1. Anime Conventions From Japan to Ireland

2. Origins in Japan Comiket - Started 1975 Over 500,000 people every year Mostly for cosplay, & Dōjinshi (self- published manga) Merch, videos & books readily available in shops

3. Early 80s, YamatoCon Day long screening of Space Cruiser Yamato! Grew out of comic conventions Some cosplay, few traders, no Dōjinshi or guests Spread to America in the 80s

5. Anime Expo & Otakon Mecca for fans across America & Europe Big emphasis on burgeoning merchandise industry, artists, console gaming & voice actors A place for fans to hang out Screenings increasingly side lined Laid the template for western anime conventions Evolution in America in the 90s

6. Q-Con in Belfast begins screening anime Eirtakon - November 2005 Name based off Otakon DCU Anime & Manga Society founded to facilitate Eirtakon Mostly screenings, some cosplay, a few games ~130 attendees Over to Ireland…

8. American voice actors invited over every year Cosplay more popular than ever New emphasis on special events, panels, workshops, talks etc Merch traders hugely popular Get-together for groups of friends Screenings not a big draw anymore What is an Irish anime Convention?

9. 2010, Nom-Con 2011, Akumakon Q-Con in Belfast incorporating anime Hybrid anime & gaming events appearing, e.g. Brocon, @rcadeCon, Epic-Con Burgeoning Scene in Ireland

10. Q-Con - June 22nd - 24 th @rcadeCon - July 13th - 15 th Brocon - July 20th - 22 nd Nom-Con - August 24th - 26 th Eirtakon - November 9th - 11 th Akumakon - January 2013 Epic-Con - March 2013 Links & Info | Belfast | Ballsbridge | Limerick | Burlington | The Helix | NUI Galway | Maynooth