The 2009 Anime Convention Guide

Credit: sparr0 via Flickr

Photo Source: sparr0

With the recently concluded Ohayocon, new and returning conventions will soon setup shop for another year of guests, activities, cosplay, and most importantly, new anime announcements just in time for the Spring! Despite troubled times in the industry, 2008 was a great year for Anime Conventions, and with a renewed outlook for the fandom in 2009, thanks to free, ad-supported video streams of popular anime series. To continue to support the fandom in 2009, it’s a good idea to support and industry and the series we love so much by attending these events! ^_^

This is a great opportunity to write a new edition of smaller (opposed to Anime Expo and Otakon) upcoming anime conventions in 2009. I would like to call it: The 2009 Anime Convention Guide. For those who missed it, I wrote a post last year of the 2008 Anime Conventions. Readers will get to see it again this year, I am going to cover a few more conventions than before. However, this will cover anime conventions big and small around major cities in the South, such as Nashville and Atlanta.

Momocon – Atlanta, GA

Date(s): March 14-15th | Momocon’s Website
What’s in Store for 2009?: Momocon is a free (registration is still required for security purposes) two-day Anime convention held in Downtown Atlanta, at the Georgia Tech Campus. Last year’s convention had some unusual circumstances, such as the infamous Tornado that stuck the downtown area that weekend. And in 2007, there was an incident involving fireworks which ended the convention a few hours sooner. (I would really like to check out this convention, but being only two days long, the fun can fade pretty quickly.)

Guests include Sean Taylor (Comic Artist), Gina Biggs (Author of “Red String”), Aleathia Burns (Professional Cosplayer and Costume Designer), Seraphina (Founder of Otaku Fusion Bellydance), and Hi-Rez Studios.

Middle Tennessee Anime Convention – Nashville, TN

Date(s): April 3rd-5th | MTAC’s Website
What’s in Store for 2009?: The Middle Tennessee Anime Convention is a con on my list of “Popular Southern Anime Cons to Attend” next to Anime Weekend Atlanta. 2009 also marks MTAC’s 10th year. This year’s guests are the Colleen O’Shaughnessey (Voice Actress), James Barry (Warriors Illustrator) and musicians Lisa Furukawa and The Notorious MSG. There is also a Battle of the Bands competition this year. I’m hoping to go this year, but with April less than 2 months away, and being low on funds, I don’t think I’ll be able to make it–for the third time .

Animazement – Raleigh, NC

Date(s): May 22-24th | Animazement’s Website
What’s in store for 2009?: Animazement is the biggest anime con in North Carolina, with an attendance of over 4500+. (I have never been to Animazement, or the state of NC for that matter… but It would be a good excuse to visit someday )

2009 guests has not yet been announced at the time of writing.

JAMPcon – Chattanooga, TN

Date(s): July 10th-12th | JAMPcon’s Website
What’s in Store for 2009?: Last year was a blast, despite a few problems. 2008 was the second time I’ve attended a small convention, with Anime Reactor being the first. JAMPcon in 2008 had over 400+ attendees. This year should be a huge improvement; JAMPcon’s new location will be at the Chattanooga Convention Center via the Marriott Hotel, and the theme for 2009 is Shounen vs. Shoujo.

This year’s confirmed guests are Jason Liebrecht (Saiyuki) and Shannon McCormick (Get Backers).

Anime Weekend Atlanta – Atlanta, GA

Date(s): September 18th-20th | Anime Weekend Atlanta’s Website
What’s in Store for 2009?: Anime Weekend Atlanta is another big Southern anime convention. I’ve personally tried to attend this convention for a few years, with disappointing results (read: lack of funds). As a precaution, I’m slapping a “Maybe” on this one. If I jump the gun and say “I’ll go”, all hope of actually going will be shot down. Last year’s AWA had over 10,000 attendees, which is a first in the convention’s 15 year run. Guests for 2009 has yet to be announced.

Kajonk-a-Con – Knoxville, TN

Date(s): TBA | Kajonk-a-Con’s Website
What’s in Store for 2009?. Kajon-a-Con is one of those multi-fandom conventions (which I have trouble going to due to “culture shock”) that is held in Knoxville, TN at the end of the year. While appearing as a multi-fandom con, there more presence of Otaku, which is relief for me…

No guests are announced for 2009 yet, but from the previous KACs, it seems to be more of just a gathering than the traditional convention.

Honorable Mention

With many anime conventions confirmed for 2009, many of them have yet to have concrete details of who will be there or what’s happening. Sadly, there is one new anime convention I was going to include in the list that has been canceled due to location problems, called Anime Addicts Con that was to be held in Memphis, TN (Memphis’ first Anime con). While 2009 is out of the picture, 2010 is already underway!

Conclusion

With so many awesome conventions to attend, they can of course become costly in terms is Cosplaying (completely optional), Hotel costs, and buying convention memorabilia, as well as the long trip back and forth from home. I can’t attend them every convention across the country but the ones closest to me. For more anime conventions, they can be found at AnimeCons.com, as well as Cosplay.com. Hope to see you at a convention near you! ^_^