Cosplay Shopper Blog

Upcoming Conventions

Next weekend in chock full of conventions around the world and we’re here just in time to give you the details!  Not only is there Comic-Con next weekend (the full post of which can be read here: Comic-Con 2011), but there are seven other events going on in different sections of the Earth.

AnimeiCon will be held in Monterey, California from July 22-24.  This con is debuting with five guests, including Chris Cason, Yukie Dong, Kairu, Jamie Marchi, and Trina Nishimura.  AnimeiCon focuses on the culture of Japan and sharing it with con-goers, from the art and music to the traditional foods – and, of course, anime and cosplay.

Hyper Japan will be hosted in London, United Kingdom.  Hyper Japan is the self-proclaimed “UK’s biggest J-culture party.”  In addition to a multitude of guests, this con is working to help aid Japan recover from its March earthquake in a program called “Genki Giving.”  33% of sponsorship and 10% of ticket revenues will be donated.

Kamikazecon is in its fourth year and heralds from Houston, Texas.  It has a number of recognizable guests: voice actors Christopher Ayres, Greg Ayres, Johnny Yong Bosch, Colleen Clinkenbeard, Kyle Hebert, Samantha Inoue-Harte, cosplayer Jesse Thaxton, and musical guests Eyeshine (Johnny Yong Bosch’s band) and Kazha.

In Leonding, Austria, MACOnvention is a leading event in manga, anime, and video games.  It has few guests, but a packe program to make up for it.  It includes competitions, workshops, readings, showings, and more.  It also includes several different “showacts” from the anime Tsubasa Chronicles, Hamlet, Detective Conan, Naruto, and Ranma ½.

Auckland City, New Zealand boasts Overload, a festival for manga comic artists to showcase their work.  It is only on Saturday and Sunday, the 23rd and 24th, but is heavily art focused.  It centers primarily on the amateur art community and allows artists the opportunity to showcase their work and learn from one another in a positive environment.

Orlando Anime Day is on July 23rd and Vegas Anime Day is on July 24th.  The Orlando version is more of a marketplace that hosts a 3,000 square foot dealer’s room and an anime viewing room.  Major pluses include free parking and $3 entry.  Vegas Anime Day is a little more elaborate, hosted by the largest indoor theme park.  It’s a little more convention-like with games and competitions and is just meant to tide Vegas fans over until the fall, when more cons start rolling around.