FanimeCon
Status	active
Venue	San Jose Convention Center
Location	San Jose, California
Country	United States
Years in existence	1994 to present
Attendance	10000 paid attendees in 2006 (estimated)[1]
Official Website

FanimeCon (also known as simply "Fanime") is an annual anime convention run by the Anime Resource Group (ARG). It is the largest anime convention in Northern California ^[1] and one of the ten largest anime conventions in North America.^[2] Originally conceived by Aaron Pilgrim as a gathering of local anime clubs in Northern California, the first one was held at California State University, Hayward. The anime clubs at that first Fanime were Beefbowl Anime, Chabot Anime, Foothill Anime and No-Name Anime. Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... Outside the convention hall at Anime Expo 2004. ... California State University, East Bay (CSUEB, formerly California State University, Hayward, and called CalState Hayward or Hayward State) is a branch of the California State University system. ...

Later, it was held at the Foothill College campus in Los Altos Hills, and it then moved to the Santa Clara Convention Center. In 2004, FanimeCon was held in the San Jose Convention Center over Memorial Day weekend where it generated more than $5M in local economic impact.^[3] The convention continues to be held annually at that location. Entrance to Foothill College Example of Foothills unique campus architecture Foothill College is a community college located in Los Altos Hills, California and is part of the Foothill-De Anza Community College District. ... Los Altos Hills is a town located in Santa Clara County, California. ... Official website: http://www. ... Nickname: Location of San Jose within Santa Clara County, California. ... Memorial Day is a United States federal holiday that is observed on the last Monday of May (observed this year on 2007-05-28). ...

FanimeCon has hosted a variety of industry guests, and Hiroyuki Yamaga of Gainax and Steve Bennett of International Comics & Entertainment attend regularly. The convention also features a masquerade ("Der Cosplay"), AMV contest, swap meet, game show, karaoke, video gaming, tabletop gaming, dances, musical performances, etc. This article or section does not cite any references or sources. ... The name Steve Bennett refers to more than one person: Steve Bennett, the head of Starchaser, a company involved in space development and tourism. ... A masquerade ball (or masque) is an event which the participants attend in costume, usually including a mask. ... American Cosplayers at Anime Expo 2005 Cosplay ), a portmanteau of the English words costume and play, is a Japanese subculture centered on dressing as characters from manga, anime, tokusatsu, and video games, and, less commonly, Japanese live action television shows, fantasy movies, or Japanese pop music bands. ... An anime music video (abbreviated AMV) is a music video consisting of clips from one or more anime television series or movies set to songs; the term usually refers to fan-made unofficial videos. ... A karaoke machine Karaoke 空 kara, empty or void, and オーケストラ ōkesutora, orchestra) pronounced ;   is a form of entertainment in which an amateur singer or singers sing along with recorded music on microphone. ... A computer game is a game composed of a computer-controlled virtual universe that players interact with in order to achieve a defined goal or set of goals. ... Tabletop game is a general term used to refer to card games, board games, parlor games, role-playing games, miniature wargames, tile-based games and other games that are normally played on a table or other flat surface. ...

In recent years, one of the most popular attractions at FanimeCon has been its Asian Film Room. The room, which showcases East Asian Cinema from Hong Kong, Korea, and Japan, is one of the most exceptional additions to Fanime, providing a slice of video programming that is usually not seen at other anime conventions. Its popularity has also expanded the convention's programming to include Asian TV Dramas. East Asian cinema (sometimes called Far Eastern cinema, Eastern cinema, Asian cinema or Oriental cinema) is a term used to refer to the film industry and films produced in, and/or by natives of, East Asia. ... Korea (Korean: 한국 in South Korea or 조선 in North Korea, see below) is a geographic area, civilization, and former state situated on the Korean Peninsula in East Asia. ... The main cast of the anime Cowboy Bebop (1998) (L to R: Spike Spiegel, Jet Black, Ed Tivrusky, Faye Valentine, and Ein the dog) For the oleo-resin, see Animé (oleo-resin). ...

History

FanimeCon 1994, June 19, Cal State Hayward

The first Fanime was a one-day event held at California State University, Hayward.^[4] Four clubs were present: Foothill Anime, No Name Anime, Cal Animage Alpha, and Beefbowl Anime. The event was organized in weeks by then-chairman Aaron Pilgrim and drew approximately 200 Bay Area fans.^[5] There were three viewing rooms, and the big new video right then was Tenchi Muyo, Mihoshi Space Adventure.^[6] California State University, East Bay (CSUEB, formerly California State University, Hayward, and called CalState Hayward or Hayward State) is a branch of the California State University system. ...

FanimeCon 1995, February 25, Cal State Hayward

There were three video rooms, two dealers rooms, a snack bar, and two Guests of Honor: Fred Schodt and Carl Horn. Color badges and T-shirts were introduced, and both items sold out. There were about 350 attendees.^[6]

FanimeCon 1996, March 2, Foothill College

In March 1996, the third Fanime was held at Foothill College in Los Altos Hills. This was the first convention under longtime chairman Michael Wright. At this time, Fanime moved away from being a club gathering to having its own institutional identity. It was at this time that Fanime's parent corporation, the Anime Resource Group (ARG) was formed.^[5] There were 775 registered attendees, five primary video rooms, a single large dealers room, workshops, and guest panels. The registration fee was introduced; it was $7.^[6]

FanimeCon 1997, March 8, Foothill College

The first Japanese Guest of Honor was Hiroyuki Yamaga of Gainax. The programming was expanded to include an art show, a cosplay show, an anime game show, and live music. The membership registration had grown to 1200 fans.^[6]

FanimeCon 1998, February 14-15, Foothill College

1998 was the first and only two-day Fanime, and it used the Sheraton Four Points hotel in Sunnyvale for nighttime activities such as a dance and game show. There were 1700 fans and staff.^[6] This was the first year for "Midnight Madness", an all-night nonstop marathon of mistranslation taken to intentionally ridiculous extremes.

FanimeCon 1999, March 19-21, San Jose Wyndham Hotel

In 1999, the seventh FanimeCon moved away from Foothill to become the first event held in a hotel. In March of that year, the San Jose Wyndham Hotel was host to over 2000 fans and guests. (Information copied from "All About Fanime Con" by James Matsuzaki, Fanime 2001 Program Guide, page 2)

Guests of Honor included Mari Iijima, Hiroyuki Yamaga, Ippongi Bang, Shinpei Itoh, Kuni Kimura, Sachiko Uchida, Miyo Odagi, Reijiro Kato, Studio Ironcat (Steve Bennett, Kevin Bennett, and Mark Hofmann), Fred Schodt, Allen Hastings, and Gilles Poitras. (Information from Fanime 1999 Program Guide)

FanimeCon 2000, February 24-27, Santa Clara Convention Center

In 2000, the hotel was moved from the Wyndham to the Westin, and the attendance was up to 2300 fans.^[6]

Guests of Honor included Mari Iijima, Takami Akai, Hiroyuki Yamaga, Mark Koch, Fred Patten, Steve Bennett, Mark Hoffman, Gilles Poitras, Fred Schodt, Stan Sakai, and Allen Hastings. (Information from Fanime 2000 Program Guide) Mari Iijima ) (born 18 May 1963) is a Japanese singer and actress who has released various top 10 albums in Japan. ... Self portrait of Takami Akai. ... Frederick Walter Patten (1940- fl) is known for his work as a historian in the Anime/Manga and Furry fandoms, where he has gained great distinction through a substantial contribution to both print and online books, magazines, and other media. ... The name Steve Bennett refers to more than one person: Steve Bennett, the head of Starchaser, a company involved in space development and tourism. ... Mark Hofmann (b. ... Stan Sakai (born 1953) is a third-generation American of Japanese descent. ...

FanimeCon 2001, March 30 - April 1, Santa Clara Convention Center

Fanime 2001 introduced many firsts. Brian Doan, better known as "Dieter", took the stage of the Masquerade and transformed it into the first "DerCosplay". The first Fanime karaoke competition was this year, as well as the first swap meet. The R&R website lists this as the first appearance of Ramen and Rice at Fanime. Thousands of fans also made this their first Fanime, as Fanime had grown to 3750 fans and overflowed into the Hilton across the street.^[6]

FanimeCon 2002, April 26-28, Santa Clara Convention Center

Guests of Honor included Hiroyuki Yamaga, Jonathan Klein, Takami Akai, Angora Deb, Keith Burgess, Tiffany Grant, Taliesin Jaffe, Mari Iijima, Sue Ulu, Jonathan Osborne, Carl Gustav Horn, Amy Seeley, Kunihiko Ikuhara, Gilles Poitras, Kevin Bennett, Matt Miller, Kei Blue, Steve Bennett, Sachiko Uchida, Amanda Winn Lee, Jason Lee, Crispin Freeman, Allison Keith, Umashika Sporty Cosplay Troupe, Miya, Saku Kanari, Milk, Bradley Kane, Mike Ross, and Spike Spencer. (Information from Fanime 2002 Program Guide) Jonathan Klein Corporate Executive Officer and Co-Founder of Getty Images]] Jonathan Klein, a native of South Africa, co-founded stock-photography company Getty Images in London, England in 1995. ... Debora Rabbai is a voice actor who is also known as Debbie Rabbai and Angora Deb. ... Tiffany Grant is a voice actor who is best-known for her English-dubbing work with ADV Films on such anime movies and television series as Neon Genesis Evangelion, in which she voiced the character Asuka Langley Sohryu (reportedly her favorite role). ... Taliesin Jaffe (born January 19, 1977 in Los Angeles, California) is an American voice director, script writer, voice actor, and former child actor. ... Sue Ulu is a voice actress specializing in English voice dubs for anime. ... Ikuhara, from the Utena Art Collection artbook, circa 1999 Kunihiko Ikuhara (幾原邦彦 Ikuhara Kunihiko) (born December 21, 1964) is a Japanese creative artist who has collaborated on several famous anime and manga series. ... Matt Miller is generally a shortened form of the full name Matthew Miller. ...

FanimeCon 2003, June 20-22, Santa Clara Convention Center

In honor of its 10th anniversary, Fanime introduced a concert called GakuFest with live performances by BLOOD, B!Machine, Kristine Sa, Natalise, Secret Secret, and Echoing Green. Tickets were supposed to have cost $20 per person. Guests included Akitaroh Daichi and Reiko Yasuhara, Maria Kawamura, Takahiro Yoshimatsu, Kunihiko Ikuhara, GAINAX (Hiroyuki Yamaga, Yoshiyuki Sadamoto, Takami Akai, Kazuya Tsurumaki, Hiroki Sato, Yasuhiro Takeda), Rebecca Forstadt, Matt K Miller, Laura Bailey, Allen Hastings, Steve Bennett, Jonathan Osborne, and Gilles Poitras. (Information from Fanime 2003 Program Guide) Robin Nathalise Chow (born September 27, 1981) is an American singer-songwriter of Chinese and Burmese descent. ... Yasuhiro Takeda (12[1] September 1957[2]-) is a Japanese anime director and founding member of Gainax; for most of his career, he was General Manager. ...

FanimeCon 2004, May 28-31, San Jose Convention Center

Fanime 2004 introduced the Karaoke Write Your Own Lyrics Mini-Contest and was the first time the music concert was called "MusicFest". There were about 5700 paid fans. (Information from Fanime BBoard.) The Hentai room made its return.

FanimeCon 2005, May 27-30, San Jose Convention Center

MusicFest guests included ZZ, Kumiko Kato, Ramen and Rice. Other Guests of Honor included Hiroyuki Yamaga, Maria Yamamoto, Steve Bennett, Gilles Poitras, Richard Myers, and Jonathan Osborne. In addition to the standard events, Fanime 2005 also introduced a Stamp Rally that encouraged con attendees to visit various art galleries in the downtown San Jose area. (Information from Fanime 2005 Program Guide) Kumiko kato Hometown Nagoya,Japan. ...

FanimeCon 2006, May 26-29, San Jose Convention Center

Guests of Honor include Hiroyuki Yamaga (Gainax), Kazuhiro Takamura (Gainax - Character Designer), Ryoichi Koga (manga-ka), Takahiro Mizushima (seiyuu), Asami Sanada (seiyuu), Gilles Poitras (anime librarian), Jonathan Osborne (voice actor), and Ric Meyers (Asian film). FanimeCon 2006 is introducing Stage Zero, a new way to bring the convention to the attendee. Also introducing this year is Three Minute Video, a way for aspiring film directors to get their stuff shown. (Information from Fanime website). Fanime 2006 also marks the creation of Antagonite, Fanime's first fashion show, featuring models dressed in trendy clothing derived from Japanese cultures. The musical "guests of honor" were Swinging Popsicle, mothercoat, UP HOLD, GOOFY STYLE, Kamijo, Poplar, Miami. Swinging Popsicle is a three-member indie pop/rock band from Japan. ...

FanimeCon 2007, May 25-28, San Jose Convention Center

Guests of Honor include Hiroyuki Yamaga (Gainax), Greg Dean (creator of webcomic, Real Life), Carl Horn (editor at Dark Horse Manga), Ryan Gavigan (host of Anime Hell), Sekihiko Inui (mangaka of Comic Party and Murder Princess), Reuben Langdon (voice of Dante from Devil May Cry 3 and 4), Derek Liu (Lanzer from Gaia Online), Ric Meyers (Asian films expert), Jonathan Osborne (voice actor), Gilles Poitras (author of Anime Essentials), and Asami Sanada (voice actress). MusicFest guests were ZZ, Crack 6, MECHANiCAL PANDA, Karma Shenjing, Mari Iijima, ArtBeat, God of Shamisen, Lemon Drop Kick, RothChilde, and akai SKY. New to FanimeCon 2007 is the first annual Black-and-White Masquerade Ball, the FaniMaid Cafe, and the Asian Food Court. Also during the event, Play! A Video Game Symphony performed at the San Jose Center for the Performing Arts. The charity for the year was the Diana J. East Breast Cancer Foundation. PLAY! concert series logo PLAY! A Video Game Symphony is billed as the first symphony world-tour featuring music from video games. ...

Guests of Honor

Mari Iijima ) (born 18 May 1963) is a Japanese singer and actress who has released various top 10 albums in Japan. ... Frederick Walter Patten (1940- fl) is known for his work as a historian in the Anime/Manga and Furry fandoms, where he has gained great distinction through a substantial contribution to both print and online books, magazines, and other media. ... Stan Sakai (born 1953) is a third-generation American of Japanese descent. ... Frederik L. Schodt is an American writer, translator and interpreter, notable in manga and anime fandom for his translations of works such as Osamu Tezukas Phoenix, Riyoko Ikedas The Rose of Versailles, Keiji Nakazawas Barefoot Gen, and others. ... This article or section does not cite any references or sources. ... Studio Ironcat was a small publishing company based in Fredericksburg, Virginia, dedicated to publication of manga and later, Amerimanga. ... Robin Nathalise Chow (born September 27, 1981) is an American singer-songwriter of Chinese and Burmese descent. ... Swinging Popsicle is a three-member indie pop/rock band from Japan. ...

References

2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the CE era. ... May 8 is the 128th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (129th in leap years). ... Patrick Delahanty (born March 6, 1973 in Lewiston, Maine) is best known as the creator of the infamous web site known as The Chibi Project where he is responsible for conducting hideous, violent acts upon unsuspecting little toys. ... January 1 is the first day of the calendar year in both the Julian and Gregorian calendars. ... 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the CE era. ... 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the CE era. ... January 17 is the 17th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the CE era. ... May 8 is the 128th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (129th in leap years). ... June 1 is the 152nd day of the year (153rd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... 1994 (MCMXCIV) was a common year starting on Saturday of the Gregorian calendar, and was designated as the International Year of the Family and the International Year of the Sport and the Olympic Ideal by United Nations. ... 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the CE era. ... January 17 is the 17th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ...

External links

• FanimeCon web site
• FanimeCon Messageboard
• San Jose Convention Center web site
• Foothill Anime
• No-Name Anime

Convention reports

• FanimeCon 2004: You Comics Maniac! -- But you have to go home sometime," LatinoLA.com, June 2004