Anime Expo
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AnimeExpo2004_Roof_Shot.jpg
Anime Expo, also known as AX, is an anime convention that usually takes place on the July 4th weekend for 4 days every year in California. The convention (in California) is normally held from Thursday to Sunday, but in a year when July 4 falls on a Sunday, Monday, or Tuesday, AX tends to be held Friday to Monday. In recent year, SPJA (see below) has licensed the name Anime Expo to conventions in New York and Tokyo.
Anime Expo started as a convention in Northern California. In 1994, AX made a strategic relocation to Southern California and has stayed there since. Anime Expo 2005 shall be held in Anaheim. Previous years, the convention in California has had notable guests, including the creator of Rurouni Kenshin, Nobuhiro Watsuki. From the 1,750 attendees in 1992, AX's size has increased to 25,000 in 2004—making it one of the largest anime conventions in the world. Many people do decide to come and cosplay while attending the convention. AX was always savvy to collaborate with the anime industry, and as the convention has grown, so has the visibility of AX's industry sponsors. Today, the more lavish part of AX's exhibit hall is saturated with the marketing glitz, like a minor consumer show instead of a fan convention, of anime companies eager for the fans' attention.
Anime Expo is hosted by the Society for the Promotion of Japanese Animation (SPJA). SPJA continues to be a non-profit organization run mostly by volunteers. Members of the anime club at the University of California at Berkeley were major contributors to its early history. After Anime Expo's move to Southern California, much of AX management has been passed onto local volunteers.
Anime Expo dates and location by year
- Anime Expo 1992 — July 3-6, Red Lion Hotel, San Jose, California.
- Anime Expo 1993 — July 2-4, Parc Oakland Hotel and Oakland Convention Center, Oakland, California.
- Anime Expo 1994 — July 1-3, Marriott Hotel, Anaheim, California.
- Anime Expo 1995 — June 30-July 2, Airport Hilton, Los Angeles, California.
- Anime Expo 1996 — June 28-30, Marriott Hotel, Anaheim, California.
- Anime Expo 1997 — July 4-6, Airport Hilton, Los Angeles, California.
- Anime Expo 1998 — July 3-5, Hilton Hotel and Anaheim Convention Center, Anaheim, California.
- Anime Expo 1999 — July 16-18, Hilton Hotel and Anaheim Convention Center, Anaheim, California.
- Anime Expo 2000 — June 30-July 3, Disneyland Resort Hotel and Entertainment Convention Center, Anaheim, California.
- Anime Expo 2001 — July 5-8, Long Beach Convention Center, Long Beach, California.
- Anime Expo 2002 — July 4-7, Long Beach Convention Center, Long Beach, California.
- Anime Expo 2003 — July 3-6, Anaheim Convention Center, Anaheim, California.
- Anime Expo 2004 — July 2-5, Anaheim Convention Center, Anaheim, California.
- Anime Expo 2005 — July 1-4, Anaheim Convention Center, Anaheim, California.
External links
- Anime Expo website (http://www.anime-expo.org/)
- LLNN reports on anime conventions, including AX (http://www.usagichan.com/)
- A Fan's View reports on anime conventions, including AX (http://www.fansview.com/)