A Queer History of Fandom

An overview of the beginnings of fandom itself and the emergence of queer culture and creations within fandom. We look at the very first documented fanfics, slashfics, queer-baiting vs. queer representation, supportive fandoms, creator backlash, conventions, zines, usenet, webrings, the rise of FanFiction.net, the emergence of Archive of Our Own, and beyond. Join us as we explore how fandom—and society itself—has changed in the last 40 years.

Animemes: Anime Memes and You!

With the internet and social media like TikTok, Instagram, and Twitter enabling more and more anime fans to share their love for anime every day, it becomes increasingly important to understand the memes powering the expansion of otaku culture. Join us as we talk anime, memes, and how they relate to you!

Behind the Ballroom

Celebrating 15 years, the FanimeCon Black & White Ball team will recount significant, hilarious, and near-miss moments in our history! Have you ever wondered how the ball came to be? Why we have so many lessons and dance styles? The number of times we've moved locations? (Spoiler: it's more than you'd expect!) And why the heck do we play the "Super Mario Salsa"" almost every year? Our tenured and newer staff are eager to share unique stories then open the floor for Q&A—pun intended."

Bioengineered Catgirls & You!

Have you seen memes about genetically engineered catgirls/boys? I have! However, I am a molecular biologist with a "Dogtorate" in gene editing. I will use my knowledge of the techniques we have now to guide you through creating the cat people of your dreams. Put on your lab coats and tell step-JoJo you reject your humanity, it's time to get our mad scientist on!

Commissioning Art the Right Way

Got a favorite character, D&D character, or any type of OC you want art of? Having both commissioned over 100 drawings and been commissioned to do art for others, I know both sides of the process. I'll show you the unspoken rules and general etiquette of getting the best out of an artist in the smoothest possible way, whether it's for your first or any future commissions.

Cup Noodles: Beyond Styrofoam

Who says it's bad to play with your food? Here we slurp our way through Nissin's extensive history of product placement in anime, games, and beyond, including manga about the king of ramen: CUP NOODLES!

Detective Conan: Case Closer

How have people not caught on to sleeping Kogoro yet? Could Detective Conan solve the Kira case? What does it do to the mental state of a child to run into murder scenes three times a day for six months straight? When is he getting a Miyazaki film? Will Conan finally close the case?

Inside Anime Legal Esoterica

Want to claim being a weeb is educational? Come and learn how law and crime have influenced the development of various anime, manga, and games. We'll also discuss myths and realities about various works, such as Ace Attorney, Persona 5, Tears of Themis, and Extraordinary Attorney Woo, the detective/legal procedural genre, as well as various fandom legal controversies of note (l'affaire Nijisanji, etc.). Also, enjoy a Q&A session to sate your burning curiosities!

Intro to Tokusatsu: Kamen Rider

Discover the history of this influential pop culture icon, who has inspired anime creators, game developers, and fans in Japan and around the world! Even if there is no God or Buddha, there is Kamen Rider!

Journey to the West & Pop Culture

The classic Chinese novel, Journey to the West, is one of the most read novels in the world and has captivated readers for over 400 years. It has also influenced many aspects of Japanese pop culture, arguably starting with the song Monkey Magic, and culminating in the long-running Dragon Ball franchise. From direct adaptations like Saiyuki, indirect adaptations like Starzinger, and lots more in-between, there's a lot of media to sift through and A-to-J Connections will act as your guide!

Kenshin and Meiji Studies

Come and learn about Rurouni Kenshin, the Meiji Era, and how the manga developed readers' interest in studying and learning about the Meiji Era! We'll talk about the basic history of the Meiji Era and how the complicated politics of the period still affect us to this very day. We'll also cover the Meiji Taboo and how the manga contributed to the studies of the Meiji Era, as well as all the controversial aspects of the Meiji Era that the manga talks about!

Kids' WB: A Retrospective

From September 1995 to May 2008, Kids' WB was THE place to watch TV on Saturday mornings. Ranging from cartoons like Animaniacs, to Jackie Chan Adventures, to ¡Mucha Lucha!; introducing timeless anime like Pokémon, Yu-Gi-Oh!, and CardCaptors; to weird shows lost to time like, B.R.A.T.S of the Lost Nebula and Da Boom Crew, Kids' WB influenced an entire generation of kids and adults. Grab your holiday socks, because we're going to go through the history of Kids' WB!

Let's Talk Anime Tattoos!

Having trouble deciding your next anime tattoo? Come and join us! In this client-focused panel, we'll dive into the concept of anime tattoos and dig into your next ideas. Manga panels, color, black and gray—we'll explore them all!
As a tattoo artist, I'll be sharing my experience in this industry, what got me into tattooing, and what ideas can help you create a piece that's unique and special to you.

Lost in Game Translation

Localizing video games should be a straightforward task, right? It's just handing a spreadsheet full of lines to a translator, right? If only it actually worked like that. Join Marimo, game developer behind titles like Monster Train and Inkbound, as he shares his stories on all the behind-the-scenes madness that goes into localizing a video game.

Magic in Anime: Avatar Edition

Mastering One-Shots and Flex Encounters

An interactive dive into the art of homebrewing tabletop one-shots and mastering the skill of adjusting encounters on the fly! Delve into the world of TTRPG creativity as Perty Nerdy shares her expertise on crafting engaging and dynamic one-shot adventures from scratch. Learn valuable insights, tips, and tricks on improvising encounters, adapting to player choices, and keeping the excitement levels high in your tabletop sessions. Whether you're a new Game Master looking to hone your skills or a veteran storyteller seeking fresh inspiration, this panel is a must-attend for all lovers of tabletop gaming and storytelling.

Neurotechnology in Anime β

Ever wished you could experience full immersion VR like in Sword Art Online, or accelerate your brain and body to incredible speeds with a Sandevistan? I personally haven't ripped out anyone's spine and replaced it with a robot implant yet, but you can come learn a professional's opinion on whether or not it's a good idea! Join me for a tour through anime neurotech and find out about dystopian personality scans, Full Dive VR, and whether you should microwave your brain! (Hint: maybe!)

PBS: The Secret Anime Channel

Anime on PBS? Pre-internet crowdsourcing? Come join Nick Redman for a history lesson in how anime was distributed and broadcast around the Bay Area. We'll talk about the people and organizations that shared Japanese cartoons with locals, and most importantly, the shows themselves!

Plot Twists in Video Games

Would you kindly attend this panel discussing the effectiveness of plot twists in video games? How can creators employ deception without frustrating the player or making them feel cheated at the end? If you've ever thrown your controller after finding out someone was dead all along or had a chill run down your spine realizing you were actually the villain, this panel's for you! We'll cover the following and more: Bioshock, Spec Ops: The Line, Danganronpa, Braid, Dead Space, Rain Code, and Zero Escape.

Real Anime Tech: Science Nonfiction

Anime likes to throw a lot of really wacky science at us and expects us to accept that it's possible. But it turns out, some of it is! Let's talk about the things in Neon Genesis Evangelion that science has actually already created (uh oh), the planet-scale disaster at the heart of Planetes, and other real inventions that sound like fiction but have been shown to be possible by science. The future is closer than you think!

Set Up for Livestream Success

Get ready to go live! Learn to create professional-looking and engaging livestreams with veteran Twitch streamers Derivakat (Kat) and Kibawastaken (Kiba). Come chat with us about how to get started with setting up your stream and creating an interactive, safe, and fun environment for you and your viewers. We'll cover topics ranging from choosing your content and engaging with viewers, to overhauling visuals and audio to make your livestream the best it can be!

So You Wanna Drive Fast

Are you interested in going fast? Come learn about some options if you want to race, speed, kart, or use other forms of motorsport. Andre will discuss options like simracing, autocross, karting, HPDE, and more!

The Case for Anime Clubs

What are the benefits of being in an anime club? While it takes a lot of effort to stay connected, a good group can also be a support system. Join our host, Nick Redman, as he reflects on the last three years of managing a club. Come find out what worked during the pandemic and beyond. Nick will coach you on tools and software, member engagement, virtual and live event planning, moderation, and how to choose what to watch!

The Morbid World of Junji Ito

Junji Ito, acclaimed artist and writer of Uzumaki, Remina, and Tomie, has established a reputation for creating some of the bleakest worlds in manga. From body horror to cosmic horror, his tales often create a protagonist out of the apocalypse, guiding the reader through terrifying, unstoppable events. The Nakama Podcast is here to discuss the principal author in horror manga today, his work, and the many influences surrounding them.

To Be American in Anime

American representation in anime differs wildly, from goofy caricatures to stunning heroes and ruthless villains, but no matter how varied their presentation, they offer an American audience a rare look in the mirror at themselves from a distinct cultural perspective. The Nakama Podcast is here to talk all about that phenomenon, the positives as well as the negatives, and what we as Americans can learn from the portrayal.

Trans/Post-Humanism in Anime

Listen in on existential reflections surrounding the question: when is something no longer human? We'll reflect on instances where cybernetics challenge the boundaries between organic and artificial life. Embark on a captivating exploration of iconic series' like Serial Experiments Lain, Ghost in the Shell, Texhnolyze, and more. When flesh and machine converge, what cases can be made for transhumanism and posthumanism?

Urami Emotions in Anime

Urami roughly means "resentment" or "grudge" in Japanese. In literature, urami is often seen through jealous housewives or unfair treatment of people. In this panel, we will explore how this emotion is depicted in popular anime and manga series.

VTuber Tech

Ever wondered how VTubers control their avatars? Interested in starting VTubing yourself? Come find out about the programs and hardware involved in VTubing! From independent to Hololive, we'll introduce how VTubers do what they do and show you how you can start VTubing TODAY!

Which Mechs Would Work

Have you ever wondered if a combat robot from your favorite show, movie, video, or tabletop game could actually be useful on a real battlefield? Join Marine and Iraq War veteran Dave as he explores which robots might actually be useful and the reasoning behind it.