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Friday
Welcome to Opening Ceremonies, where we introduce you to the fabulous world of this weekend's convention! The wait is finally over, it's party time! Let's get the convention started! Join us as we introduce you to some of the convention's amazing guests, do a little housekeeping with rules and safety, and learn about all the fun events that will be taking place over the weekend!
Neurodivergence in the Anime Fan Community
Many neurodivergent people belong to the anime fan community. Listen to a neurodivergent anime fan discuss the reasons why people with autism enjoy anime, issues neurodivergent people can face at anime conventions, and how the anime fan community can be more understanding of neurodivergent people.
Beyond the Bending: Avatar the Last Airbender’s World Building
Water, Earth, Fire, and Air. Those words immediately make you think of Avatar the Last Airbender. While the characters of Avatar have been given more than enough attention, one aspect of Avatar that often gets overlooked is how the world of the four nations is depicted. Come on down to this panel to learn the history, the world building, and our own thoughts on the world of Avatar.
Ranting, Raving, and Rolling Thunder - An hour with Greg Ayres
Recommended
Come spend an hour with voice actor Greg Ayres as he answers questions about all projects, old and new. You can be sure he’ll be talking about New projects like Saiyuki Reload Zeroin, Dark Gathering, Haikyu, Alice in Borderland, GetterRobo Arc, as well as any your favorites titles as well. After spending over two decades working in an industry that he used to be a fan of, he has been able to watch some amazing changes take place.. A fan boy till the end, he’ll also talk about the fact that while everything around him maybe changing - some things will always remain the same (for him).
Join us to participate in a real sword class, utilizing the tactics and techniques of Japan's most infamous warriors, taught by a professional swordsman. Bokken provided. Sorry, but you can't bring your own sword.
Want to pick up a sword and be sure that it will get you through the apocalypse in one piece? Learn how to tell at a glance if a blade is simply shiny, artsy, or full-on battle worthy? Come to Real Sword or Piece of Crap and follow Samurai Dan through an easy step-by-step examination of blades and prepare yourself to learn: is this sword real, or a piece of crap.
Come in your favorite nice outfits and dance to the music!
In the Army Now: Depictions of Warfare and the Military in Anime
Warfare is one of the most depicted topics in all of anime and manga. From big ticket shows like Gundam, to lesser known properties like Girls Und Panzer and 86, anime has depicted militarism in a variety of different ways. Come on down with us as we look at some of the best examples of warfare and military depictions in the world of anime.
When good dubs go bad! (18+) w/ Jay Hickman
Recommended
When good dubs go bad!
Saturday
Kaijumania: A History of Japanese Monster Movies
There are few characters in cinema as iconic as Godzilla. Even people wholly unfamiliar with the world of Kaiju, know Godzilla. If you want to learn about more than just Godzilla, come on down to Kaijumania, where we study the history of Kaiju, their influence on film, and how they have been interpreted around the world.
Samurai; the ancient, majestic warrior class of Japan's 12th-19th centuries. In this main stage event the majestic, mystic, and poetic swordsmanship of Japan’s mighty warriors are brought to life with style and power. This authentic display includes an abundance of precision, skill, and of all things, humor. This fast-paced show mixes comedy and combat in a dizzying trip to 16th century Japan.
Want to be Friends?
Do you want to make friends? This panel is for those who want to meet others with similar interests and make friends. We will provide How to tips and information about making friends at a convention. Including how to approach others and how to trade contact information, complete with fill in the blank cards you can customize and share. Come, Meet People and make new friends. Great for people who do not attend with friends or a group.
Akame ga Parasyte Wars Academia - Voiceover Q&A with Jay Hickman
Recommended
Jay began his career in anime in the 1990s, when he landed his first role at ADV Films in Master of Mosquiton. Since then, he has appeared in more than 100 titles with studios including ADV Films, Funimation, Sentai Filmworks, Switchblade Pictures, Okratron 5000, and others. As a character actor, Jay has been able to voice a broad variety of colorful roles, with the occasional romantic lead thrown in for good measure. His notable credits over the past two decades are Mechazawa in Cromartie High School, Spitfire in Air Gear, Sho Zama in Aura Battler Dunbine, Shiryu in Saint Seiya, Chuu and Hammond in One Piece, Kagetane Hiruko in Black Bullet, Chief Kurama in Elfen Lied, Koji in Generator Gawl, Toru Watanabe in Excel Saga, The Fool in Kaleido Star, Crusty in Log Horizon, SSS in Madlax, Dera Mochimazzi in Tamako Market, Sanetoshi Watase in Penguindrum, Prince Mytho in Princess Tutu, and Giraffe in Revue Starlight, among many others. Jay’s voice has also been featured in the live action features Dark Water, Synesthesia, Conduct Zero, The Fuccons, Touching Wild Horses, Gamera – Attack of Legion, as well as in the video game Unlimited Saga. Jay had his Toonami debut playing Dr. Stylish in Akame ga KILL!, followed by Shiro Kuramori in Parasyte – the maxim, Joichiro Yukihira in Food Wars!, and most recently, Taneo Tokuda in My Hero Academia.
Moviemania: A History of Wrestlers in Movies
Should Wrestlers star in movies? This question has plagued mankind for centuries and while we may not have the answer, we do know that wrestlers have a long and strange history in the world of film. Come on down as we delve into the best and worst of wrestlers in film, including when Vince McMahon attempted to build his own movie studio within the WWE.
What's better than a sword? Is it a shield? A hammer? No, how about TWO SWORDS! Come learn the methods of two sword fighting, made famous by Miyamoto Musashi, the greatest samurai of them all! Class taught by one of the only swordsmen skilled in samurai dual-wielding.
Paranormal Junkies
Our panelists want to share the knowledge they have gained about the paranormal world thru Anime & life experience. We will discuss survival techniques, local cryptids, Con Myths, and other topics. We will also cover investigation basics, etiquette, and tools.
It Gets Better - Anime Con Edition with Greg Ayres
Recommended
The "It Gets Better" project was created in response to a string of teen suicides in 2010 by kids who were bullied because they were perceived to be LGBTQ+. Sadly bullying is something that happens to one in four teens. In the past few years we've even seen an increase in bullying within our own fandom. So let's talk about our experiences, look for ways to resolve these conflicts, and find resources that will allow us to help and support each other, and try to find the light at the end of the tunnel.
The Cosplay Contest is our mainstage costume and cosplay competition, featuring some of the most spectacular costumes around. Have an amazing cosplay? Think it's worthy of a prize or medal? Come and show it off in our mainstage costume and cosplay competition! Contestants are judged on workmanship and performance (complete rules can be found online or at the cosplay table) as they battle for the chance to qualify for the Cosplay World Crown and a free trip to Japan! Come watch some of the coolest cosplays and performances of the weekend grace the mainstage! Advanced registration is required if you want to compete.
An Anime and Japanese Music Recorder Show
Watch a professional recorder player as he performs anime themes, melodies from Japan that he learned while touring Japan, and popular fan music, all on his recorder.
Thirsty? Pass me the Yaoi
Charity, Arwen & Jeanne are back again with more Yaoi & Yuri recommendations. We watch hundreds of hours of anime so you don't have to. We have weeded out the cringe and have some great recommendations for Anime & Manga. This is an 18+ panel due to the subject nature. We will bring our favorite Manga for you to check out also.
Join some of the convention's incredibly talented voice actors for a Karaoke sing-a-long panel. We'll sing some of our favorite songs, talk about some of our favorite music, and get the audience singing along with us!
Sunday
All Things Samurai: Samurai Dan takes the stage, willing to leave no stone unturned. The people managing our zen rock garden are really mad that he keeps turning their stones, please tell him to stop. Ask anything (SFW) and brace yourselves, the answers are coming fast and furious as a sword stroke!
Disability Awareness with Bluey
Many people with disabilities enjoy the Australian television show Bluey, and situations commonly encountered by people with disabilities appear in many episodes of Bluey. Listen to a Bluey fan with a disability discuss how people can utilize Bluey to teach awareness of various forms of disabilities.
A large number of anime and gaming fans deal with depression on a daily basis, and two years of pandemic uncertainty just added more stress to that battle. Many of us have turned to video games, and online communities for comfort and cool down. From gamers kept company by “lets play” videos and content creators, to acting mayors of towns filled with cute talking animals - come discuss how gaming and fandom have helped you through the rough patches of your day to day adventures.
Con Swap Meet
Got old stuff? Want to trade it for other old stuff? Come to the swap meet and do just that.
You don't have to go home, but you can't stay here. It's that time when we say goodbye to the guests, artists, and new friends we've made over a fun filled convention weekend. Don't worry, there's always next year, but if you can't wait that long check out some of our other great conventions at www.animecon.org!
