View source for A-Kon

{{Short description|Four-day anime convention held annually in Dallas}}
{{about|the anime convention|the musician|Akon}}
{{Infobox Convention
| name       = A-Kon
| image      = A-Kon logo.png
| alt        = Logo for A-Kon 
| caption    = Logo
| status     = Active
| venue      = [[Irving Convention Center at Las Colinas]]<br/>[[Toyota Music Factory]]
| location   = [[Irving, Texas]]
| country    = United States
| first      = 1990
| organizer  = Frank Powell<ref name="ah01222019">{{cite news |last1=Ferreira |first1=Samantha |title=eventPower Head Frank Powell Acquires A-Kon Convention |url=https://www.animeherald.com/2019/01/21/eventpower-head-frank-powell-acquires-a-kon-convention/ |access-date=25 May 2025 |work=Anime Herald |date=22 January 2019}}</ref><ref name="pv02262024"/>
| attendance = 34,684 in 2018
| website    = {{url|https://www.a-kon.com/}}
| founder_name = 
}}

'''A-Kon''' is an annual three-day [[anime convention]] held during June at the [[Irving Convention Center at Las Colinas]] and [[Toyota Music Factory]] in [[Irving, Texas]]. First held in 1990 with just 380 people in attendance,<ref name="dmn03">{{cite news |work=The Dallas Morning News |title=All anime, all the time; Convention offers round-the-clock immersion in Japanese animation |date=2003-05-30 |first=Tom |last=Maurstad |quote=A grand total of 380 people attended the first Project A-Kon, way back in 1990. This weekend, more than 7,000 will flock to the Hyatt Regency DFW for the annual festival devoted to all things anime. Meanwhile, the number of vendors and exhibitors has jumped from a few to a few dozen.}}</ref> A-Kon is North America's longest running convention primarily focused on anime.<ref>{{cite web |title=List of 1990 North American Anime Conventions |url=https://animecons.com/events/schedule.php?year=1990&loc=na |publisher=AnimeCons.com |access-date=2018-10-09}}</ref>

==Departments==
A-Kon consists of many volunteer managed teams each dedicated to operating a portion of this large convention. Each year, usually in February or March, they post a web page for volunteer sign-up. Volunteers work at least sixteen hours during the weekend and receive a free pass to the convention. Working for 20 hours, volunteers aged over 18 can receive a hotel room, shared with 3 other staff members.

==Programming==
While the focus of the convention was originally centered on [[anime]] [[fandom]] and screenings of films and television series, many other activities take place encompassing various segments of [[geek]] and [[Japanese pop culture]]. These events include panels with American authors and artists, a console gaming room, tabletop gaming room,  [[cosplay]], scavenger hunts, martial arts demonstrations, an art show, and concerts by Japanese and SteamPunk bands.  The convention also maintains a vigorous social network presence on Facebook and Twitter, having about 15,000<ref>https://www.facebook.com/ProjectAKon {{User-generated source|certain=yes|date=March 2022}}</ref> and 7,000<ref>{{Cite Twitter profile|AKon_Convention}}</ref> followers respectively, through which they post information and run contests throughout the year.

==History==
The name seems to be a play on the early anime series [[Project A-ko]].<ref name="A-Kon Grows through the Years">{{cite web | url = http://www.a-kon.com/bm/latest-news/a-kon-grows-through-the-years.shtml | title = A-Kon | publisher = A-Kon | access-date = 2011-08-23|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120620060012/http://www.a-kon.com/bm/latest-news/a-kon-grows-through-the-years.shtml|archive-date=2012-06-20}}</ref> A-Kon was purchased by Frank Powell in January 2019, during a period when the convention was having money issues.<ref name="ah01222019"/> A-Kon 2020 was cancelled due to the [[COVID-19 pandemic]].<ref name="ann03172020">{{cite news |last1=Sherman |first1=Jennifer |title=Dallas' A-Kon 2020 Convention Canceled |url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2020-03-17/dallas-a-kon-2020-convention-canceled/.157594 |access-date=17 March 2020 |work=Anime News Network |date=March 17, 2020 |language=en}}</ref><ref name="AC-2020">{{cite web | url = https://animecons.com/events/info/14249/a-kon-2020 | title = A-Kon 2020 Information | publisher = AnimeCons.com | access-date = 2020-03-17}}</ref> A-Kon 2021 was also cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.<ref name="ann03022021">{{cite news |last1=Mateo |first1=Alex |title=Texas' A-Kon Convention Delayed Again to 2022 |url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2021-03-02/texas-a-kon-convention-delayed-again-to-2022/.170148 |access-date=15 April 2021 |work=Anime News Network |date=March 2, 2021 |language=en}}</ref><ref name="AC-2021">{{cite web | url = http://animecons.com/events/info/15000/a-kon-2021 | title = A-Kon 2021 Information | publisher = AnimeCons.com | access-date = 2021-04-14}}</ref> A-Kon 2024 was postponed due to various issues including financial problems.<ref name="pv02262024">{{cite news |last1=Arrant |first1=Chris |title=The Texas anime con staple A-Kon has been canceled due to funding issues, but is no longer in forfeiture |url=https://www.thepopverse.com/a-kon-cancelled-33-texas-akon-convention-anime |access-date=25 May 2025 |work=Popverse |publisher=Reed Exhibitions (ReedPop) |date=26 February 2024 |language=en}}</ref><ref name="ann02172024">{{cite news |last1=Hodgkins |first1=Crystalyn |title=Texas' A-Kon 33 Convention Postponed |url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2024-02-17/texas-a-kon-33-convention-postponed/.207692 |access-date=17 February 2024 |work=Anime News Network |date=17 February 2024 |language=en}}</ref> The convention, in a May 2025 update announced that 2024 refunds were starting to be issued, and they hope to hold an event in 2026 or 2027.<ref name="ann05222025">{{cite news |last1=Pineda |first1=Rafael Antonio |title=A-Kon Staff: Exploring Possibilities for 2026 Event, But 2027 Event More Likely |url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2025-05-22/a-kon-staff-exploring-possibilities-for-2026-event-but-2027-event-more-likely/.224668 |access-date=25 May 2025 |work=Anime News Network |date=25 May 2025 |language=en}}</ref>

===Event history===
{| class="wikitable" width="100%"
|-
! Dates !! Location !! Atten. !! Guests
{{Convention list
| date       = July 28–29, 1990
| venue      = Richardson Hilton
| location   = [[Richardson, Texas]]
| attendance = 380<ref name="AC-1990">{{cite web | url = https://animecons.com/events/info/380/project-a-kon-1990 | title = Project: A-Kon 1990 Information | publisher = AnimeCons.com | access-date = 2007-12-25}}</ref>
| guests     = 
}}
{{Convention list
| date       = May 25–26, 1991
| venue      = Radisson Hotel & Suites
| location   = [[Dallas, Texas]]
| attendance = 497
| guests     = [[Jerry Beck]], [[DNA Productions]], [[Ben Dunn]], Tim Eldred, Trish Ledoux, Tomoko Saito, [[Toren Smith]], [[Jason Waltrip]], [[John Waltrip]], and [[Adam Warren (comics)|Adam Warren]].<ref name="AC-1991">{{cite web | url = https://animecons.com/events/info/379/project-a-kon-1991 | title = Project: A-Kon 1991 Information | publisher = AnimeCons.com | access-date = 2019-12-17}}</ref>
}}
{{Convention list
| date       = June 5–7, 1992
| venue      = Holiday Inn Brookhollow
| location   = Dallas, Texas<ref name="AC-1992">{{cite web | url = https://animecons.com/events/info/378/project-a-kon-1992 | title = Project: A-Kon 1992 Information | publisher = AnimeCons.com | access-date = 2007-12-25}}</ref>
| attendance = 650<ref name="A-Kon Grows through the Years"/><br />{{primary source inline|date = October 2016}}
| guests     = 
}}
{{Convention list
| date       = May 28–30, 1993
| venue      = Holiday Inn Brookhollow
| location   = Dallas, Texas
| attendance = 850<ref name="AC-1993">{{cite web | url = https://animecons.com/events/info/377/project-a-kon-1993 | title = Project: A-Kon 1993 Information | publisher = AnimeCons.com | access-date = 2007-12-25}}</ref>
| guests     = 
}}
{{Convention list
| date       = June 3–5, 1994
| venue      = Sheraton-Mockingbird Hotel
| location   = Dallas, Texas
| attendance = 1,111
| guests     = Robert DeJesus, DNA Productions, Ben Dunn, Neil Nadelman, Lisa "Honey-chan" Nelson, [[Fred Perry (comics)|Fred Perry]], [[Monkey Punch]], Tomoko Saito, Sue Shambaugh, Toren Smith, and Adam Warren.<ref name="AC-1994">{{cite web | url = https://animecons.com/events/info/376/project-a-kon-1994 | title = Project: A-Kon 1994 Information | publisher = AnimeCons.com | access-date = 2020-08-22}}</ref>
}}
{{Convention list
| date       = June 2, 1995
| venue      = Harvey Addison Hotel<ref>{{cite news |work=The Dallas Morning News |title=Bringing fantasy figures to paying customers; Convention touts latest in Japanese animation |date=1995-06-04 |first=Tom |last=Maurstad}}</ref>
| location   = [[Addison, Texas]]
| attendance = 1,450
| guests     = [[Kevin Altieri]], [[Ippongi Bang]], [[Glen Murakami]], and Yorihisa Uchida.<ref name="AC-1995">{{cite web | url = https://animecons.com/events/info/365/project-a-kon-1995 | title = Project: A-Kon 1995 Information | publisher = AnimeCons.com | access-date = 2007-12-25}}</ref>
}}
{{Convention list
| date       = May 31 – June 2, 1996
| venue      = Harvey Addison Hotel
| location   = Addison, Texas
| attendance = 800
| guests     = Ben Dunn, Neil Nadelman, [[Jan Scott-Frazier]], [[Rikki Simons]], and Tavisha Wolfgarth-Simons.<ref name="AC-1996">{{cite web | url = https://animecons.com/events/info/364/project-a-kon-1996 | title = Project: A-Kon 1996 Information | publisher = AnimeCons.com | access-date = 2015-08-31}}</ref>
}}
{{Convention list
| date       = May 30 – June 1, 1997
| venue      = Harvey Hotel-Addison<ref>{{cite news |work=The Dallas Morning News |title=Convention becomes a bazaar for the bizarre; Costumed 'anime' fans crowd the Project: A-Kon marketplace |date=1997-06-01 |first=Tom |last=Maurstad |quote=In its eighth year, Project: A-Kon has grown into one of the largest conventions devoted to anime (Japanese animation) in the United States - this year, guests from around the country are expected to push attendance over 2,000.}}</ref>
| location   = Addison, Texas
| attendance = 1,243
| guests     = [[Tiffany Grant]] and Jan Scott-Frazier.<ref name="AC-1997">{{cite web | url = https://animecons.com/events/info/367/project-a-kon-1997 | title = Project: A-Kon 1997 Information | publisher = AnimeCons.com | access-date = 2015-08-31}}</ref>
}}
{{Convention list
| date       = May 29–31, 1998
| venue      = Harvey Hotel D/FW<ref>{{cite news |work=Fort Worth Star-Telegram |title=Go like Speed Racer to Japanese animation festival |date=1998-05-29 |first=Mark |last=Lowry |page=46 |quote=The ninth annual Project: A-Kon, "the convention for animation and pop culture" known as the mother of American anime festivals, takes over the Harvey Hotel D/FW this weekend.}}</ref>
| location   = Dallas, Texas
| attendance = 1,931
| guests     = Will Allison, Ippongi Bang, Steve Bennett, Pat Duke, Ben Dunn, [[Newton Ewell]], Tiffany Grant, Amy Howard-Wilson, [[Mitsuhisa Ishikawa]], Kuni Kimura, Neil Nadelman, Jan Scott-Frazier, Doug Smith, Shawn the Touched, Elin Winkler, [[Robert Woodhead]], and Toshifumi Yoshida.<ref name="AC-1998">{{cite web | url = https://animecons.com/events/info/337/project-a-kon-1998 | title = Project: A-Kon 1998 Information | publisher = AnimeCons.com | access-date = 2007-12-25}}</ref>
}}
{{Convention list
| date       = June 4–6, 1999
| venue      = Hyatt Regency DFW<ref>{{cite news |work=Fort Worth Star-Telegram |title=Anything goes in this animated world |date=1999-06-04 |first=Susan Scott |last=Wilson |page=17 |quote=Project: A-Kon 10, which press releases call a convention for animation and pop culture, is the best place to start learning about the definitely over-the-edge world of Japanese animation.}}</ref>
| location   = Dallas, Texas
| attendance = 3,000
| guests     = Will Allison, [[Hiroshi Aro]], Steve Bennett, [[Jessica Calvello]], [[Rodney Caston|Rodney "Largo" Caston]], Robert DeJesus, Pat Duke, Ben Dunn, [[P.N. Elrod]], Newton Ewell, Tiffany Grant, [[Lea Hernandez]], Amy Howard-Wilson, [[Mari Iijima]], Kuni Kimura, Trish Ledoux, Edward Luena, Neil Nadelman, Fred Perry, Rikki Simons, [[Brian Stelfreeze]], Shawn the Touched, Valkyrie Games, Adam Warren, [[Brett Weaver]], Joe Wight, Elin Winkler, Tavisha Wolfgarth-Simons, and Toshifumi Yoshida.<ref name="AC-1999">{{cite web | url = https://animecons.com/events/info/336/project-a-kon-1999 | title = Project: A-Kon 1999 Information | publisher = AnimeCons.com | access-date = 2007-12-25}}</ref>
}}
{{Convention list
| date       = June 2–4, 2000
| venue      = Hyatt Regency DFW
| location   = Dallas, Texas
| attendance = 4,500
| guests     = Arik Renee Avila, Rodney "Largo" Caston, Dementia7 Studios, Tiffany Grant, Amy Howard-Wilson, [[Lisa Ortiz]], and [[Gilles Poitras]].<ref name="AC-2000">{{cite web | url = https://animecons.com/events/info/335/a-kon-2000 | title = A-Kon 2000 Information | publisher = AnimeCons.com | access-date = 2007-12-25}}</ref>
}}
{{Convention list
| date       = June 1–3, 2001
| venue      = Sheraton Park Central Hotel
| location   = Dallas, Texas
| attendance = 5,200
| guests     = Arik Renee Avila, Dementia7 Studios, [[Crispin Freeman]], Tiffany Grant, Amy Howard-Wilson, and Brett Weaver.<ref name="AC-2001">{{cite web | url = https://animecons.com/events/info/334/project-a-kon-2001 | title = Project: A-Kon 2001 Information | publisher = AnimeCons.com | access-date = 2007-12-25}}</ref>
}}
{{Convention list
| date       = May 31 – June 2, 2002
| venue      = Hyatt Regency DFW
| location   = Dallas, Texas
| attendance = 6,420
| guests     = Will Allison, Arik Renee Avila, Steve Bennett, Tippi N. Blevins, Rodney "Largo" Caston, Meg Chittenden, Dementia7 Studios, DNA Productions, [[Duel Jewel]], Pat Duke, Ben Dunn, P.N. Elrod, Newton Ewell, Melanie Fletcher, [[Fred Gallagher (cartoonist)|Fred Gallagher]], Tiffany Grant, [[Yaya Han]], Matthew High, [[Taliesin Jaffe]], Daniel Kanemitsu, Kobushi Taiko, Steve Kyte, Edward Luena, Lee W. Madison, Lee Martindale, [[Helen McCarthy]], [[Scott McNeil]], Lindze Merritt, Millermuller Ballet, Phillip Nelson, Jonathan Osborne, Panther Comics, Eddie Perkins, Fred Perry, [[Radio Comix]], Xero Reynolds, Joe Rosales, [[Stan Sakai]], Jan Scott-Frazier, Diana X. Sprinkle, Michael Suarez, The Sun String Quartet, Valkyrie Games, Joe Wight, and Elin Winkler.<ref name="AC-2002">{{cite web | url = https://animecons.com/events/info/270/a-kon-2002 | title = A-Kon 2002 Information | publisher = AnimeCons.com | access-date = 2007-12-25}}</ref>
}}
{{Convention list
| date       = May 30 – June 1, 2003
| venue      = Hyatt Regency DFW
| location   = Dallas, Texas
| attendance = 7,413
| guests     = Will Allison, American Dream, Arik Renee Avila, [[Greg Ayres]], John Barrett, Steve Bennett, [[Bob Bergen]], Kei Blue, Samuel Bohon, Camino, [[Jonathan Clements]], Dr. Comet, Robert DeJesus, Dementia7 Studios, Doug Dlin, DNA Productions, Duel Jewel, Lee Duhlig, Pat Duke, Ben Dunn, P.N. Elrod, [[Rod Espinosa]], Rhonda Eudaly, Newton Ewell, [[Bruce Faulconer]], Melanie Fletcher, Iain Gill, Tiffany Grant, James Hanrahan, [[Kyle Hebert]], Matthew High, Amy Howard-Wilson, Ursula Husted, David Hutchison, Charlene Ingram, Daniel Kanemitsu, Kikimo-dan, Steve Kyte, [[Jaxon Lee]], Joshua Lesnick, Bruce Lewis, Edward Luena, Lee W. Madison, Manga Graphix, Lee Martindale, Carol McAlister, Helen McCarthy, [[Mike McFarland]], Scott McNeil, [[Stephanie Nadolny]], Lisa "Honey-chan" Nelson, Phillip Nelson, [[Jana Oliver|Jana G. Oliver]], [[Chris Patton]], Eddie Perkins, Fred Perry, Walker Plagge, [[Monica Rial]], Sally Ridout, Kai Robertson, Jan Scott-Frazier, Rikki Simons, Diana X. Sprinkle, Brian Stelfreeze, Strong Arm Productions, The Sun String Quartet, Nobuyuki Takahashi, Jonathan Tarbox, Temple Studios, [[Eric Vale]], Valkyrie Games, Michael Vega, J. Shanon Weaver, Jochen Weltjens, Joe Wight, Elin Winkler, [[Amanda Winn-Lee]], and Tavisha Wolfgarth-Simons.<ref name="AC-2003">{{cite web | url = https://animecons.com/events/info/317/a-kon-2003 | title = A-Kon 2003 Information | publisher = AnimeCons.com | access-date = 2015-09-01}}</ref>
}}
{{Convention list
| date       = June 4–6, 2004
| venue      = [[Sheraton Dallas Hotel|Adam's Mark Hotel]]
| location   = Dallas, Texas
| attendance = 9,449
| guests     = Will Allison, Arik Renee Avila, John Barrett, Steve Bennett, Samuel Bohon, Rick Bones, Camino, Michael Coleman, Zach Davis, Dementia7 Studios, Brad DeMoss, Doug Dlin, [[Do As Infinity|Do As Infinity (D-A-I)]], Lee Duhlig, Pat Duke, P.N. Elrod, Rod Espinosa, Newton Ewell, Bruce Faulconer, Steve Fellows, Fred Gallagher, [[Lauren Goodnight]], Tiffany Grant, [[Alan Gutierrez]], James Hanrahan, Kyle Hebert, Matthew High, Tony Hobdy, Amy Howard-Wilson, Ursula Husted, David Hutchison, [[Samantha Inoue-Harte]], Jonathan Klein, Steve Kyte, Mark Lancaster, Bruce Lewis, Lee W. Madison, Manga Graphix, Carol McAlister, Helen McCarthy, Mike McFarland, Scott McNeil, Stephanie Nadolny, Jonathan Osborne, Eddie Perkins, Walker Plagge, [[Psycho Le Cému]], Xero Reynolds, Monica Rial, Sally Ridout, Kai Robertson, [[S. John Ross (game designer)|S. John Ross]], [[Carrie Savage]], [[Sean Schemmel]], Jan Scott-Frazier, JE Smith, Diana X. Sprinkle, Brian Stelfreeze, The Sun String Quartet, [[Nami Tamaki]], Jonathan Tarbox, Valkyrie Games, Michael Vega, J. Shanon Weaver, Jochen Weltjens, Joe Wight, and Elin Winkler.<ref name="AC-2004">{{cite web | url = https://animecons.com/events/info/6/a-kon-2004 | title = A-Kon 2004 Information | publisher = AnimeCons.com | access-date = 2007-12-25}}</ref>
}}
{{Convention list
| date       = June 3–5, 2005
| venue      = Adam's Mark Hotel<ref>{{cite news |work=The Dallas Morning News |title=Big draw for fans of anime |date=2005-06-01 |first=Tom |last=Maurstad |quote=Going into its 16th year, Project A-Kon has grown into one of the country's oldest and most important conventions celebrating Japanese animation. For three days, beginning Friday, at the Adam's Mark Hotel downtown, there will be all things anime.}}</ref>
| location   = Dallas, Texas
| attendance = 10,771
| guests     = Tom Bateman, Ferret Baudoin, Steve Bennett, DJ Boss, Anthony Brownrigg, Robert DeJesus, [[Michael Dobson (actor)|Michael Dobson]], [[Robin Atkin Downes]], dream, Ben Dunn, P.N. Elrod, Newton Ewell, Melanie Fletcher, Fred Gallagher, Megan Giles, Kyle Hebert, [[Joel Heyman]], Matthew High, Samantha Inoue-Harte, Tramell Isaac, Taliesin Jaffe, Kumiko Kato, Kobushi Taiko, Steve Kyte, Bruce Lewis, [[Masao Maruyama (film producer)|Masao Maruyama]], Jonathan Mathers, Helen McCarthy, Mike McFarland, [[Vic Mignogna]], Stephanie Nadolny, Phillip Nelson, Jonathan Osborne, Eddie Perkins, Fred Perry, [[Michael Pondsmith]], Radio Comix, Xero Reynolds, Kai Robertson, [[Rooster Teeth Productions]], Joe Rosales, Brian Ruh, Jan Scott-Frazier, Doug Smith, Yasufumi Soejima, [[Gustavo Sorola]], Michael Suarez, Takahiro Umehara, Elin Winkler, [[Dan Woren]], Toshifumi Yoshida, and [[ZZ (band)|ZZ]].<ref name="AC-2005">{{cite web | url = https://animecons.com/events/info/7/a-kon-2005 | title = A-Kon 2005 Information | publisher = AnimeCons.com | access-date = 2007-12-25}}</ref>
}}
{{Convention list
| date       = June 9–11, 2006
| venue      = Adam's Mark Hotel<ref>{{cite news |work=WFAA-TV |title=Drawing power; Thousands of anime enthusiasts become one big freaky family during the annual A-Kon convention |date=2006-06-14 |url=http://www.wfaa.com/sharedcontent/dws/ent/stories/DN-akon_0614gl.State.Edition1.16d4f1f9.html |first=Tom |last=Maurstad |quote=Walking into the lobby of the Adam's Mark Hotel during A-Kon 17 is like stepping into a cartoon, except you can smell a mix of sweat, cigarettes, bubblegum and hairspray. |access-date=2008-07-30 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090227183720/http://www.wfaa.com/sharedcontent/dws/ent/stories/DN-akon_0614gl.State.Edition1.16d4f1f9.html |archive-date=2009-02-27 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
| location   = Dallas, Texas
| attendance = 12,459
| guests     = [[Justin Achilli]], Steve Bennett, Eirik Blackwolf, Anthony Brownrigg, [[Chromelodeon]], Emily DeJesus, Robert DeJesus, Ben Dunn, Newton Ewell, [[Caitlin Glass]], [[Michael Gluck]], [[Darrel Guilbeau]], Zel Harris, David Hutchison, Samantha Inoue-Harte, Jonathan Klein, [[Kotoko (singer)|Kotoko]], Steve Kyte, Bruce Lewis, [[Peter Mayhew]], Helen McCarthy, [[Jamie McGonnigal]], Vic Mignogna, Jana G. Oliver, [[Tony Oliver]], Jonathan Osborne, [[Penicillin (band)|Penicillin]], Fred Perry, Radio Comix, Xero Reynolds, Rooster Teeth Productions, Jeremy Ross, [[Kristine Sa]], Jan Scott-Frazier, [[Patrick Seitz]], Doug Smith, Gustavo Sorola, [[Sonny Strait]], Jonathan Tarbox, [[Sean Teague]], and Joe Wight.<ref name="AC-2006">{{cite web | url = https://animecons.com/events/info/726/a-kon-2006 | title = A-Kon 2006 Information | publisher = AnimeCons.com | access-date = 2007-12-25}}</ref>
}}
{{Convention list
| date       = June 1–3, 2007
| venue      = Adam's Mark Hotel<ref name="dmn07">{{cite news |work=The Dallas Morning News |title=Fans have character at anime gathering; Costumes abound at colorful convention ending today |url=http://www.accessmylibrary.com/coms2/summary_0286-30932282_ITM |first=Jennifer |last=Emily |date=2007-06-03}}</ref>
| location   = Dallas, Texas
| attendance = 14,309
| guests     = [[An Cafe]], [[Peter S. Beagle]], Steve Bennett, Bleedman, Brian Denham, Newton Ewell, Brian Glass, Kyle Hebert, Matt Herms, Samantha Inoue-Harte, ketchup mania, Steve Kyte, Bruce Lewis, Helen McCarthy, [[MELL]], Vic Mignogna, Chris Patton, [[Wendy Powell]], Scott Ramsoomair, Xero Reynolds, Rooster Teeth Productions, Jan Scott-Frazier, Doug Smith, Gustavo Sorola, [[Spike Spencer]], David Stanworth, The Sun String Quartet, Jonathan Tarbox, [[Howard Tayler]], [[Billy Tucci]], [[Travis Willingham]] and [[Tommy Yune]].<ref name="AC-2007">{{cite web | url = https://animecons.com/events/info/727/a-kon-2007 | title = A-Kon 2007 Information | publisher = AnimeCons.com | access-date = 2015-09-01}}</ref>
}}
{{Convention list
| date       = May 30 – June 1, 2008
| venue      = Sheraton Dallas Hotel
| location   = Dallas, Texas
| attendance = 15,324
| guests     = Steve Bennett, Anthony Brownrigg, Budo Grape, [[Steven Cummings]], [[David Drake]], [[Bill Fawcett (writer)|Bill Fawcett]], Kyle Hebert, [[M. Alice LeGrow]], Helen McCarthy, Kevin McKeever, Vic Mignogna, [[Douglas Niles]], Chris Patton, Wendy Powell, Monica Rial, The Sun String Quartet, Jonathan Tarbox, [[Versailles (band)|Versailles Philharmonic Quintet]], and [[Shinichi Watanabe]].<ref name="AC-2008">{{cite web | url = https://animecons.com/events/info/1362/a-kon-2008 | title = A-Kon 2008 Information | publisher = AnimeCons.com | access-date = 2015-09-01}}</ref>
}}
{{Convention list
| date       = May 29–31, 2009
| venue      = Sheraton Dallas Hotel
| location   = Dallas, Texas
| attendance = 16,037
| guests     = [[Lynn Abbey]], [[Vanessa Arteaga|Vanessa "Vii" Arteaga]], [[Keith Baker (game designer)|Keith Baker]], Paul Benjamin, Steve Bennett, Anthony Brownrigg, Camino, [[John D. Carmack]], Megumi Cummings, [[Steven Cummings]], [[Camilla d'Errico]], Brian Denham, Tim Eldred, Newton Ewell, Bill Fawcett, Melanie Fletcher, Anthony Gallela, Oscar J. Garza III, Yaya Han, Mohammad "Hawk" Haque, Kyle Hebert, DJ Infam0us, Samantha Inoue-Harte, Thomas W. Knowles, Steve Kyte, M. Alice LeGrow, Bruce Lewis, Lee Martindale, Helen McCarthy, Mike McFarland, Kevin McKeever, Vic Mignogna, [[Jody Lynn Nye]], Ananth Panagariya, Chris Patton, Wendy Powell, [[Mike Resnick]], Jeremy Ross, S. John Ross, Tony Salvaggio, Jan Scott-Frazier, Doug Smith, Jonathan Tarbox, Michael "Mookie" Terracciano, Jonathan Thompson.<ref name="AC-2009">{{cite web | url = https://animecons.com/events/info/1715/a-kon-2009 | title = A-Kon 2009 Information | publisher = AnimeCons.com | access-date = 2015-09-01}}</ref>
}}
{{Convention list
| date       = June 4–6, 2010
| venue      = Sheraton Dallas Hotel
| location   = Dallas, Texas
| attendance = 17,596
| guests     = [[Abney Park (band)|Abney Park]], [[Robert Axelrod (actor)|Robert Axelrod]], Peter S. Beagle, Steve Bennett, David Brehm, Anthony Brownrigg, Jon Buran, Ewen Cluney, Sheldon Drzka, Melanie Fletcher, [[Esther Friesner]], Terrance Griep, Yaya Han, Victor Hao, Malcolm Harris, Chris Hazelton, Kyle Hebert, Steve Horton, DJ Infam0us, Thomas W. Knowles, Steve Kyte, Bruce Lewis, Catherine Lundoff, Lee Martindale, Helen McCarthy, [[Mary Elizabeth McGlynn]], Kevin McKeever, DJ Midget, [[Jim O'Rear]], Jan Scott-Frazier, Jonathan Tarbox, Michael "Mookie" Terracciano, Jason Thompson, [[Ursula Vernon]], Crystal Yates, [[Stephanie Young]].<ref name="AC-2010">{{cite web | url = https://animecons.com/events/info/1884/a-kon-2010 | title = A-Kon 2010 Information | publisher = AnimeCons.com | access-date = 2015-09-01}}</ref>
}}
{{Convention list
| date       = June 10–12, 2011
| venue      = Sheraton Dallas Hotel
| location   = Dallas, Texas
| attendance = 18,447
| guests     = Lynn Abbey, Vanessa "Vii" Arteaga, [[Clint Bickham]], [[Blood Stain Child]], Jennie Breeden, [[Brentalfloss]], Robert Brown, Anthony Brownrigg, Jon Buran, Chloe Chan, [[D (band)|D]], Brian Denham, Melanie Fletcher, [[Kaja Foglio]], [[Phil Foglio]], [[Brad Foster]], Esther Friesner, J. Grant, Terrance Griep, [[Priscilla Hamby]], Kyle Hebert, [[Mark Hildreth (actor)|Mark Hildreth]], Steve Horton, Amy Howard-Wilson, Mel Hynes, DJ Infam0us, [[Cherami Leigh]], Bruce Lewis, Lee Martindale, Helen McCarthy, Kevin McKeever, [[Elizabeth Moon]], Mandy "AmazonMandy" Moore, [[Monty Oum]], Michael Poe, [[Amy Reeder]], Emmanuel "Master" Rodriguez, Jonathan Tarbox, Adande "sWooZie" Thorne, Laura J. Underwood, and Eric Wile.<ref name="AC-2011">{{cite web | url = https://animecons.com/events/info/2340/a-kon-2011 | title = A-Kon 2011 Information | publisher = AnimeCons.com | access-date = 2015-09-01}}</ref>
}}
{{Convention list
| date       = June 1–3, 2012
| venue      = Sheraton Dallas Hotel
| location   = Dallas, Texas
| attendance = 21,982
| guests     = Curtis Arnott, [[AYABIE]], Steve Bennett, Brentalfloss, Nathan Robert Brown, Anthony Brownrigg, [[CJ Cherryh]], [[Ming Doyle]], Sheldon Drzka, Sarah Elkins, [[Jane Fancher]], Melanie Fletcher, [[Quinton Flynn]], Scott Frerichs, Esther Friesner, Catherine E. Hajek-Harris, Bev Hale, Yaya Han, Kyle Hebert, DJ Infam0us, Nick Landis, Chris Layfield, Cherami Leigh, Pascalle Lepas, Russell Lissau, DJ MaRia, Lee Martindale, Helen McCarthy, Vic Mignogna, Elizabeth Moon, Jana G. Oliver, OZ, Meredith Placko, [[Tak Sakaguchi]], Rikki Simons, Sleeping Samurai, Elizabeth Sloan, Jesse Sosa, Dirk Tiede, [[Harry Turtledove]], Lisle Wilkerson, and Tavisha Wolfgarth-Simons.<ref name="AC-2012">{{cite web | url = https://animecons.com/events/info/2812/a-kon-2012 | title = A-Kon 2012 Information | publisher = AnimeCons.com | access-date = 2015-09-01}}</ref>
}}
{{Convention list
| date       = May 31–June 2, 2013
| venue      = [[Hilton Anatole|Hilton Anatole Dallas]]
| location   = Dallas, Texas
| attendance = 22,366 
| guests     = Curtis Arnott, Martin Billany, [[Exist Trace]], Esther Friesner, [[Todd Haberkorn]], Kyle Hebert, Lee Martindale, [[Kristen McGuire]], Vic Mignogna, Elizabeth Moon, Meredith Placko, August Ragone, Sleeping Samurai, Jesse Sosa, Sonny Strait, Take One Productions, Jonathan Tarbox, [[Cathy Weseluck]], and Lisle Wilkerson.<ref name="AC-2013">{{cite web | url = https://animecons.com/events/info/3549/a-kon-2013 | title = A-Kon 2013 Information | publisher = AnimeCons.com | access-date = 2015-09-01}}</ref>
}}
{{Convention list
| date       = June 6–8, 2014
| venue      = Hilton Anatole Dallas
| location   = Dallas, Texas
| attendance = 26,377
| guests     = Curtis Arnott, Martin Billany, Anthony Brownrigg, Darren J. Gendron, Caitlin Glass, Yaya Han, Kyle Hebert, Amy Howard-Wilson, Taliesin Jaffe, Nick Landis, M. Alice LeGrow, Lee Martindale, Helen McCarthy, Elizabeth Moon, Gilles Poitras, Lawrence Simpson, [[Michael Sinterniklaas]], [[Ken Steacy]], Take One Productions, Jonathan Tarbox, and [[J. Michael Tatum]].<ref name="AC-2014">{{cite web | url = https://animecons.com/events/info/4460/a-kon-2014 | title = A-Kon 2014 Information | publisher = AnimeCons.com | access-date = 2015-09-01}}</ref>
}}
{{Convention list
| date       = June 5–7, 2015
| venue      = Hilton Anatole Dallas
| location   = Dallas, Texas
| attendance = 29,383
| guests     = Curtis Arnott, Nathan Robert Brown, Scott Frerichs, Caitlin Glass, Kyle Hebert, Mitsuhisa Ishikawa, Nick Landis, Bruce Lewis, Kristen McGuire, [[Amber Nash]], [[Trina Nishimura]], [[Bryce Papenbrook]], Tyson Rinehart, Anthony Sardinha, Take One Productions, J. Michael Tatum, and [[David Vincent (actor)|David Vincent]].<ref name="AC-2015">{{cite web | url = https://animecons.com/events/info/5224/a-kon-2015 | title = A-Kon 2015 In34,684formation | publisher = AnimeCons.com | access-date = 2015-09-01}}</ref>
}}
{{Convention list
| date       = June 3–5, 2016
| venue      = Hilton Anatole Dallas
| location   = Dallas, Texas
| attendance = 32,639
| guests     = Airship Isabella, Steve Bennett, Morgan Berry, Jennie Breeden, Nathan Robert Brown, D-Piddy, Rob DenBleyker, David Doub, Megan Emerick, Bill Fawcett, [[Frenchy and the Punk]], J. Grant, Todd Haberkorn, Ben Hamby, Yaya Han, Kyle Hebert, [[Natalie Rose Hoover]], Mel Hynes, [[Jeremy Inman]], Nicole Marie Jean, Ryuu Lavitz, Cherami Leigh, Marquis of Vaudeville, Carl Martin, Kyle "Ex-Shadow" Mathis, Malinda "Malindachan" Mathis, Helen McCarthy, Dave McElfatrick, Kristen McGuire, [[Matthew Mercer]], Alex Moore, [[Rika Muranaka]], Jim O'Rear, [[Steam Powered Giraffe]], Take One Productions, [[Austin Tindle]], LeeAnna Vamp, David Vincent, Kris Wilson, and [[Yousei Teikoku]].<ref name="AC-2016">{{cite web | url = https://animecons.com/events/info/6138/a-kon-2016 | title = A-Kon 2016 Information | publisher = AnimeCons.com | access-date = 2016-12-29}}</ref>
}}
{{Convention list
| date       = June 8–11, 2017
| venue      = [[Fort Worth Convention Center]]
| location   = [[Fort Worth, Texas]]
| attendance = 33,102
| guests     = Ani-Mia, [[Tia Ballard]], Amelie Belcher, Morgan Berry, [[Chris Bevins]], [[Johnny Yong Bosch]], [[Justin Briner]], [[Clifford Chapin]], [[Amber Lee Connors]], Daydreamernessa, [[Terri Doty]], Megan Emerick, Eyeshine, Haenuli, Yaya Han, [[DJ HeavyGrinder]], Kyle Hebert, Matt Herms, Brenda Hickey, Natalie Rose Hoover, [[Chuck Huber]], Caleb Hyles, Imza, Carl Martin, Kyle "Ex-Shadow" Mathis, Malinda "Malindachan" Mathis, Helen McCarthy, [[Joel McDonald]], Kristen McGuire, [[Brandon McInnis]], [[Erica Mendez]], Matthew Mercer, Vic Mignogna, Miss Octopie, Alex Moore, Destiny Nickelsen, Jim O'Rear, Atelier Pierrot, QuantumDestiny, Svetlana Quindt, Rachel Robinson, [[Christopher Sabat]], [[Jad Saxton]], Sonny Strait, Ciarán Strange, Take One Productions, J. Michael Tatum, Austin Tindle, [[Alexis Tipton]], Vitamin H Productions, Jessica von Braun, Sarah Wiedenheft, and Lisle Wilkerson.<ref name="AC-2017">{{cite web | url = https://animecons.com/events/info/7657/a-kon-2017 | title = A-Kon 2017 Information | publisher = AnimeCons.com | access-date = 2018-01-01}}</ref>
}}
{{Convention list
| date       = June 7–10, 2018
| venue      = Fort Worth Convention Center
| location   = Fort Worth, Texas
| attendance = 34,684<ref name="AC-2018" /> 
| guests     = Akidearest, [[The Anime Man]], Steve Bennett, Beau Billingslea, Leon Chiro, [[Richard Epcar]], [[Toshio Furukawa]], [[Toru Furuya]], [[GARNiDELiA]], Joshua Hart, DJ HeavyGrinder, Kyle Hebert, Chuck Huber, Shino Kakinuma, Kamui, Mika Kobayashi, [[Erica Lindbeck]], Andrew Love, Helen McCarthy, Matthew Mercer, Vic Mignogna, Miss Octopie, Misty/Chronexia, [[Naoshi Mizuta]], [[Cassandra Lee Morris]], Chris Moujaes, A New World, Jessie Pridemore, Reika, [[Michelle Rojas]], [[Keith Silverstein]], [[Ellyn Stern]], Ciarán Strange, Take One Productions, Twinzik, David Vincent, Vitamin H Productions, Jessica von Braun, Heather Walker, Lisle Wilkerson, Michael "Knightmage" Wilson, and A.K. Wirru.<ref name="AC-2018">{{cite web | url = https://animecons.com/events/info/9424/a-kon-2018 | title = A-Kon 2018 Information | publisher = AnimeCons.com | access-date = 2019-12-17}}</ref>
}}
{{Convention list
| date       = June 27–30, 2019
| venue      = [[Fair Park]]
| location   = Dallas, Texas
| attendance = 
| guests     = [[Acme (band)|Acme]], [[Felecia Angelle]], [[Tia Ballard]], Amelie Belcher, Morgan Berry, Chris Bevins, Jessica Calvello, [[R. Bruce Elliott]], Chris Guerrero, Yaya Han, [[Erika Harlacher]], Atelier Heidi, Haruka Kurebayashi, April Martin, Helen McCarthy, Joel McDonald, Phil Mizuno, Moderately Okay Cosplay, Tony Oliver, Rachel Robinson, [[Ian Sinclair (voice actor)|Ian Sinclair]], Evil Ted Smith, Ciarán Strange, Saki Tachibana, Take One Productions, [[Kaiji Tang]], Vitamin H Productions, Christopher Wehkamp, Lisle Wilkerson, and [[Sarah Anne Williams]].<ref name="AC-2019">{{cite web | url = https://animecons.com/events/info/11683/a-kon-2019 | title = A-Kon 2019 Information | publisher = AnimeCons.com | access-date = 2022-07-12}}</ref>
}}
{{Convention list
| date       = June 3–5, 2022
| venue      = [[Irving Convention Center at Las Colinas]]<br/>[[Toyota Music Factory]]
| location   = [[Irving, Texas]]
| attendance = 
| guests     = Steve Bennett, [[Ray Chase (voice actor)|Ray Chase]], Ejen Chuang, [[Khoi Dao]], [[Robbie Daymond]], [[Lucien Dodge]], [[Diana Garnet]], Chris Hackney, Yaya Han, Erika Harlacher, Erica Lindbeck, Maridah, Maul Cosplay, [[Adam McArthur]], Joel McDonald, Erica Mendez, [[Amanda C. Miller]],  [[Max Mittelman]], [[Xander Mobus]], Stephanie Nadolny, PAiDA, Bryce Papenbrook, Cory J. Phillips, [[Zeno Robinson]], [[Laura Stahl]], Ciarán Strange, Take One Productions, Teca, [[Abby Trott]], Eric Vale, Vitamin H Productions, Steff Von Schweetz, Mark Whitten, Take One Productions, and Anne Yatco.<ref name="AC-2022">{{cite web | url = http://animecons.com/events/info/18099/a-kon-2022 | title = A-Kon 2022 Information | publisher = AnimeCons.com | access-date = 2022-10-24}}</ref>
}}
{{Convention list
| date       = June 2-4, 2023
| venue      = Irving Convention Center at Las Colinas<br/>Toyota Music Factory
| location   = Irving, Texas
| attendance = 
| guests     = [[Bryson Baugus]], Beku Cos, [[Burnout Syndromes]], Darkarnival Butler, [[SungWon Cho]], Cowbutt Crunchies, [[Ben Diskin]], [[Kara Edwards]], [[Ricco Fajardo]], [[Sandy Fox]], Katelyn Gault, Yaya Han, Kaye Cosplay, [[Lex Lang]], Cherami Leigh, Erica Lindbeck, Madkid, Kyle McCarley, Helen McCarthy, Joel McDonald, Phil Mizuno, [[Nano (singer)|Nano]], Tony Oliver, Cory J. Phillips, Atelier Pierrot, Matthew David Rudd, Ciarán Strange, Take One Productions, Kaiji Tang, Diana Tolin, David Vincent, Vitamin H Productions, Vraskaa, and Sarah Anne Williams.<ref name="AC-2023">{{cite web | url = http://animecons.com/events/info/20181/a-kon-2023 | title = A-Kon 2023 Information | publisher = AnimeCons.com | access-date = 2023-06-14}}</ref>
}}
|}

==References==
{{Reflist|2}}

==External links==
* [http://www.a-kon.com/ Project: A-Kon web site]

{{Anime conventions in North America}}
{{Texas SF Conventions}}

{{coord|32.8779653|-96.9431448|region:US-TX_type:event|display=title}}

[[Category:Anime conventions in the United States]]
[[Category:Recurring events established in 1990]]
[[Category:1990 establishments in Texas]]
[[Category:Annual events in Texas]]
[[Category:Conventions in Texas]]
[[Category:Festivals in Texas]]
[[Category:Japanese-American culture in Texas]]
[[Category:Tourist attractions in Texas]]