Zenkaikon

Zenkaikon
Status Active
Genre Multi-genre including Anime, Manga, Science Fiction, and popular culture[1][2][3]
Venue Lancaster County Convention Center
Location(s) Lancaster, Pennsylvania
Country United States
Inaugurated 2006
Attendance 5,438 in 2015[4]
Organized by Zenkaikon Entertainment, Inc.[5]
Filing status 501(c)(3)[5]
Website
http://www.zenkaikon.com/

Zenkaikon is a multi-genre convention held during March/April at the Lancaster County Convention Center in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. The convention was formerly based around King of Prussia, Pennsylvania (a Philadelphia suburb). Zenkaikon's name is a combination of Zentrancon and Kosaikon, created when they merged in 2006.[6][7]

Programming

The convention typically offers anime and live action screenings, AMV's, artist alley, concerts, cosplay masquerade, costume competitions, dances, dealers room, formal costume ball, game shows, karaoke, LARP, live bands, maid cafe, panels, tabletop gaming, vendors, video gaming, and workshops.[1][2][8][9][10]

In 2015, the charity auction benefited the Lymphoma Research Foundation and raised over $1,800.[4] The foundation was chosen due to the death of guest CJ Henderson from Lymphoma.[11][12]

History

Zenkaikon was formed in 2006 by the merger of two Philadelphia-area events, Zentrancon and Kosaikon.[6][7] In 2008, Zenkaikon became a two-day convention.[13] In 2009 due to significant attendance growth, Zenkaikon moved to the larger Valley Forge Radisson Hotel (same complex as its former location the Scanticon) and capped attendance at 1,500 attendees per day.[14][15] In 2010, Zenkaikon announced it would become a three-day convention, move to a spring date (skipping 2010), and increase convention space by using both the Valley Forge Convention Center and Scanticon Hotel and Conference Center (same complex).[16] The changes were made to improve weather, allow for better preparation, and increase staff. During the convention in 2011, Zenkaikon and its attendees raised $3750 for the American Red Cross Japanese Earthquake and Pacific Tsunami Relief Fund.[9][17] Due to construction of the Valley Forge Casino Resort at the Valley Forge Convention Center, Zenkaikon 2012 was held at a new location, The Greater Philadelphia Expo Center at Oaks, and reduced to two days.[1][18][19]

Zenkaikon moved to the Lancaster County Convention Center for 2013 and returned to being a three-day event.[2] The convention returned to the Lancaster County Convention Center in 2014 and occupied every (four) floor.[3] Zenkaikon returned to the convention center in 2015, and 2016 for its 10th anniversary.[4][10][20]

Event history

Dates Location Atten. Guests
October 28, 2006 Valley Forge Scanticon Hotel and Conference Center
King of Prussia, Pennsylvania		450 Peter Fernandez, Corinne Orr, Prism, and Alex Strang.[21]
October 13, 2007 Valley Forge Scanticon Hotel and Conference Center
King of Prussia, Pennsylvania		570 D-Chan, Hsu-nami, and Uncle Yo.[22]
October 17–18, 2008 Valley Forge Scanticon Hotel and Conference Center
King of Prussia, Pennsylvania		1,429 Charles Batschelet, Jessi Bavolack, Michael Gans, CJ Henderson, Ikuzo! Studios, Michele Knotz, Matt Pascal, Raqs Attaq!, Laura Robinson, Will Robinson, Bill Rogers, The Slants, Rose Thompson, Ultraball, and Uncle Yo.[23]
November 7–8, 2009 Radisson Valley Forge Hotel
King of Prussia, Pennsylvania		1,988 Robert Axelrod, Johnny Yong Bosch, Stephanie Celeste, C. J. Collins, Eden Star, Eyeshine, Geek Comedy Tour, Gerry Giovinco, CJ Henderson, Hi5, Chris Kalnick, Mike Leeke, Kevin McKeever, Reni Mimura, Trina Nishimura, Jessi Pascal, Matt Pascal, Rich Rankin, Laura Robinson, Will Robinson, Bill Spangler, Uncle Yo, Neil Vokes, Tommy Yune, and [geist].[24]
March 18–20, 2011 Valley Forge Convention Center and
Scanticon Hotel and Conference Center[16]
King of Prussia, Pennsylvania		3,422 Kevin Bolk, Gelatine, Todd Haberkorn, James Harknell, Onezumi Hartstein, CJ Henderson, DJ Luminal, Sarah Martinez, Vic Mignogna, Rose Noire, Uncle Yo, and Greg Wicker.[25]
May 11–12, 2012 Greater Philadelphia Expo Center at Oaks
Oaks, Pennsylvania		2,822 The Asterplace, Daniel Coglan, Jillian Coglan, CJ Henderson, Hi5, Michele Knotz, DJ Kurono, KyoDaiko, Pennsylvania Jedi, Platform One, Sonny Strait, Uncle Yo,[26] and Japan America Society of Greater Philadelphia.[5]
March 22–24, 2013 Lancaster County Convention Center
Lancaster, Pennsylvania		3,376 T. Campbell, John de Lancie, Eien Strife, Richard Epcar, Phil Kahn, DJ Midget, The Slants, Ellyn Stern, and Greg Wicker.[27]
April 25–27, 2014 Lancaster County Convention Center
Lancaster, Pennsylvania		4,422 Gina Biggs, Cosplay Burlesque, Jim Cummings, The Extraordinary Contraptions, CJ Henderson, Greg Houser, Kuniko Kanawa, Lolita Dark, Jonathan Maberry, Brina Palencia, Bill Rogers, Marc Swint, Trifecta, Uncle Yo, Doug Walker, and Greg Wicker.[28]
March 27–29, 2015 Lancaster County Convention Center
Lancaster, Pennsylvania		5,438[4] Cosplay Burlesque, Richard Horvitz, Kuniko Kanawa, Lauren Landa, Matthew Mercer, Trina Nishimura, Kambrea Pratt, Thom Pratt, The Ricecookers, Rikki Simons, Uncle Yo, Doug Walker, Rob Walker, and Greg Wicker.[29]
April 1–3, 2016 Lancaster County Convention Center
Lancaster, Pennsylvania		 Dante Basco, Kevin Bolk, Cosplay Burlesque, Charles Dunbar, Eien Strife, Richard Epcar, Sarah Martinez, Vic Mignogna, Ellyn Stern, Alex Strang, Uncle Yo, and Greg Wicker.[30]

Kosaikon Anifest

Kosaikon was an anime convention held from 2003-2005 on the campus of Villanova University.[7] The convention featured anime screenings, artists' alley, an artist's gallery, cosplay contest, and video gaming with tournaments.[31]

Event history

Dates Location Atten. Guests
May 31, 2003 Villanova University
Villanova, Pennsylvania		73[32]
February 21, 2004 Villanova University
Villanova, Pennsylvania		103[33]
October 9, 2004 Villanova University, Bartley Hall
Villanova, Pennsylvania		110[34]
March 26, 2005 Villanova University, Bartley Hall
Villanova, Pennsylvania		380[35]

Zentrancon

Zentrancon was an anime and science fiction convention held on October 16, 2005 at The Rotunda, University of Pennsylvania. It was created by members of the Delaware Anime Society.[7] The convention featured autograph sessions, costume contests, dealers, film screenings, raffles, tabletop gaming, and video game tournaments.[36]

Event history

Dates Location Atten. Guests
October 16, 2005 The Rotunda
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania		365 Eric Bresler, D-Chan, and Corinne Orr.[37]

Collaborations

Zenkaikon staff provided anime and Asian content to America's Video Games Expo 2008 (VGXPO) at the Pennsylvania Convention Center, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on November 21–23, 2008.[38] Content included screenings, panels, gaming tournaments, and karaoke. Zenkaikon returned to VGXPO 2009 on October 9–11, 2009 and provided two screening rooms for anime.[39] Zenkaikon hosted an Cosplay Fashion Show in Fairmount Park during Sakura Sunday at the 2012 Subaru Cherry Blossom Festival of Greater Philadelphia.[40]

References

  1. 1 2 3 Dyroff, Denny (2012-05-11). "Convention in Oaks celebrates Japanese animation and pop culture". Daily Local News. Retrieved 2012-12-27.
  2. 1 2 3 Harris, Bernard (2013-03-24). "Zenkaikon a chance to see and be seen". Lancaster Online. Retrieved 2013-03-26.
  3. 1 2 Wright, Mary Ellen (2014-04-24). "Fans of anime, sci-fi, fantasy, gaming and more converge at Zenkaikon this weekend in Lancaster". Lancaster Online. Retrieved 2014-05-06.
  4. 1 2 3 4 Simmers, Sean (March 29, 2015). "Zenkaikon 2015 review: Attendance records broken, Dracula officially slain". Penn Live. Retrieved 12 April 2015.
  5. 1 2 3 "Zenkaikon 2012 Press Kit" (PDF). Zenkaikon. Retrieved 2012-05-26.
  6. 1 2 "Kosaikon and Zentrancon announce plans to merge". Anime News Network. Retrieved 2010-05-24.
  7. 1 2 3 4 Hartstein, Onezumi (2011-02-18). "How to start your own anime convention". New Jersey On-Line. Retrieved 2012-02-19.
  8. ↑ "Zenkaikon: Anime and more at Lancaster County Convention Center April 25–27". Lancaster Online. 2014-01-27. Retrieved 2014-02-02.
  9. 1 2 "Zenkaikon Announces 2011 Attendance and Japan Relief Effort Donation". Anime News Network. Retrieved 2012-02-19.
  10. 1 2 Basile, Nancy (March 19, 2016). "Lancaster's Zenkaikon: Sci-fi and anime fans unite". FlipSidePA. Retrieved 12 April 2016.
  11. ↑ Wright, Mary Ellen (March 25, 2015). "Zenkaikon to draw costumed throng ready for sci-fi, fantasy, anime weekend". Lancaster Online. Retrieved 12 April 2015.
  12. ↑ "Inside the 'Zenkaikon Anime' Convention in Lancaster". WGAL. March 27, 2015. Retrieved 12 April 2015.
  13. ↑ "Zenkaikon 2008 announces first round of guests". AnimeCons.com. Retrieved 2012-12-28.
  14. ↑ "Zenkaikon announces Reni Mimura, programming changes, attendance cap". AnimeCons.com. Retrieved 2012-02-20.
  15. ↑ "Zenkaikon announces 2009 convention dates". AnimeCons.com. Retrieved 2012-12-28.
  16. 1 2 "Zenkaikon announces fifth convention". AnimeCons.com. Retrieved 2010-05-24.
  17. ↑ Ulaby, Neda (2011-03-21). "Japan Disaster Strikes Home Among Anime Fans". NPR. Retrieved 2012-02-22.
  18. ↑ "Zenkaikon Announces 2012 Convention". Vidgle. Retrieved 2012-02-22.
  19. ↑ Parmley, Suzette (2011-04-28). "Valley Forge casino expansion, financing plan approved". Philly.com. Retrieved 2012-05-26.
  20. ↑ Hatmaker, Julia (2014-04-26). "Zenkaikon invades Lancaster with more than 4,000 anime and sci-fi enthusiasts". Penn Live. Retrieved 2014-05-06.
  21. ↑ "Zenkaikon 2006 Information". AnimeCons.com. Retrieved 2010-05-24.
  22. ↑ "Zenkaikon 2007 Information". AnimeCons.com. Retrieved 2010-05-24.
  23. ↑ "Zenkaikon 2008 Information". AnimeCons.com. Retrieved 2010-05-24.
  24. ↑ "Zenkaikon 2009 Information". AnimeCons.com. Retrieved 2010-05-24.
  25. ↑ "Zenkaikon 2011 Information". AnimeCons.com. Retrieved 2012-02-19.
  26. ↑ "Zenkaikon 2012 Information". AnimeCons.com. Retrieved 2014-06-06.
  27. ↑ "Zenkaikon 2013 Information". AnimeCons.com. Retrieved 2016-02-02.
  28. ↑ "Zenkaikon 2014 Information". AnimeCons.com. Retrieved 2014-06-06.
  29. ↑ "Zenkaikon 2015 Information". AnimeCons.com. Retrieved 2015-03-23.
  30. ↑ "Zenkaikon 2016 Information". AnimeCons.com. Retrieved 2016-03-15.
  31. ↑ Davis, Hannah (2005-03-25). "Drawn to anime Fans find other aficionados along with video games, films, a costume contest and art show at KosaiKon.". Philly.com. Retrieved 2012-12-27.
  32. ↑ "Kosaikon Anifest 2003 Information". AnimeCons.com. Retrieved 2012-02-19.
  33. ↑ "KosaiKon Winter AniFest 2004 Information". AnimeCons.com. Retrieved 2012-12-26.
  34. ↑ "KosaiKon Autumn AniFest 2004 Information". AnimeCons.com. Retrieved 2012-12-26.
  35. ↑ "KosaiKon Easter Anifest 2005 Information". AnimeCons.com. Retrieved 2010-05-24.
  36. ↑ Parks, Andrew (2005-10-13). "Con Men Animation Celebration". Philadelphia City Paper. Retrieved 2012-12-27.
  37. ↑ "Zentrancon 2005 Information". AnimeCons.com. Retrieved 2010-12-26.
  38. ↑ "Zenkaikon to provide anime content at VGXPO 2008". AnimeCons.com. Retrieved 2012-02-20.
  39. ↑ "Meet Zenkaikon at Video Game Expo, GameX, & Video Games Live". AnimeCons.com. Retrieved 2012-12-28.
  40. ↑ "Photos: Sakura Sunday". Philadelphia Weekly. Retrieved 2012-04-24.

Coordinates: 40°2′15″N 76°18′17″W / 40.03750°N 76.30472°W / 40.03750; -76.30472

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