Zenkaikon facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Zenkaikon |
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| Status | Active |
| Genre | Multi-genre including Anime, Manga, Science Fiction, and popular culture |
| Venue | Lancaster County Convention Center |
| Location(s) | Lancaster, Pennsylvania |
| Country | United States |
| Inaugurated | 2006 |
| Attendance | 5,364 in 2018 |
| Organized by | Zenkaikon Entertainment, Inc. |
| Filing status | 501(c)(3) |
| Website | http://www.zenkaikon.com/ |
Zenkaikon is a multi-genre convention held during spring at the Lancaster County Convention Center in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. The convention was formerly based around King of Prussia, Pennsylvania (a Philadelphia suburb). Zenkaikon's name is a portmanteau of Zentrancon and Kosaikon, created when they merged in 2006.
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Programming
The convention typically offers anime and live action screenings, AMV's, artist alley, concerts, cosplay masquerade, costume competitions, dances, dealers room, formal costume ball, game shows, iron cosplay, karaoke, LARP, live bands, maid cafe, manga library, panels, tabletop gaming, vendors, video gaming, and workshops.
In 2015, the charity auction benefited the Lymphoma Research Foundation and raised over $1,800. The foundation was chosen due to the death of guest CJ Henderson from Lymphoma. In 2017, the charity auction benefited Ocean Conservancy. In 2018, the charity auction benefited The AbleGamers Foundation. 2019's charity was the Arch Street Center.
History
Zenkaikon was formed in 2006 by the merger of two Philadelphia-area events, Zentrancon and Kosaikon. In 2008, Zenkaikon became a two-day convention. In 2009 due to significant attendance growth, Zenkaikon moved to the larger Valley Forge Radisson Hotel (same complex as its former location the Scanticon) and capped attendance at 1,500 attendees per day. In 2010, Zenkaikon announced it would become a three-day convention, move to a spring date (skipping 2010), and increase convention space by using both the Valley Forge Convention Center and Scanticon Hotel and Conference Center (same complex). The changes were made to improve weather, allow for better preparation, and increase staff. During the convention in 2011, Zenkaikon and its attendees raised $3750 for the American Red Cross Japanese Earthquake and Pacific Tsunami Relief Fund. Due to construction of the Valley Forge Casino Resort at the Valley Forge Convention Center, Zenkaikon 2012 was held at a new location, The Greater Philadelphia Expo Center at Oaks, and reduced to two days.
Zenkaikon moved to the Lancaster County Convention Center for 2013 and returned to being a three-day event. The convention returned to the Lancaster County Convention Center in 2014 and occupied every (four) floor. Zenkaikon returned to the convention center in 2015, and 2016 for its 10th anniversary. In 2017, the convention used Tellus360's Temple Room for additional space. Zenkaikon 2020 was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The convention held virtual programming on what was to be the Saturday of the event. Zenkaikon 2021 was also cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, with an online event announced in its place.
Event history
| Dates | Location | Atten. | Guests |
|---|---|---|---|
| October 28, 2006 | Valley Forge Scanticon Hotel and Conference Center King of Prussia, Pennsylvania |
450 | Peter Fernandez, Corinne Orr, Prism, and Alex Strang. |
| October 13, 2007 | Valley Forge Scanticon Hotel and Conference Center King of Prussia, Pennsylvania |
570 | D-Chan, Hsu-nami, and Uncle Yo. |
| October 17–18, 2008 | Valley Forge Scanticon Hotel and Conference Center King of Prussia, Pennsylvania |
1,429 | Charles Batschelet, Jessi Bavolack, Michael Gans, CJ Henderson, Ikuzo! Studios, Michele Knotz, Matt Pascal, Raqs Attaq!, Laura Robinson, Will Robinson, Bill Rogers, The Slants, Rose Thompson, Ultraball, and Uncle Yo. |
| November 7–8, 2009 | Radisson Valley Forge Hotel King of Prussia, Pennsylvania |
1,988 | Robert Axelrod, Johnny Yong Bosch, Stephanie Celeste, C. J. Collins, Eden Star, Eyeshine, Geek Comedy Tour, Gerry Giovinco, CJ Henderson, Hi5, Chris Kalnick, Mike Leeke, Kevin McKeever, Reni Mimura, Trina Nishimura, Jessi Pascal, Matt Pascal, Rich Rankin, Laura Robinson, Will Robinson, Bill Spangler, Uncle Yo, Neil Vokes, Tommy Yune, and [geist]. |
| March 18–20, 2011 | Valley Forge Convention Center and Scanticon Hotel and Conference Center King of Prussia, Pennsylvania |
3,422 | Kevin Bolk, Gelatine, Todd Haberkorn, James Harknell, Onezumi Hartstein, CJ Henderson, DJ Luminal, Sarah Martinez, Vic Mignogna, Rose Noire, Uncle Yo, and Greg Wicker. |
| May 11–12, 2012 | Greater Philadelphia Expo Center at Oaks Oaks, Pennsylvania |
2,822 | The Asterplace, Daniel Coglan, Jillian Coglan, CJ Henderson, Hi5, Michele Knotz, DJ Kurono, KyoDaiko, Pennsylvania Jedi, Platform One, Sonny Strait, Uncle Yo, and Japan America Society of Greater Philadelphia. |
| March 22–24, 2013 | Lancaster County Convention Center Lancaster, Pennsylvania |
3,376 | T. Campbell, John de Lancie, Eien Strife, Richard Epcar, Phil Kahn, DJ Midget, The Slants, Ellyn Stern, and Greg Wicker. |
| April 25–27, 2014 | Lancaster County Convention Center Lancaster, Pennsylvania |
4,422 | Gina Biggs, Cosplay Burlesque, Jim Cummings, The Extraordinary Contraptions, CJ Henderson, Greg Houser, Kuniko Kanawa, Lolita Dark, Jonathan Maberry, Brina Palencia, Bill Rogers, Marc Swint, Trifecta, Uncle Yo, Doug Walker, and Greg Wicker. |
| March 27–29, 2015 | Lancaster County Convention Center Lancaster, Pennsylvania |
5,079 | Cosplay Burlesque, Richard Horvitz, Kuniko Kanawa, Lauren Landa, Matthew Mercer, Trina Nishimura, Kambrea Pratt, Thom Pratt, The Ricecookers, Rikki Simons, Uncle Yo, Doug Walker, Rob Walker, and Greg Wicker. |
| April 1–3, 2016 | Lancaster County Convention Center Lancaster, Pennsylvania |
5,755 | Dante Basco, Kevin Bolk, Cosplay Burlesque, Charles Dunbar, Eien Strife, Richard Epcar, Sarah Martinez, Vic Mignogna, Ellyn Stern, Alex Strang, Uncle Yo, and Greg Wicker. |
| April 28-30, 2017 | Lancaster County Convention Center Lancaster, Pennsylvania |
5,569 | Steven Blum, Cosplay Burlesque, Cosplay Pro-Wrestling, Keith R. A. DeCandido, Charles Dunbar, Kuniko Kanawa, John Patrick Lowrie, Mary Elizabeth McGlynn, Ellen McLain, The Slants, Uncle Yo, and Greg Wicker. |
| May 4-6, 2018 | Lancaster County Convention Center Lancaster, Pennsylvania |
5,364 | Jessica Calvello, Cosplay Burlesque, Charles Dunbar, Quinton Flynn, Kiba, Phil LaMarr, Jonathan Maberry, Jād Saxton, The Triforce Quartet, Greg Wicker, and Sarah Wiedenheft. |
| March 22-24, 2019 | Lancaster County Convention Center Lancaster, Pennsylvania |
Cosplay Burlesque, Cosplay Pro-Wrestling, Michaela Dietz, Charles Dunbar, Todd Haberkorn, Kiba, The Manly Battleships, Monica Rial, Samantha Sawyer, Austin Tindle, and The X-Hunters. |
Kosaikon Anifest
Kosaikon was an anime convention held from 2003 to 2005 on the campus of Villanova University. The convention featured anime screenings, artists' alley, an artist's gallery, cosplay contest, and video gaming with tournaments.
Event history
| Dates | Location | Atten. | Guests |
|---|---|---|---|
| May 31, 2003 | Villanova University Villanova, Pennsylvania |
73 | |
| February 21, 2004 | Villanova University Villanova, Pennsylvania |
103 | |
| October 9, 2004 | Villanova University, Bartley Hall Villanova, Pennsylvania |
110 | |
| March 26, 2005 | Villanova University, Bartley Hall Villanova, Pennsylvania |
380 |
Zentrancon
Zentrancon was an anime and science fiction convention held on October 16, 2005 at The Rotunda, University of Pennsylvania. It was created by members of the Delaware Anime Society. The convention featured autograph sessions, costume contests, dealers, film screenings, raffles, tabletop gaming, and video game tournaments.
Event history
| Dates | Location | Atten. | Guests |
|---|---|---|---|
| October 16, 2005 | The Rotunda Philadelphia, Pennsylvania |
365 | Eric Bresler, D-Chan, and Corinne Orr. |
Collaborations
Zenkaikon staff provided anime and Asian content to America's Video Games Expo 2008 (VGXPO) at the Pennsylvania Convention Center, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on November 21–23, 2008. Content included screenings, panels, gaming tournaments, and karaoke. Zenkaikon returned to VGXPO 2009 on October 9–11, 2009 and provided two screening rooms for anime. Zenkaikon hosted an Cosplay Fashion Show in Fairmount Park during Sakura Sunday at the 2012 Subaru Cherry Blossom Festival of Greater Philadelphia.
