Sogen Con facts for kids

Sogen Con was a fun, yearly event for fans of anime (Japanese animation) and manga (Japanese comics). It happened over three days each summer at the Sioux Falls Convention Center in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. The name "Sogen Con" comes from a Japanese word meaning "prairie," which fits the South Dakota location!

Sogen Con started in Minnesota in 2005. It moved to South Dakota before the 2007 event. It was a place where people who loved anime could meet up, share their interests, and enjoy many cool activities together.

What Could You Do at Sogen Con?

Sogen Con was packed with exciting things to do for everyone! Here are some of the activities you could enjoy:

• Meet talented artists and buy their amazing creations.
• Dance the night away at special convention dances.
• Shop for cool merchandise, figures, and comics from dealers.
• Listen to interesting talks and discussions (called panel discussions).
• Ask questions to your favorite voice actors in Q&A sessions.
• Play lots of video games with other fans.
• Learn new skills in workshops, like drawing or crafting.

How Sogen Con Kept Going

In 2011, Sogen Con faced a challenge. The organizers, Otaku Incorporated, needed to raise money to cover the costs of the convention. They had some financial difficulties from other events they had run.

To help, Sogen Con started a Kickstarter campaign. This is where people can donate money online to help a project or event. Their goal was to raise $15,000. Amazingly, they reached their goal in just two weeks! This showed how much fans wanted Sogen Con to continue. Thanks to their supporters, the convention was able to happen that year.

A Look Back at Sogen Con Events

Here's a quick look at where and when Sogen Con happened, and some of the special guests who attended over the years. Guests often included voice actors from popular anime shows and other creative people.