I like thinking about conventions. I like talking about conventions. I have written short stories with conventions as the backdrop. I think there is something special about a group of people (preferably about the size of a small town) showing up, packing out a convention center and celebrating something that’s special to them.
If I go on at length, I can get downright philosophical and prosaic about it. I could talk about pre-con liminal spaces and how getting to experience that gives me a creative charge, and I could talk about the importance of third spaces and the cons role as a temporary third space. But I’m going to save that for another night.
Tonight, instead, I’m going to use Key Frames #10 to talk about North America’s five largest anime conventions. I think (but do not promise) that this will be the last Key Frames post. The stats here are taken from the most reliable of sources, Wikipedia.
Key Frames #10: Anime Conventions
Anime Weekend Atlanta
Founded: 1995
City: Atlanta
2017 Attendance: 31,500
Length: Four days
About: AWA is the fifth largest anime convention in North America. It has climbed up from the #10 spot over the past three years. Its first recorded attendance numbers are from 1997 when 1,350 people came. It has been in the same convention center for 15 years, and typically takes place in late September or early October. Cartoon Network announced Toonami’s cancellation at AWA in 2008.
Anime North
Founded: 1997
City: Toronto
2017 Attendance: 32,167
Length: Three days
About: Anime North began as a one-day convention with roughly 600 attendees. Founded by Donald Simmons, it has grown to be the fourth largest anime con in North America. It began as in August convention but jumped to June and then to May in 2001, where it has remained. The convention is spread out through six venues.
A-Kon
Founded: 1990
City: Fort Worth
2017 Attendance: 33,102
Length: Three days
About: North America’s third largest anime con began as Project A-Kon in Richardson, Texas. The first two-day Project A-Kon had 380 attendees. Its name is likely inspired by the Project A-ko anime franchise. The convention frequently moves dates and locations. It is usually in May or June, and it was reliably in Dallas from 1998 until 2016. In 2017 it moved to the Fort Worth Convention Center. A-Kon is the oldest of the top five.
Anime Matsuri
Founded: 2007
City: Houston
2017 Attendance: 36,270
Length: Three days
About: The youngest convention on the list takes the #2 spot. Matsuri, which takes its name from the Japanese word for festival, has grown rapidly since its first event with 4,012 attendees. The convention is normally held in March or April and has been at the same venue since 2014. Despite its rapid growth, Matsuri has some bad press due to sexual harassment allegations directed at CEO John Leigh and dating back to 2015.
Anime Expo
Founded: 1992
City: Los Angeles
2017 Attendance: 107,658
Length: Four days
About: Nearly three times the size of its closest competitor, Anime Expo has held the top spot for 14 years in a row. The convention is organized by the Society for the Promotion of Japanese Animation. The first Anime Expo saw 1,750 attendees. The SPJA has sponsored Anime Expo events outside of California, including one in New York in 2002 and one in Tokyo in 2004. Anime Expo also plays host to the World Cosplay Summit U.S. Finals.
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