Ai-Kon 2010 - For the Love of Anime!
Are you ready for Manitoba's premiere anime convention? Ai-Kon is coming back for another non-stop weekend celebrating the geekish hobbies we know and love, from Japanese animation to comics, video games, costumes and so much more!
Ai-Kon has and continues to grow due to local demand for a nearby convention surrounding Japanese animation and its' associated media and subcultures. If you're in the area, please stop by and check it out; we're certain you'll like what you see. And for any travellers among you, Winnipeg is a city rich with history and culture, so a trip to Ai-Kon may have even more than you bargained for.
Ai-Kon 2010 - For the Love of Anime!
Thank you!
Posted by Katie H on Jul 25, 2010
Thank you everyone for making Ai-Kon 2010 a huge success! We hope to see you again in 2011 for our ten year Anniversary!
Click here for our Ai-Kon's President's full Thank you message
Also, check us out in the News!
Our Schedule Is Up!
Posted by Katie H on Jul 8, 2010
Click here to view the Ai-Kon 2010 Schedule!
or
We also have maps of the convention posted for your convenience!
Ai-Kon Concert Features KLH and Mode 7!
Posted by Katie H on Jun 18, 2010
Check out the concert on Friday night of the convention! Featuring KLH and Mode 7!
This is KLH's second time performing at Ai-Kon, they are an acoustic band and performing some of their favourite Yoko Kanno English language songs, mainly from the Cowboy Bebop soundtrack
New to Ai-kon is 'Mode 7', an instrumental rock band from Winnipeg that pays tribute to the music of video games. They are known for their fun stage presence, a mesmerizing barrage of leads & improv solos, and large repertoire of music from classic series such as Super Mario Bros., Legend of Zelda, Mega Man, F-Zero, Sonic the Hedgehog, Final Fantasy, and much much more.
Visit Us On Canada Day!
Posted by Katie H on Jun 8, 2010
Where will you be on Canada Day? If you are in Winnipeg, you should stop by The Canada Day Street Festival in Osborne Village!
Ai-Kon will have a promotional table where you can stop by and say "Hello!" or if you have any questions you would like to ask our staff, then this would be a good opportunity.
Get your picture taken with cosplayers, enter a free draw or pick up a poster about the convention!
The Street Festival runs from 7-11:30pm on on June 30th and on July 1st from 10am-11:30pm. We look forward to seeing you there!
For more details on the Street Festival, check out http://www.osbornevillage.com for details when they become available!
Art Tables Are Now SOLD OUT!
Posted by Katie H on May 8, 2010
Art tables for Ai-Kon 2010 are now sold out! Thank you all for your interest in attending Ai-Kon 2010 as an artist, we wish you all the best of luck!
Win Tickets to Ai-Kon!
Posted by Katie H on May 2, 2010
Little Star Gifts is holding a contest to win tickets to Ai-Kon! Be sure to check out their website for details on how you can win tickets to Manitoba's Largest Anime Convention!
http://www.littlestargifts.com/
Art Table Sales Date Announced!
Posted by Katie H on May 1, 2010
Our Art Coordinator, Amy, has announced that art tables will be on sale as of May 8th at 1pm CST!
**Remember, we can not reserve any art tables before this time!**
Please visit our forums for more details! Good luck to all who apply!
Announcing Ai-Kon's Final Round of Guests for 2010!
Posted by Lisa on Apr 29, 2010
Ai-Kon is very excited to announce it's second and final round of guests for our 2010 convention!
Kirby Morrow and Christopher Ayres!
Kirby Morrow is active as a producer, director, and screen actor. He is also quite busy in the voice-over industry. Some of the anime projects that Kirby has worked on include: Inuyasha, Hamtaro, Alienators: Evolution Continues, X-Men: Evolution, NASCAR Racers, Mobile Suit Gundam, Dragonball Z, Vision of Escaflowne, Gundam Wing, and Ranma 1/2. Kirby trained in theater and developed his vocal skills on the stand-up comedy stages around the world. He began voicing characters in 1997, amidst his flourishing acting career. Kirby is also an award-winning writer and enjoys directing.
Christopher Ayres has been working professionally in theatre, television and film since the age of 6. His work has been seen regionally, nationally and on Broadway. He currently works as a voice actor for ADV films and FUNimation entertainment. Chris is also an A.D.R. director for ADV films and Amusement Park Media. Most recently he served as director at Amusement Park Media for Mermaid Melody Pitchi Pitchi Pitch. Some of his roles as a voice actor include Kei Kourono in Gantz, Hayashimizu in Full Metal Panic? and Woogy in Michel. His voice can also be heard in Elfen Lied, Claymore, Ouran High School Host Club, Canon, Gravion Zwie, Desert Punk and as Wagram in the new Square Enix Game The Last Remnant. Most recently he's been in Halo: Legends. Chris is also one of the anime industry voice actors who sings on Voices for Peace. He is very proud to be a part of the "Voices For..." organization.
Vendor Tables are Now Sold Out!
Posted by Katie H on Apr 16, 2010
Vendors tables for 2010 are now sold out! If you are interested in acquiring tables for 2011, please don't hesitate to contact: vendors@ai-kon.org and our vendor coordinator will get back to you as soon as we have the information for next year. Thank you!
Weekend passes are now on sale!
Posted by Katie H on Apr 6, 2010
Tickets are now on sale! Take advantage of the early bird price of 34* dollars!
Announcing Ai-Kon's first round of guests for 2010!
Posted by Katie H on Feb 19, 2010
Ai-Kon is happy to announce its first round of guests, Monica Rial and Greg Ayres!
Monica Rial has been working in the anime voice over industry for 10 years. As an actress for ADV Films and Funimation Entertainment she has appeared in over 150 anime, some of which include; Tsubasa Chronicles (Sakura), Air TV (Misuzu), Air Gear (Simca), Azumanga Daioh (Nyamo), Burst Angel (Jo), DN Angel (Towa), Excel Saga (Hyatt), Full Metal Panic (Kyoko), Ghost Stories (Momoko), Gunslinger Girl (Angelica), Hello Kitty’s Animation Theater (Hello Kitty), Kiddy Grade (Lumiere), Negima (Konoka), Moon Phase (Hazuki), Nanaka 6/17 (Nanaka), Noir (Kirika), Princess Nine (Izumi), Rahxephon (Haruka), Macross (Misa), Speed Grapher (Kagura), Spiral (Rio), Steel Angel Kurumi (Saki) and Utawarerumono (Yuzuha). She can be heard on the Cartoon Network in Crayon Shinchan (Ai) and Fullmetal Alchemist (Lyra/Dante). She is also an ADR script adapter and director for FUNimation Entertainment.
Greg Ayres has been a guest at Ai-Kon for 2007, 2008 and will be returning this year for Ai-kon 2010! The once "Fanboy" turned VA started working in anime a little over six years ago, and within the first two years managed to snag two of his favorite roles in all of anime. He was thrilled to voice the role of his favorite character Son Goku in Saiyuki. Then just one year later voiced Kaworu Nagisa in the Director's Cut of Neon Genesis Evangelion. Other roles include Chrono in Chrono Crusade, Negi Springfield in Negima, Heihachi in Samurai 7, Jr. in Xenosaga:The Animation, Satoshi Hiwatari in DNAngel, Pope Alessandro XVIII in Trinity Blood, Tsuyoshi in Kodocha, Leo in Ghost Stories , Tsujido in Speed Grapher, and Gau Ban in Shadow Skill. He can also be heard in other anime titles such as Super Gals, Spiral, Macross, Mythical Detective Loki, Burst Angel, Gravion, Godanner, Pretear, Full Metal Panic, E's Otherwise and a whole lot more.
Mascot Contest Winner Announced!
Posted by Katie H on Feb 7, 2010
Congratulations to the winner of the 2010 Mascot contest, Angella No!
And to our two runner ups Jethro Aquino and Laarni Galupe!
Angella's entry will be Ai-Kon's Aiko for 2010, and will be used to represent Ai-Kon and will be featured on Ai-Kon's promotional materials. She has won a free full art table, a full weekend pass and an Ai-Kon 2010 t-shirt!As well, our runner ups each recieve a weekend pass and a half table in the Artist's room at Ai-Kon 2010!
We had many talented artists this year and would like to thank everyone for participating!
Mascot Contest Closed
Posted by Benson on Feb 1, 2010
Thank you everyone for your amazing interpretations of our cheerful mascot, Aiko! We've had a blowout year with even more submissions than ever! Our accounts show over ONE HUNDRED AIKOS are in the running for 2010!
We are no longer accepting entries for the competition. The committee has begun it's judging and we will announce the winner of the mascot contest on or before Februrary 7th!
To pass the time until then, have a look at PREVIOUS Aiko entries throughout the years!
The Ai-Kon 2010 Mascot Contest has BEGUN!
Posted by Katie H on Nov 7, 2009
Attention artists!
We want YOU to design Aiko for Ai-Kon 2010!
We’re looking for a new design for Aiko, the Ai-Kon mascot, for use on the convention’s promotional materials and merchandise.
This year we are introducing a theme.
The theme for Aiko 2010 will be Magical Girl.
The theme was selected based upon suggestions on the forums and by the Ai-Kon committee. If you require further information on the selection, or on what a “magical girl” is please contact art@ai-kon.org
A cheerful, stylish, energetic anime girl with pink hair and blue eyes, Aiko appears on a variety of Ai-Kon promotional items, including t-shirts, posters, flyers, badges, programs, and the Ai-Kon web site (http://www.ai-kon.org).
Click Here For More Contest Details!
Ai-Kon 2010 Dates!
Posted by Benson on Aug 26, 2009
Since we had such a good time together, we've started to get anxious for next year! Are you anxious too?
How about for next year we meet up a couple weeks earlier? Okay? Well, let's bump things up a couple weeks to July 16th, 17th and 18th, 2010!
See you there!
WIN Passes to an Advanced Screening of Studio Ghibli's PONYO
Posted by Priscilla on Jul 30, 2009
From the Academy Award®-winning director and world-renowned Japanese animation legend Hayao Miyazaki comes PONYO, a story inspired by Hans Christian Andersen's fairy tale “The Little Mermaid.” Already a box-office success in Japan, the story of a young and overeager goldfish named Ponyo (voiced by NOAH CYRUS) and her quest to become human features an outstanding roster of voice talent, including CATE BLANCHETT, MATT DAMON, TINA FEY, FRANKIE JONAS, CLORIS LEACHMAN, LIAM NEESON, LILY TOMLIN and BETTY WHITE.
Enter to WIN 1 of 2 double passes to an advanced screening of "PONYO" Monday August 10, 2009. To enter, email (with subject line: PONYO CONTEST) your full name and email address to: aikon.communications@gmail.com
Contest ends Tuesday August 4, 2009 at 11:59 PM SHARP. Winners will be chosen and contacted through email Wednesday August 5, 2009. Open to Winnipeg residents only.
PONYO will be released in theatres Friday August 14, 2009.
Click here to see the trailer and visit the official website
Schedule Released
Posted by Benson on Jul 17, 2009
Click below to view the Ai-Kon 2009 schedule.
Early Admission To Dealer's Room!
Posted by Priscilla on Jul 8, 2009
This year for the fee of only $5 dollars at the registration desk we will be allowing people into the vendor's room 30 minutes early. Limited space available.
Vendor Tables Sold Out!
Posted by Priscilla on Jul 8, 2009
Vendors tables for 2009 are now sold out! If you are interested in acquiring tables for 2010, please don't hesitate to contact: vendors@ai-kon.org and our vendor coordinator will get back to you as soon as we have the information for next year. Thank you!
Your Access to Ai-Kon CONTEST!
Posted by Priscilla on Jul 6, 2009
Want to win a pair of full weekend passes to Ai-Kon? Access Winnipeg is holding the 'Your Access to Ai-Kon' contest on their website.
To go to the contest and to read complete details and rules click here.
New F.A.Q. Section added to Website
Posted by Benson on Jun 24, 2009
In an attempt to answer frequently asked questions... we created a frequently asked questions section to our website! We really hope people find this page informative. Have a peek!
http://www.ai-kon.org/faq/
1 Week Left Before Ticket Price Increase
Posted by Priscilla on Jun 23, 2009
Just a reminder for those who haven't purchased their weekend passes to this years Ai-Kon, you have until the end of June to purchase your tickets at the price* of $34. On July 1st to the convention day, the price* will increase to $39.
Hurry now and take advantage before this opportunity ends!
*Please note that the above prices do not include Ticketmaster agency fees or taxes.
Art Table Sales Date Announced!
Posted by Benson on Apr 9, 2009
Word is out from Artist Fair coordinator Amy that art tables will be going on sale as of May 2nd at 6:00pm! Remember, we cannot reserve any art tables before this time! Good luck to all applicants!
Read about it on our Artists page and then perhaps discuss it over in our forums
Bestwestern Charterhouse Rates Confirmed!
Posted by Benson on Jan 8, 2009
Another hotel update! Bestwestern Charterhouse, located a mere block away from the Winnipeg Convention Centre, would like it to be known that they would like to offer $105.00 for single or double occupancy, $115 for triple occupancy and a mere $125.00 for four attendees per night! (not including taxes)
For more information on this great hotel, head to our hotels page!
Delta Hotel Rates Confirmed!
Posted by Benson on Dec 10, 2008
We've just recieved word from Pat and Laurie over at the Delta, and they would like us to make sure everyone was informed that they can offer Ai-Kon attendees a rate of $111.00 per night (single occupancy) with $15.00 per additional adult up to 4 occupants total. (not including taxes!)
Be sure to mention you want the Ai-Kon rate when you book!
For more information, check out our hotels page!
Ai-Kon 2009 Mascot Contest OPEN!
Posted by Benson on Oct 31, 2008
We’re looking for a new design for Aiko, the Ai-Kon mascot, for use on the convention’s promotional materials.
A cheerful, stylish, energetic anime girl with pink hair and blue eyes, Aiko appears on a variety of Ai-Kon promotional items, including t-shirts, posters, flyers, badges, programs, and the Ai-Kon web site (http://www.ai-kon.org).
Ai-Kon 2009 Dates Confirmed!
Posted by Benson on Aug 12, 2008
Mark your calenders for July 24th, 25th and 26th of 2009, because we're coming back to the Winnipeg Convention Centre!
See you then!
