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 super fun event held every spring in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, at the Lancaster County Convention Center. It's a "multi-genre" convention, which means it celebrates lots of different cool things like Anime, Manga, Science Fiction, and popular culture.
The name Zenkaikon is a mix of two older convention names: Zentrancon and Kosaikon. These two events joined together in 2006 to create Zenkaikon! Before moving to Lancaster, the convention used to be held near King of Prussia, Pennsylvania.
Contents
What Happens at Zenkaikon?
Zenkaikon is packed with exciting activities for everyone! You can enjoy:
- Watching anime and live-action shows
- Seeing amazing AMVs (music videos made with anime clips)
- Visiting the artist alley to buy unique art
- Listening to concerts and live bands
- Joining the cosplay masquerade and costume competitions (where people dress up as their favorite characters!)
- Dancing at the formal costume ball and other dances
- Exploring the dealers room for cool merchandise
- Playing fun game shows
- Trying "Iron Cosplay" challenges
- Singing your heart out at karaoke
- Playing LARP (where you act out a character)
- Visiting a maid cafe
- Reading comics at the manga library
- Attending panels (talks and Q&A sessions)
- Playing tabletop games and video games
- Shopping with vendors
- Learning new skills at workshops
Helping Others: Zenkaikon's Charity Auctions
Zenkaikon also helps raise money for important causes! Each year, they pick a different charity to support.
- In 2015, they raised over $1,800 for the Lymphoma Research Foundation. This charity was chosen because a guest, CJ Henderson, had passed away from Lymphoma.
- In 2017, the money went to Ocean Conservancy, which works to protect our oceans.
- In 2018, they supported The AbleGamers Foundation, which helps people with disabilities enjoy video games.
- In 2019, the Arch Street Center received the charity funds.
Zenkaikon's Journey Through Time
Zenkaikon began in 2006 when two smaller events, Zentrancon and Kosaikon, merged in the Philadelphia area.
Growing Bigger and Moving Places
- In 2008, Zenkaikon became a two-day event, giving attendees more time to enjoy everything.
- By 2009, so many people wanted to come that Zenkaikon moved to a bigger hotel, the Radisson Valley Forge, and limited attendance to 1,500 people per day.
- In 2010, Zenkaikon announced a big change: it would become a three-day convention and move to a spring date. This allowed for better weather and more time to prepare. They also used more space by including both the Valley Forge Convention Center and the Scanticon Hotel.
- During the 2011 convention, Zenkaikon and its attendees raised $3,750 for the American Red Cross to help with the Japanese Earthquake and Pacific Tsunami Relief Fund.
- Due to construction, Zenkaikon 2012 moved to a new spot, the Greater Philadelphia Expo Center at Oaks, and was a two-day event that year.
Finding a Home in Lancaster
- Zenkaikon found its current home at the Lancaster County Convention Center in 2013 and went back to being a three-day event.
- It returned to the Lancaster County Convention Center in 2014 and used all four floors!
- Zenkaikon celebrated its 10th anniversary in 2016, still at the Lancaster County Convention Center.
- In 2017, they used an extra room at Tellus360 for more space.
- Sadly, Zenkaikon 2020 and 2021 were cancelled because of the COVID-19 pandemic. They held online events instead to keep the spirit alive!
Past Zenkaikon Events
Here's a look at some of the past Zenkaikon conventions:
| 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. |
The Conventions That Started It All
Zenkaikon was formed from two earlier conventions: Kosaikon Anifest and Zentrancon.
Kosaikon Anifest
Kosaikon was an anime convention held at Villanova University from 2003 to 2005. It featured anime screenings, an artists' alley, a gallery, a cosplay contest, and video game tournaments.
Kosaikon 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 another convention that focused on anime and science fiction. It was held on October 16, 2005, at The Rotunda, University of Pennsylvania. This event was created by members of the Delaware Anime Society. Zentrancon offered autograph sessions, costume contests, dealers, film screenings, raffles, tabletop gaming, and video game tournaments.
Zentrancon Event History
| Dates | Location | Atten. | Guests |
|---|---|---|---|
| October 16, 2005 | The Rotunda Philadelphia, Pennsylvania |
365 | Eric Bresler, D-Chan, and Corinne Orr. |
Zenkaikon's Cool Collaborations
Zenkaikon has also teamed up with other events!
- In 2008 and 2009, Zenkaikon staff helped America's Video Games Expo (VGXPO) in Philadelphia by providing anime and Asian content. This included screenings, panels, gaming tournaments, and karaoke.
- In 2012, Zenkaikon hosted a Cosplay Fashion Show in Fairmount Park during Sakura Sunday at the Subaru Cherry Blossom Festival of Greater Philadelphia.
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