Yaoi-Con 2006 on October 20-22
San Francisco, CA, USA — September 6, 2006 — Yaoi-Con, the only Western fan convention dedicated solely to the yaoi genre of Japanese anime and manga, is pleased to announce its sixth annual event, to be held the weekend of October 20-22, 2006 at the Westin San Francisco Airport and adjacent Clarion San Francisco Airport hotels in California.
Created primarily by women for a largely female audience, yaoi is unique in its exploration of deep platonic bonds and romantic relationships between male characters. The intense and highly idealized examples of love and romance commonly found in yaoi works are a major factor in the genre's soaring popularity outside Japan, including the United States. In its country of origin, many popular mainstream mangaka, or manga artists, had their start in the genre.
Since its inception, Yaoi-Con has been committed to the promotion and celebration of this unique genre, inviting guests who represent the broad spectrum of art and stories available. This year, the convention is pleased to welcome an up-and-coming mangaka Asia Watanabe as its guest of honor. Watanabe-sensei debuted in 2002 and is a regular contributor to several publishers including Hanaoto, Libre (formerly Biblos) and June. Her works, such as "Shibatte Aishite" and "Renai Soukanzu," are edgy and erotic. 2007 will see the release of her first U.S. title, "But I'm a Boy." Also joining the convention, courtesy of June Manga (Digital Manga Publishing), will be mangaka Kawai Toko, author of the popular titles "Our Everlasting" and "Loveholic." These two guests will be participating in art demonstrations, panels and autograph sessions throughout the convention. In addition, Yaoi Press will be welcoming artists Yishan Li and Ana and Mercedes Hidalgo (Studio Kawaii) to their table in the Dealers' Room.
As in years past, Yaoi-Con 2006 will feature such activities and events as a 24-hour anime screening room; a manga library boasting over 1,000 volumes, yaoi-themed panels and workshops; a Dealers' Room packed full hard-to-find merchandise; a fundraising Bishounen (beautiful boy) Auction; Fiction, Cosplay and Anime Music Video contests; and much, much more. This year we will feature some new events, including a Friday night Butler Café and a gathering for Ball-Joint Doll enthusiasts.
Yaoi-themed anime and manga continues to enjoy a rising popularity in the United States. Each year sees a greater number and variety of titles being licensed and released, with 2006 bringing the first translated yaoi novels. This greater commercial attention to the genre continues to attract new fans and ensures the popularity and success of Yaoi-Con in 2006 and for years to come.
Created primarily by women for a largely female audience, yaoi is unique in its exploration of deep platonic bonds and romantic relationships between male characters. The intense and highly idealized examples of love and romance commonly found in yaoi works are a major factor in the genre's soaring popularity outside Japan, including the United States. In its country of origin, many popular mainstream mangaka, or manga artists, had their start in the genre.
Since its inception, Yaoi-Con has been committed to the promotion and celebration of this unique genre, inviting guests who represent the broad spectrum of art and stories available. This year, the convention is pleased to welcome an up-and-coming mangaka Asia Watanabe as its guest of honor. Watanabe-sensei debuted in 2002 and is a regular contributor to several publishers including Hanaoto, Libre (formerly Biblos) and June. Her works, such as "Shibatte Aishite" and "Renai Soukanzu," are edgy and erotic. 2007 will see the release of her first U.S. title, "But I'm a Boy." Also joining the convention, courtesy of June Manga (Digital Manga Publishing), will be mangaka Kawai Toko, author of the popular titles "Our Everlasting" and "Loveholic." These two guests will be participating in art demonstrations, panels and autograph sessions throughout the convention. In addition, Yaoi Press will be welcoming artists Yishan Li and Ana and Mercedes Hidalgo (Studio Kawaii) to their table in the Dealers' Room.
As in years past, Yaoi-Con 2006 will feature such activities and events as a 24-hour anime screening room; a manga library boasting over 1,000 volumes, yaoi-themed panels and workshops; a Dealers' Room packed full hard-to-find merchandise; a fundraising Bishounen (beautiful boy) Auction; Fiction, Cosplay and Anime Music Video contests; and much, much more. This year we will feature some new events, including a Friday night Butler Café and a gathering for Ball-Joint Doll enthusiasts.
Yaoi-themed anime and manga continues to enjoy a rising popularity in the United States. Each year sees a greater number and variety of titles being licensed and released, with 2006 bringing the first translated yaoi novels. This greater commercial attention to the genre continues to attract new fans and ensures the popularity and success of Yaoi-Con in 2006 and for years to come.
bookmark/share with:
