Shuto Con facts for kids

Shuto Con was a fun yearly event in Lansing, Michigan, that celebrated anime and manga. It was like a big party for fans of Japanese animation and comics! The name "Shuto Con" means "Capital City Convention" because it was held in Lansing, which is Michigan's capital. This event happened every March and lasted for three days. It started in 2011 and its last event was in 2019. Shuto Con is no longer active, as its website is gone.

What You Could Do at Shuto Con

Shuto Con had lots of cool activities for everyone. You could watch anime movies and shows in a special viewing room. There was an "artist alley" where talented artists sold their unique creations. Many people loved the costume competition, also known as a cosplay contest, where they dressed up as their favorite characters.

You could also find dealers selling anime merchandise, comics, and other fun stuff. For gamers, there were special rooms with video games and even tournaments where you could compete against others. Gaming was open all day and night during the convention!

Helping Others at Shuto Con

Shuto Con wasn't just about fun; it also helped people. In 2011, the event raised $2,200 to help people affected by the big earthquake and tsunami in Japan. In 2012, they supported the Greater Lansing Food Bank, which helps feed people in need. Later, in 2018, a special charity ball at the convention raised money for an organization called End Violent Encounters.

The Story of Shuto Con

When Shuto Con first started in 2011, the organizers thought about 300 people would come. But a lot more showed up – about 1,300 people! This showed how popular anime and manga were in the area.

In 2012, even more people came, and the convention used every room in the Radisson Hotel. Because so many people attended in the first two years, they even ran out of special badges and lanyards for everyone!

By 2014, Shuto Con became so popular that they had to limit the number of attendees to 7,000 people. In 2016, the gaming area became so big that it moved to a separate convention center. By 2017, Shuto Con filled all the hotel rooms at the Radisson and even more hotels nearby. The event grew a lot from its small start to a very popular convention.

Shuto Con Through the Years

Shuto Con grew quite a bit over its history. It started with 1,350 attendees in 2011 and grew to 6,387 by 2017. Many voice actors and artists who work on anime and video games visited the convention over the years. They would meet fans, sign autographs, and sometimes even perform.

For example, famous voice actors like Greg Ayres, Todd Haberkorn, and Monica Rial were guests multiple times. Bands and musical groups like Arc Impulse and Knight of the Round also performed. These guests helped make each Shuto Con a unique and exciting experience for attendees.