This article is about the anime convention. For the musician, see Akon.
A-Kon
StatusActive
VenueIrving Convention Center at Las Colinas
Toyota Music Factory
LocationIrving, Texas
CountryUnited States
First1990
OrganizerFrank Powell[1][2]
Attendance34,684 in 2018
Websitewww.a-kon.com

A-Kon is an annual three-day anime convention held during June at the Irving Convention Center at Las Colinas and Toyota Music Factory in Irving, Texas. First held in 1990 with just 380 people in attendance,[3] A-Kon is North America's longest running convention primarily focused on anime.[4]

Departments

A-Kon consists of many volunteer managed teams each dedicated to operating a portion of this large convention. Each year, usually in February or March, they post a web page for volunteer sign-up. Volunteers work at least sixteen hours during the weekend and receive a free pass to the convention. Working for 20 hours, volunteers aged over 18 can receive a hotel room, shared with 3 other staff members.

Programming

While the focus of the convention was originally centered on anime fandom and screenings of films and television series, many other activities take place encompassing various segments of geek and Japanese pop culture. These events include panels with American authors and artists, a console gaming room, tabletop gaming room, cosplay, scavenger hunts, martial arts demonstrations, an art show, and concerts by Japanese and SteamPunk bands. The convention also maintains a vigorous social network presence on Facebook and Twitter, having about 15,000[5] and 7,000[6] followers respectively, through which they post information and run contests throughout the year.

History

The name seems to be a play on the early anime series Project A-ko.[7] A-Kon was purchased by Frank Powell in January 2019, during a period when the convention was having money issues.[1] The convention moved from Fort Worth to Fair Park in Dallas during this ownership change and changed dates to later in June.[8][9] A-Kon 2020 was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[10][11] A-Kon 2021 was also cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[12][13] A-Kon 2024 was postponed due to various issues including financial problems.[2][14] The convention, in a May 2025 update announced that 2024 refunds were starting to be issued, and they hope to hold an event in 2026 or 2027.[15]

Event history

DatesLocationAtten.Guests

References

  1. ^ Ferreira, Samantha (22 January 2019). "eventPower Head Frank Powell Acquires A-Kon Convention". Anime Herald. Retrieved 25 May 2025.
  2. ^ Arrant, Chris (26 February 2024). "The Texas anime con staple A-Kon has been canceled due to funding issues, but is no longer in forfeiture". Popverse. Reed Exhibitions (ReedPop). Retrieved 25 May 2025.
  3. ^ Maurstad, Tom (2003-05-30). "All anime, all the time; Convention offers round-the-clock immersion in Japanese animation". The Dallas Morning News A grand total of 380 people attended the first Project A-Kon, way back in 1990. This weekend, more than 7,000 will flock to the Hyatt Regency DFW for the annual festival devoted to all things anime. Meanwhile, the number of vendors and exhibitors has jumped from a few to a few dozen.
  4. ^ "List of 1990 North American Anime Conventions". AnimeCons.com. Retrieved 2018-10-09.
  5. ^ https://www.facebook.com/ProjectAKon
  6. ^
  7. ^ "A-Kon". A-Kon. Archived 2012-06-20 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 2011-08-23.
  8. ^ Ressler, Karen (16 January 2019). "A-Kon Convention Announces Move to Dallas, Date Change". Anime News Network. Retrieved 28 March 2026.
  9. ^ Ressler, Karen (26 February 2019). "A-Kon Sets New Venue at Fair Park, Dallas". Anime News Network. Retrieved 28 March 2026.
  10. ^ Sherman, Jennifer (March 17, 2020). "Dallas' A-Kon 2020 Convention Canceled". Anime News Network. Retrieved 17 March 2020.
  11. ^ "A-Kon 2020 Information". AnimeCons.com. Retrieved 2020-03-17.
  12. ^ Mateo, Alex (March 2, 2021). "Texas' A-Kon Convention Delayed Again to 2022". Anime News Network. Retrieved 15 April 2021.
  13. ^ "A-Kon 2021 Information". AnimeCons.com. Retrieved 2021-04-14.
  14. ^ Hodgkins, Crystalyn (17 February 2024). "Texas' A-Kon 33 Convention Postponed". Anime News Network. Retrieved 17 February 2024.
  15. ^ Pineda, Rafael Antonio (25 May 2025). "A-Kon Staff: Exploring Possibilities for 2026 Event, But 2027 Event More Likely". Anime News Network. Retrieved 25 May 2025.