Wai-Con

Infobox Anime convention
name = Wai-Con


caption =
status = Active
venue =
location = Perth, Western Australia
country = Australia
years = Since 2004
organizer =
attendance = approx. 1600 in 2007
events = Anime Music Videos, Cosplay, Quickdraw art, Impromptu art, Panels, Screenings, Movies, PANIC Button Game Show, Video Games, Traders, Fangroups
website = http://www.wai-con.org

Wai-Con is Perth's first major anime and manga convention. The massive event is run by fans to help promote anime to the general community, as well as provide the Western Australian fanbase with events and activities and opportunities to socialise. Wai-Con is run by the non-profit incorporation PANIC (Perth ANIme Convention).

History

In September 2003, a group of fans and representatives from the three major Perth anime clubs assembled to create the beginnings of the first convention under the working title "WestCon". As the idea developed and PAniC became incorporated, the Wai-Con name was formally adopted. While WAI hasn't officially been given a meaning, fans have come up with their own interpretations such as "Western Anime Insanity" or "Western Anime Invasion". It was chosen to pay homage to the Japanese shout of joy.

On the 11th-12th of December 2004 at the University of Western Australia, the first Wai-Con was held. Fans were treated to a two-day cosplay competition, artwork displays, many traders selling Japanese goods, anime music videos, as well as the latest anime screenings. Over two days approximately 400 people visited the convention, greatly exceeding the expectations of the organisers.

Due to renovations at the previous location, Wai-Con 2005 was held at Murdoch University on the 10th-11th of December. New events at Wai-Con 2005 were the introduction of videogames to the roster, as well as the anime game show "PANIC Button". Approximately 700 people turned out over the entire weekend.

After the sharp increase in attendance the previous year, Wai-Con 2006 left the university venues and was held at Arena Joondalup on the 9th-10th of December. Wai-Con 06 added new con-day entertainment such as the Sumo Suits and Martial Arts demonstrations, and introduced the Fund-raising Auction as part of the Closing Ceremony. This was also the first year an Official Theme was introduced, which was Space Cadets. Perhaps owing to the venue being more remote from the city centre, Wai-Con 06 boasted only a moderate increase in numbers, with official attendance figures at 850 people.

Bowing to the combined pressure from fans and Traders for a closer venue, Wai-Con 2007 was held at the Perth Convention Exhibition Centre on the 15th-16th of December with a theme of Spies. This year we were joined by the Choir Nadeshiko, who performed a set which included anime and game music, as well as classical Japanese. Wai-Con 07 was an exceptional year, with official estimates giving total weekend attendance of over 1600 people. Saturday in particular had an amazing turnout, with over 450 people waiting for the con to open in the morning, and a total of approximately 1200 people through at days end. Sunday saw an estimated total of 1000.

Events

* Anime screenings, of the latest and more popular series/movies
* Panelists from people within the Perth community or renowned professionals on a variety of topics
* Traders (intrastate, interstate and international) come to show the attendees the latest in anime merchandise
* Two cosplay competitions (one per day), where attendees will dress up like their favourite anime character much to the delight of the other fans
* Anime Music Video competitions
* Art competitions, displaying the bright and talented Perth art community
* PANIC Button, the popular game show where you don't need to be on stage to win a prize!
* Videogame competitions, to demo the game industry's latest games as well as compete against people of similar talent

External links

* [http://www.wai-con.org Wai-Con Official Website]
* [http://www.panic-wa.org PANIC Inc]
* [http://www.perth.au.emb-japan.go.jp/japanpavilion/performersprofile/choir_nadeshiko.htm Choir Nadeshiko]