Youmacon Returns to Detroit Marriott at the Renaissance Center November 3rd – 6th
Youmacon, Detroit's first and only Anime convention will be returning to the Detroit Marriott at the Renaissance Center November 3rd – 6th, 2011. With over 9,000 in attendance in 2010, Youmacon has become one of fastest growing fan conventions in the nation. In it's seventh year, Youmacon will once again give its attendees the opportunity to meet various industry guests, such as voice actors of popular Anime shows, artists, musical guests, and internet celebrities.
Anime is a Japanese term which refers generally to Animation of all types, however it is commonly used in the United States to refer to animation of Japanese style and origin. It is a multi-billion dollar industry boasting tens of millions of passionate fans of all ages worldwide. As an art style, it is used in television series, films, video games, commercials, and internet based releases and spans every genre imaginable.
Anime and similarly styled programs have been gaining popularity in the United States for years, and Anime and related content can be found on many television stations, including Cartoon Network, Syfy, and the Disney Channel. In recent years, companies like Funimation have teamed up with online distributors including Hulu. Now popular series such as One Piece and Fullmetal Alchemist can be viewed in the US less than two weeks after the Japanese Broadcast. Shows such as Pokémon, Yu-Gi-Oh! And Dragon Ball Z have been airing on American television for decades.
In celebration of their passionate interest and appreciation of Anime, many Youmacon attendees choose to dress up in costume as characters from their favorite shows and video games, an activity known as 'Cosplaying'. Each year, Youmacon features a Cosplay masquerade in which participants are judged and can earn prizes for outstanding costumes.
For the fourth consecutive year, all proceeds from the sale of tickets to the Charity Ball on Saturday night will be donated to benefit the children of the Cornerstone Schools of Detroit.
Among the distinguished actors, artists, and guests who appear in person at Youmacon '11 are:
- Vic Mignogna, who appears as “Edward Elric” in Fullmetal Alchemist & “Tamaki Suou” in Ouran Host Club
- Brad Swaile, who appears as “Light Yagami” in Death Note & “Quatre Winner” in Gundam Wing
- Caitlin Glass, who appears as “Winry” in Fullmetal Alchemist & “Yakumo” in School Rumble
- Christopher Robin Miller, who voices the title character in the Professor Layton game series from Nintendo.
- Don “Sonny” Strait, who appears as “Usopp” in One Piece, and “Krillin” in Dragon Ball Z Kai
- Jon St.John, who voices the title character in the Duke Nukem series of video games.
- Fred Gallagher, the Author and Artist of popular Japanese style comic (Manga) Megatokyo.
- Powerglove, a heavy metal band covering video game and anime music.
Other guests include:
- Tom Wayland
- Tia Ballard
- Lemon Demon w/ The Potter Puppet Pals
- Arc Impulse
- Studio Drowtales
- Michael "Mookie" Terracciano
- Team Four Star
- Little Kuriboh
- Kroze
- Lewis “Linkara” Lovhaug
- Dominion Method Gaming
