News

Midorikawa Autograph Announcement

May 03, 2021

FanimeCon’s Autographs team are proud to offer a little bit of the at-con experience brought straight to your door-step: Exclusively for 2021, we will be holding an online giveaway of 150 foil print FanimeCon posters signed by Guest of Honor Hikaru Midorikawa himself!

Midorikawa is a veteran voice actor with a prolific list of characters under his belt. Perhaps you recognize him as Heero Yuy from Mobile Suit Gundam Wing, Tamahome from Fushigi Yuugi, Zelgadis Greywords from Slayers, or Marth from Fire Emblem, but chances are you’ve heard his voice on one of your favorite anime or video games!

Rules:

1. Only one entry will be valid per attendee.

2. Autographed prints will only be shipped to addresses in the United States, U.S. Territories, and APOs.

3. FanimeCon staff may also enter the giveaway. Please see the FAQ for more information.

4. FanimeCon Autographs and Guest Relations reserve the right to amend this policy if necessary.

For more information, please see the FAQ here.

Click here to enter!

FanimeCon 2021 Registration Open

April 22, 2021

Hello attendees!

The moment you’ve been waiting for has now arrived! FanimeCon Registration is now open for both this year’s Virtual celebration and FanimeCon 2022. You can register at this link.

Tickets for our Virtual-Only FanimeCon 2021 are only $10 and will give you access to hours of panels, Guests of Honor, and more!

Those who have registered for FanimeCon 2020 will have their ticket rolled over to FanimeCon 2021’s Virtual-Only as well as FanimeCon 2022. Registration for Virtual-Only FanimeCon 2021 tickets and FanimeCon 2022 will also be available. Please direct any questions or requests to feedback@fanime.com or check out the Registration FAQ.

We look forward to seeing you online this year!

FanimeCon 2021 Announcement

February 21, 2021

To our loyal attendees,

We hope you are all doing well despite all the things that have happened this year. We are taking this chance to update you on the status of registration for FanimeCon 2021 and our planning for this coming year.

Before diving in, we wanted to share that FanimeCon is a non-profit organization run by a group of devoted volunteer staff. We thank you for your continued support of this cherished community. 

We are announcing that FanimeCon 2021 will be fully virtual. This will be unlike any convention that we have planned before. We are tailoring many of our traditionally in-person events to fit a virtual audience and will share more details as this develops.

Your ticket to FanimeCon 2021 will allow you access to the virtual events this year. If you have a ticket rolled over from FanimeCon 2020 it will be valid for FanimeCon 2021 and FanimeCon 2022. At the current moment, we are unsure when FanimeCon 2021 registration will be available, but we will follow up as information is finalized. In the interim, please direct any questions or requests to feedback@fanime.com.

Hotel rooms reserved through the FanimeCon block will be automatically cancelled without penalty. Hotel room selection windows for FanimeCon 2022 will remain the same and will be based on your FanimeCon 2020 registration time. Reservations made directly through a hotel or a third party vendor must be cancelled directly with that hotel or vendor.

Exhibitors in our Dealer’s Hall and Artist Alley should expect communication from those departments. Programming participants of events such as Panels and Cosplay Gatherings should also expect communication from those departments.

If you have any questions, please see our FAQ page, or if you have feedback, please let us know at feedback@fanime.com or https://feedback.fanime.com. Please continue to funnel your questions and comments through feedback@fanime.com or https://feedback.fanime.com. Please do not call the phone numbers listed on the web page of our registration partner, CMR.

As always, we would like to thank our partners at Team San Jose, the City of San Jose, and our partner hotels for diligently working with us in this uncertain time. Also, we send a heartfelt thank you to our attendees, staff, volunteers, Guests of Honor, vendors, partners, artists, dealers, and panelists for all the passion, effort, and faith you put into this community.

While we are sad that we will not be able to celebrate FanimeCon in person again this year,  we are looking forward to bringing the Con directly to you. In the meantime, we hope you and your families stay safe and healthy!

Eric, Claudia, and Alicia

-FanimeCon 2021 Chair Team


FanimeCon 2021 FAQ

Update

If you would like access to the Virtual FanimeCon 2021, please log in to your registration record via the following URL: https://reg.cmrus.com/fanime2022_and_virtual/ by Friday, May 21, 2021 at the latest.

To do so, select the Edit Registration tab, enter your email address and zip code. Once you reach the registration dashboard, select Edit Registration again, and follow the prompts to the page where you select if you’d like access to the Virtual FanimeCon 2021. After making your selection, proceed through the pages until you reach the registration dashboard again. Then you can log out or close your browser tab.

Please make your selection by Friday, May 21, 2021 at the latest.

Attendee Registration

FanimeCon 2021 will be fully virtual.

For those that have pre-registered for FanimeCon, your ticket has been rolled over from FanimeCon 2020 to FanimeCon 2021. Your ticket to FanimeCon 2021 will allow you access to the virtual events this year. If you have a ticket rolled over from FanimeCon 2020 it will be valid for FanimeCon 2021 and FanimeCon 2022. FanimeCon is operated by the non-profit Foundation for Anime and Niche Sub-cultures (FANS) and run by a group of devoted volunteer staff. All revenue goes back into our events’ operational costs. By deferring your ticket, you help us remain financially stable and cover expenses we have already incurred and continue to incur during the pandemic. We thank you for your continued support of this cherished community. 

Hotel Reservations

Hotel rooms reserved through the FanimeCon block will be automatically cancelled without penalty. Hotel room selection windows for FanimeCon 2022 will remain the same and will be based on your FanimeCon 2020 registration time. Reservations made directly through a hotel or a third-party vendor must be cancelled directly with that hotel or vendor.

Artist Alley Registration

Exhibitors in our 2020 Artist Alley should expect communication from those departments in the coming days.

Dealer Registration

Exhibitors in our 2020 Dealer’s Hall should expect communication from those departments in the coming days.

How can I support dealers or artists that would be at FanimeCon?

We are working with Exhibitors to allow everyone to support them during this time.

Other FanimeCon Events

Participants of FanimeCon 2020 programming, such as Panels, Cosplay Gatherings, and other events should expect communication from those departments in the coming weeks.

FanimeCon 2020 Virtual Events

May 23, 2020

If this were a normal year, we’d already be living it up at the San Jose Convention Center with you: our people, our community.

Yeah… we totally miss you too.

But despite FanimeCon 2020 being cancelled, some departments and other members of our community have taken it upon themselves to organize special virtual events this weekend so you can still feel a little bit of the FanimeCon love!

Please note that events and times are subject to change and not all events below are official FanimeCon events.

Throughout the weekend, some of our past panelists from previous years are running unofficial panels.

PanelDate/TimeDescriptionHost URL
The Stage is My Ring: Acting 101
(hosted by: Cosplay Wrestling Federation)
Friday
Starts at 2:00 PM
https://twitter.com/TheCWFUniverse
Music Sets The Pace (How Music Shapes a Pro Wrestler)
(hosted by: Cosplay Wrestling Federation)
Friday
Starts at 4:00 PM
https://twitter.com/TheCWFUniverse
Con Stories
(hosted by: Andre Pena)
Friday
Starts at 5:00 PM
Come listen to a long time attendee and staff member tell stories of FanimeCon from long ago and not so long ago.https://twitter.com/andrevsworld
Using Pro Wrestling to Unlock Your Inner Performer
(hosted by: Cosplay Wrestling Federation)
Friday
Starts at 6:00 PM
An informative panel highlighting the similarities of cosplay, performance and professional wrestling, featuring members of the CWF team giving insight to their creative process and how some of them transitioned to independent wrestling!https://twitter.com/TheCWFUniverse
Anime Goes to Hollywood
(hosted by: Evan Minto)
Saturday
Starts at 2:00 PM
Alita, Ghost in the Shell, Your Name, and more! Evan Minto (Otaku USA, Ani-Gamers, Crunchyroll) takes a look at Hollywood adaptations of anime/manga.https://twitter.com/VamptVo
Suplex Arts Online
(hosted by: Cosplay Wrestling Federation)
Saturday
Starts at 2:00 PM
A digital battle royale featuring the largest roster of CWF characters with live action commentary. Who will rule the digital space and which wrestler will come out on top?https://twitter.com/TheCWFUniverse
Cthulhu for President!
(hosted by: Andre Pena)
Saturday
Starts at 4:00 PM
Cthulhu for President! Come to the longest running presidential campaign in Anime Convention history! 2020 will be the year Cthulhu makes America even crazier! Come see how and learn what you can do to help!https://twitter.com/andrevsworld
Make Anime Great Again
(hosted by: Foundation for the Preservation of Gen 1 Pokemon)
Saturday
Starts at 6:00 PM
When anime was first invented by Carl Barks it was good, wholesome, and pure. In the 90s we saw the invention of love triangles, tournaments, and magical girls. Now anime is mostly just three moe blobs fighting for the affection of the same author-insert sword-boy. What happened?https://twitter.com/FifthGenNotPkmn
Midnight Madness
(hosted by: Andre Pena)
Saturday
Starts at 11:00 PM
Do you hear the voices too? Come watch some of the best video content you can find online. Do you have what it takes to make it until our host can’t stand it anymore?https://twitter.com/andrevsworld
Fifth Gen Isn’t Pokemon
(hosted by: Foundation for the Preservation of Gen 1 Pokemon)
Sunday
Starts at 12:00 PM
Generation Five of Pokemon introduced a lot of new concepts to the series like ripping off their previous aesthetic designs, min-maxing stats to optimize the removal of actual pokemon from competitive play, and whatever Garbador is. When it comes down to it the abominations that were introduced in Pokemon Black and White are nowhere near as majestic as classic pokemon like Muk, Mr. Mime, and Electrode.https://twitter.com/FifthGenNotPkmn
Fifth Gen Isn’t Pokemon Streams Jackie Chan Adventures
(hosted by: Foundation for the Preservation of Gen 1 Pokemon)
Sunday
Starts at 1:00 PM
It’s time for all of us to watch the greatest Japanese anime ever created, together.https://twitter.com/FifthGenNotPkmn
Class of ‘95: Evangelion Alumni
(hosted by: Evan Minto)
Sunday
Starts at 2:00 PM
Evan Minto (Otaku USA, Ani-Gamers, Crunchyroll) explores the careers of Evangelion’s creators, from in-between animators to its famous director.https://twitter.com/VamptVo
CWF Presents: The Match Game! Hosted by Tommy Wiseau! (hosted by: Cosplay Wrestling Federation)Sunday
Starts at 2:00 PM
Based off of the popular game show – your favorite CWF stars match wits against two lucky CWF Universe contestants. There will be laughs! It’s our MAIN EVENT!https://twitter.com/TheCWFUniverse
Fireside Chat with Andre PenaSunday
Starts at 4:00 PM
Let’s all relax by the fire and chat about Fanime 2020: What could have been, what wasn’t and how we’re all doing.https://twitter.com/andrevsworld
A Video History of Anime
(hosted by: Evan Minto)
Monday
Starts at 2:00 PM
In this commentated clip show, Evan Minto (Otaku USA, Ani-Gamers, Crunchyroll) showcases the fascinating history of Japanese animation.https://twitter.com/VamptVo

Our FanimeCon Black & White Ball staff are running Black & White Ball events throughout the weekend, in case you want to get fancy, including a virtual Black & White Ball! Visit their Facebook page for all information.

The Black Ribbon will host several J-Fashion shows this weekend. You can find the latest schedule and links on their Facebook page.

Event NameDate/Time
Indie Brand offerings
(shopping event)
Friday
Starts at 11:00 AM
Capitalism, but Make It Fashion: Building a Brand
(hosted by Puvithel & Lolita Collective)
Saturday
Starts at 12:00 PM
Coping through Art: Menhera Fashion
(hosted by Puvithel)
Saturday
Starts at 1:00 PM
How to Tie a Casual Obi
(hosted by The Black Ribbon)
Saturday
Starts at 2:15 PM
Where to Buy Lolita Fashion
(hosted by Mindy Pile)
Saturday
Starts at 3:30 PM
Posing Panel
(hosted by Plentiful Pie)
Saturday
Starts at 4:45 PM
Intro and History of EGL Fashion
(hosted by Obsixwi)
Saturday
Starts at 6:00 PM
J-Fashion Sewing “How to Pattern a Gored Skirt”
(hosted by The Black Ribbon)
Saturday
Starts at 7:15 PM

And for all your shopping needs, all of the dealers that would have normally be inside our Dealers Hall can be found at the Dealers Hall Vendor List page. Expect a revamp to the page soon!

FanimeCon 2020 Deferred to 2021

April 13, 2020

Dear FanimeCon Community,

On behalf of the FanimeCon staff, I hope you and your loved ones are staying safe and healthy during this unprecedented time. 

We are reaching out to you today to announce that FanimeCon will be deferred to May 28-31st, 2021. We thank you for your patience while we worked to establish a healthy and safe solution for the convention in the midst of a pandemic. Until recently, we did not have a viable solution, but with the hard work of our partner management team, we were able to come to this resolution.

Those that have pre-registered for FanimeCon will have their tickets automatically deferred to 2021. A confirmation for FanimeCon 2021 will be sent out prior to the launch date, in Fall of 2020. FanimeCon is operated by the non-profit Foundation for Anime and Niche Sub-cultures (FANS) and all revenue goes back into our events’ operational costs. By deferring your ticket to 2021, you help us remain financially stable and cover expenses we have already incurred this year.

Hotel rooms reserved through the FanimeCon block will be automatically cancelled without penalty. Hotel room selection windows for FanimeCon 2021 will remain the same and will be based on your FanimeCon 2020 registration time. Reservations made directly through a hotel or a third party vendor must be cancelled directly with that hotel or vendor.

Exhibitors in our 2020 Dealer’s Hall and Artist Alley should expect communication from those departments in the coming days.

Programming participants, such as Panels, Cosplay Gatherings, and other events, should expect communication from those departments in the coming weeks.

We are working to inform the community as soon as possible. Please bear with us as we continue to organize the logistics and disseminate information concerning the impact to the many who make this convention possible.

Thank you to our hosts at Team San Jose, the City of San Jose, and our partner hotels for diligently working with us to offer this resolution to our attendees. We would also like to thank our attendees, staff, volunteers, Guests of Honor, vendors, partners, artists, dealers, and panelists for all the passion, effort, and faith you put into this community. There are innumerable elements that come together to make a convention possible. Even during the “normal” times, it takes immense effort to have these elements to align, let alone during these uncertain times.

Anyone would be hard pressed to find someone in this world not touched by this pandemic. We hope that you remain safe and healthy (physically and mentally) in the coming weeks and months of this crisis. We hope that come May 28-31, 2021, our world will be in a more stable place and that we may once again celebrate with this wonderful community that you have helped us create in and around FanimeCon.

Until then, please continue to monitor updates from the CDC, the World Health Organization, and your local government for news and guidance on the pandemic. If you have any questions, please see our FAQ page, or if you have feedback, please let us know at feedback@fanime.com or https://feedback.fanime.com. Your questions and comments would be best served through this avenue compared to calling the phone numbers listed at our registration partner. Please do not call the phone numbers listed on the web page of our registration partner, CMR.

Thank you,

Eric Wu
FanimeCon Chairman,
on behalf of the FanimeCon Staff

COVID-19 Update from FanimeCon Chair

March 22, 2020

To the FanimeCon Community,

On behalf of the FanimeCon staff, I hope you and your loved ones are safe during this tumultuous time and are able to address the challenges that lie ahead. The FanimeCon staff is made up of volunteer staff primarily located in the Bay Area, so our focus has currently been on the well-being of all of our families and ourselves. However, we also recognize that we serve a very important role to the larger FanimeCon Community.

During this unprecedented COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic, FanimeCon is taking all precautionary measures, with guidance from the CDC, WHO, local health officials, and other appropriate government and health organizations, to protect our Fans, staff, and community. It is our role and responsibility during this time to prioritize the health and well-being of the FanimeCon community, while also playing a constructive role in supporting local health officials and government leaders as they work to contain the virus.

We are working with our partners to monitor the potential impact that COVID-19 may have on FanimeCon 2020. In the inevitable aftermath of this unusual period of social isolation, we hope to host the convention as a place for our community to heal and come together once again. We are taking the optimistic view that the situation will improve by Memorial Day so we can offer a safe and fun event to continue to serve the FanimeCon Fans. Please understand that there may be some changes to programming in order to maintain a healthy environment and accommodate changes in scope. We will continue to make decisions informed by the latest fact-based information, and we will adhere to any and all policies set forth by the Santa Clara Public Health Department.

We ask you to join us in continuing to monitor updates from the CDC, the World Health Organization (WHO), and the Santa Clara Public Health Department for their assessments on the outbreak. We will keep you in the loop on any updates or changes. If you have any questions or feedback, please let us know here: feedback@fanime.com and https://feedback.fanime.com.

Thank you,

Eric Wu
FanimeCon Chairman,
on behalf of the FanimeCon Staff.

COVID-19 Information

March 06, 2020

Note: Information found here is outdated from Fanime 2020. For the most current information on Fanime COVID-19 Policies. Please visit our 2022 Fanime COVID-19 Policy Page here.

From the FANS Board and FanimeCon Staff

As we monitor updates regarding COVID-19 (the coronavirus disease) in the Bay Area as well as the rest of the world, we want to stress that the health and safety of everyone that attends FanimeCon is our top priority.

At this time, we are planning to have FanimeCon in Downtown San Jose over Memorial Day weekend as scheduled. We will be working with all of our partners to ensure that our community is safe and will release a statement if the situation changes.

For information regarding COVID-19, you can refer to the following links:

Panels Submissions Open

January 20, 2020

Interested in hosting a panel at FanimeCon? Panels submissions are now open for FanimeCon 2020! Please see all the information on how to and what you need for submitting a panel idea at the Panelist Information page.

Panels submissions close March 16, 2020, so be sure to get your idea in before then!

FanimeCon Staff Open House on February 8th

January 15, 2020

Please join FanimeCon for our February 8th planning meeting and Open House! If you have ever been interested in being a part of the process of making FanimeCon happen, come to our next FanimeCon meeting. There you will have the opportunity to meet the staff, learn what we do, and find out more on how to join the FanimeCon family. All you need to bring is your smiling faces! You can exchange contact information with leadership or follow up with a staff application on apply.fanime.com. Please keep an eye out for updates on the time and location on our Twitter account!

Stage Zero Now Accepting Applications

January 09, 2020

Stage Zero is now accepting applications for FanimeCon 2020 until March 31! Please see the Stage Zero page for details on how to apply.

Stage Zero is located in the middle of the concourse for your temporary entertainment needs. Do you have an idea for a performance, AMV, show, or some other fun activity? Apply to be on Stage Zero and show off your best work!