FanimeCon

FanimeCon is an annual four day anime convention held during May at the San Jose McEnery Convention Center in San Jose, California over Memorial Day weekend. It was the 5th largest North American anime convention in 2013, but not ranked in 2014 due to its attendance being shared with the steampunk convention Clockwork Alchemy.

Programming

The convention typically offers a AMV contest, artist's alley, contests, cosplay chess, dances, dealer's room, formal ball, game room (arcade, console, PC, and tabletop), karaoke, maid cafe, masquerade, panels, screenings, a swap meet, tournaments, and workshops. The convention offers 24 hour programming, including gaming and video.

FanimeCon held a art auction for the charity Habitat for Humanity in 2004. Charities that FanimeCon supported in 2011 included the American Red Cross of Silicon Valley, APA Family Support Services of San Francisco, Cancer Support Community, and Japanese Red Cross Society.

History

FanimeCon was first held in 1994 at California State University, Hayward, being run by several anime clubs.Foothill College would also host the convention until moving to the Wyndham Hotel in San Jose for 1999. From 2000-2003 the Santa Clara Convention Center hosted FanimeCon. In 2004, FanimeCon moved to the San Jose McEnery Convention Center. Problems with the convention in 2009 included Christan protests and over purchasing of artist alley tables, with the protestors also returning in 2010. In 2011, Saturday saw three hour registration waits, problems with the convention not using a printed schedule, outside religious protestors, and the Marriott fire alarm being pulled on Monday morning. Registration was affected in 2012 by an power outage. FanimeCon's 20th anniversary in 2014 was marked by San Jose having Fanime Day on May 23, 2014. The masquerade in 2015 suffered from technical issues.