General Information: History

Background

Since 2006, Zenkaikon has been bringing quality Japanese animation (anime), comics (manga), and popular culture themed events to the Philadelphia area. The convention is staffed completely by volunteers, who want to share their appreciation for these mediums with the Philadelphia region.

Zenkaikon was founded by the merger of two local events, Kosaikon – an anime convention held at Villanova University – and Zentrancon – an anime and science fiction convention held on the University of Pennsylvania campus. In 2006, Zenkaikon held its first event at the Valley Forge Scanticon Hotel and Conference Center in King of Prussia, Pennsylvania. Approximately 450 fans attended to watch anime and science fiction screenings, meet celebrity guests, and participate in video gaming. By 2008, attendance had nearly tripled. Having outgrown their previous venue, the staff decided to expand into the Radisson Hotel Valley Forge, where they welcomed nearly 2000 attendees in 2009. For it's fifth convention, Zenkaikon will be expanding again into the Valley Forge Convention Center and Scanticon Hotel and Conference Center. It will also be the convention's first year as a three-day event.

Japanese animation (anime) is a genre that attracts people of all ages and backgrounds. International sales of anime in 2007 reached US$2.26 billion. In addition, the ten largest anime conventions in the U.S. attracted well over 150 thousand fans last year. While Zenkaikon is still small compared to the largest conventions, its staff hopes that by growing slowly each year, they can build an event that will be an integral part of the region's culture for many years to come.

Timeline

  • February 28, 2006 – Zentrancon and Kosaikon announce plans to merge to form Zenkaikon.
  • October 28, 2006 – Zenkaikon holds its first event at the Valley Forge Scanticon Hotel and Conference Center. There are 450 paid attendees. Guests include Alex Strang, Corinne Orr, Peter Fernandez, and Prism.
  • October 13, 2007 – Zenkaikon returns to the Scanticon for its second year. There are 570 paid attendees. Guests include D-Chan, Hsu-Nami, and Uncle Yo.
  • October 25, 2007 – Zenkaikon announces it will become a two-day convention, and sets its dates as October 17 to October 18, 2008.
  • October 17, 2008 – Zenkaikon holds its third event at the Scanticon. There are 1,352 paid attendees. Guests include Bill Rogers, Michelle Knotz, Uncle Yo, The Slants, Ultraball, C.J. Henderson, Raqs Otaku, Ikuzo! Studios, Geeks Next Door, Subpar Comic, and Friday Knights.
  • November 17, 2008 – Zenkaikon announces it will be moving to larger venue of the Valley Forge Radisson Hotel, and sets its dates as November 7 to November 8, 2009.
  • November 7, 2009 – Zenkaikon holds its fourth annual convention at the Radisson Hotel. Guests include the Geek Comedy Tour, Uncle Yo, Eden Star, Eyeshine, [geist], Reni Mimura, Concept Galaxy, Ikuzo! Studios, the Robotech Convention Tour, Robert Axelrod, Johnny Yong Bosch, Trina Nishimura, C.J. Henderson, Geeks Next Door, and Friday Knights.
  • April 10, 2010 – Zenkaikon announces it will become a three-day convention, and sets its dates as March 18 to 20, 2011.