In the United States, the last weekend in May is Memorial Day weekend, the unofficial start to the summer season of sun and fun. For Northern California anime, manga, gaming and J-pop fans, the place to see and be seen is FanimeCon, one of the longest-running fan events in California.
Held annually at the San Jose McEnery Convention Center, FanimeCon offers a fascinating mix of anime, classic and new, manga artistry, top animation talent from Japan, J-Pop and J-Rock royalty and up-and-comers, Asian films, Japanese culture both traditional and definitely non-traditional, games, costumes and much, much more. Last year, almost 16,000 fans passed through the turnstiles. This year, baring the apocalypse or zombie invasion, FanimeCon will likely attract the same kind of crowds.
So if you're in San Jose, what's worth seeing and doing at FanimeCon this Memorial Day weekend? Here's my mostly manga-centric list of this weekend's highlights.
THURSDAY, MAY 27, 2011
The festivities officially kick off on Friday, but if you're looking for that hard-to-find collectible or out-of-print manga, you might want to check out the Fanime Swapmeet.
- 8:00 pm - 1:00 am: Swap Meet, Exhibit Hall 3
See what your fellow fans have to sell or trade, and maybe find that out-of-print treasure you've been searching for at the FanimeCon Swap Meet. It's a bit of a mixed bag, but remember, it's cash only, so make your ATM runs before hittting this event. Miss it on Thursday night? Not to worry - they'll do it all again on Friday night, same time, same place.
FRIDAY, MAY 28, 2011
- 8:00 am - 8:00 pm - Registration
Get your badges and start immersing yourself in the FanimeCon experience. - 4:00 - 5:00 pm Convention Survival Tips - Panels 3 (Marriott Salon 4:6)
Oh, honey. If someone has to explain to you stuff like "budgeting, hygiene, health tips, shopping, public safety and more," then maybe your mom shouldn't have let you out of the house to come to Fanime...
Also, the Artists Alley opens at 2:00 pm and stays open until 8:00 pm. Same goes for the Art Gallery and Dealers' Room.
There's also lots of afterhours fun, with the Rum Party at the Hilton from 7:00 pm, Speed Dating from 8:00 pm, a Texas Hold 'em Poker Tournament from 9:00 pm, some "Awesomely Bad J-Music Videos from 9:00 pm and "Hentai Nights" for the over 18 crowd after midnight.
SATURDAY, MAY 29, 2011
- 12:00 - 1:00 pm - Hetalia (Panels 3 / Marriott Salon 4:6)
Join your fellow Hetalia fans (who'll likely be there in uniform) as they discuss the fact, fallacy and funnies of the kookiest, politically incorrect, vaguely historical manga series ever. - 12:00 - 1:00 pm - Hangry & Angry Fashion Show (SJCC Room C)
See the latest fun and funky fashions straight from Harajuku as interpreted by this cute / punk-inspired designing duo. - 1:00 - 2:00 pm - Anime & Manga for Grown-ups (Panels 1 / Marriott Salon 1:2)
Get tips on manga worth reading that are specially selected to be appealing to more... ahem, mature and possibly sophisticated tastes. - 2:00 - 3:00 pm - Ryusuke Hamamoto: How to Draw Manga (Panels 2 / Marriott Salon 3)
Meet pro manga artist and special guest from Japan Ryusuke Hamamoto (a.k.a. Ryu Moto), and see him create comics in his inimitable style - a mix of cute, cool and funny with action-packed adventure. - 2:00 - 3:00 pm - Aniplex of America Panel (Panels 3 / Marriott Salon 4:6)
See what this anime studio has planned for you, as they spotlight current releases and perhaps reveal some new coming attractions too. - 3:00 - 4:00 pm - An Insiders' View on Webcomics - (Panels 2 / Marriott Salon 3)
Get tips on what it's like to create and draw a webcomic from pros who've been there and done that, week after week. -
4:00 - 7:00 - Yoshiki Q&A and Autograph Session (SJCC Room B)
Meet the man, the legend, the J-Rock god Yoshiki as he answers your questions and signs autographs for all the X Japan and Dir En Gray fans. - 7:00 - 10:00 pm - Musicfest, featuring FLOW and Yuya Matsushita (San Jose Civic Auditorium)
See this year's special musical guests as they play an infectious mix of J-Pop and J-Rock for fans. - 7:00 - 8:00 pm - Translating Anime and Manga (Panels 2 / Marriott Salon 3)
Get the skinny on what its like to be a pro translator from an experienced Japanese translator who has worked for Sony Pictures, Random House, Yen Press, TOMY, Bandai Entertainment, GAINAX, and more. - 10:00 pm - midnight - YaoiCon Yaoi Bingo (SJCC A4:A5)
Play along with the boys love lovin' crew from Yaoi-Con as they put their fun and naughty spin on bingo. Sorry, you gotta be 18 or over to play. After bingo, stick around for a full night of Yaoi video and fun until 6 am. - Midnight - 1:00 am - Weird Manga (Panels 1 / Marriott 1:2)
Stick around for some late night fun as Lauren Elyse shares some of the wild, weird and wonderful manga that you might not know about yet - but should! - Midnight - 2:00 am - Hetalia After Hours (Panels 3 / Mariott Salons 4:6)
The 'polite' version of the Hetalia fan panel was earlier this evening. Now strap on your seatbelts and get ready for a somewhat naughtier take on everyone's fave bishie nations.
The Dealers' Room and Artists Alley will be open from 10:30 am - 7:00 pm for your shopping and browsing pleasure.
SUNDAY, MAY 30, 2011
- 11:00 am - Noon "Girls Who Like Boys Who Punch Boys" (Panels 1 / Marriott Salons 1:2)
Hang out for a what should be a spirited discussion about the hows, whys and why nots of female fandom of shonen manga. - Noon - 4:00 pm Wings of the Honneamise Screening and Hiryouki Yamaga Panel (SJCC Room B)
See one of the classic GAINAX films and meet the man who was one of the founders of this legendary anime studio. - 1:00 - 2:00 pm Q&A with Ryusuke Hamamoto (Panels 2 / Marriott Salons 3)
Ask manga artist Ryu Hamamoto all your questions about what it's like to make a living as a pro in Japan, and some of his past and current projects in the works. - 1:00 pm - 2:30 pm - Steampunk Fashion Show and Costume Contest (SJCC Room C)
Strap on your googles, tighten up your corset and polish up your raygun, it's time to show off your steampunk style (or admire other folks' costume artistry). - 2:00 - 3:00 pm - How to Make a Webcomic in 1 Hour (Panels 1 / Marriott Salons 1:2)
Get tips and tricks from webcomics pros that just might inspire you to take the plunge to start creating comics online. - 2:00 - 3:00 pm - Creating Your Graphic Novels (Panels 2 / Marriott Salons 3)
"Learn how to create, and distribute your own graphic novel without any artistic ability, or experience." Uh. Yeah. Okay. In an hour? Right. -
3:00 - 4:00 pm - VIZ Media Panel (Panels 3 / Marriott Salons 4:6)
Find out the latest releases in anime and manga from VIZ Media. If you're lucky, they might have some schwag to give away too. - 6:00 pm - midnight - Black and White Ball (Fairmont Regency Ballroom)
Put on your dancing shoes and your best black or white attire to mix and mingle with your fellow fans. Can you feel the love tonight? Well, you maybe you can. - 11:00 pm - midnight - Manga Club (Panels 2 / Marriott Salons 3)
New to manga? Get introduced to new titles that just might become your next favorite read.
The Dealers Room and Artists Alley will be open from 10:30 am - 7:00 pm for your shopping pleasure. There's lots more to enjoy too, as there are Asian film screenings, anime music video screenings, weapons demonstrations and much more.
MONDAY, MAY 31, 2011
- 11:00 am - Noon - A Girls Guide to Gundam (Panels 2 / Marriott Salons 3)
Mecha leaveyou cold or just confused? This panel will hopefully explain the joys of this iconic giant robot franchise... or maybe not. - 2:00 - 3:00 pm Manga with Desktop Software (Panels 2 / Marriott Salons 3)
Get tips from EigoManga's Austin Osueke about how to create your own comics with your computer. - 3:00 - 4:00 pm Closing Ceremonies (SJCC Room B)
Well, all good things must come to an end. Celebrate another fun weekend with the FanimeCon crew and special guests.
It's your last chance to browse and buy in the Dealers Room and Artists Alley, from 10:30 am - 3:00 pm.
Want to see the rest of the FanimeCon schedule? It's posted online so you can plan your weekend of fun, your way.
So are you going to FanimeCon? What are you most looking forward to checking out? Or, do you have some con-going tips to share? Add your comments below!
Comments