About Zenkaikon
Mission
To promote knowledge and enjoyment of Japanese art, animation, and culture as well as science fiction and fantasy literature and films of all origins.
Background
Zenkaikon was created in 2006 through the merging of two Philadelphia-area 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 attend educational panels, watch anime and science fiction screenings, meet celebrity guests, and participate in video gaming.
By 2008, membership had nearly tripled. Having outgrown their previous venue, the staff decided to expand into the Radisson Hotel Valley Forge in 2009. In 2011, the convention grew again, using the combined spaces of both the Valley Forge Convention Center and Scanticon Hotel and Conference Center.
In 2012, due to construction at the Valley Forge Convention Center Complex, Zenkaikon held its annual convention at the Greater Philadelphia Expo Center complex. In 2013, Zenkaikon moved to the Lancaster County Convention Center in Lancaster, Pennsylvania.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Zenkaikon did not have an in-person convention in 2020 or 2021. In 2021, Zenkaikon held a virtual convention called “Zenkaikon Online.”
In 2022, Zenkaikon once again held its in-person convention at the Lancaster County Convention Center, with masks and COVID-19 vaccination required.
In 2011, Zenkaikon Entertainment, Inc. became a 501(c)(3) non-profit educational organization. From its founding, the convention and the organization have always been run “by fans, for fans” with an all-volunteer staff.
Convention Timeline
| Dates | Location | Unique Memberships | Estimated Turnstile | Guests |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| October 28, 2006 | Valley Forge Scanticon Hotel and Conference Center King of Prussia, Pennsylvania | 450 | NA | Peter Fernandez, Corinne Orr, Prism, and Alex Strang |
| October 13, 2007 | Valley Forge Scanticon Hotel and Conference Center King of Prussia, Pennsylvania | 570 | NA | D-Chan, Hsu-nami, and Uncle Yo |
| October 17–18, 2008 | Valley Forge Scanticon Hotel and Conference Center King of Prussia, Pennsylvania | 1,352 | NA | Charles Batschelet, Jessi Bavolack, Michael Gans, CJ Henderson, Ikuzo! Studios, Michele Knotz, Matt Pascal, Raqs Attaq!, Laura Robinson, Wil Robinson, Bill Rogers, The Slants, Rose Thompson, Ultraball, and Uncle Yo |
| November 7–8, 2009 | Valley Forge Radisson Hotel King of Prussia, Pennsylvania | 1,988 | NA | Robert Axelrod, Johnny Yong Bosch, Stephanie Celeste, C. J. Collins, Eden Star, Eyeshine, Geek Comedy Tour, Gerry Giovinco, CJ Henderson, Hi5, Chris Kalnick, Mike Leeke, Kevin McKeever, Reni Mimura, Trina Nishimura, Jessi Pascal, Matt Pascal, Rich Rankin, Laura Robinson, Wil Robinson, Bill Spangler, Uncle Yo, Neil Vokes, Tommy Yune, and [geist] |
| March 18–20, 2011 | Valley Forge Convention Center and Scanticon Hotel and Conference Center King of Prussia, Pennsylvania | 3,168 paid memberships (3,422 warm bodies) | 7,610 | Kevin Bolk, Gelatine, Todd Haberkorn, James Harknell, Onezumi Hartstein, CJ Henderson, DJ Luminal, Sarah Martinez, Vic Mignogna, Rose Noire, Uncle Yo, and Greg Wicker |
| May 11–12, 2012 | Greater Philadelphia Expo Center at Oaks Oaks, Pennsylvania | 2,736 paid memberships (2,822 warm bodies) | 4,504 | The Asterplace, Daniel Coglan, Jillian Coglan, CJ Henderson, Hi5, Michele Knotz, DJ Kurono, KyoDaiko, Pennsylvania Jedi, Platform One, Sonny Strait, Uncle Yo, and Japan America Society of Greater Philadelphia |
| March 22–24, 2013 | Lancaster County Convention Center Lancaster, Pennsylvania | 3,061 paid memberships (3,376 warm bodies) | 7,813 | T. Campbell, John de Lancie, Eien Strife, Hi5, Richard Epcar, CJ Henderson, Cosplay Burlesque, Phil Kahn, Kuniko Kanawa, DJ Midget, Saber Guild – Keystone Temple, The Slants, Ellyn Stern, Uncle Yo, and Greg Wicker |
| April 25-27, 2014 | Lancaster County Convention Center Lancaster, Pennsylvania | 4,069 paid memberships (4,422 warm bodies) | 10,731 | Gina Biggs, Jim Cummings, CJ Henderson, Cosplay Burlesque, DJ Zing, The Extraordinary Contraptions, Greg Houser, Kuniko Kanawa, Lolita Dark, Jonathan Maberry, Brina Palencia, Bill Rogers, Marc Swint, Trifecta, Uncle Yo, Doug Walker, and Greg Wicker |
| March 27-29, 2015 | Lancaster County Convention Center Lancaster, Pennsylvania | 4,842 paid memberships (5,079 warm bodies) | 11,448 | Cosplay Burlesque, Richard Horvitz, Kuniko Kanawa, Lauren Landa, Matthew Mercer, Trina Nishimura, The Ricecookers, Shadowbinders, Rikki Simons, Uncle Yo, Doug Walker, Rob Walker, and Greg Wicker |
| April 1-3, 2016 | Lancaster County Convention Center Lancaster, Pennsylvania | 5,497 paid memberships (5,755 warm bodies) | 12,923 | Dante Basco, Cosplay Burlesque, Charles Dunbar, Eien Strife, Richard Epcar, Interrobang Studios, Vic Mignogna, Ellyn Stern, Alex Strang, Uncle Yo, Greg Wicker |
| April 28-30, 2017 | Lancaster County Convention Center Lancaster, Pennsylvania | 5,195 paid memberships (5,569 warm bodies) | 13,397 | Steve Blum, Cosplay Burlesque, Cosplay Pro Wrestling, Keith DeCandido, Charles Dunbar, Kuniko Kanawa, John Patrick Lowrie, Mary Elizabeth McGlynn, Ellen McLain, The Slants, Sonny Strait, Uncle Yo, Greg Wicker |
| May 4-6, 2018 | Lancaster County Convention Center Lancaster, Pennsylvania | 4,999 paid memberships (5,364 warm bodies) | 12,177 | Jessica Calvello, Cosplay Burlesque, Charles Dunbar, Corgi Cosplay, Quinton Flynn, Phil LaMarr, Jonathan Maberry, Jād Saxton, The Triforce Quartet, Greg Wicker, Sarah Wiedenheft |
| March 22-24, 2019 | Lancaster County Convention Center Lancaster, Pennsylvania | 5,579 paid memberships (5,971 warm bodies) | Corgi Cosplay, Cosplay Burlesque, Cosplay Pro Wrestling, Michaela Dietz, Charles Dunbar, Todd Haberkorn, The Manly Battleships, Monica Rial, Samantha Sawyer, Austin Tindle, The X-Hunters |
Other Events
In addition to its annual convention, Zenkaikon also participates in several other events throughout the southeastern Pennsylvania region. In 2008-2009, Zenkaikon provided anime and Asian content to America’s Video Game Expo (VGEXPO) at the Pennsylvania Convention Center. Through 2019, Zenkaikon also ran an educational booth and Cosplay Fashion Show at Philadelphia’s Sakura Sunday (part of the Subaru Cherry Blossom Festival of Greater Philadelphia). From 2011-onwards, Zenkaikon has provided sponsorship of the anime programming room at Philcon, the nation’s oldest science fiction convention in Cherry Hill, NJ. In addition, Zenkaikon has presented educational presentations at local libraries and bookstores to educate the public about anime, manga, cosplay, and Japanese culture.
