All good ideas have to start somewhere. Media, regardless of its origin, tends to find its basis in real-world events that mold the story. Media gives us the power to ask "what if?", to protest, to bring awareness, and explore beyond what we know. Join us as we take a look at anime, manga, and movies that work to showcase some of the greatest political issues surrounding Japan.

Come join us and our guests for a quick overview of the weekend's events!

Talking about the various cultural differences between Japan and the US,I am currently writing a book about my experience growing up in Japan,as well as some of my "culture shock episodes” I have experienced since moving to the US. In this panel, I talk about that, and also have a Q&A for the audience to ask any kind of questions about Japan, its culture, etc.

Is NGE really a postmodernist retelling of the Genesis creation myth; and why are all nuns in anime gun-toting eye candy? Japan’s history with Christianity is an interesting, if sordid, affair. We’ll explore how it all began, and how it turned from the West’s sacred religious imagery to vampires, demon killing teenage priests, and Jesus living with Gautama Buddha.

Join Mary Elizabeth McGlynn for a Question and Answer Session. Ask all your burning questions: Do you like Directing or Acting better? How has the industry changed since you started? What's it like being so talented - writer, actor, director, and singer? When do you have time for it all? Answers to these and other questions can be found when you join us for her Q&A Panel!

Three contestants compete in three rounds where the answers are given first and they must supply the questions. Example: "It is held once a year in West Virginia and is known as the convention with wings." If you said, "What is Tsubasacon?", then you are correct! Let's play!

Discussion and art reveal of Jason Queen's officially licensed Netflix Stranger Things artwork from the book "Visions from the upside down" which releases October 15, 2019 from De Rey publishing and edited by Printed In Blood. There will be a short discussion of our mutual love of the stranger things series and what makes this series so amazing followed by a reveal of the limited edition officially licensed Netflix art. I'll also be selling and signing these limited edition prints.

Join Morgan Berry for a Question and Answer Session. Ask about everything you've ever wanted to know: How has the industry changed since you started? What's your favorite anime? What's it like being a triplet? Answers to these and other questions can be found when you join us for her Q&A Panel!

Oyajicons rejoice! If you like your anime men to be a bit more on the mature side, maybe with a beard or a bit of scruffy stubble, then you’re not alone! Come join Vitamin H for this hour-long collection of the best ossans anime has to offer, including some you might not’ve met before.

Indiana Jones may have found some cool lost treasures, but he hasn’t found these! From buried Shogun gold and missing samurai swords to sunken ships and early hominid fossils, Japan has no shortage of incredible lost treasures. Who knows where these might be? After all, these belong in a museum!

Are you interested in Voice Acting? Barry Yandell has some techniques to share with you! Join Barry as he breaks down these audition techniques to get you started on the right foot!

While male homosexuality has been well-documented in Japan since samurai days, love between women, well, hasn’t. Yuri – lesbian manga and literature – has a relatively recent history in Japan, owing largely to Japan’s strict gender roles and conservative culture. Vitamin H documents the history of this genre, which most certainly extends past the blushing fanservice seen in today’s anime.​

For more than 50 years, we've been enchanted by the frilly pink badasses known as magical girls. But beneath their elegant exterior lies a complex and captivating history that's filled with all kinds of surprises. Join Vitamin H as we explore the universe of magical girls, from the early inspirations in American TV to the modern, ultra-slick shows that captivate audiences throughout the world.

A panel about geikomi, yaoi's older, beefier brother. Written by and for gay Japanese men, these stories feature guys who're bold, brash, bodacious and decidedly burly. If you're looking for an LGBT History panel with a heaping helping of gratuitous male nudity, you're sure to love this panel!