While conventions like anime conventions are common in countries like Finland, the convention scene is more fragmented in Japan. There are industry-led conventions that focus on celebrities and merchandise, and fan-led events centered around doujinshi. Discussion spaces tend to be weaker and more closed-off compared to Western conventions. However, there are some exceptions like Niconico Chokaigi that aim to recreate online anime communities offline, and SF Taikai which has a sci-fi focus but anime influence. Overall, Japan lacks a single overarching convention space and the landscape is more specialized than in other countries.

1. Animecon in Japan
Is that even a thing?
Wataru “walterinsect” Yamazaki
Twitter: @walterinsect
#conjapanissa

2. Bit about myself
• Like: anime, Yuri, fanfic, Finnish history
• Favorite series: Shinkai’s work, Ikuhara’s work, yuri,
IDOLM@STER

3. Is “animecon” a thing in Japan?
- Many of my otaku friends in Finland
Me

4. Of course, in Finland...

5. Desucon as Reference point
1. Breakdown what Desucon is
2. Find equivalents
3. Offer overview in relation to what you know

6. 1. Place for meeting celebrities/industry
people
• Desucon 2018
1. Voice actors
2. Directors, staff
3. Manga artists, novel
writers
• Meet, listen to, ask, get
signatures from famous
people

7. 2. Place to buy/sell things
• Merchandise, books, disc media
• Fanart, “Taidekuja”- Artist Alley
• Buy official/fanmade “things
• Sell your own art/creation/book

8. 3. Place for discussion
• “Luento” Lectures
• “Paneeli” Panel
Discussions
• Discussions of Anime
related topics

9. So, what’s it like in Japan?
• All three functions are present in some forms
Keyword “Fragmented”

10. 1. Place for meeting celebrities/industry people
• A lot of them
• Usually industry-
sponsored
• Industry convention with
fan event elements

11. 1. Place for meeting celebrities/industry people
• Differences
• Heavy emphasis on voice
actors
• Usually series-specific
• VERY competitive ticket
acquisition
Gintama fan event

12. 1. Place for meeting celebrities/industry people
• Concerts
• Animelo Summer Live etc.
• Series-specific concerts
• Lovelive, The Idolm@ster
etc..
Where you might meet this guy

13. 2. Place to buy/sell things
• AnimeJapan
• Comiket
• Myyntisali/Taidekuja using
95,000m2 for 3 days
• 530,000 participants
• Comitia, WonFes
• “only” events
Comiket Doujin area

14. Industry-led, and fan-led
• Industry-led
• Anime studio, production
companies, publishers
• Often municipalities
• Fan-led
• Most doujin events
• Printing companies

15. 3. Place for discussion
• Weakest feature
• Very weak “IRL” events
• Online
• 5ch (ex-2ch)
• Hatena-blog
5ch, or 2ch with different name

16. But...
• Real events
• Madoka gakkai (Madoka Conference)
• Aikatsu gakkai (Aikatsu Conference)
• Anime Clubs
• Universities, high schools
• “Genshiken” “SOS Brigade”
Genshiken 2 daime

17. Also...
• Paper media
• Phil-cul, Eureka
• Hyoron
(Critique)Doujinshi in
Comiket
• Bungaku Furima
(Literature Fleamarket)

18. Lack of discussion
• General lack of accessible forum
• Closed community
• Very small

19. Exceptions 1: Niconico Chokaigi
• “Recreating (almost)
everything on Niconico in
reality”
• Anime, games, VOCALOID,
sport, etcetc.

20. Exception 2: SF Taikai
• Convention for everything Sci-Fi
• Western traditions
• Major anime influence
• DAICONFILMS and Anno Hideaki
• Is not a place for anime?

21. So is there animecon in Japan?
• Very different landscape
• No single place for everything
• SF Taikai, but legacy did not carry onto Anime

22. Thank you for listening!