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Friday
Welcome to Opening Ceremonies, where we introduce you to the fabulous world of this weekend's convention! The wait is finally over, it's party time! Let's get the convention started! Join us as we introduce you to some of the convention's amazing guests, do a little housekeeping with rules and safety, and learn about all the fun events that will be taking place over the weekend!
Piano Time
Open piano jam! Play anime or game OST, classical, originals… whatever you want. All levels welcome. Come perform, or just vibe and listen as an audience member. Let’s fill the room with music!
Animecon.org's Fabulous Date Auction (15+)
Are you looking for a date to the dance? A new friend to attend panels with? Or just looking to help raise money for good causes? A longstanding staple event for our conventions, the Fabulous Date Auction is a fun, interactive event where cosplayers are sold to the highest bidder - auctioned off by our Live Entertainment department! Meet new friends and help raise funds for charity in the process! We're auctioning dates to the formal ball dance that starts shortly after the date auction ends. Rules apply.
A retrospective on the Dragon Ball legacy, from the early Funimation days to the modern Super era. They could discuss the evolution of their characters and what it's like to be part of one of the longest-running dubs in history.
Body positivity within the cosplay community
What do we love more than to love ourselves. We want to celebrate our bodies and celebrate others! Never tear anyone down and express our love for any fandom. That's what this community is all about!
Tactical cosplay 101
Ready to gear up your cosplay game? This panel is your briefing on all things tactical cosplay. We'll cover essential gear, modification tips, and how to balance realism with cosplay creativity. From choosing the right materials to ensuring safety and functionality, you'll learn the ropes of creating impressive tactical costumes. Whether you're into military, sci-fi, or post-apocalyptic themes, get ready to bring authenticity and practicality to your cosplay projects!
Cosplay Prom Prep Rally
If you’re looking for a great way to make new friends while getting hyped up for the Cosplay Prom, look no further than our Pre-Prom Prep Rally, hosted by our Live Entertainment Department! We’ll practice dancing, play fun games, and enjoy some time to get to know one another before the big dance!
Want to pick up a sword and be sure that it will get you through the apocalypse in one piece? Learn how to tell at a glance if a blade is simply shiny, artsy, or full-on battle worthy? Come to Real Sword or Piece of Crap and follow Samurai Dan through an easy step-by-step examination of blades and prepare yourself to learn: is this sword real, or a piece of crap.
Jo Jo's Bizarre Adventure
Let's Talk About Hobo Con and Hobo Culture
Hobo Con, aka the National Hobo Convention, is an annual convention held in the town of Britt, Iowa, which is run by the hobo-led organization Tourist Union No. 63. This convention promotes and preserves the history of hobo culture and has been held since 1900. Other regional Hobo Cons are also held as well throughout the United States. Meet a longtime attendee and staff member of Hobo Con as they describe this annual celebration of the American hobo, discuss various elements of hobo culture, and explain the similarities between hoboes and anime fans.
Pokemon Trade Hour
Come hang out with fellow trainers and swap some pocket monsters! Bring your cards for sale or trade, your Switch with Pokemon games and/or your Pokemon Go trainer code. Spend an hour chilling out with other Pokemon fans, making friends, battling and trading.
AnimeCon.org's Fabulous Dating Advice (18+)
Do you find yourself faltering with the ladies? Do you just not know how to whoo that special person? Our trained experts will show you how it's done! Dante will answer all your dating questions (among other ones)!
Saturday
Samurai; the ancient, majestic warrior class of Japan's 12th-19th centuries. In this main stage event the majestic, mystic, and poetic swordsmanship of Japan’s mighty warriors are brought to life with style and power. This authentic display includes an abundance of precision, skill, and of all things, humor. This fast-paced show mixes comedy and combat in a dizzying trip to 16th century Japan.
With two of our amazing guests who have worked extensively on My Hero Academia, Fullmetal Alchemist, and Space Dandy, join us for a "technical" peek behind the curtain. This panel will focus on the process of adapting anime for English audiences—how a script is written, how a director guides a performance, and the challenges of wearing multiple hats (actor vs. director/writer) in the booth.
Introduction to Yuri
Want to get into yuri, but don't know where to start? Or maybe you're a yuri veteran looking for more recommendations? Or maybe this is the first time you're ever hearing of yuri? Then this panel is for you! This panel will provide an introduction to what yuri is, from wholesome cute girls doing cute things to soul crushing toxic yuri, as well as provide suggestions of where each person can start their journey to become a fully fledged himejoshi/danshi!
Spy x Family
Saturday: 11:00am - 11:50am •
Meetups
Demon slayer: Giyu with the help of Kanae host games.
Giyu has been sent to host games to get people interested in the Demon Slayer core. Thankfully, Kanae has agreed to help him. The games they will be hosting are Demon Slayer trivia Kahoot, Who said that?, and Who's that character.
Dragonball
Saturday: 12:00pm - 12:50pm •
Meetups
A Discussion of Common Mental Health Coping Skills
A psycho-educational interactive discussion of healthy coping skills for various common mental health issues including Anxiety, Depression, Anger, Substance Abuse, Eating Disorders, Panic Attacks, Bipolar, Self-Harm, Grief/Loss, and Social Anxiety among others hosted by a licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor. The discussion is interactive and audience participation is highly encouraged.
Anime Improv LIVE! (13+)
Join our expert improv actors for a unique blend of rapid-fire comedy and anime-themed scenarios. Completely unscripted and interactive, this panel promises a rollercoaster of laughter and surprises, where anime characters and plots come alive in the most unexpected and amusing ways! (Formally Whose Line is it Anime?)
Demon Slayer
Saturday: 1:00pm - 1:50pm •
Meetups
FNAF Quiz show!
Are you a FNAF superfan? Want to prove you know all there is to know about the games? Come on down to our quizshow, where four audience members will be chosen as contestants for a chance to win a fabulous prize! Don't worry if you dont get chosen- you still have the chance of answering a couple questions to show your knowladge!
[Fazbear Entertainment is not responsible if prizes are haunted instead of fabulous.]
Gamemastering RPGs 101 - with game designer Brian Berg
Join veteran game designer and RPG publisher Brian Berg and learn how to run your very best tabletop RPG game sessions. Brian will share his 40+ years of experience in the hobby and give you his secret tips on running the best adventures you possibly can. Wow your players and learn how to make running games easier!
Homestuck
Saturday: 2:00pm - 2:50pm •
Meetups
What is Therapy? A Q&A
A Question and Answer panel hosted by a licensed Mental Health Counselor to discuss what therapy is, how it works, how a person can get started, what they can expect when going to see a therapist. The purpose of the panel is to allow for a better understanding of therapy and to help eliminate stigma and/or fear of seeking mental health help.
Haikyuu
Saturday: 3:00pm - 3:50pm •
Meetups
Cosplay Battle Tournament!
The time has come for all of us in the Fairy Tail Guild, from Fiore or anywhere else, to fight it out and see who's the strongest of us! This bracket tournament will determine who among you is worthy of the S-Rank Trophy!
Final Metal Gear Fantasy Hearts - Voiceover Q&A with Quinton Flynn
Recommended
Quinton Flynn has done numerous anime and video game voices. Some of his most prominent voice roles include Reno, Axel, Raiden, and Doctor Riddles. Quinton’s voice has been burning up film and television since he first arrived in Los Angeles from his native Cleveland. He is an A-list voice actor, having played such famous animated characters as Jonny Quest, Spiderman, Speed Racer, The Human Torch, Timon, Snowbell in Stuart Little, just to name a few. His television and film appearances include Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, King of Queens, Animaniacs, Woody Woodpecker, Robot Chicken, and many more. His best known roles in video game franchises have been his work providing the english voices of Raiden in the Metal Gear Solid series, Axel in Kingdom Hearts II, and Reno in Final Fantasy VII: Advent Children the motion picture. If you’re hip to the anime scene you’ll know him as Iruka-sensei and Deidara in Naruto and Naruto Shippuden, Marcus Damon in Digimon Data Squad, and Carl in Blood+, to name a few.
The Cosplay Contest is our mainstage costume and cosplay competition, featuring some of the most spectacular costumes around. Have an amazing cosplay? Think it's worthy of a prize or medal? Come and show it off in our mainstage costume and cosplay competition! Contestants are judged on workmanship and performance (complete rules can be found online or at the cosplay table) as they battle for the chance to qualify for the Cosplay World Crown and a free trip to Japan! Come watch some of the coolest cosplays and performances of the weekend grace the mainstage! Advanced registration is required if you want to compete.
Danganronpa
Saturday: 5:00pm - 5:50pm •
Meetups
What's better than a sword? Is it a shield? A hammer? No, how about TWO SWORDS! Come learn the methods of two sword fighting, made famous by Miyamoto Musashi, the greatest samurai of them all! Class taught by one of the only swordsmen skilled in samurai dual-wielding.
Naruto
Saturday: 6:00pm - 6:50pm •
Meetups
Marvel, DC
Saturday: 7:00pm - 7:50pm •
Meetups
Ready to Rock your Socks Off
hello and welcome to the best panel of your life. you will experience the best type of awesomeness when you step indoors. myself and the other panelist(s) will go over how to be the coolest person in your friend group. we will discuss what awesome things to say or do to make yourself become the best of the best. come in if you dare to learn what it means to ROCK and ROLL
Villains and Anti-Heroes with Quinton Flynn and Bryan Massey
Recommended
Some characters follow the rules—and some make their own. Quinton Flynn (Raiden, Axel, Reno) and Bryan Massey (Ladd Russo, Crimson Riot, Cocytus) discuss the art of voicing the industry’s most charismatic anti-heroes and intense villains. Discover the vocal techniques required for high-octane action roles, how to find the "soul" in a morally gray character, and why fans can’t help but love the rebels and the rogues.
Heaven's Official Blessing
Saturday: 8:00pm - 8:50pm •
Meetups
Epic: Play games and trivia with Odysseus
Come play an epic theme kahoot, guess the song, and finish the lyrics. If there is time maybe even sing along. While winning candy, with your host Odysseus.
An Anime and K-Pop Recorder Show
Watch a professional recorder player as he performs anime themes, K-Pop melodies, and popular fan music, all on his recorder. A Q+A session will follow after the performance, where he will discuss how he adapts music onto the recorder for performance.
Pony Pajama Party: Bracelets & Coloring Pages
Get cozy and join us for a magical evening of friendship and creativity! Our pajama My Little Pony cosplay group invites you to unwind with coloring pages, friendship bracelet crafting, and plenty of pony-themed fun. Whether you’re a longtime fan or just love cozy vibes, come relax, chat, and create to the tunes (or an episode!) from My Little Pony. Bring your sparkle, your friends, and your imagination—because friendship really is magic!
Anime Improv LIVE! Adult Version (18+)
Join our expert improv actors for a unique blend of rapid-fire comedy and anime-themed scenarios, but with an 18+ twist! Completely unscripted and interactive, this panel promises a rollercoaster of laughter and surprises, where anime characters and plots come alive in the most unexpected and amusing ways! (Formally Whose Line is it Anime? 18+)
Sunday
Prepare for a panel filled with laughs as we explore the wild world of anime comedy! Cynthia Cranz (Mitzy Nohara) and Chris Cason (Boo, Whitey) take a look back at the cult classic Shin Chan and other comedic hits like Sgt. Frog. The duo will discuss the unique challenges of comedic timing in voice acting, the fun of "off-script" moments, and how recording a gag-heavy show differs from the serious dramas you know them for.
All Things Samurai: Samurai Dan takes the stage, willing to leave no stone unturned. The people managing our zen rock garden are really mad that he keeps turning their stones, please tell him to stop. Ask anything (SFW) and brace yourselves, the answers are coming fast and furious as a sword stroke!
Disney
Sunday: 12:00pm - 12:50pm •
Meetups
Disability Awareness with Bluey
Many people with disabilities enjoy the Australian television show Bluey, and situations commonly encountered by people with disabilities appear in many episodes of Bluey. Listen to a Bluey fan with a disability discuss how people can utilize Bluey to teach awareness of varying forms of disabilities.
Cosmic Romance
Come join your favorite boys on a new space journey. Sweet soothing words. Who's your favorite?
Con Swap Meet
Got old stuff? Want to trade it for other old stuff? Come to the swap meet and do just that.
Avatar the Last Airbender
