Shoujocon | |
---|---|
Status | Defunct |
Location(s) | New Jersey/New York |
Country | United States |
Inaugurated | 2000 |
Most recent | 2003 |
Attendance | 600 in 2003 |
Organized by | Shoujo Arts Society |
Shoujocon was an American fan convention for anime and manga which focused on the shōjo (girls') subgenre. The convention was founded in 2000 by then-anonymous women identified as "Nora" and "Katchan",[1] and initially financed through eBay sales of fan-donated merchandise.[2] Shoujocon quickly grew from 456 attendees[3] to a peak of 1,252.[4] In addition to its unique audience, Shoujocon attempted many other organizational and programmatic innovations during its time, such as an international staff which held meetings entirely online,[1] support for doujinshi artists and writers, and cultural workshops.[5]
In 2002, Nora and Katchan stepped down, turning leadership over to the newly formed Shoujo Arts Society (SAS), a non-profit organization incorporated to manage Shoujocon and promote the shōjo subgenre via other events.[6] For the 2003 convention, Shoujocon moved to Rye, New York, where difficulties with the hotel and the change of location triggered a severe drop in attendance[7] and poor reviews of the convention.[8] The 2004 convention was first postponed,[9] then canceled altogether.[10]
Working with the organizers of Yuricon, the Shoujo Arts Society later announced a joint event called "Onna!"[11] which was held in October 2005.[12]
Dates | Location | Atten. | Guests |
---|---|---|---|
July 15–16, 2000 | Newark Gateway Hilton Newark, New Jersey | 456 | Roxanne Beck, Mandy Bonhomme[3] |
July 14–15, 2001 | East Brunswick Hilton East Brunswick, New Jersey | 1,252 | Katsumi Kurata, Ryo Hitaka, Mandy Bonhomme, Colleen Doran[4] |
July 19–21, 2002 | East Brunswick Hilton East Brunswick, New Jersey | 1,229 | Mandy Bonhomme, Friends of Lulu, Azusa Kurokawa, Jamie McGonnigal, Liam O'Brien, and Umbrella Studios.[13] |
August 22–24, 2003 | Rye Town Hilton Rye Brook, New York | 600 | Katie Bair, Kelli Shayne Butler, Tiffany Grant, and Jamie McGonnigal.[7] |