Kansas City’s Premier Anime Convention
Naka-Kon Anime Convention History
Naka-Kon Anime Convention is a three-day convention that allows anime fans, also known as otaku, from across the country to gather and learn about anime and Japanese culture. It has no headquarters, and is run by a staff of uncompensated volunteers, many of whom are students and most of whom live in the greater Kansas City area.
Naka-Kon was founded by members of the University of Kansas Anime Club in 2005. It was a one-day, free event funded by the club and the University of Kansas Student Senate.
Naka-Kon 2005
| Date | April 17, 2005 |
|---|---|
| Location | University of Kansas Memorial Union, Lawrence, Kan. |
| Attendees | Approx. 300 |
| Cost | Free |
| Features | Anime showings rooms Cosplay contest Game shows Karaoke contest Panels Vendor room Game room Workshops |
In 2006, Naka-Kon became its own fiscal entity, began to charge admission, became a two-day event, and invited guests.
Naka-Kon 2006
| Date | March 4 - 5, 2006 |
|---|---|
| Location | University of Kansas Memorial Union, Lawrence, Kan. |
| Attendees | Approx. 650 |
| Cost | $20 early pre-registration - full weekend $25 late pre-registration - full weekend $30 at the door - full weekend $20 at the door - Saturday $15 at the door - Sunday |
| Guests | Greg Ayres - voice actor Steve Bennett - manga artist Caitlin Glass - voice actor |
| Features | Anime showings rooms Anime themed dance Artist Alley Autograph session Cosplay contest Game room Game shows Karaoke contest Vendor room |
In 2007, Naka-Kon moved out of the Kansas Memorial Union to the Hilton Kansas City Airport and extended its hours to become a three-day event.
Naka-Kon 2007
| Date | March 2 - 4, 2007 |
|---|---|
| Location | Hilton Kansas City Airport, Kansas City, Mo. |
| Attendees | 1,529 |
| Cost | $25 early pre-registration - full weekend $30 late pre-registration - full weekend $35 at the door - full weekend $20 at the door - Friday $25 at the door - Saturday $20 at the door - Sunday |
| Guests | Greg Ayres - voice actor Steve Bennett - manga artist Steve Blum - voice actor Caitlin Glass - voice actor Rob Mungle - voice actor Angela Reudelhuber - face painter Dustin Reudelhuber - balloon artist |
| Features | Anime showings rooms Anime themed rave Artist Alley Autograph session Cosplay contest Game room Game shows Karaoke contest Vendor room |
Because Naka-Kon 2007 attracted so many guests, the convention moved to the Kansas City Marriott Downtown in 2008.
Naka-Kon 2008
| Date | Feb. 8 - 10, 2008 |
|---|---|
| Location | Kansas City Marriott Downtown, Kansas City, Mo. |
| Attendees | 2,091 |
| Cost | $30 early pre-registration - full weekend $35 late pre-registration - full weekend $40 at the door - full weekend $25 at the door - Friday $30 at the door - Saturday $25 at the door - Sunday |
| Guests | Chris Blevins - voice actor Emily DeJesus - writer and editor Robert DeJesus - artist and writer Talesin Jaffe - voice actor Angela Reudelhuber - face painter Dustin Reudelhuber - balloon artist Chris Sabat - voice actor Sonny Strait - voice actor Kari Wahlgren - voice actor |
| Features | Anime showings rooms Anime themed rave Artist Alley Autograph session Cosplay contest Game room Game shows Karaoke contest Vendor room |
Naka-Kon once again outgrew its convention center, and moved to the Hyatt Regency Crown Center in 2009. It also began to offer a Kon Supporter program, which gave perks such as a snack room, to attendees who stayed in the convention hotel. It also hosted its first concert.
Naka-Kon 2009
| Date | March 13 - 15, 2009 |
|---|---|
| Location | Hyatt Regency Crown Center, Kansas City, Mo. |
| Cost | $30 early pre-registration - full weekend $35 late pre-registration - full weekend $40 at the door - full weekend $25 at the door - Friday $30 at the door - Saturday $25 at the door - Sunday |
| Attendees | 2915 |
| Guests | Amelie Belcher - artist Leah Clark - voice actor Chuck Huber - voice actor Brina Palencia - voice actor Chris Patton - voice actor Angela Reudelhuber - face painter Dustin Reudelhuber - balloon artist Kansas State University Yosakoi Dance Group LeetStreet Boys - band Kevin McKeever of the Robotech Convention Tour Yamila Abraham of Yaoi Press |
| Features | Anime showings rooms Anime themed dance Artist Alley Autograph session Cosplay contest Game room Game shows Karaoke contest Kon Supporter program United States premiere of FUNimation's "Romeo x Juliet" Vendor room |
The Hyatt Regency Crown Center suited Naka-Kon's needs perfectly, and allowed for growth in 2010. The convention also added two new features in 2010: a formal ball and a Lolita tea party.
Naka-Kon 2010
| Date | Feb. 19-21, 2010 |
|---|---|
| Location | Hyatt Regency Crown Center, Kansas City, Mo. |
| Cost | $30 early pre-registration - full weekend $35 late pre-registration - full weekend $45 at the door - full weekend $25 at the door - Friday $30 at the door - Saturday $25 at the door - Sunday |
| Attendees | TBD; estimated 3,400-3,800 |
| Guests |
Chris Ayres - voice actor |
| Features |
Anime Music Video contest |
For more information, please contact press@naka-kon.com or info@naka-kon.com and we will get back to you as soon as possible.
| Date | March 13 - 15, 2009 |
|---|---|
| Location | Hyatt Regency Crown Center, Kansas City, Mo. |
| Cost | $30 early pre-registration - full weekend $35 late pre-registration - full weekend $40 at the door - full weekend $25 at the door - Friday $30 at the door - Saturday $25 at the door - Sunday |
| Attendees | 2915 |
| Guests | Amelie Belcher - artist Leah Clark - voice actor Chuck Huber - voice actor Brina Palencia - voice actor Chris Patton - voice actor Angela Reudelhuber - face painter Dustin Reudelhuber - balloon artist Kansas State University Yosakoi Dance Group LeetStreet Boys - band Kevin McKeever of the Robotech Convention Tour Yamila Abraham of Yaoi Press |
| Features | Anime showings rooms Anime themed dance Artist Alley Autograph session Cosplay contest Game room Game shows Karaoke contest Kon Supporter program United States premiere of FUNimation's "Romeo x Juliet" Vendor room |
