Ai-Kon is Manitoba's largest anime convention. An all-ages event, the goal of Ai-Kon is the promotion of Japanese/Asian animation and culture to the public. Started by the University of Manitoba Japanese Animation Club (UMAnime) in 2001, Ai-Kon took a reorganizational hiatus in 2002, returning in 2003. Ai-Kon has since become an autonomous event, run by an independent volunteer board. "Ai" means "love" in Japanese, hence Ai-Kon's slogan "For the Love of Anime."
Available now Ticketmaster, Ai-Kon weekend passes are $29 plus agency fees until April 30, $34 plus agency fees until June 30, and $39 plus agency fees after July 1. Individual day passes are available only on their respective days. Children younger than 8 are free and must be accompanied by a paying adult. Full details are available on www.ai-kon.org.
North American voice actors Johnny Yong Bosch and Laura Bailey have been confirmed as two of the guests of honor for Ai-Kon 2008.
Both Bosch and Bailey will host and participate in a variety of events -- including panels and autograph sessions -- during the three days of the convention, scheduled for July 25, 26 and 27, 2008 at the Winnipeg Convention Centre.
Bosch is best known for his role as Adam Park (Black Ranger) in MIGHTY MORPHIN POWER RANGERS, while notable voice-acting roles include Ichigo Kurosaki in BLEACH,Vash the Stampede in TRIGUN, Lelouch Lamperouge in CODE GEASS, Renton Thurston in EUREKA SEVEN, Yuji "Saku" Sakurai in BECK: MONGOLIAN CHOP SQUAD, and most recently as Nero in Capcom's DEVIL MAY CRY 4 for the PS3, Xbox 360, and PC. Bosch's latest live-action film, BROKEN PATH, will also be shown at Ai-Kon 2008.
Bailey currently serves as the voice of Shin, the 5-year-old, foul-mouthed main character of SHIN CHAN, currently airing as part of Cartoon Network's Adult Swim block. Bailey's other notable voice-acting roles include Lust in FULLMETAL ALCHEMIST, Tohru Honda in FRUITS BASKET, Sana Kurata in KODOCHA, Kid Trunks and Kid Dende in DRAGONBALL Z, Henrietta in GUNSLINGER GIRL, and Rayne in BLOODRAYNE 1and 2 for the PS2, Xbox and PC. More information is available on www.lizardbee.com.
In 2007 approximately 1,500 people attended Ai-Kon, and organizers anticipate attendance numbers of 1,600 to 1,800 for this year's convention. Ai-Kon was moved to a larger facility in 2005 increase the comfort and enjoyment of those attending.
