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This is a list of noteworthy [lower-alpha 1] anime conventions from around the world, as distinct from comic book conventions, furry conventions, gaming conventions, horror conventions, multigenre conventions, and science fiction conventions. This list is sectioned by location, and included with the list is the year the convention was established, as well as the months or dates which the convention are typically held within. Multi-genre, comic book, furry, gaming, and science fiction conventions are not listed here.
Convention | City | State/Province | Country | Month held | Established |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Ai-Kon | Winnipeg | Manitoba | Canada | February & July | 2001 |
Animaritime | Fredericton | New Brunswick | Canada | July | 2004 |
Animazement | Raleigh | North Carolina | United States | May | 1998 |
Anime Banzai | Layton | Utah | United States | October | 2005 |
Anime Boston | Boston | Massachusetts | United States | March/April | 2003 |
Anime Central | Rosemont | Illinois | United States | May | 1998 |
Anime Detour | Minneapolis | Minnesota | United States | April | 2004 |
Anime Evolution | Vancouver | British Columbia | Canada | July | 1998 |
Anime Expo | Los Angeles | California | United States | July | 1992 |
Anime Festival Orlando | Orlando | Florida | United States | June | 2000 |
Anime Festival Wichita | Wichita | Kansas | United States | July | 2005 |
Anime Frontier | Fort Worth | Texas | United States | December | 2021 |
Anime Los Angeles | Long Beach | California | United States | January | 2005 |
Anime Matsuri | Houston | Texas | United States | July | 2007 |
Anime Midwest | Rosemont | Illinois | United States | July | 2011 |
Anime Milwaukee | Milwaukee | Wisconsin | United States | February | 2007 |
Anime NebrasKon | Council Bluffs | Iowa | United States | October | 2004 |
Anime North | Toronto | Ontario | Canada | May | 1997 |
Anime NYC | New York City | New York | United States | November | 2017 |
Anime Pasadena | Pasadena | California | United States | November | 2018 |
Anime Revolution | Vancouver | British Columbia | Canada | August | 2012 |
Anime USA | Arlington | Virginia | United States | October/November | 1999 |
Anime Weekend Atlanta | Atlanta | Georgia | United States | December | 1995 |
AnimeFest | Dallas | Texas | United States | July/August | 1992 |
AnimeIowa | Des Moines | Iowa | United States | July | 1997 |
AnimeNEXT | Edison | New Jersey | United States | June | 2002 |
Animethon | Edmonton | Alberta | Canada | August | 1994 |
Arkansas Anime Festival | Bentonville | Arkansas | United States | June | 2007 |
A-Kon | Irving | Texas | United States | June | 1990 |
Bak-Anime | Bakersfield | California | United States | May | 2010 |
Castle Point Anime Convention | Secaucus | New Jersey | United States | April/May | 2008 |
ColossalCon | Sandusky | Ohio | United States | June | 2002 |
Con-Nichiwa | Tucson | Arizona | United States | March | 2010 |
Crunchyroll Expo | San Jose | California | United States | August | 2017 |
EvilleCon | Evansville | Indiana | United States | March | 2009 |
FanimeCon | San Jose | California | United States | May | 1994 |
G-Anime | Gatineau | Quebec | Canada | January | 2009 |
Ikkicon | Round Rock | Texas | United States | January | 2007 |
JAFAX | Grand Rapids | Michigan | United States | June | 1996 |
Kami-Con | Birmingham | Alabama | United States | February | 2009 |
Katsucon | National Harbor | Maryland | United States | February | 1995 |
Kawaii Kon | Honolulu | Hawaii | United States | March/April | 2005 |
Kitsune Kon | Green Bay | Wisconsin | United States | July | 2011 |
Kumoricon | Portland | Oregon | United States | October | 2003 |
Matsuricon | Columbus | Ohio | United States | August | 2006 |
Metrocon | Tampa | Florida | United States | June | 2003 |
Middle Tennessee Anime Convention | Nashville | Tennessee | United States | April | 1999 |
Nadeshicon | Quebec City | Quebec | Canada | April | 2011 |
Naka-Kon | Overland Park | Kansas | United States | May | 2005 |
Nan Desu Kan | Aurora | Colorado | United States | September | 1997 |
Nekocon | Hampton | Virginia | United States | November | 1998 |
No Brand Con | Stevens Point | Wisconsin | United States | September | 2002 |
Ohayocon | Columbus | Ohio | United States | January | 2001 |
OMGcon | Owensboro | Kentucky | United States | June | 2006 |
Oni-Con | Galveston | Texas | United States | October/November | 2004 |
Otafest | Calgary | Alberta | Canada | July | 1999 |
Otakon | Washington | D.C. | United States | July/August | 1994 |
Otakuthon | Montreal | Quebec | Canada | August | 2006 |
PortConMaine | South Portland | Maine | United States | June | 2002 |
QC Anime-zing! | Davenport | Iowa | United States | July | 2010 |
Saboten Con | Phoenix | Arizona | United States | September | 2008 |
SacAnime | Sacramento | California | United States | January, April, September | 2004 |
Sakura-Con | Seattle | Washington | United States | April | 1998 |
San Japan | San Antonio | Texas | United States | August/September | 2008 |
Senshi-Con | Anchorage | Alaska | United States | September | 2005 |
Setsucon | Altoona | Pennsylvania | United States | January/February | 2007 |
SNAFU Con | Reno | Nevada | United States | November | 2010 |
Tekko | Pittsburgh | Pennsylvania | United States | July | 2003 |
Tokyo, OK | Tulsa | Oklahoma | United States | July | 2008 |
Tora-Con | Rochester | New York | United States | April | 2005 |
Tsubasacon | Charleston | West Virginia | United States | October | 2004 |
Ushicon | San Marcos | Texas | United States | February | 2002 |
Yama-Con | Pigeon Forge | Tennessee | United States | December | 2012 |
Youmacon | Detroit | Michigan | United States | October/November | 2005 |
Convention | City | Country | Month held | Established |
---|---|---|---|---|
Anime Friends | São Paulo | Brazil | July | 2003 |
Convention | City | Country | Month held | Established |
---|---|---|---|---|
AniManGaki | Seri Kembangan | Malaysia | varies | 2009 |
Anime Festival Asia | Bangkok | Thailand | varies | 2015 |
Anime Festival Asia | Jakarta | Indonesia | September | 2012 |
Anime Festival Asia | Kuala Lumpur | Malaysia | varies | 2012 |
Anime Festival Asia | Singapore | Singapore | November | 2008 |
AnimeJapan | Tokyo | Japan | March | 2014 |
AVCon | Adelaide | Australia | July | 2002 |
AzeCON | Baku | Azerbaijan | June | 2014 |
Comic Fiesta | Kuala Lumpur | Malaysia | December | 2002 |
Comic World | Seoul | South Korea | varies | 1999 |
Comifuro | BSD City | Indonesia | varies | 2012 |
Comiket | Tokyo | Japan | August and December | 1975 |
Cosplay Mania | Pasay | Philippines | September/October | 2008 |
Jump Festa | Chiba | Japan | December | 1999 |
Kadokawa Light Novel Expo | Saitama | Japan | varies | 2020 |
NAJ Cosfest | Kohima | India | July | 2013 |
Ozine Fest | Mandaluyong | Philippines | April | 2005 |
SMASH! | Sydney | Australia | July | 2007 |
Convention | City | Country | Month held | Established |
---|---|---|---|---|
AnimeCon | Rijswijk | The Netherlands | June | 1999 |
AnimagiC | Mannheim | Germany | August | 1999 |
Animecon | Kuopio | Finland | July | 1999 |
Animefest | Brno | Czech Republic | May | 2004 |
Connichi | Kassel | Germany | September | 2002 |
Hyper Japan | London | United Kingdom | July | 2010 |
Japan Expo | Paris | France | July | 1999 |
J-Popcon | Copenhagen | Denmark | April | 2000 |
Manga Barcelona | Barcelona | Spain | October | 1995 |
NärCon | Linköping | Sweden | July | 2002 |
These are notable conventions that have at one time existed, but have either gone on hiatus for more than one year, were merged into other conventions, or have finished operating entirely. The category conventions fall under are determined by the amount of communication given by convention officials. Anime conventions disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic are not listed here unless they became defunct.
Convention | City | Country | First held | Last Held | Status |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
AM² | Anaheim | United States | 2011 | 2012 | Defunct |
Ani-Jam | Fresno | United States | 2003 | 2014 | Defunct |
AnimeCon | San Jose | United States | 1991 | 1991 | Defunct |
Aniwave | Wilmington | United States | 2007 | 2015 | Defunct |
Anime Conji | San Diego | United States | 2010 | 2019 | Inactive |
Anime Contents Expo | Chiba | Japan | 2012 | 2013 | Merged |
Anime Mid-Atlantic | Chesapeake | United States | 2001 | 2018 | On Hiatus |
Anime Punch! | Columbus | United States | 2005 | 2017 | Defunct |
Anime Salt Lake | Taylorsville | United States | 2012 | 2014 | Defunct |
Anime South | Pensacola Beach | United States | 2005 | 2013 | Defunct |
Animania | Multi-city | Australia | 2002 | 2014 | Defunct |
AniZona | Mesa | United States | 2005 | 2009 | Defunct |
AUKcon | London | United Kingdom | 1994 | 1994 | Defunct |
Aurora-Con | Anchorage | United States | 2006 | 2008 | Defunct |
Big Apple Anime Fest | New York City | United States | 2001 | 2003 | Defunct |
D-Con | Dundee | United Kingdom | 2009 | 2011 | Defunct |
ExpoManga | Madrid | Spain | 2001 | 2018 | Defunct |
Glass City Con | Toledo | United States | 2009 | 2017 | Merged |
Ikasucon | Fort Wayne | United States | 2003 | 2017 | Inactive |
Japan Expo USA | San Mateo | United States | 2013 | 2014 | Inactive |
KotoriCon | Sewell | United States | 2010 | 2020 | Defunct |
Kunicon | Multi-city | United States | 2004 | 2005 | Defunct |
Madman Anime Festival | Multi-city | Australia | 2016 | 2020 | Defunct |
MangaNEXT | East Rutherford | United States | 2006 | 2012 | Defunct |
Manifest | Melbourne | Australia | 2001 | 2013 | Defunct |
MechaCon | New Orleans | United States | 2005 | 2021 | Defunct |
NashiCon | Columbia | United States | 2008 | 2020 | Inactive |
New York Anime Festival | New York City | United States | 2007 | 2011 | Merged |
Otakon Vegas | Las Vegas | United States | 2014 | 2018 | On Hiatus |
PersaCon | Huntsville | United States | 2003 | 2011 | Defunct |
Providence Anime Conference | Providence | United States | 2008 | 2008 | Defunct |
SaikouCon | White Haven | United States | 2013 | 2019 | Defunct |
Shinboku-con | Huron | United States | 2007 | 2014 | Defunct |
Shoujocon | Multi-city | United States | 2000 | 2003 | Defunct |
Shuto Con | Lansing | United States | 2011 | 2019 | Defunct |
SoDak Con | Rapid City | United States | 2009 | 2018 | Defunct |
Sogen Con | Sioux Falls | United States | 2005 | 2013 | Defunct |
SugoiCon | Sharonville | United States | 2000 | 2013 | Defunct |
Tokyo International Anime Fair | Tokyo | Japan | 2002 | 2013 | Merged |
Tomo-Dachi | Derry | United Kingdom | 2005 | 2007 | Defunct |
UppCon | Multi-city | Sweden | 2001 | 2012 | Defunct |
Wai-Con | Perth | Australia | 2004 | 2014 | Defunct |
Yaoi-Con | Santa Clara | United States | 2001 | 2017 | Defunct |
Yuricon | Newark | United States | 2003 | 2007 | Defunct |
A fandom is a subculture composed of fans characterized by a feeling of camaraderie with others who share a common interest. Fans typically are interested in even minor details of the objects of their fandom and spend a significant portion of their time and energy involved with their interest, often as a part of a social network with particular practices, differentiating fandom-affiliated people from those with only a casual interest.
Science fiction fandom or SF fandom is a community or fandom of people interested in science fiction in contact with one another based upon that interest. SF fandom has a life of its own, but not much in the way of formal organization.
Worldcon, or more formally the World Science Fiction Convention, the annual convention of the World Science Fiction Society (WSFS), is a science fiction convention. It has been held each year since 1939. The members of each Worldcon are the members of WSFS, and vote both to select the site of the Worldcon two years later, and to select the winners of the annual Hugo Awards, which are presented at each convention.
Cosplay, a portmanteau of "costume play", is an activity and performance art in which participants called cosplayers wear costumes and fashion accessories to represent a specific character. Cosplayers often interact to create a subculture, and a broader use of the term "cosplay" applies to any costumed role-playing in venues apart from the stage. Any entity that lends itself to dramatic interpretation may be taken up as a subject. Favorite sources include anime, cartoons, comic books, manga, television series, rock music performances, video games and in some cases original characters. The term is composed of the two aforementioned counterparts – costume and role play.
Science fiction conventions are gatherings of fans of the speculative fiction genre, science fiction. Historically, science fiction conventions had focused primarily on literature, but the purview of many extends to such other avenues of expression as films, television, comics, animation, and games. The format can vary but will tend to have a few similar features such as a guest of honour, discussion panels, readings and large special events such as opening/closing ceremonies and some form of party or entertainment. Science fiction conventions started off primarily in the UK and US but have now spread further and several countries have their own individual conventions as well as playing host to rotating international conventions.
A fan convention is an event in which fans of a particular topic gather to participate and hold programs and other events, and to meet experts, famous personalities, and each other. Some also incorporate commercial activity. The term dates back to at least 1942.
Dragon Con is a North American multigenre convention, founded in 1987, which takes place annually over the Labor Day weekend in Atlanta, Georgia. As of 2017, the convention draws attendance of over 80,000, features hundreds of guests, encompasses five hotels in the Peachtree Center neighborhood of downtown Atlanta near Centennial Olympic Park, and runs thousands of hours of programming for fans of science fiction, fantasy, comic books, and other elements of fan culture. It is owned and operated by a private for-profit corporation, with the help of a 1,500-member volunteer staff. Dragon Con has hosted the 1990 Origins Game Fair and the 1995 North American Science Fiction Convention (NASFiC).
Genericon was a modestly sized anime/science fiction/gaming convention held in Troy, New York on the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) campus for over 30 years, making it reportedly the longest-running college multigenre convention in the nation. It hosted theater-style auditoriums and had 24-hour anime viewing rooms, karaoke, cosplay events, 24-hour video game room/competitions, role-playing games, board games, and talks by guest speakers. The events usually began 6 p.m. on the Friday of the first weekend of March and continued until Sunday at 6 p.m. with a closing ceremony and announcement of the new "Con Chair". Starting with Genericon XXI, convention staff partnered with Jazzman's Cafe, located in the middle of the convention itself, to bring food and beverages to the convention.
Frederick Walter Patten was an American writer and historian known for his work in the science fiction, fantasy, anime, manga, and furry fandoms, where he gained great distinction through a substantial contribution to both print and online books, magazines, and other media.
The 51st World Science Fiction Convention (Worldcon), also known as ConFrancisco, was held on 2–6 September 1993 at the ANA Hotel, Parc Fifty Five, and Nikko Hotels and the Moscone Convention Center in San Francisco, California, United States.
London Film and Comic Con is a fan convention held annually in London that focuses on films, cult television, gaming, anime, cosplay and comics. It is organised by Showmasters Ltd.
The Montreal Comiccon, under its current form, was launched in 2006 as "Montreal Comic-Con". The event features comic books, toys, games, science-fiction, horror, anime, non-sport cards and collectibles. It is held 2 times a year at the Palais des Congrès convention center in downtown Montreal, with the larger "Comic-Con" taking place in July over the course of 3 days. The same organizers also hold and a smaller one or two-day "Mini-Con", traditionally held at the end of the fall season, in early December.
A comic book convention or comic con is a fan convention with a primary focus on comic books and comic book culture, in which comic book fans gather to meet creators, experts, and each other. Commonly, comic 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. Comic book conventions are also used as a vehicle for industry, in which publishers, distributors, and retailers represent their comic-related releases. Comic book conventions may be considered derivatives of science-fiction conventions, which began in the late 1930s.
The 79th World Science Fiction Convention (Worldcon), also known as DisCon III, was held on 15–19 December 2021 in Washington, D.C., United States.
The 80th World Science Fiction Convention (Worldcon), also known as Chicon 8, was held on 1–5 September 2022 in Chicago, Illinois, United States.