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ParaCon - 2001

Billing itself as the first ever Anime Convention at a major theme park (AX 2001 was at a Disney hotel near the resort, not on the resort) ParaCon will take place at Paramount's Great America next Saturday (October 27^th).

As this is ParaCon's first year and the convention Organizers have only had a limited amount of time to plan the event since it was aproved by the management they will be running a relatively small convention this year. According to Justin Hernandez, the Producer of ParaCon, Paramount is testing the Anime Market this year and if things turn out well ParaCon will be back next year with a much bigger convention.

This year's events include Industry Panels, Cosplay Workshops, a dealer pavillion, art workshop and of Course Anime.

Guests will include Manga Entertainment's Keith Burgess and Viz's Carl Gustav Horn. Urban Vision's Rhona Medina was originally supposed to be present however she will not be able to make the convention, Urban Vision's latest title "Strange Dawn" will have its North American premier at the convention.

Industry Panels.

Reps from Manga ENT, Urban Vision, and Viz will be on hand to discuss views important to anime growth in the North America. They will lend their opinions on what has made anime the fastest growing sub culture in America.

Fan World Panels


Reps from the various anime clubs, conventions, and online groups will join for a “fire side chat” to discuss issues prevalent in the Anime scene. Attending groups include:
FanimeCon, Yaoi-Con, Bay Area Animation Society, and leaders from bay Area College and High School anime clubs.

CosPlay Work Shops

CosPlayers can exchange fashion tips and views at the cosPlay workshop. The workshop is mandatory for all CosPlay participants. Cospaly will be in “walk through “ only format. Music will provide back ground, as cosplayer compete for prizes and bragging rights in the first annual ParaCon Cosplay (come up with event title)

Prize Giveaways

ParaCon will give a way anime prizes through out the Con. Prizes include DVDs, CDs, Tee Shirts, Anime Cels, a Nintendo Game Cube!

Import Car Promo

With the continuing success of anime's such as Initial D, and video games Grand Torismo A: spec, ParaCon is proud to present Import Show cars. These post market vehicles will be on display through out the Park for your viewing pleasure.


Game Developer Conference

ParaCon will host a game creator seminar, the first of its kind at any major anime event in North America. There is no doubt that anime and video games go hand in hand, ParaCon and capcom are proud to present to you, the first annual game creation seminar. Reps from the Capcom production nd design team will lend their views on gaming around the world, and the process it takes to create industry leading games such as ;Onimusha, resident evil and the up coming PS2 release “Maximo”. Come listen and interact with with the company that produced hits such as: the Legendary Street Fighter Franchise, Mega Man, and the Capcom VS series.

Art workshops

Find out how to draw in the anime style. Industry artist will be on hand to show the efiner points in Illustrating and Producing: Manga, TV and Theatrical character design. Will will offer Anime Modeling workshops. “Bring Your Own Gundam” work shops.

Dealer pavilion

Over 11,000 square feet of anime merchandise will descend upon the Paramount pavilion.

If you live in the San Francisco Bay Area or happen to be in the area next weekend, ParaCon should be worth checking out, admission is only $18 and attendees will be the first people to ever see Anime on an IMAX screen.

For more information about ParaCon call 408-988-1776 or visit the park on-line at www.pgathrills.com.