News

Convention Safety Initiative: Vaccination Checks

May 15, 2023

‼️Con is just around the corner!‼️

In order to pick up your badge, please make sure you have these three items for each person in your party:

  • Photo I.D. 
    • Please make sure the name on your I.D. matches the name on your proof of vaccination.
    • In the case of legal name changes where the name on the I.D. and the name on the vaccination records no longer match, you will need to bring another form of identification that links you to the proof of vaccination.
  • Face Mask
    • We will require all attendees, guests, and staff to wear a mask covering the nose and mouth in all FanimeCon indoor event spaces.
    • Prolonged periods of mask removal are not permitted for eating or drinking; the mask must be worn between bites, sips, and taking medication. 
    • For cosplayers with large helmets/cosplay masks, a mask must be worn underneath the cosplay. 
    • We strongly recommend choosing a mask based on the CDC mask guidelines (https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent-getting-sick/types-of-masks.html).

For more information please refer to our COVID-19 Policy: https://www.fanime.com/news/covid-19-vaccination-policy/

Thanks for helping us keep our community safe!

Swap Meet Registration is Open!

April 29, 2023

Swap Meet Registration is now open! Follow the link below to register for Swap Meet!

https://apps.fanime.com/2023/swapmeet/

The Swap Meet requirements and registration process are similar to previous years.  In order to sell at Swap Meet, you must have a valid FanimeCon registration number.  Check-in will begin approximately one and a half to two hours prior to the start of the Swap Meet each day.  You will need to bring a printed copy of your Swap Meet Application form as well as your ID, FanimeCon Badge, proof of vaccination, and seller’s permit as appropriate. You will need a separate copy of the Application and seller’s permit for each day as we will collect them at check-in.  South Hall is part of the Convention Center, so all the rules regarding vaccine requirements and masking are the same as the Convention Center’s main building.

FanimeCon Dance is Back with a New Lineup & Operating Hours!

April 28, 2023

FanimeCon’s Dance Hall is back! This year we’ll be bringing you a brand new lineup featuring fresh faces who have the tunes to get you grooving all night long. These folks may be new to FanimeCon but they’ve definitely made a name for themselves in the Bay Area music scene!

The Dance Hall will start on Friday at 8:00 pm with a variety of DJs, who will bring you all kinds of music ranging anywhere from House, Disco, Trap…maybe even some of your favorite anime tracks!

Due to technical challenges and staffing concerns, FanimeCon Dance will NOT be held on Day 0 (Thursday). We want to ensure we put on a picture perfect show running for you all for the Friday Night Lights Party. So be there at 8:00 pm sharp on Friday as we kick off the night with a special birthday set by LUONGEVITY!

J-Fashion Presents – The Atelier: Handmade Coordinate Contest

March 17, 2023

Do you excel in making your own J-Fashion accessories and garments? Do you always have a handmade touch to your coordinates? Sign up for The Atelier: Handmade Coordinate Contest, hosted by the J-Fashion Department in the Hyatt Place hotel on Saturday, May 27! Participants will be judged by a panel of industry professionals to win fabulous prizes donated by our generous fashion show brands. All J-Fashion styles are welcome to participate.

Contest Information

The J-Fashion Handmade Coordinate Contest is for any J-Fashion coordinate where the majority of clothing is handmade by the entrant. Participants may choose to either wear the coordinate themselves, or showcase the coordinate on somebody else.

Coordinates should be recognizably J-Fashion (including, but not limited to styles such as lolita fashion, EGA, ouji, mori-kei, decora, fairy-kei, gyaru, menhera, or wafuku). No cosplay entries will be allowed.

How To Participate

Registration: Sign up anytime before the event at the J-Fashion Info Desk located in the Hyatt Place hotel lobby.

Participant call-time is 7:00 pm on Saturday, May 27. Please check in at Hyatt Place Salon 1.

Participants will be asked to showcase their coordinates on the runway, and be able to explain how each piece was made. Contest entries will be judged on criteria such as craftsmanship, creativity, and skill level.

Have questions? Email us at jfashion@fanime.com

J-Fashion Presents – The Atelier: Handmade Coordinate Contest

Do you excel in making your own J-Fashion accessories and garments? Do you always have a handmade touch to your coordinates? Sign up for The Atelier: Handmade Coordinate Contest, hosted by the J-Fashion Department in the Hyatt Place hotel on Saturday, May 27! Participants will be judged by a panel of industry professionals to win fabulous prizes donated by our generous fashion show brands. All J-Fashion styles are welcome to participate.

Contest Information

The J-Fashion Handmade Coordinate Contest is for any J-Fashion coordinate where the majority of clothing is handmade by the entrant. Participants may choose to either wear the coordinate themselves, or showcase the coordinate on somebody else.

Coordinates should be recognizably J-Fashion (including, but not limited to styles such as lolita fashion, EGA, ouji, mori-kei, decora, fairy-kei, gyaru, menhera, or wafuku). No cosplay entries will be allowed.

How To Participate

Registration: Sign up anytime before the event at the J-Fashion Info Desk located in the Hyatt Place hotel lobby.

Participant call-time is 7:00 pm on Saturday, May 27. Please check in at Hyatt Place Salon 1.

Participants will be asked to showcase their coordinates on the runway, and be able to explain how each piece was made. Contest entries will be judged on criteria such as craftsmanship, creativity, and skill level.

Have questions? Email us at jfashion@fanime.com

FanimeCon Masquerade Contestant Registration Opens March 4 at Noon!

March 03, 2023

Each year, the FanimeCon Masquerade holds a cosplay contest featuring astounding cosplay, performances, and dance routines inspired by anime and manga as well as Asian films, video games, music stars, and more! The Masquerade is open to all FanimeCon attendees. Contestants can compete for cash and make a name for themselves in the competitive world of cosplay!

Online Masquerade Contestant Application
(Opens March 4, 2023, at 12:00 pm PST)

Would you like to compete in the Masquerade Cosplay Contest? Please review the rules and eligibility criteria before you apply. If you have any questions, please contact masquerade@fanime.com.

Introducing our Masquerade Judges

Photo Credit: @BlizzardTerrak

The Wig Doctor entered the cosplay scene in 2004 and fell in love instantly. That love eventually turned into opportunities to work as a professional wig stylist for theater, private collections, and Epic Cosplay Wigs. The Wig Doctor can usually be found wherever there is a costume repair station, happily passing on her knowledge and bringing wigs back from the dead. She’s very excited to be judging at FanimeCon this year!

Photo Credit: Hazzel Swenson

A costumer for over 10 years, Lisa Levy A.K.A. Gone Batty Cosplay is excited to be providing craftsmanship judging for the FanimeCon 2023 Masquerade. From kimonos to armor, and full face makeup to full size wings she has skills in multiple facets of cosplay production. Lisa has been writing cosplay craftsmanship spotlights for The Geekly Grind since 2019. She is just batty about cosplay!

Photo Credit:@BlackWandPhotography

MaybeBabyCosplay is a Southern Californian cosplay duo with over a decade of costume making and competition experience. Self-taught in sewing, wig styling and prop making, they’re hyped for the return of the FanimeCon Masquerade!

 Stage Zero Applications are Now Open!

February 06, 2023

Stage Zero is now taking applications to perform for FanimeCon 2023! There’s space for all sorts of performances at Stage Zero, from dancing, musical performances, demonstrations, and more!

IMPORTANT: Stage Zero performers must be registered attendees or staff of FanimeCon 2023. Due to this year’s COVID-19 protocols, we will not be escorting performers who are unregistered to and from the stage. All performers will need to register for a FanimeCon 2023 badge.

Applications are due March 31, 2023. Check our page for more information!  

2023 FanimeCon Open House: February 5th at the Guildhouse

January 13, 2023

We are happy to announce the 2023 FanimeCon Open House!

At the Open House, we will pull back the curtain to show you how we make FanimeCon happen with an all-volunteer roster. Meet our dedicated staff, learn how we do what we do, and win some prizes too! 

Hang out with us as we show you what it takes to put together FanimeCon – and how you can join our FanimeCon family.

(You can also join us now via apply.fanime.com and meet us on the day!)

The Open House will be held at the Guildhouse at 420 S 1st St, San Jose, CA 95113 on Sunday, February 5, 2023 from 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM.

Click here for directions to the Guildhouse.

See you there!

COVID-19 Vaccination Policy

January 04, 2023

(Last updated: 03/13/2024)

This year, FanimeCon’s policies regarding COVID-19 are changing.

Everyone attending FanimeCon 2024 is no longer required to be vaccinated against COVID-19, but all attendees, guests, and staff are still required to wear a mask covering the nose and mouth in all indoor FanimeCon event spaces. 

We would like to encourage everyone attending to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 before the start of con in order to be better protected. Please see the U.S. Centers for Disease and Control (CDC) for recognized vaccines to protect yourself and others when attending FanimeCon [link].

The rules may change based on new guidelines from federal, state, and local agencies. As a private event, we may enact stricter COVID-19 policies than are required. We ask for your help in following our COVID-19 policies and your understanding.

Indoor Masking Rules

  • FanimeCon will require all attendees, guests, and staff to wear a mask covering the nose and mouth in all FanimeCon indoor event spaces.
  • Prolonged periods of mask removal are not permitted for eating or drinking; the mask must be worn between bites, sips, and taking medication. Exceptions are allowed if you are inside personal hotel rooms, designated eating or drinking areas, or for FanimeCon performers actively on stage performing. Please follow instructions from stage show managers for additional policies if requested. 
  • For cosplayers with large helmets/cosplay masks, a mask must be worn underneath the cosplay. 
  • Please follow masking policies for restaurants and other spaces operated by our facility partners.
  • Certain activities, departments, and/or events may have additional policies. Attendees, guests and staff will be required to follow any additional policies to participate in these activities, departments, and/or events. 

Information on COVID-19-related refunds and rollovers:

FanimeCon tickets are not transferable or refundable. Examples of transfers or refunds include, but are not limited to: transfer of the ticket to another person, rollover of the ticket to the following year, being unable to attend FanimeCon, purchasing a ticket for a friend who is unable to attend, etc. Please see our Registration page for more information.

Vaccination Policy

Based on updated information regarding COVID-19 vaccinations as of November 8th, 2023, we no longer require COVID-19 vaccinations for Attendees, Guests, and Staff. However, we do encourage Attendees, Guests, and Staff to have at least one updated dose if they have been vaccinated for COVID-19 before. If they have not previously received any COVID-19 vaccination, they should obtain one of the following as per CDC recommendations:

  • 1 updated Pfizer-BioNTech or updated Moderna COVID-19 vaccine, OR 
  • 2 doses of updated Novavax COVID-19 vaccine