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FanimeCon

Coordinates: 37°19′43″N 121°53′20″W / 37.32861°N 121.88889°W / 37.32861; -121.88889
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
"Fanime" redirects here. For scarcity of food in a region, see famine.
FanimeCon
2019 entrance
StatusActive
GenreAnime, Japanese popular culture[1]
VenueSan Jose McEnery Convention Center
Location(s)San Jose, California
CountryUnited States
InauguratedJune 14, 1994; 30 years ago (1994-06-14)
Attendance28,000 in 2024[2]
Organized byFoundation for Anime and Niche Subcultures[3]
Websitewww.fanime.com Edit this at Wikidata

FanimeCon is an annual four-day anime convention held during May at the San Jose McEnery Convention Center in San Jose, California, over Memorial Day weekend.[4][5]

Programming

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The convention typically offers an AMV contest, artist's alley, contests, cosplay chess, dances, dealer's room, formal ball, game room (arcade, console, PC, and tabletop), karaoke, maid cafe, masquerade, panels, screenings, a swap meet, tournaments, and workshops.[4][6][7][8] The convention offers 24-hour programming, including gaming and video.[7][9]

FanimeCon held an art auction for the charity Habitat for Humanity in 2004.[10] Charities that FanimeCon supported in 2011 included the American Red Cross of Silicon Valley, APA Family Support Services of San Francisco, Cancer Support Community, and Japanese Red Cross Society.[11]

History

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FanimeCon was first held in 1994 at California State University, Hayward, being run by several anime clubs.[6][12] Foothill College would also host the convention until moving to the Wyndham Hotel in San Jose for 1999.[4][13] From 2000 to 2003 the Santa Clara Convention Center hosted FanimeCon. In 2004, FanimeCon moved to the San Jose McEnery Convention Center.[4] That year, the convention brought US$5 million to the local economy, growing to an estimated US$8.7 million in 2013, and US$10.5 million in 2014.[14][15][16]

Problems with the convention in 2009 included Christian protests and over purchasing of artist alley tables, with the protesters also returning in 2010.[4][17] In 2011, Saturday saw three hour registration waits, problems with the convention not using a printed schedule, outside religious protesters, and the Marriott fire alarm being pulled on Monday morning.[7][18] Registration was affected in 2012 by a power outage.[9] FanimeCon's 20th anniversary in 2014 was marked by San Jose having Fanime Day on May 23, 2014.[15] The masquerade in 2015 suffered from technical issues.[19] FanimeCon's masquerade for 2016 was scheduled to run for five hours.[20] FanimeCon 2020 was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[21][22] FanimeCon was changed to a virtual event for 2021.[3][23] In 2022 FanimeCon returned to being a live event at the San Jose McEnery Convention Center,[24] with reduced hours of operation.[25]

In February of 2024 the convention had significant numbers of staff quit due to accusations of improper treatment[26]and mishandling of allegations of harassment,[27][28] further impacting the conventions hours of operation at the annual Memorial day weekend event, notably shaving a full 24 hours from gaming hall availability.[29]

Event history

[edit]
Dates Location Atten. Guests
June 19, 1994[30] California State University, Hayward
Hayward, California		200
February 25, 1995 California State University, Hayward
Hayward, California		350Carl Gustav Horn and Frederik L. Schodt.[31]
February 14, 1996 Foothill College
Los Altos Hills, California		775Greg Espinoza, Allen Hastings, Carl Gustav Horn, Frederik L. Schodt, Toren Smith, and Toshifumi Yoshida.[32]
March 8, 1997 Foothill College
Los Altos Hills, California		1,200Allen Hastings, Carl Gustav Horn, Frederik L. Schodt, Toren Smith, and Hiroyuki Yamaga.[33]
February 14–15, 1998 Foothill College
Los Altos Hills, California		1,700Allen Hastings, Kuni Kimura, Scott McNeil, and Hiroyuki Yamaga.[34]
March 19–21, 1999 Wyndham Hotel[4]
San Jose, California		2,000Steve Bennett, Allen Hastings, Mari Iijima, Gilles Poitras, and Hiroyuki Yamaga.[35]
February 24–27, 2000 Santa Clara Convention Center
Santa Clara, California		2,300Steve Bennett, Allen Hastings, Mari Iijima, Fred Patten, Gilles Poitras, Stan Sakai, and Hiroyuki Yamaga.[36]
March 30 – April 1, 2001 Santa Clara Convention Center
Santa Clara, California		3,500Steve Bennett, Tiffany Grant, Allen Hastings, Mari Iijima, Taliesin Jaffe, Jonathan Osborne, Fred Patten, Stan Sakai, Frederik L. Schodt, and Hiroyuki Yamaga.[37]
April 26–28, 2002 Santa Clara Convention Center
Santa Clara, California		4,600Takami Akai, Steve Bennett, Tiffany Grant, Carl Gustav Horn, Mari Iijima, Jonathan Osborne, Gilles Poitras, and Hiroyuki Yamaga.[38]
June 20–22, 2003 Santa Clara Convention Center
Santa Clara, California		5,40013-37, B! Machine, Laura Bailey, Steve Bennett, Blood, Akitaroh Daichi, Rebecca Forstadt, Allen Hastings, Sato Hiroki, Maria Kawamura, Tsurumaki Kazuya, Matt K. Miller, DJ MPU, Jonathan Osborne, Gilles Poitras, Kristine Sa, Yoshiyuki Sadamoto Secret Secret, Stephanie Sheh, Kari Wahlgren, Hiroyuki Yamaga, Reiko Yasuhara, and Takeda Yasuhiro.[39]
May 28–31, 2004 San Jose McEnery Convention Center
San Jose, California		6,122The Beautiful Losers, Blood, Camino, Duel Jewel, Fred Gallagher, Allen Hastings, Akemi Hayashi, You Higuri, Hiroaki Inoue, Jonathan Osborne, Gilles Poitras, Frederik L. Schodt, Nami Tamaki, J. Shanon Weaver, and Hiroyuki Yamaga.[40]
May 27–30, 2005 San Jose McEnery Convention Center
San Jose, California		10,438Steve Bennett, Kumiko Kato, Ric Meyers, Jonathan Osborne, Gilles Poitras, Ramen and Rice, Hiroyuki Yamaga, Maria Yamamoto, and ZZ.[41]
May 26–29, 2006 San Jose McEnery Convention Center
San Jose, California		10,000Akai SKY, Goofy Style, Kamijo, Ryoichi Koga, Miami, Takahiro Mizushima, Mothercoat, Ric Meyers, Jonathan Osborne, Gilles Poitras, Poplar, Rooster Teeth Productions, Asami Sanada, Swinging Popsicle, Kazuhiro Takamura, Up Hold, USA Musume, and Hiroyuki Yamaga.[42]
May 25–28, 2007 San Jose McEnery Convention Center
San Jose, California		12,000Crack 6, Greg Dean, Ryan Gavigan, Carl Gustav Horn, Mari Iijima, Sekihiko Inui, Karma Shenjing, Reuben Langdon, Derek Liu, Mechanical Panda, Ric Meyers, Jonathan Osborne, Gilles Poitras, Asami Sanada, Hiroyuki Yamaga, and ZZ.[43]
May 23–26, 2008 San Jose McEnery Convention Center
San Jose, California		14,926An Cafe, Ryan Gavigan, Carl Gustav Horn, Hidenobu Kiuchi, Reuben Langdon, Ric Meyers, Maika Netsu, Jonathan Osborne, Gilles Poitras, Dan Southworth, and Richard Waugh.[44]
May 22–25, 2009 San Jose McEnery Convention Center
San Jose, California		15,000Keith Burgess, Ryan Gavigan, Carl Gustav Horn, Ken Lally, Reuben Langdon, Patricia Ja Lee, Ric Meyers, Haruko Momoi, Jonathan Osborne, Gilles Poitras, and Hiroyuki Yamaga.[45]
May 28–31, 2010 San Jose McEnery Convention Center
San Jose, California		16,000Karen Dyer, Flow, Ryan Gavigan, Carl Gustav Horn, Daisuke Ishiwatari, Reuben Langdon, LM.C, Ric Meyers, Haruko Momoi, Toshimichi Mori, Jonathan Osborne, Gilles Poitras, Hiroyuki Yamaga, and Mamoru Yokota.[46]
May 27–30, 2011 San Jose McEnery Convention Center
San Jose, California		20,880Flow, Tohru Furuya, Gashicon, Ryusuke Hamamoto, Yoshiki Hayashi, Fumio Iida, Yuya Matsushita, Ric Meyers, Seiji Mizushima, Haruko Momoi, Gilles Poitras, Mamoru Yokota, and Takahiro Yoshimatsu.[47]
May 25–28, 2012 San Jose McEnery Convention Center
San Jose, California		21,000Mai Aizawa, Kia Asamiya, Igaguri Chiba, Shigeto Koyama, Ric Meyers, Gilles Poitras, David Vincent, Hiroyuki Yamaga, and Mamoru Yokota.[48]
May 24–27, 2013 San Jose McEnery Convention Center
San Jose, California		25,5427!!, Darrel Guilbeau, Tsuyoshi Nonaka, Takahiro Omori, Gilles Poitras, ROOKiEZ is PUNK'D, Yumi Sato, and Hiroyuki Yamaga.[49]
May 23–26, 2014 San Jose McEnery Convention Center
San Jose, California		Takami Akai, Kira Buckland, Home Made Kazoku, Hiroyuki Kanbe, Noir, Gilles Poitras, Raj Ramayya, Chantal Strand, J. Michael Tatum, and Hiroyuki Yamaga.[50]
May 22–25, 2015 San Jose McEnery Convention Center
San Jose, California		Back-On, Chalk Twins, Mel Hoppe, Marquis of Vaudeville, Ai Nonaka, Gilles Poitras, Cindy Robinson, Patrick Seitz, Christopher Corey Smith, Kazuhiro Soeta, and Hiroyuki Yamaga.[51]
May 27–30, 2016 San Jose McEnery Convention Center
San Jose, California		Aicosu, Da-iCE, Masaya Matsukaze, Gilles Poitras, Daisuke Sakaguchi, Cristina Vee, Yoshihiro Watanabe, Lisle Wilkerson, and Sky Williams.[52]
May 26–29, 2017 San Jose McEnery Convention Center
San Jose, California		Aicosu, Chris Cason, Hideo Ishikawa, Kanae Ito, Shigeto Koyama, Lauren Landa, Linda Le, Erica Mendez, Phoenix Ash, Doug Walker, X4, and Hiroyuki Yamaga.[53]
May 25–28, 2018 San Jose McEnery Convention Center
San Jose, California		30,735Aicosu, Chalk Twins, Caitlin Glass, Todd Haberkorn, Chikashi Kubota, Linda Le, nano, Ryotaro Okiayu, Gilles Poitras, and Satomi Sato.[54]
May 24–27, 2019 San Jose McEnery Convention Center
San Jose, California		34,000Aicosu, Nobutoshi Canna, D-Piddy, Aya Hirano, Toshihiro Kawamoto, Linda Le, Chris Patton, Phoenix Ash, Gilles Poitras, and Jad Saxton.[55]
May 28–31, 2021[3] Online convention
May 27–30, 2022 San Jose McEnery Convention Center
San Jose, California		Chad Hoku, Xanthe Huynh, Linda Le, Matthew "Maguma" Lewis, Keisuke Ueda, David Vincent, Aoi Yuki, and Alvin Zhou.[56]
May 26-29, 2023 San Jose McEnery Convention Center
San Jose, California		27,000 [57]Aicosu, Jirard Khalil, Hirokatsu Kihara, Linda Le, Kyle McCarley, Gilles Poitras, Jordana Robinson, and Yashafluff.[58]
May 24-27, 2024 San Jose McEnery Convention Center
San Jose, California		28,000 [59]Survive Said the Prophet, Hirokatsu Kihara, Linda Le, Casey Mongillo, MarkMan, Kira Buckland, Yuu Hayashi, Maguma, Gilles Poitras, and Belladonna.[60]
May 23-26, 2025 San Jose McEnery Convention Center
San Jose, California		TBD

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "FanimeCon Makes An Impact At The San Jose Convention Center". CBS SF Bay Area. June 1, 2011. Archived from the original on March 5, 2016. Retrieved 2015-08-09.
  2. ^ "FanimeCon 2024 Drew Over 28,000 Attendees". 8Bit/Digi.
  3. ^ a b c "FanimeCon 2021 Information". AnimeCons.com. Retrieved 2021-02-28.
  4. ^ a b c d e f Miller, Evan (May 25, 2009). "FanimeCon 2009". Anime News Network. Retrieved 2014-06-16.
  5. ^ Gerrity, Ashley (June 8, 2016). "Students suit up for anime convention in San Jose". The Piedmont Highlander. Retrieved 2016-06-14.
  6. ^ a b Manry, Gia (Jun 8, 2010). "FanimeCon 2010". Anime News Network. Retrieved 2015-08-08.
  7. ^ a b c Hong, William (July 9, 2011). "FanimeCon 2011: Overview and Cosplay Slideshow". asia pacific arts. University of Southern California. Archived from the original on 2015-05-26. Retrieved 2015-08-08.
  8. ^ Padilla, Chris (June 6, 2014). "Fanime takes over downtown". La Voz Weekly. Retrieved 2015-08-08.
  9. ^ a b Macatangay, Reinier (May 21, 2013). "Suit up and book a room for FanimeCon". California State University, Stanislaus Signal. Retrieved 2015-08-09.
  10. ^ Busack, Richard von (May 26, 2004). "Anime Ascent - Japanese style conquers the pop-culture world at FanimeCon in San Jose". Metroactive. Retrieved 2015-08-08.
  11. ^ "FanimeCon to kick off at San Jose McEnery Convention Center today". San Francisco Examiner. May 27, 2011. Archived from the original on April 9, 2024. Retrieved 2015-08-08.
  12. ^ May, Patrick (28 May 2007). "Animation nation". The Mercury News. Retrieved 9 June 2022.
  13. ^ Chun, Kimberly (February 13, 1998). "Fans Become Animated About Japanese-Style Cartoons". SFGate. Retrieved 2015-08-08.
  14. ^ "FanimeCon Breaks Records in New San Jose Location". Business Wire. June 4, 2004. Retrieved 2015-08-08.
  15. ^ a b "City declares Fanime Day in honor of Fanimecon's Platinum Anniversary". Team San Jose. May 23, 2014. Archived from the original on September 19, 2015. Retrieved 2015-08-09.
  16. ^ Lynch, Shana (May 24, 2013). "19,115 anime fanatics descend on San Jose for FanimeCon (Video)". Silicon Valley Business Journal. Retrieved 2015-08-09.
  17. ^ O'Mara, O'Mara (June 8, 2010). "FANIME 2010 - It's Not Just About the Anime Anymore". Otaku USA. Retrieved 2015-08-09.
  18. ^ Miller, Evan (May 29, 2011). "FanimeCon 2011". Anime News Network. Retrieved 2015-08-08.
  19. ^ Delahanty, Patrick; Daugherty, Stephen (June 8, 2015). "FanimeCon 2015 Report". AnimeCons TV. Retrieved 2018-06-25.
  20. ^ Delahanty, Patrick (May 24, 2016). "If your costume contest is five hours long, you're doing it wrong". AnimeCons.com. Retrieved 2016-06-20.
  21. ^ Antonio, Rafael Antonio (April 13, 2020). "Fanime Convention Defers Event to Next Year". Anime News Network. Retrieved 13 April 2020.
  22. ^ "FanimeCon 2020 Information". AnimeCons.com. Retrieved 2020-04-22.
  23. ^ Hazra, Adriana (February 24, 2021). "FanimeCon Goes Virtual for its 2021 Event". Anime News Network. Retrieved 1 March 2021.
  24. ^ "Welcome Back To FanimeCon 2022! We Missed You!". FanimeCon. 2024-05-24. Retrieved 2024-06-04.
  25. ^ "Announcing FanimeCon 2022 Schedule, Hours, and More!". FanimeCon. 2024-05-24. Retrieved 2024-06-04.
  26. ^ Tai, Anita (3 March 2024). "FanimeCon 2024 Hosts Voice Actor Yuu Hayashi". Anime News Network. Retrieved 31 May 2024.
  27. ^ "Failed by Fanime". failedbyfanime.com. Retrieved 2024-06-04.
  28. ^ "FanimeCon Board of Directors' Statement on Resignations and Harassment Claims". FanimeCon. 2024-05-24. Retrieved 2024-06-04.
  29. ^ "FanimeCon Gaming Hall 2024 Experience". FanimeCon. 2024-05-24. Retrieved 2024-06-04.
  30. ^ "FanimeCon 1994 Information". AnimeCons.com. Retrieved 2018-06-25.
  31. ^ "FanimeCon 1995 Information". AnimeCons.com. Retrieved 2018-06-25.
  32. ^ "FanimeCon 1996 Information". AnimeCons.com. Retrieved 2018-06-25.
  33. ^ "FanimeCon 1997 Information". AnimeCons.com. Retrieved 2018-06-25.
  34. ^ "FanimeCon 1998 Information". AnimeCons.com. Retrieved 2018-06-25.
  35. ^ "FanimeCon 1999 Information". AnimeCons.com. Retrieved 2018-06-25.
  36. ^ "FanimeCon 2000 Information". AnimeCons.com. Retrieved 2018-06-25.
  37. ^ "FanimeCon 2001 Information". AnimeCons.com. Retrieved 2018-06-25.
  38. ^ "FanimeCon 2002 Information". AnimeCons.com. Retrieved 2018-06-25.
  39. ^ "FanimeCon 2003 Information". AnimeCons.com. Retrieved 2018-06-25.
  40. ^ "FanimeCon 2004 Information". AnimeCons.com. Retrieved 2018-06-25.
  41. ^ "FanimeCon 2005 Information". AnimeCons.com. Retrieved 2018-06-25.
  42. ^ "FanimeCon 2006 Information". AnimeCons.com. Retrieved 2018-06-25.
  43. ^ "FanimeCon 2007 Information". AnimeCons.com. Retrieved 2018-06-25.
  44. ^ "FanimeCon 2008 Information". AnimeCons.com. Retrieved 2018-06-25.
  45. ^ "FanimeCon 2009 Information". AnimeCons.com. Retrieved 2018-06-25.
  46. ^ "FanimeCon 2010 Information". AnimeCons.com. Retrieved 2018-06-25.
  47. ^ "FanimeCon 2011 Information". AnimeCons.com. Retrieved 2018-06-25.
  48. ^ "FanimeCon 2012 Information". AnimeCons.com. Retrieved 2018-06-25.
  49. ^ "FanimeCon 2013 Information". AnimeCons.com. Retrieved 2019-04-17.
  50. ^ "FanimeCon 2014 Information". AnimeCons.com. Retrieved 2018-06-25.
  51. ^ "FanimeCon 2015 Information". AnimeCons.com. Retrieved 2019-04-17.
  52. ^ "FanimeCon 2016 Information". AnimeCons.com. Retrieved 2018-06-25.
  53. ^ "FanimeCon 2017 Information". AnimeCons.com. Retrieved 2018-06-25.
  54. ^ "FanimeCon 2018 Information". AnimeCons.com. Retrieved 2024-05-31.
  55. ^ "FanimeCon 2019 Information". AnimeCons.com. Retrieved 2019-12-17.
  56. ^ "FanimeCon 2022 Information". AnimeCons.com. Retrieved 2022-05-12.
  57. ^ "FanimeCon 2024 Drew Over 28,000 Attendees". 8Bit/Digi.
  58. ^ "FanimeCon 2023 Information". AnimeCons.com. Retrieved 2023-05-30.
  59. ^ "FanimeCon 2024 Drew Over 28,000 Attendees". 8Bit/Digi.
  60. ^ "Autograph Sessions Announced for FanimeCon 2024". 8Bit/Digi.
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Wikimedia Commons has media related to FanimeCon.

37°19′43″N 121°53′20″W / 37.32861°N 121.88889°W / 37.32861; -121.88889

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