Zenkaikon
Encyclopedia
Zenkaikon is an anime convention
that was formed by the merger of two Philadelphia-area events -- the anime
and science fiction
convention Zentrancon (2005), and the anime convention Kosaikon (2003-2005). Zenkaikon typically takes place at the Valley Forge Convention Center complex in King of Prussia, Pennsylvania
(a Philadelphia suburb), and held its first event in 2006.
Zenkaikon's fifth convention was held on March 18-20, 2011 . Celebrity guests included anime voice actors Vic Mignogna
and Todd Haberkorn
.
(AMV) contest, a masquerade, video gaming, a dealer room, and an artist alley.
Anime convention
An anime convention is an event or gathering with a primary focus on anime, manga and Japanese culture. Commonly, anime conventions are multi-day events hosted at convention centers, hotels or college campuses. They feature a wide variety of activities and panels...
that was formed by the merger of two Philadelphia-area events -- the anime
Anime
is the Japanese abbreviated pronunciation of "animation". The definition sometimes changes depending on the context. In English-speaking countries, the term most commonly refers to Japanese animated cartoons....
and science fiction
Science fiction
Science fiction is a genre of fiction dealing with imaginary but more or less plausible content such as future settings, futuristic science and technology, space travel, aliens, and paranormal abilities...
convention Zentrancon (2005), and the anime convention Kosaikon (2003-2005). Zenkaikon typically takes place at the Valley Forge Convention Center complex in King of Prussia, Pennsylvania
King of Prussia, Pennsylvania
King of Prussia is a census-designated place in Upper Merion Township, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, United States. As of the 2010 census, its population was 19,936. The community took its name in the 18th century from a local tavern named the King of Prussia Inn, which was named after...
(a Philadelphia suburb), and held its first event in 2006.
Zenkaikon's fifth convention was held on March 18-20, 2011 . Celebrity guests included anime voice actors Vic Mignogna
Vic Mignogna
Victor Joseph "Vic" Mignogna is an American Anime Award winning voice actor and musician who has done voice work for many anime series, movies, and video games...
and Todd Haberkorn
Todd Haberkorn
Todd Michael Haberkorn is an American actor, voice actor, ADR Director and Script writer at Funimation Entertainment and OkraTron 5000...
.
Programming
Zenkaikon typically features anime and live action video screenings, concerts, dances, special guests, fan-run panels, game shows, karaoke, cosplay contests, an anime music videoAnime music video
An anime music video is a music video consisting of clips from one or more animations set to an audio track ; the term usually refers to fan-made unofficial videos. An AMV can also be a set of video game footage put together with music which is known as a GMV...
(AMV) contest, a masquerade, video gaming, a dealer room, and an artist alley.
Timeline
- February 28, 2006 – Zentrancon and Kosaikon announce plans to merge to form Zenkaikon .
- October 28, 2006 – Zenkaikon holds its first event at the Valley Forge Scanticon Hotel and Conference Center. There are 450 paid attendees. Guests include Alex Strang, Corinne OrrCorinne OrrCorinne Orr is a Canadian-born actress and voice artist, who now lives in New York City, where she has resided for more than four decades....
, Peter FernandezPeter FernandezPeter Fernandez was an American actor, voice actor, and director. Despite a career extending from the 1930s, he is probably best known for his uncredited roles in the 1967 anime Speed Racer. Fernandez co-wrote the scripts, was the voice director, and translated the English language version of the...
, and Prism . - October 13, 2007 – Zenkaikon returns to the Scanticon Hotel and Conference Center for its second year. There are 570 paid attendees. Guests include D-Chan, Hsu-Nami, and Uncle Yo .
- October 25, 2007 – Zenkaikon announces it will become a two-day convention, and sets its dates as October 17 to October 18, 2008.
- October 17, 2008 – Zenkaikon holds its third event at the Scanticon Hotel and Conference Center. There are 1,352 paid attendees. Guests include Bill Rogers, Michelle Knotz, Uncle Yo, The SlantsThe SlantsThe Slants are the first Asian American dance rock band in the world. The band was founded by Simon Young in 2006 in Portland, Oregon. Often compared with 80’s synth-pop bands such as Depeche Mode, New Order, and Joy Division, as well as modern acts such as The Killers and The Bravery, the band...
, Ultraball, C.J. Henderson, Raqs Otaku, Ikuzo! Studios, Geeks Next Door, Subpar Comic, and Friday Knights . - November 17, 2008 – Zenkaikon announces it will be moving to larger venue of the Valley Forge Radisson Hotel, and sets its dates as November 7 to November 8, 2009 .
- November 7, 2009 – Zenkaikon holds its fourth annual convention at the Radisson Hotel. Guests include the Geek Comedy Tour, Uncle Yo, Eden Star,Eyeshine, [geist], Reni Mimura, Concept Galaxy, Ikuzo! Studios, the Robotech Convention Tour, Robert Axelrod (actor)Robert Axelrod (actor)Robert Axelrod is a U.S. actor who has been in several movies and lent his voice to countless televisual shows including Digimon, having started vocal acting for the English versions of Japanese cartoons in 1980...
, Johnny Yong BoschJohnny Yong BoschJohnny Yong Bosch is an American actor, voice actor, martial artist, and musician.He may be best known for portraying Adam Park in Mighty Morphin Power Rangers, and being the English voice of Ichigo Kurosaki in the hit anime series Bleach, Vash the Stampede in Trigun and Lelouch Lamperouge in Code...
, Trina NishimuraTrina NishimuraTrina Nishimura is an American voice actress who works for anime series at Funimation Entertainment. She has provided voices for a number of English language versions of Japanese anime films, TV Series and OVAs.-Anime:* AM Driver - Cathy...
, C.J. Henderson, Geeks Next Door, and Friday Knights . - April 10, 2010 – Zenkaikon announces it will become a three-day convention, and sets its dates as March 18 to 20, 2011 .