California Anime Conventions

Anime Expo, the Largest Anime Convention in North America
Anime conventions are massive events in which fans from many backgrounds, culture, socioeconomic groups join together in one location to show a common love for the medium of anime and manga. Early on these conventions were short-lived, since they came out of pocket and dissolved in about two years. It changed in the early 1990's with three anime conventions, A-Kon, AnimeFest, and Anime Expo. Anime has grown in popularity over the years with it being an integral part of the culture of the younger generation of fans. With the growth in popularity of anime and manga, we have seen a growth in the number of anime conventions in the United States. One of the large centers of the anime fandom is California.

Without further ado, here are the California Anime Conventions worth visiting (in calendar order).

Anime Los Angeles
Month: Early January
Location: Los Angeles Airport Mariott
Website

Anime Los Angeles is a small to medium-sized anime convention held in the beginning of the year. The convention is well-known because it has a passionate, energetic attendee base that will bring the smile of anyone from age 7 to age 100. It is one of my personal favorite anime conventions because of the great staff team behind it and the wonderful passionate fans who frequent it.

Sac-Anime
Month: Early January, September
Location: Radisson Hotel Sacramento
Website

Sac-Anime is a well known small anime convention held in Sacramento twice a year. The convention was started in 2005 and since then has grown with the large Northern California market. It has the distinction of being one of the rare anime convention that is held semi-annually as opposed to the annual tradition used by most anime conventions.

Anime Conji
Month: March
Location: Town and Country Resort Hotel
Website

Anime Conji is billed as San Diego's first local anime convention. Conji is small local anime convention that was recently started. It has a great venue and a great team of staff who are leading it. The convention has close ties with the people who run Anime Los Angeles. As a cosplay photographer it is one of the most photographic venues. I believe that this convention has lots of potential for the future.

FanimeCon
Month: June
Location: San Jose Convention Center
Website

FanimeCon is one of the ten largest anime conventions in the United States and it is the largest anime convention in Northern California. It is a large convention with a great team of staff behind it. The convention attracts a large number of cosplayers and attendees. Fanime has a great list of guests of honor and many of its attendees and staff do both Fanime and Anime Expo.

Anime Expo
Month: Early July
Location: Los Angeles Convention Center
Website

Anime Expo is the largest anime convention in the United States. It is considered to be a "destination convention" for many attendees due to its massive size, guests of honor, and the sheer number of programming available. As one of the oldest conventions in the United States, Anime Expo has a rich history. There are many passionate staffers who run the convention. The convention is a great destination for old and new anime fans alike.

Yaoi-con
Month: Late October
Location: San Francisco Airport Marriott
Website

Yaoi-con is the longest running convention in the West that is dedicated to Yaoi (Boys Love). Due to the content of the convention, it is limited to an audience that is 18+. The convention also has a disproportionate number of female attendees compared to a normal anime convention.

Pacific Media Expo
Month: November
Location: LAX Hilton
Website

Pacific Media Expo is a small convention that was founded by former Anime Expo CEO Mike Tastugawa. It focuses on Asian culture, with an emphasis on Korean and Japanese works. It is a great small convention to visit and network. It is also located close to where Anime Los Angeles is held at. It is also currently the last anime convention of the year to attend in California.

In conclusion....
All these conventions are great events to socialize and interact with fellow fans of the anime and manga hobby. Each one provides a unique and rewarding experience for the fans. I personally attend four of these conventions: Anime Los Angeles, Anime Conji, Anime Expo, and Pacific Media Expo and I can attest to how great each of these events are. If a certain event moved their convention to a more convenient date I would likely be attending five conventions as part of my convention circuit.

PS: I don't want any "convention wars" and I will use a zero tolerance rule for anyone disparaging any anime convention.

Comments

Rich$Con said…
I've only been to two of them and I can say that one was much better than the other.
June 23, 2011 at 12:27 AM
Anonymous said…
Ha ha ha, I do appreciate your honesty
June 23, 2011 at 11:52 AM
KrisZ said…
Richard, try going to the other ones I invite you to. Maybe you will like them more.
June 23, 2011 at 11:59 AM
Anonymous said…
Anime Expo is definitely an experience of a lifetime.
June 25, 2011 at 10:50 PM
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