Conventions

Fans of Japanese anime, manga and culture gather for a three-day weekend to share their passion with others. There are panels, costumes, interactive demonstrations, videos and much more. A few of the larger ones are reviewed occasionally with photographs and videos. Visit the Conventions page for a complete schedule of upcoming conventions that I plan to attend!

Fan Expo Vancouver comes to town

  Frederick Linsmeyer • January 28, 2012 • Conventions

There’s a new convention in town. Fan Expo Vancouver is bringing the best of likes of Toronto’s Fan Expo Canada to the West Coast for the first time with big names, games, comics, anime and manga.

Fan Expo Vancouver isn’t just about anime and manga, rather the whole spectrum of comics, movies, science fiction and pop culture. Just like any convention, there’s going to be big name guests, gaming, autographs, panels, swag, artists, exhibitors, workshops, cosplay and entertainment.

Some of the names you might run into are Colleen Clinkenbeard (Fullmetal Alchemist, Kiddy Grade), Trevor Devall (Gundam SEED), Richard Cox (InuYasha), Veronica Taylor (Pokemon), Mike McFarland (Dragon Ball Z, Fullmetal Alchemist) and Brian Froud (Bakugan). Of course there will be other celebrities including Adam West and Burt Ward (Batman), Tom Felton (Harry Potter) and Lou Ferrigno (The Incredible Hulk).

Fan Expo Vancouver runs for two days only – April 21st and 22nd, 2012 in the west building of the Vancouver Convention Centre. Tickets will be available for purchase online on February 21st, 2012 or at the door during the convention itself. Prices range from $20.00 CAD for each day or $30.00 CAD for both Saturday and Sunday.

With the void left by the now defunct Anime Evolution in Vancouver’s convention scene, Fan Expo Vancouver and Anime Revolution (no relationship to Anime Evolution), these should be two events for anime buffs to gather and share their love for the medium.

Full article • No Comments • Top

Anime Revolution

  Frederick Linsmeyer • September 2, 2011 • Conventions

Vancouver has a new event in town – Anime Revolution! Many of us from the Lower Mainland knew that the void left by Anime Evolution would need to be filled, and the organizers behind Anime Revolution are looking to step up. The group appears promising in making the convention their top priority and have already selected a venue for 2012: The Vancouver Convention Centre. Of course, we’ll have to wait until next year when the convention happens – the coordinators have no previous affiliation with the departed Anime Evolution, which makes for a clean slate. The name Anime Revolution is meant to inspire a much needed change and also as a tribute to its predecessor.

Anime Revolution will take place between August 17th – 19th, 2012. Check out the Anime Revolution web site for additional information.

Full article • 1 Comment • Top

San Japan 4TW

  Frederick Linsmeyer • August 12, 2011 • Conventions

Texas weather can be described as hot and humid – it was anything but that inside San Antonio’s Marriott Rivercenter hotel for San Japan 4TW. Once again, the Alamo City was taken over for a weekend of Japanese pop-culture with colourful costumes that which occasionally clashed with the white and blue of Dallas Cowboys fans, also in town for their training camp. Being my second San Japan, I had great time catching up with old friends and getting to make new ones. The three day convention ran from August 5th to 7th, 2011. A collection of photos taken during the weekend are available on Gallery.
Read the rest of this article…

Full article • No Comments • Top

Replacing Anime Evolution

  Frederick Linsmeyer • July 11, 2011 • Conventions

With the absence of Anime Evolution this August, there is a void in the community that needs to be filled. There is some solace as a few groups are working hard to make sure all of the anime fans (cosplayers too!) are taken care of this summer with two upcoming events: The Summer Festival and Cos & Effect. While these two aren’t full fledged conventions like the fallen Anime Evolution, they should be enough to keep everyone engaged until a suitable replacement is organized.

The Summer Festival is being held at the Burnaby campus of Simon Fraser University. Presented by the university’s Altered Reality Club, the Summer Festival is an afternoon of games, cosplay, food and contests. The event is free, beginning at 2:00 pm in SFU’s Convocation Mall on Saturday, July 16th, 2011.

Cos & Effect is a two day party for those who love wearing and/or making costumes from different fandoms; not just anime. There will be a multitude of events, panels, contests, vendors, artists and more! Cos & Effect takes place over the weekend of August 13th and 14th, 2011 in the Student Union Building at the University of British Columbia. Tickets are $20 CAD online or $28 CAD at the door.

Full article • No Comments • Top

Anime Central 2011

  Frederick Linsmeyer • May 25, 2011 • Conventions

It’s hard to believe another weekend of partying in Rosemont is over. As usual, I had a blast at Anime Central, with this being my fourth year attending. However, this convention wasn’t without its ups and downs – some stuff that carries over from previous years, along with the new. Anime Central 2011 took place at the Hyatt Regency O’Hare and Donald E. Stephens Convention Center in Rosemont, Illinois, just on the edge of Chicago. As always, photographs are available on Gallery. Read the rest of this article…

Full article • No Comments • Top

Sakura-Con 2011

  Frederick Linsmeyer • April 26, 2011 • Conventions

With another Sakura-Con behind us, it’s time to reflect and remember how many Japanese cartoons one can cram into a three day weekend. Quite a bit, actually. This time around, I selected a hotel closer to the Washington State Convention and Trade Center, the Seattle Sheraton, primarily because it was really close (across the street) and had a slightly cheaper room rate. So here it is, my fourth Sakura-Con. Photos, as always, are available on Gallery. Read the rest of this article…

Full article • No Comments • Top

No more Anime Evolution?

  Frederick Linsmeyer • February 5, 2011 • Conventions

By now, most anime fans within Metro Vancouver has read the update posted on the Anime Evolution web site -  there will be no convention this year.  The AE Convention Corporation, the group behind the scenes, disbanded the committee that sets up and runs the three day Japanese-themed weekend due to financial and legal reasons. While we can only begin to guess the specifics that lead to this announcement, most of those who’ve attended previous conventions could see that Anime Evolution had been experiencing some significant issues in organization and management.

It is hoped that the AE Convention Corporation will work to restore and bring the fans, cosplayers and those curious an event where we can share our passion for anime, manga and Japanese culture. From the releases posted by the convention executives, they all want to make this happen and we all are looking forward to a convention in 2012.

Until then, there’s always Sakura-Con in Seattle, Tsukino-Con in Victoria, Kumoricon in Portland and A Taste of Animethon in Edmonton. Don’t forget to keep an eye out for smaller cosplay gatherings in your community too!

Full article • 1 Comment • Top

Realms Con 2010

  Frederick Linsmeyer • October 11, 2010 • Conventions

Located on the sunny coast of the Gulf of Mexico, Realms Con provided anime aficionados in Corpus Christi a chance to celebrate their love for for the medium, along with gaming and other aspects of Japanese culture. The convention operated over three days, from October 1st to 3rd, at the American Bank Center. While not a large event, like at Anime Central or even San Japan, Realms Con was something more of a relaxed and laid back convention with opportunities to browse and chill with other con goers.

Read the rest of this article…

Full article • No Comments • Top

Anime Evolution 2010

  Frederick Linsmeyer • August 16, 2010 • Conventions

Another year, another Anime Evolution. Costumed fans of anime and manga gathered around the core of the University of British Columbia during a sweltering summer weekend. There was lots to see and do, along with plenty of awesome costumes, but the convention wasn’t as great as anticipated. Read the rest of this article…

Full article • No Comments • Top

Anime Evolution 2010 photos

  Frederick Linsmeyer • August 14, 2010 • Conventions, Photography
Anime Evolution 2010

Amazing cosplay, all day long!

Check out the ever-growing gallery from this year’s Anime Evolution out at the University of British Columbia! New pictures are being added every day in the late evening, so be sure to return each night.

If you don’t see yourself, track me down on Sunday — just look for the Naruto with the camera!

Full article • No Comments • Top
Next Next

On Gallery

DSC_0303
 
Celebration of Light

More photos...

Recent Articles

Fullmetal Alchemist: The Sacred Star of Milos DVD

After all the film festivals, premieres and screenings in North America and around the world, Fullmetal Alchemist: The Sacred Star of Milos is finally coming to DVD and Blu-ray. Edward and… Keep reading

Fan Expo Vancouver comes to town

There’s a new convention in town. Fan Expo Vancouver is bringing the best of likes of Toronto’s Fan Expo Canada to the West Coast for the first time with big… Keep reading

Construction ready to start on the Evergreen Line

Following numerous setbacks, funding issues and debates on where rapid transit should be expanded in Metro Vancouver, the Evergreen Line is finally rolling forward. Through years of determining how to… Keep reading