an increased number of western gaming elements into the event atmosphere alongside the celebration of Japanese culture and anime.

What is anime and manga?

Anime and Manga, or Japanese animation and comics, have drawn a huge number of fans from around the world. People just can’t get enough of the styles, characters, and fictitious worlds that Japanese media brings to life! Unsurprisingly, events that promote the celebration of fandoms and Japanese pop culture often draw in huge numbers ...

How many people attended Otakon?

Source: wikimedia.org. Otakon might have had humble beginnings with an attendance of approximately 300 people during its first year, but its numbers have climbed much higher since then! Otakorp Inc., which organizes Otakon each year, is an educational non-profit and includes educational elements throughout the event.

How long is Sakura Con?

The organization runs programs and activities 24 hours a day for the duration of the three-day convention! Sakura-con also includes a number of fundraisers to support charities such as the Make-A-Wish Foundation.

Does anime matsuri pay guests?

These problems include the owners of Anime Matsuri failing to pay guests for their appearances or even provide them with food, requiring them to rely on fans for help.

1. Learn what to expect

The first thing to do when attending a convention is to learn what to expect. Some conventions are different than others depending on the size of the convention!

2. Plan what to spend money on

Sometimes conventions can be cheap, and sometimes they can be expensive. Conventions that have a free ConSuite or ConSweet (TM) offer free snacks and sodas through the weekend so that you can recharge and save money. If you have to buy beverages from the hotel then expect prices to be higher than elsewhere.

3. Make your costumes well in advance

Costumes are optional! However it can be really fun to dress up as your favorite anime villain and terrorize the convention. Note that most conventions have policies against destructive behavior - actual villain behavior is not allowed.

4. Eat healthy and hydrate

It's super easy to get so caught up in convention events that you forget to eat and drink plenty of water. So remember to drink water and snack throughout the day so that you don't collapse. This is especially important if you go to the convention dance or if you have a heavy costume.

5. Be safe

If you're younger, bring a responsible adult with you to the convention. Make sure that someone is reachable in case of emergency by programming the emergency contact in your phone or having it written on a card in your wallet. Also make sure that you can be reached in case a family member is looking for you.

6. Expect the unexpected

Sometimes guests cancel at the last minute (flight cancellations are happening more and more frequently last minute). Or sometimes panels won't happen that you expected. Try not to plan your entire convention experience around just one event, in case something happens to that event.

7. Bring friends with you

Conventions are definitely social events! Dressing up in costume and hanging out with friends who like the same series is a huge part of the experience. If you love anime, video games, comic books, Disney movies, or anything else, enjoying it with others is more fun.

What if I haven't attended a comic convention?

I kid you not. These events are some of the most enjoyable, cathartic, interesting, inspiring, and exhausting activties in which one can engage.

Can you dress up in anime?

If you're a true fan, you'll not only attend comic conventions and anime conventions, but also attend them in costume. Dressing up in costume, known as cosplaying, is one of the coolest and most enjoyable things you can do at an anime or comic conveniton! If you have the time and resources, I recommend you really put some work into your costume.

Is Halloween good for cosplay?

Sure, Halloween is good for costumes, but convention cosplay brings costume-wearing to an entirely new level. When taking photos at conventions, take full advantage of the front of the convention center and areas near entrances when shooting.

Do anime conventions have excuses?

Anime conventions and comic cons would not have much of an excuse for existing if they did not bring in interesting speakers and personalities, and these panels and appearances make up a huge proportion of these events' draw.

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Overview

An anime convention is an event or gathering with a primary focus on anime, manga and Japanese culture. Commonly, anime conventions are multi-day events hosted at convention centers, hotels or college campuses. They feature a wide variety of activities and panels, with a larger number of attendees participating in cosplay than most other types of fan conventions. Anime conve…

History

Anime conventions have a long and varied worldwide history. The original Comiket, mostly based on fan published manga called dōjinshi, started in 1975 with around 700 people in Tokyo. In recent years, Comiket has attracted over a half million people. Conventions in Japan are heavily sponsored by studios or publishing companies and are used as platforms for new releases. In addition to Japan, convention officials at venues such as AnimeJapan have been trying to reach …

Guests

Anime conventions typically feature a guest list as part of their makeup. A guest can be an industry figure, some notable examples include director Hiroyuki Kanbe, author Tsukasa Fushimi, and Kazuma Miki from Ascii Media Works. In 2013 they screened for the first time the final three episodes from the second season of Oreimo. Guests can also include artists and performers, some notable examples of these include Kazuki Takahashi, creator of Yu-Gi-Oh!. An anime conve…

Anime convention events

Anime conventions often have panels, which are open ended discussions involving some pre-determined topic, usually related in at least some way to anime. Panels usually come in two segments, the host puts on a presentation or does an interview with a guest, and then the fans are asked to give questions. The topic scope for panels is varied and can include things from manga to upc…

See also

• List of anime conventions
• Otaku Unite!, a 2004 documentary on otaku, with coverage of anime conventions

External links

• AnimeCons.com
• UpcomingCons.com Anime Cons List