4Kids: More Good, Bad, & Ugly

4Kids Entertainment. The name is enough to send a shiver down localization purists' spines and drive One Piece fans into a fit of rage. But what did this infamous company do to receive such scorn? More importantly, do they even deserve it? In this panel, we'll examine 4Kids' history of dubbing and licensing, highlighting both their contributions to popularizing anime and their more "questionable" decisions. Now with even more visual aids, nostalgia, and hilarious clips!

A Guide Through Isekai Series

Isekai series are quite the topic these days. What is it about this genre that has captivated the modern era of anime fans, manga writers, and animators? For those who want to go deeper, what are some series that you should look out for in the upcoming years and what isekai do you, the fans, want to come into existence?

A Kojima Fan Panel: MGS to DS2

Kept you waiting, huh? The Kojima fan panel is back with a Revengeance! Come join us at a panel of all things Hideo Kojima: from his beginnings on Metal Gear; visual novels; Death Stranding 2; and his Xbox project!

A Queer History of Fandom

An overview of the beginnings of fandom itself and the emergence of queer culture and creations within fandom. We look at the very first documented fanfics and slashfics, queer-baiting vs. queer representation, supportive fandoms and creator backlash, conventions and zines, usenet, webrings, the rise of FanFiction.net, the emergence of Archive of Our Own, and beyond as we explore how fandom—and society itself—has changed in the last 40 years.

A Queer History of Video Games

At E3 1999, a demo of the upcoming EA release The Sims shocked the gaming world by showing…TWO WOMEN KISSING. But The Sims wasn't the first video game to allow inclusivity in romance and marriage. Did you know the first same-sex couples in The Sims could only become roommates? Let's take a look at the queer history of love, gender, and community in video games, from Caper in the Castro to the latest releases!

An Intro to Magical Girls

Are you a fan of Magical Girls? Then you're going to want to join A-to-J Connections as they dissect this popular genre and discuss its history, core themes, and most popular titles. They'll be deep-diving into everything, from Magical Princess Minky Momo and Cutie Honey to Sailor Moon and Cardcaptor Sakura with tons more in between, including what's made these shows so popular overseas! From the seasoned fan to the curious newcomer, this panel will have something for everyone!

Anime's Fiercest Females

Anime lacks strong female leads, you say? Not so! The women showcased in this panel are sword-swingers, gunslingers, leaders, and passionate believers. There are many measures of strength, and in anime (as in real life) you'll see them all. Get acquainted with the passionate, tough, and daring ladies of anime in this panel. Sometimes, you'll find that the lady IS the tiger!

Bioengineered Catgirls & You!

Have you seen memes about genetically engineered catgirls/boys? I have! However, I am a molecular biologist with a "dogtorate" in gene editing. I will use my knowledge of the techniques we have now to guide you through creating the cat people of your dreams. Put on your lab coats and tell step-JoJo you reject your humanity, it's time to get our mad scientist on!

California Anime Eating & Adventures

Wanna keep the anime vibes going even after the con is over? Join a 6-year Gold Yelp Elite, best photographer of SGV 2021, best all around Yelp Elite of 2022, and 19th most influential Yelp Elite of North America to discuss California's anime eats and adventures, to learn about fun anime-related restaurants, shops, and sites!

Creative Commons and Your Art

Creative Commons is a great tool for artists, but can often be confusing to understand. Licensing is probably the most boring part of your art creation process, but it can be extremely valuable as a means to protect your work from being stolen, misused, or copied. I will show you how to use Creative Commons tools, and also discuss licensing especially in relation to current issues like AI art.

Cup Noodles: Beyond Styrofoam

Who says it's bad to play with your food? Here, we'll be slurping our way through NISSIN's extensive history of product placement in anime, games, and beyond, including manga about the king of ramen: CUP NOODLES!

Do Your Choices Matter?

Should you run or hide from the monster in The Quarry? Do you want your dialogue in Mass Effect to be dismissive or sympathetic? Is someone in Life is Strange ACTUALLY going to remember this conversation? Interactive fiction has a rich history, and modern media purports to make you the master of the characters' destinies. But are you really directing the action, or just following a path laid out for you?

Intro to Tokusatsu

A beginner's guide to the insane world of Tokusatsu! Discover the origins of Godzilla, Ultraman, Kamen Rider, Super Sentai, and learn how they inspired your favorite characters and series! Come join us and perhaps discover a new hero. Young or old, Tokusatsu is for everyone!

Japan's Media Culture of Food

Food is a big part of Japanese culture, especially in modern times. How is food portrayed in modern Japanese media, such as manga, anime, and games? How and where can you experience the same food that you see in Japanese media without having to travel to Japan? What tactics can you use to gain the skills or knowledge you see those chefs using?

Learning History Through Anime

Want to claim being a weeb is educational? Come and learn about lesser-known historical settings and inspirations in anime, manga, and games, such as the Hussite War, 1800s Central Asia, the Thermidorian Reaction, Bakumatsu, the '80s Bubble Economy, and others!

Magic in Anime

Join your favorite witchy duo from The Horn and Cauldron podcast as we rant about, review, and analyze the magics, systems, and creatures of three different awesome anime series. From hauntings, to ghosts and ghouls, to mushi, we have much to explore. In this year's panel, we will be looking into Junji Ito Maniac: Japanese Tales of the Macabre, Mieruko-chan, and Mushi-shi. Don't forget, if you missed last year's panel, it's available to watch online. We'll see you at the panel. Stay Magical, Folks!

Marketing and Selling Your Craft

So you made fanart… now what? Derivakat and Eunivrz are industry professionals in music, digital art, and content creation. Come chat with us about how to get started with creating fan music and fanart inspired by various media, and how to market and monetize your completed work. We'll cover topics from getting started with gear and software, getting the right practice and creator mindset, to collaborating with others, sharing your work with a wider audience, and monetizing your craft.

Mythology of Summons

A must-see for all summoners, this panel covers the world mythology that has inspired the summons of Final Fantasy.

Nerdcore Is Not Dead!

An introduction and update on the history of the obscure musical sub-genre Nerdcore Hip Hop as well as info on satellite artists whose content is geek-fueled.

With a wide array of clips and audio to supplement the talk, enjoy one fan's guide through the vibrant Nerdcore world!

Neurotechnology in Anime

Ever wished you were half-machine like The Major, or could store your memories and change bodies like in Kaiba, or could pilot a Gundam directly with your brain? Well, I don't have a Gundam, but you can come learn about neurotechnology in anime! Is it realistic? Does it already exist? Do I secretly have some installed already? Join me for a tour through anime neurotech and find out along the way about sleep paralysis, mysterious nosebleeds, nanobot implants, and more!

Oh the (Animated) Horror!

It's baaaack… and it's here for YOU! Oh the (Animated) Horror! has returned to haunt the halls of FanimeCon to bring you the finest the medium has to offer in all things twisted and evil. Monsters, mind-scarring trauma, the supernatural, the gruesome, the truly demented: it's all here. Come join us, and sink your fangs into the dark side of anime!

PBS: The Secret Anime Channel

Anime on PBS? Pre-internet crowdsourcing? Come join Nick Redman for a history lesson in how anime was distributed and broadcast around the Bay Area. We'll talk about the people and organizations that shared Japanese cartoons with locals, and most importantly, the shows themselves!

Playing to…Win?

The world of competitive fighting games tends to be portrayed entirely as professional esports, but it can be enjoyable even if you never win a tournament! In this panel, you'll learn how to set reasonable goals for yourself when picking up a fighting game and how to develop the right mindset to achieve those goals. As a decades-long veteran of the fighting game community who has faced his share of the scene's legends, Mizuki has plenty of his own stories and lessons to help guide you on your own path.

Queerness and Magical Girls

Back by popular demand! What is it about the mahou shoujo genre that lends itself so easily to queerness? What is it about queer girls that's just so darn magical? Join us as we look at ideas of "otherness" and fractured (secret) identities, as well as at various staples of the mahou shoujo genre, such as the transformation sequence—all analyzed through a queer lens.

Realities of Quality Assurance Testing

Come join us as we go deep into personal experiences with the video game industry and listen to stories from the trenches, with explanations of terminology, and general guidance on how to be a Quality Assurance Tester. NSFW and not safe for the faint of heart.

Romantic Values in Shoujo

Every country has its own "rule book" when it comes to love. Japan is no different. In this session, from the "kabedon" to "amae", we will explore some of the popular love tropes in shoujo anime and manga. This session isn't going to teach you how to flirt, but it will help you gain a better understanding of some of the romantic core values in shoujo that we fangirl/fanboy over.

Self-Publishing 2023!

It's our 2023 Self-Publishing panel! Come find out how to publish your books, comics, and more! Updated for 2023, the panel will cover options for owning your production, changing opportunities, and social media shakeups. Take control of your book your way.

Sumo! You Should Watch Sumo!

You should watch Sumo!

There has never been a better time to start watching Sumo! Recently, there have been an increasing number of ways available to international viewers to watch this exciting and dynamic sport. Come learn the basics, ways to watch, and how to appreciate Sumo!

The Hero's Journey

A look at the hero's journey as told in modern shonen and shoujo anime. We will explore what makes these protagonists likable by looking through cultural and spiritual lenses. What do these mains have in common with American comic books and how do they differ?

VTuber Tech

Ever wondered how VTubers control their avatars? Interested in starting VTubing yourself? Come learn about the programs and hardware involved in VTubing! From independent streamers to Hololive, we'll introduce how VTubers do what they do and show you how you can start VTubing TODAY!