Tsubasacon

Tsubasacon is a three-day anime convention held on a weekend during the fall. Tsubasacon is also the first anime convention to be held in West Virginia. The convention's name is a blend of the words tsubasa (Japanese for wings) and convention.[1]

Tsubasacon
StatusActive
VenueCharleston Coliseum and Convention Center
Location(s)Charleston, West Virginia
CountryUnited States
Inaugurated2004
Organized byTsubasacon LLC.
Websitehttp://www.tsubasacon.org/

Programming

Like most anime conventions, Tsubasacon provides a wide variety of programming for its patrons:

  • Viewing rooms dedicated to non-stop anime and live action films.
  • Workshops and "panels" including study abroad adverts, cosplay creation, martial arts demonstrations, specific anime / genre panels, and industry Q&A sessions. The majority of panels are presented by fans, while some are the product of industry professionals.
  • Vending area where dealers sell anime-related apparel and merchandise during the convention.
  • Artists' Alley, an area dedicated to artists interested in displaying or selling their fan art.
  • Game shows and "live programming" which run throughout the day allow attendees to test their knowledge of anime, as well as give the winners the opportunity to win prizes.
  • Video gaming room with a variety of consoles and games as an alternate form of entertainment. Along with "free play", tournaments are periodically held with popular multiplayer games such as Super Smash Bros., Halo, and Guitar Hero. A StepMania is also maintained.
  • Musical performances throughout the weekend.
  • Late Night Electronic Dance on Saturday night.
  • Cosplay contest, allowing cosplay creators from every skill level to compete for awards ranging from best construction to best skit. The cosplay "masquerade" and skits are typically the most popular event during the convention.
  • Special guests, typically industry-related, who participate in panels, main events, and autograph signings.
  • A formal dance where attendees dress formally as their favorite characters.

Tsubasacon allows patrons to "preregister" for the convention online prior to the start dates. Although attendees are still able to purchase their badges (the equivalent of a daily admission ticket) at the door, a preregistration is less costly than the door prices and preregistration badges typically showplace alternate, "premium" art.

History

Tsubasacon started as the brainchild of Charleston, West Virginia resident Jeffrey Mace who was originally interested in beginning a statewide anime club. The decision to abandon a state anime club in favor of an actual anime convention was made after considering that the logistics and participation of periodic club meetings would be less successful as opposed to one large annual gathering.[1] The Charleston Anime and Manga Society, Inc. was established soon afterward in order to take care of the business aspects of the convention. On February 16, 2004, The Charleston Anime and Manga Society, Inc. made the announcement that Tsubasacon, West Virginia's first ever anime convention, would be taking place later that year in Charleston.[2]

During the 2005 convention the following year, the attendance dropped from 407 to 227. The drop was attributed to many factors by both staff and convention attendees alike. The most cited reason was that Tsubasacon was held on Thanksgiving weekend, which conflicted with the schedules of many prospective attendees. Other reasons included the admitted lack of promotion by the convention's organizers and a breakdown in the convention's website, preventing the organizers from providing timely information to the public.[3]

After the 2005 convention, control of Tsubasacon was transferred from the Charleston Anime and Manga Society, Inc. to Tsubasacon, Inc. Because of conflicts with the Charleston Civic Center that resulted from the 2005 convention, Tsubasacon was moved to the Riverfront Ballroom and Conference Center at the Big Sandy Superstore Arena in Huntington, West Virginia. The convention was also moved ahead to October 13–15.[2]

2007 saw the first charity drive by the convention, as attendees were encouraged to bring nonperishable food for the Huntington Area Food Bank. Over 170 food items were donated and $51 was raised by the charity event.[4] In the following year, Tsubasacon began offering cash prizes for its cosplay contests.[5]

2015 saw Tsubasacon expand to take over the whole Big Sandy Superstore Arena.

2018 saw the last year of Tsubasacon being at the Big Sandy Superstore Arena with the announcement of the 2019 Tsubasacon being moved back to the Charleston Civic Center in Charleston, West Virginia. Tsubasacon 2020 was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[6][7]

Event history
DatesLocationAtten.Guests
November 19–21, 2004 Charleston Civic Center
Charleston, West Virginia		407[8]Tiffany Grant, Matt Greenfield, Mariela Ortiz, Gerry Poulos, and David L. Williams[8][9]
November 25–27, 2005 Charleston Civic Center
Charleston, West Virginia		227[n 1][10]Patrick Delahanty and Lisa Furukawa[10]
October 13–15, 2006 Big Sandy Superstore Arena
Riverfront Ballroom & Conference Center
Huntington, West Virginia		564[n 2][11]Lisa Furukawa, Mike McFarland, Random Battle Group, and Patrick Seitz[11]
October 5–7, 2007 Big Sandy Superstore Arena
Riverfront Ballroom & Conference Center
Huntington, West Virginia		618[12]Caitlin Glass, Jen Lee Quick, Random Battle Group, Patrick Seitz, and The Spoony Bards[12][13]
September 26–28, 2008 Big Sandy Superstore Arena
Riverfront Ballroom & Conference Center
Huntington, West Virginia		723 or 750[n 3][14]Astroboys, Robert Axelrod, Jen Lee Quick and Ultraball[14][15][16]
October 9–11, 2009 Big Sandy Superstore Arena
Riverfront Ballroom & Conference Center
Huntington, West Virginia		est. 900[n 4][17]Gina Biggs, Leah Clark, Lisa Furukawa, Darrel Guilbeau, Jen Lee Quick, and Greg Wicker[17]
October 1–3, 2010 Big Sandy Superstore Arena
Riverfront Ballroom & Conference Center
Huntington, West Virginia		1,105 or 1,172[n 5][18]Gina Biggs, Jakie Cabe, Leah Clark, The Extraordinary Contraptions, Chuck Huber, Jamie Marchi, Spike Spencer, and Greg Wicker[18]
October 7–9, 2011 Big Sandy Superstore Arena
Riverfront Ballroom & Conference Center
Huntington, West Virginia		1,023 or 1,090[n 6][19]501st Legion, Robert Axelrod, Gina Biggs, Chris Cason, Leah Clark, Kittyhawk, Robert McCollum, Random Battle Group, Greg Wicker[19]
October 12–14, 2012 Big Sandy Superstore Arena
Riverfront Ballroom & Conference Center
Huntington, West Virginia		1,320 or 1,420[n 7][20]The Extraordinary Contraptions, Lauren Landa, Random Battle Group, Patrick Seitz, Dirk Tiede, Greg Wicker[20]
October 11–13, 2013 Big Sandy Superstore Arena
Riverfront Ballroom & Conference Center
Huntington, West Virginia		TBA2D6, Chris Cason, Junko Fujiyama, Danielle McRae, Laura Post, David Vincent, Greg Wicker[21]
October 10–12, 2014 Big Sandy Superstore Arena
Riverfront Ballroom & Conference Center
Huntington, West Virginia		TBAD.C. Douglas, Eien Strife, Paul St. Peter, Greg Wicker, Lisle Wilkerson[22]
October 9–11, 2015 Big Sandy Superstore Arena
Riverfront Ballroom & Conference Center
Huntington, West Virginia		TBAMatthew Erickson, Kyle Hebert, Kazha, Keith Silverstein, Sleeping Samurai, Vitamin H Productions, Greg Wicke, and Lex Winter.[23]
September 30–October 2, 2016 Big Sandy Superstore Arena
Riverfront Ballroom & Conference Center
Huntington, West Virginia		2000Steve Blum, Caitlynn French, Night Sabers, Shadow Clone, Sleeping Samurai, Tokyo Attack!, Vitamin H Productions, Greg Wicker[24]
October 13-15, 2017 Big Sandy Superstore Arena
Huntington, West Virginia		2000Robert Axelrod, Leah Clark, Eien Strife, Kristen McGuire, Sleeping Samurai, Austin Tindle, Tokyo Attack!, Vitamin H Productions, Greg Wicker[25]
October 5-7, 2018 Big Sandy Superstore Arena
Huntington, West Virginia		2100Mikey Mason, Megan Shipman, Paul St. Peter, Jeannie Tirado, David Vincent, Vitamin H Productions, Greg Wicker[26]
October 11-13, 2019 Charleston Coliseum and Convention Center
Charleston, West Virginia		TBAChuck Huber, Morgan Berry, Mary Elizabeth McGlynn, The Extraordinary Contraptions, Vitamin H[27]
October 8-10, 2021[28] Charleston Coliseum and Convention Center
Charleston, West Virginia
October 7-9, 2022[29] Charleston Coliseum and Convention Center
Charleston, West Virginia		2542Lisa Furukawa, Bill Butts, Chris Patton, Cynthia Cranz, Vitamin H, Interpret As You Will

Mascot

Although a contest was held in 2004, Tsubasacon never adopted an official mascot until 2006. For the 2005 convention, images of three angel-like characters, collectively known as the Angel-chans, by Raven's Dojo were used to illustrate the Tsubasacon Website. The angels — named Fun Angel, Sexy Angel and Cute Angel — were also used to illustrate the cover of the program guide during Tsubasacon 2005.[10]

After the convention, a movement on the Tsubasacon Forums was created to officially adopt the Angel-chans as the convention's mascots. However, during the 2006 convention's planning stages, the Tsubasacon, Inc. Board of Directors (as well as popular vote on the Tsubasacon forums) decided to adopt a new mascot design.[30] The unnamed 2006 mascot was designed by Tiffany White[31] and was used on flyers, badges, programs, and T-shirts.

A new character design, created by Ricki Thompson, was utilized on badges and programs for the 2008 convention. During the closing ceremonies, the winners of Tsubasacon's mascot naming and background story contest were announced, dubbing the character Mitsuki.[32]

See also

Notes
  1. Paid attendees.
  2. Paid attendees.
  3. 723 paid attendees, 750 total.
  4. Paid attendees.
  5. 1,105 paid attendees, 1,172 total.
  6. 1,023 paid attendees, 1,090 total.
  7. 1,320 paid attendees, 1,420 total.

References
  1. Watts, Jenna (October 2004). "Coming soon: State's first anime convention". FlipSide. The Charleston Gazette. Archived from the original on 2007-09-27. Retrieved 2006-12-29.
  2. "Tsubasacon - History". Tsubasacon.org. Retrieved 2007-03-09.
  3. "Tsubasacon begins today". AnimeCons.com. 2005-10-25. Retrieved 2018-06-06.
  4. "Local Food Pantry Thanks Tsubasacon for Contributions" (Press release). Tsubasacon, Inc. November 21, 2007. Retrieved 2007-12-05.
  5. "Tsubasacon to Host Maid Café" (Press release). Tsubasacon, Inc. 2008-05-22. Retrieved 2008-06-18.
  6. "Tsubasacon 2020 Postponed". Tsubasacon. 3 June 2020. Archived from the original on 18 September 2020. Retrieved 14 September 2020.
  7. "Tsubasacon 2020 Information". AnimeCons.com. Retrieved 2020-09-14.
  8. "Tsubasacon 2004 Information". AnimeCons.com. Retrieved 2006-08-13.
  9. Poulos, Gerry (February 2005). "Con Report: Tsubasacon". Newtype USA. 4 (2): 111.
  10. "Tsubasacon 2005 Information". AnimeCons.com. Retrieved 2006-08-13.
  11. "Tsubasacon 2006 Information". AnimeCons.com. Retrieved 2006-08-16.
  12. Lillard, Kevin (December 2007). "Con Report: Tsubasacon". Newtype USA. 6 (12): 151.
  13. "Tsubasacon 2007 Information". AnimeCons.com. Retrieved 2007-02-28.
  14. "Tsubasacon 2008 Information". AnimeCons.com. Retrieved 2008-09-27.
  15. Sebert, Paul (2008-09-24). "Anime fans get animated at Tsubasacon convention". The Herald-Dispatch. Retrieved 2008-09-29.
  16. Rosenberger, Bill (2008-09-28). "Tsubasacon draws anime enthusiasts". The Herald-Dispatch. Retrieved 2008-09-29.
  17. "Tsubasacon 2009 Information". AnimeCons.com. Retrieved 2009-05-09.
  18. "Tsubasacon 2010 Information". AnimeCons.com. Retrieved 2010-07-28.
  19. "Tsubasacon 2011 Information". AnimeCons.com. Retrieved 2012-10-21.
  20. "Tsubasacon 2012 Information". AnimeCons.com. Retrieved 2012-10-21.
  21. "Tsubasacon 2013 Information". AnimeCons.com. Retrieved 2013-11-04.
  22. "Tsubasacon 2014 Information". AnimeCons.com. Retrieved 2014-10-02.
  23. "Tsubasacon 2015 Information". AnimeCons.com. Retrieved 2015-12-01.
  24. "Tsubasacon 2016 Information". AnimeCons.com. Retrieved 2018-02-23.
  25. "Tsubasacon 2017 Information". AnimeCons.com. Retrieved 2018-02-23.
  26. "Tsubasacon 2018 Information". AnimeCons.com. Retrieved 2018-02-23.
  27. "Tsubasacon 2019 Information". AnimeCons.com. Retrieved 2018-11-04.
  28. "Tsubasacon 2021 Information". AnimeCons.com. Retrieved 2020-09-14.
  29. "Tsubasacon 2022 Information". AnimeCons.com. Retrieved 2022-10-11.
  30. "Adopt the Angel-chans or no?". Tsubasacon Forums. 2005-12-01. Retrieved 2007-01-03.
  31. "Tsubasacon 2006 Attendance! (reply identifying mascot artist)". Tsubasacon Forums. 2006-10-20. Retrieved 2007-01-03.
  32. "Tsubasacon Reports Record Attendance". Tsubasacon. 2008-09-30. Archived from the original on 2008-10-06. Retrieved 2008-02-10.

Other references
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