Matsuricon

Last updated
Matsuricon
StatusActive
GenreAnime, manga, video games, and popular culture
Venue Hyatt Regency Columbus
Greater Columbus Convention Center
Location Columbus, Ohio
CountryUnited States
Inaugurated2006
Attendance8,000 in 2025
Organized byMatsuricorp
Filing status501(c)(3)
Website http://www.matsuricon.org/

Matsuricon is a three-day anime, gaming, and pop culture convention located in downtown Columbus Ohio. A family friendly convention that seeks to connect fans to their beloved franchises but also to explore the unique and inspirational influences of Japanese media on western audiences. For nearly 20 years, Matsuricon has been showcasing some of the most talented anime and gaming voice actors and houses one of the state’s largest collection of physical and digital games. Each year, as Matsuricon grows it invites the community, both local and abroad, to come and immerse themselves in all Matsuricon has to offer. [1]

Contents

Background and history

Origins & early years

Matsuricon was established in 2006 in Columbus, Ohio, to serve fans of Japanese animation, manga, and video games within the Central Ohio region. In its early years the convention took place in hotel conference space and gradually expanded programming to include an artist alley, dealers room, video gaming, tabletop gaming, cosplay contests, and formal ball events. [2]

Expansion and charitable focus

Over the 2010s, Matsuricon grew in size and scope. Attendance numbers increased and the event secured guests, concerts, and bigger gaming rooms. [3]

Importantly, during this time Matsuricon began to formalize its charitable mission. The convention’s “Charity” page states that Matsuricon partners with OSUCCC-James, as one of only 45 comprehensive cancer centers in the U.S. and with a team of scientists and extensive research programs. The convention lists independent fundraising efforts and charity auctions tied to the event. [4]

Non‐profit incorporation and institutional partnership

In recent years the organizing body of Matsuricon has operated as a non-profit. According to nonprofit registry data, the entity “Matsuricon Charity” in Columbus, Ohio is a 501(c)(3) organization (EIN 82-5407766) whose purpose includes raising funds for Pelotonia [5] (which in turn funds cancer research at OSUCCC-James) and promoting Japanese animation/culture. Social media posts confirm ongoing partnerships: e.g., a Facebook post notes: “the staff and attendees have been partnering with The James and the OSU Comprehensive Cancer Center for years now.”

Recent developments and the impact of COVID-19

Like many in-person conventions, Matsuricon was impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. The event for 2020 and likely 2021 faced schedule changes, virtual alternatives or cancellations. For example, Matsuricon posted a COVID policy page in June 2022, indicating the resumption of in‐person activity with health protocols.

The 2020s also see the organizing body emphasizing its charitable model, integrating fundraising more visibly into its activities (auctions, designated charity rooms during the event, donation drives). [6] E.g., an Instagram post August 2025: “our big event & charity auction will be later this month but if you want to a head start you can donate to Pelotonia through our link.”

Programming and features

Matsuricon offers a variety of programming typical of anime/gaming conventions including:

Event history

DatesLocationAtten.Guests
April 20–23, 2006Comfort Inn North
Columbus, Ohio 		400 Johnny Yong Bosch, Joanna Estep, Eyeshine, Gakidomo, Michael Gould, Alex Kolesar, Joe Kovell, Christy Lijewski, Tristan MacAvery, William Sebree, Patrick Seitz, Mindy Timpone, Harlan Watkins, Mariah Watkins, and Where's the Buffet?. [7]
September 7–9, 2007Columbus Marriott Northwest
Dublin, Ohio 		450Alex Kolesar, Joe Kovell, Tristan MacAvery, So Be It, Harlan Watkins, Mariah Watkins, and Where's the Buffet?. [8]
August 22–24, 2008Holiday Inn Columbus-Worthington
Worthington, Ohio [9] 		702 Robert Axelrod, Alex Kolesar, Joe Kovell, Tristan MacAvery, Jeremy Mauney, Mindy Timpone, Harlan Watkins, Mariah Watkins, and E. K. Weaver. [10]
August 28–30, 2009Holiday Inn Columbus-Worthington
Worthington, Ohio		850Jamal Ard, Robert Axelrod, Juliet Cesario, Trevor Devall, Caitlin Glass, Kyle Hebert, Steve Horton, Chris Hoskins, Brandon Johnson, Alex Kolesar, Joe Kovell, Tristan MacAvery, Chris Martin, Kevin McKeever, Tyler Patrick, Mindy Timpone, Xenogenesis, and Stephanie Young. [11]
August 13–15, 2010Doubletree Hotel Columbus/Worthington
Columbus, Ohio		1,550Jamal Ard, David Brehm, Scott Freeman, Hilary Hatch, Kyle Hebert, Chris Hoskins, Brandon Johnson, Alex Kolesar, Joe Kovell, Kevin McKeever, Jacob Newell, Brina Palencia, Michael Poe, Micah Solusod, Sonny Strait, Mindy Timpone, Eric Vale, Doug Walker, Julie Wright, and Stephanie Young. [12]
August 17–19, 2011 Hyatt Regency Columbus
Columbus, Ohio		2,700Kevin Bolk, David Brehm, Scott Freeman, Jessie James Grelle, Jennifer Hale, Clarine Harp, James Hatton, Kyle Hebert, Taliesin Jaffe, Alex Kolesar, Joe Kovell, Cherami Leigh, Kevin McKeever, Steve "Warky" Nunez, Brina Palencia, Ian Sinclair, Micah Solusod, Sonny Strait, Eric Stuart, Veronica Taylor, Mindy Timpone, Alexis Tipton, Eric Vale, Doug Walker, and Stephanie Young. [13]
August 24–26, 2012Hyatt Regency Columbus
Columbus, Ohio		3,000Madison Bartholemew, David Brehm, Chris Cason, Samurai Dan Coglan, Scott Freeman, Todd Haberkorn, James Hatton, Alex Kolesar, Joe Kovell, Cherami Leigh, Kevin McKeever, Scott McNeil, Tony Oliver, Brina Palencia, Christopher Sabat, Ian Sinclair, Micah Solusod, Sonny Strait, Mindy Timpone, Nobuo Uematsu, Doug Walker, Cathy Weseluck, Stephanie Young, and Apphia Yu (Ayu Sakata). [14]
August 23–25, 2013Hyatt Regency Columbus
Columbus, Ohio		4,400Scott Freeman, James Hatton, Kyle Hebert, Chuck Huber, Alex Kolesar, Joe Kovel, Lauren Landa, Scott McNeil, Ian Sinclair, Micah Solusod, John Swasey, J. Michael Tatum, David Vincent, Lisle Wilkerson, Travis Willingham, Stephanie Young, and Apphia Yu (Ayu Sakata). [15]
August 22–24, 2014Hyatt Regency Columbus
Columbus, Ohio		4,500Kevin Bolk, Johnny Yong Bosch, David Brehm, Christine Marie Cabanos, Jillian Coglan, Samurai Dan Coglan, Eyeshine, Scott Freeman, Jessie James Grelle, Darrel Guilbeau, James Hatton, Chuck Huber, Erik Scott Kimerer, Lauren Landa, Scott McNeil, Danielle McRae, Erica Mendez, Matthew Mercer, Trina Nishimura, Professor Shyguy, Ian Sinclair, Micah Solusod, Brad Swaile, Symphonic Anime Orchestra, Sarah Anne Williams, Stephanie Young, and Apphia Yu (Ayu Sakata). [16]
August 14–16, 2015Hyatt Regency Columbus
Greater Columbus Convention Center [1]
Crowne Plaza [1]
Columbus, Ohio		5,500Kevin Bolk, David Brehm, Jessica Calvello, Jillian Coglan, Samurai Dan Coglan, Kyle Hebert, Bridget Hoffman, Alex Kolesar, Joe Kovell, Lauren Landa, Cherami Leigh, Scott McNeil, Erica Mendez, Matthew Mercer, Tony Oliver, Jake Paque, Professor Shyguy, Patrick Seitz, Ciarán Strange, Karen Strassman, John Swasey, Eric Vale, Cristina Vee, Lisle Wilkerson, and Stephanie Young. [17]
August 19–21, 2016Hyatt Regency Columbus
Columbus, Ohio		5,300Kevin Bolk, Colleen Clinkenbeard, Jillian Coglan, Samurai Dan Coglan, Richard Epcar, Lydia Mackay, Mike McFarland, Lisa Ortiz, Brina Palencia, Professor Shyguy, Christopher Sabat, Tara Sands, Patrick Seitz, Ian Sinclair, Michael Sinterniklaas, Paul St. Peter, Sonny Strait, Ciarán Strange, John Swasey, and Eric Vale. [18]
August 25–27, 2017Hyatt Regency Columbus
Columbus, Ohio		5,700 Zach Aguilar, Christine Marie Cabanos, Jennifer Cihi, Robbie Daymond, Sandy Fox, Erika Harlacher, Kyle Hebert, Xanthe Huynh, Kazha, Lauren Landa, Lex Lang, Erica Lindbeck, Julie Maddalena, Kyle McCarley, Erica Mendez, Tony Oliver, and Spike Spencer. [19]
August 24-26, 2018Hyatt Regency Columbus
Greater Columbus Convention Center
Columbus, Ohio		6,500 Ray Chase, Jillian Coglan, Samurai Dan Coglan, Ben Diskin, Todd Haberkorn, Erika Harlacher, Caleb Hyles, Mela Lee, Cherami Leigh, Erica Lindbeck, Kyle McCarley, Tony Oliver, Bryce Papenbrook, Jamieson Price, Professor Shyguy, Kaiji Tang, TeddyLoid, and Kari Wahlgren. [20]
August 16-18, 2019Hyatt Regency Columbus
Greater Columbus Convention Center
Columbus, Ohio		Kevin Bolk, Justin Briner, Ray Chase, Luci Christian, Robbie Daymond, Quinton Flynn, Caitlin Glass, Jessie James Grelle, Joel McDonald, Brandon McInnis, Erica Mendez, Jez Roth, Ian Sinclair, John Swasey, J. Michael Tatum, Toshifumi Yoshida, and Ryan Zanfei [21]
August 12-14, 2022Hyatt Regency Columbus
Greater Columbus Convention Center
Columbus, Ohio		Kevin Bolk, Griffin Burns, Aaron Dismuke, Katelyn Gault, Kyle Hebert, Caleb Hyles, Jerry Jewell, Emi Lo, Kyle McCarley, Joel McDonald, Brandon McInnis, Professor Shyguy, and Ciarán Strange. [22]
August 11-13, 2023Hyatt Regency Columbus
Greater Columbus Convention Center
Columbus, Ohio		Kevin Bolk, Ricco Fajardo, Bridget Hoffman, Natalie Rose Hoover, Caleb Hyles, Brittany Lauda, Erica Lindbeck, Brandon McInnis, Nano, Tony Oliver, J. Michael Tatum, Chris Tergliafera, Kirk Thornton, Kaoru Wada, and Jonathan Young. [23]
August 30 - September 1, 2024Hyatt Regency Columbus
Greater Columbus Convention Center
Columbus, Ohio		 Bryson Baugus, Kevin Bolk, Kamen Casey, SungWon Cho, Jordan Dash Cruz, Ricco Fajardo, Dorah Fine, Katelyn Gault, Caitlin Glass, Chris Hackney, Kyle McCarley, Brandon McInnis, Lexi Nieto, Tony Oliver, Jamieson Price, Michael Sinterniklaas, J. Michael Tatum, David Vincent, and Toshifumi Yoshida. [24]
August 29-31, 2025Hyatt Regency Columbus
Greater Columbus Convention Center
Columbus, Ohio		 Dawn M. Bennett, Kevin Bolk, Edward Bosco, Clifford Chapin, Ray Chase, Jordan Dash Cruz, Robbie Daymond, Ricco Fajardo, Jill Harris, Caleb Hyles, Erica Lindbeck, Jamie Marchi, Adam McArthur, Mary Elizabeth McGlynn, Kristen McGuire, Brandon McInnis, Risa Mei, Max Mittelman, Dallas Reid, Mallorie Rodak, Keith Silverstein, J. Michael Tatum, Briana White, Anne Yatco, and Jonathan Young. [25]

References

  1. 1 2 3 Neese, Alissa (August 28, 2025). "Matsuricon embraces nerd culture's glow-up". Axios Columbus. Retrieved November 21, 2025.
  2. ↑ Writer, Staff. "Matsuricon 2012 | Event to draw anime fans". The Columbus Dispatch. Retrieved 2025-11-21.
  3. ↑ Dispatch, Allison Ward, The Columbus. "Matsuricon lures talent from worlds of anime, games". The Columbus Dispatch. Retrieved 2025-11-21.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  4. ↑ King, Andrew (2025-07-31). "Pelotonia returns for 2025 cancer charity ride". Axios. Retrieved 2025-11-21.
  5. ↑ "Pelotonia - Get Involved". Pelotonia. Retrieved 2025-11-21.
  6. ↑ "Matsuricon 2014 Rocks Columbus". ColumbusFreePress.com. Retrieved 2025-11-21.
  7. ↑ "Matsuricon 2006 Information". AnimeCons.com. Retrieved 2014-06-16.
  8. ↑ "Matsuricon 2007 Information". AnimeCons.com. Retrieved 2018-09-10.
  9. ↑ Brenner, Robin (2007). Understanding Manga and Anime. Libraries Unlimited. p. 210. ISBN   978-1591583325.
  10. ↑ "Matsuricon 2008 Information". AnimeCons.com. Retrieved 2014-06-16.
  11. ↑ "Matsuricon 2009 Information". AnimeCons.com. Retrieved 2018-09-10.
  12. ↑ "Matsuricon 2010 Information". AnimeCons.com. Retrieved 2014-06-16.
  13. ↑ "Matsuricon 2011 Information". AnimeCons.com. Retrieved 2014-06-16.
  14. ↑ "Matsuricon 2012 Information". AnimeCons.com. Retrieved 2018-09-10.
  15. ↑ "Matsuricon 2013 Information". AnimeCons.com. Retrieved 2014-06-16.
  16. ↑ "Matsuricon 2014 Information". AnimeCons.com. Retrieved 2018-09-10.
  17. ↑ "Matsuricon 2015 Information". AnimeCons.com. Retrieved 2018-09-10.
  18. ↑ "Matsuricon 2016 Information". AnimeCons.com. Retrieved 2018-09-10.
  19. ↑ "Matsuricon 2017 Information". AnimeCons.com. Retrieved 2018-09-10.
  20. ↑ "Matsuricon 2018 Information". AnimeCons.com. Retrieved 2018-09-10.
  21. ↑ "Matsuricon 2019 Information". AnimeCons.com. Retrieved 2019-09-10.
  22. ↑ "Matsuricon 2022 Information". AnimeCons.com. Retrieved 2022-08-24.
  23. ↑ "Matsuricon 2023 Information". AnimeCons.com. Retrieved 2023-07-24.
  24. ↑ "Matsuricon 2024 Information". AnimeCons.com. Retrieved 2024-08-29.
  25. ↑ "Matsuricon 2025 Information". AnimeCons.com. Retrieved 2025-08-14.

39°58′17.83″N83°0′1.94″W / 39.9716194°N 83.0005389°W / 39.9716194; -83.0005389

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