About Us
AnimeCon is the longest running anime convention of The Netherlands. Volunteers organise AnimeCon.
AnimeCon.nl is the website for Holland's largest annual anime festival. What does that mean you ask? Well, it's a three-day gathering of fans with a focus on Japanse animation. What it basically comes down to is that you can join a group of people of all ages and enjoy a nice atmosphere in which you can enjoy movies, play video games, and learn about Japan and its culture. Our festival focuses on having fun and learning new things.
We try to add the extra impulse to our event by actually portraying parts of the Japanese (popular) culture. Our mission is to let you have a lot of fun and give you a chance to learn something new.
In Japan animation is produced for people of all age groups. Any genre or influence you can think of that appears in a Hollywood production can also be found in anime. This, amongst a bunch of other things, is what makes the Japanese produced animation so interesting. If you have not seen any 'anime' before, be sure to come and visit us to check out this phenomenon. Be there, be amazed, and become a fan!
About Us
AnimeCon is the longest running anime convention of The Netherlands. Volunteers organise AnimeCon.
AnimeCon.nl is the website for Holland's largest annual anime festival. What does that mean you ask? Well, it's a three-day gathering of fans with a focus on Japanse animation. What it basically comes down to is that you can join a group of people of all ages and enjoy a nice atmosphere in which you can enjoy movies, play video games, and learn about Japan and its culture. Our festival focuses on having fun and learning new things.
We try to add the extra impulse to our event by actually portraying parts of the Japanese (popular) culture. Our mission is to let you have a lot of fun and give you a chance to learn something new.
In Japan animation is produced for people of all age groups. Any genre or influence you can think of that appears in a Hollywood production can also be found in anime. This, amongst a bunch of other things, is what makes the Japanese produced animation so interesting. If you have not seen any 'anime' before, be sure to come and visit us to check out this phenomenon. Be there, be amazed, and become a fan!
Our Sponsors
Royal Talens distributes and sells amazing traditional art tools and supplies. Our Dutch Manga Awards wouldn't be the same without them.
Ziva Events sponsors the Game Room. They host and facilitate gaming events of all kinds, including ours!
The Foamtastic Living Room (or "Foamtastic Crew") is a versatile hobby and craft store in the Netherlands that sells a huge variety of crafting materials, not just for cosplay!
Vertigo 6 is an award winning PR and Marketing agency in the Netherlands for the Benelux and Nordic Region. They provide us with prizes and video games.
AFK Esports is one of the main sponsors for the Game Room. AFK Esports organises gaming tournaments all over the Netherlands.
Royal Talens distributes and sells amazing traditional art tools and supplies. Our Dutch Manga Awards wouldn't be the same without them.
Ziva Events sponsors the Game Room. They host and facilitate gaming events of all kinds, including ours!
De Foamtastische Huiskamer (of 'Foamtastic Crew’) is een veelzijdige hobby- en handwerkwinkel in Nederland die een enorme verscheidenheid aan knutselmaterialen verkoopt, niet alleen voor cosplay! Juist die verscheidenheid aan producten maakt dat je voor een creatief project bij ons terecht kan voor materialen, tips & trics.
Vertigo 6 is an award winning PR and Marketing agency in the Netherlands for the Benelux and Nordic Region. They provide us with prizes and video games.
History of AnimeCon
Our previous events were (in reverse chronological order):
De Broodfabriek, Rijswijk
The Broodfabriek is located in the former bread factory of the Hus bakery. For decades, thousands of loaves and pastries rolled off the assembly line here. The location of more than 17,500 m2 has now been converted into a versatile event location.
- 2023
AnimeCon 2023 (J-POP Foundation - nr. 23)
AnimeCon Under the Sea
June 2023
At de Broodfabriek, Rijswijk
Number of visitors: Friday 3.100, Saturday 4.600, Sunday 3.700, so approximately 11.500 visits over three days by more than 6.800 unique visitors.
Special: Shao Dow the manga loving rapper was Live on Stage and acted as commentator during our Smash Bros. Ultimate competition in the Game Room. Voice actors Rachelle Heger and Laura Post answered questions about their work. In the video program we screened the Ghibli movie Ponyo as part of our new children's video program. We also had a record number of 18 different caterers and a specialty beer tasting.
- 2022
Theaterhotel Almelo, Almelo
We went back to our younger years and visited the Theaterhotel Almelo again! The Theaterhotel Almelo is a combination of a hotel with 196 rooms and a theater with 850 seats in the city of Almelo. Opened originally in 1991, the complex consists of multiple rooms for events/meetings, a swimming pool, terrace, theater and multiple halls for bigger events.
- 2022 Classic
AnimeCon Classic 2022 (J-POP Foundation - nr. 23)
AnimeCon Classic The Roaring Twenties
September 2022
At Theaterhotel Almelo, Almelo
Number of visitors: Friday 1.100, Saturday 1.400, Sunday 1.200, so approximately 3.800 visits over three days by more than 1.200 unique visitors.
Special: A throwback to the roots of AnimeCon with a fitting classic theme. With workshops to teach you the classic dances of the Roaring Twenties and a dance evening with a Live band. Along with a full Anime Cinema program showcasing 17 movies and 28 TV series like Your Name, Weathering with you, The House of the Lost on the Cape, The Wonderland, Promare, the four EVANGELION movies, Demon Slayer and SPY X FAMILY.
Ahoy, Rotterdam
- 2019
AnimeCon 2019 (J-POP Foundation - nr. 21)
AnimeCon Goes South
June 2019
At Ahoy, Rotterdam
Number of visitors: Friday 4.700, Saturday 6.100, Sunday 5.200, so approximately 16.000 visits over three days by more than 8.200 unique visitors
Special: Myth & Roid and TeddyLoid came over from Japan as main acts. We had the European premieres of The Saga of Tanya the Evil, Danmachi/Is it wrong to pick up girls in a dungeon: Arrow of Orion and Laidbackers and Dutch premieres for Maquia, When the promised flower blooms and Iron Sky: the coming race.
World Forum, Den Haag
The World Forum is a concert venue and convention center in The Hague. Opened originally in 1969, the complex consists of multiple rooms for events/meetings, two large halls for bigger events and a big concert stage. The venue has a capacity of 5.000 visitors.
- 2018
Anime 2018 (J-POP Foundation - nr. 20)
Queens of the Round stable
June 2018
At World Forum, Den Haag
Number of visitors: Friday 4.500, Saturday 5.600, Sunday 5.100, so approximately 15.200 visits over three days by more than 7.600 unique visitors
Special: JAM Project came over from Japan as our main act and bands like Necronomidol Speakerheadz and Savage states as side acts. AMV 1 on 1's, a Studio Ghibli lecture followed by a screening of the Red Turtle.
- 2017
- 2016
- 2015
- 2014
- 2013
Theaterhotel Almelo, Almelo
- 2012
Anime 2012 (J-POP Foundation - nr. 14)
Apocalypse Cow
May 2012
At Theaterhotel Almelo, Almelo
Number of visitors: Friday 1.500, Saturday 2.000, Sunday 1.400, so approximately 4.900 visits over three days by more than 2.450 unique visitors
Special: m.o.v.e and Tom Nagae came over from Japan, Dutch preliminaries for the World Cosplay Summit, EuroCosplay and the European Cosplay Gathering, the second Dutch Manga Awards, Helen McCarthy, Lizemijn Libgott, Martin Lodewijk and Sytse Algera as special guests.
- 2011
- 2010
- 2009
- 2008
- 2007
- 2006
- 2005
- 2004
Hotel Haarlem-Zuid, Haarlem
Located on the edge of Haarlem, Van der Valk Hotel Haarlem has great accessibility. With 20 conference rooms of different sizes, it is an ideal location for events with many workshops. Over 300 rooms made sure festivals can go on until the dark hours of the night. The capacity is now 1300 visitors.
- 2003
Anime 2003 (J-POP Foundation - nr. 5)
Anime Strikes Back
Number of visitors: 770 unique visitors
Special: Bigger dealer room
February 2003
At Hotel Haarlem-Zuid, Haarlem
Koningshof, Veldhoven
The Koningshof is a combination of a hotel with 509 rooms and a conference center near the city of Veldhoven. It originates from 1886 as a monastery and serves as a hotel and congress center since 2010. The complex consists of multiple rooms for events/meetings, an swimming pool, terrace, multiple halls for bigger events and is surrounded by nature. The venue has a capacity of 8.500 visitors.
Holiday Inn, Rotterdam
The Holiday Inn in Rotterdam used to be at a very different place than where it is now. Located at the Schiedamsedijk, it had a view at the river Meuse and its, back then brand new, Erasmus bridge. Being the first AnimeCon location, it was the start of a journey lasting for more than 20 years.
- 1999
Anime ’99 (J-POP Foundation - nr. 1)
Number of visitors: 208 unique visitors
Special: First real festival, guests from Xebec and Bandai
February 1999
At Holiday Inn, Rotterdam
History of AnimeCon
Before AnimeCon started with the J-POP Foundation as organizor, there were predecessing events organized by the Dutch Anime Society and Anime Workgroup Holland.
These previous events were:
De Broodfabriek, Rijswijk
Before AnimeCon started with the J-POP Foundation as organizor, there were predecessing events organized by the Dutch Anime Society and Anime Workgroup Holland.
These previous events were:
- 2023
AnimeCon 2023 (J-POP Foundation - nr. 23)
AnimeCon Under the Sea
June 2023
At de Broodfabriek, Rijswijk
Number of visitors: Friday 3.100, Saturday 4.600, Sunday 3.700, so approximately 11.500 visits over three days by more than 6.800 unique visitors.
Special: Shao Dow the manga loving rapper was Live on Stage and acted as commentator during our Smash Bros. Ultimate competition in the Game Room. Voice actors Rachelle Heger and Laura Post answered questions about their work. In the video program we screened the Ghibli movie Ponyo as part of our new children's video program. We also had a record number of 18 different caterers and a specialty beer tasting.
- 2022
Theaterhotel Almelo, Almelo
We went back to our younger years and visited the Theaterhotel Almelo again! The Theaterhotel Almelo is a combination of a hotel with 196 rooms and a theater with 850 seats in the city of Almelo. Opened originally in 1991, the complex consists of multiple rooms for events/meetings, a swimming pool, terrace, theater and multiple halls for bigger events.
- 2022 Classic
AnimeCon Classic 2022 (J-POP Foundation - nr. 23)
AnimeCon Classic The Roaring Twenties
September 2022
At Theaterhotel Almelo, Almelo
Number of visitors: Friday 1.100, Saturday 1.400, Sunday 1.200, so approximately 3.800 visits over three days by more than 1.200 unique visitors.
Special: A throwback to the roots of AnimeCon with a fitting classic theme. With workshops to teach you the classic dances of the Roaring Twenties and a dance evening with a Live band. Along with a full Anime Cinema program showcasing 17 movies and 28 TV series like Your Name, Weathering with you, The House of the Lost on the Cape, The Wonderland, Promare, the four EVANGELION movies, Demon Slayer and SPY X FAMILY.
Ahoy, Rotterdam
Ahoy is a convention center and multi-purpose indoor arena located in Rotterdam. Opened originally in 1950, the current complex consists of three main venues: a fairs and event hall, a congress and conference center, and the Ahoy Arena. The venue has a capacity of 16.426 visitors as of April 2019.
- 2019
AnimeCon 2019 (J-POP Foundation - nr. 21)
AnimeCon Goes South
June 2019
At Ahoy, Rotterdam
Number of visitors: Friday 4.700, Saturday 6.100, Sunday 5.200, so approximately 16.000 visits over three days by more than 8.200 unique visitors
Special: Myth & Roid and TeddyLoid came over from Japan as main acts. We had the European premieres of The Saga of Tanya the Evil, Danmachi/Is it wrong to pick up girls in a dungeon: Arrow of Orion and Laidbackers and Dutch premieres for Maquia, When the promised flower blooms and Iron Sky: the coming race.
World Forum, Den Haag
The World Forum is a concert venue and convention center in The Hague. Opened originally in 1969, the complex consists of multiple rooms for events/meetings, two large halls for bigger events and a big concert stage. The venue has a capacity of 5.000 visitors.
- 2018
Anime 2018 (J-POP Foundation - nr. 20)
Queens of the Round stable
June 2018
At World Forum, Den Haag
Number of visitors: Friday 4.500, Saturday 5.600, Sunday 5.100, so approximately 15.200 visits over three days by more than 7.600 unique visitors
Special: JAM Project came over from Japan as our main act and bands like Necronomidol Speakerheadz and Savage states as side acts. AMV 1 on 1's, a Studio Ghibli lecture followed by a screening of the Red Turtle.
- 2017
- 2016
- 2015
- 2014
- 2013
Theaterhotel Almelo, Almelo
The Theaterhotel Almelo is a combination of a hotel with 196 rooms and a theater with 850 seats in the city of Almelo. Opened originally in 1991, the complex consists of multiple rooms for events/meetings, an swimming pool, terrace, theater and multiple halls for bigger events. The venue hosts more than 100 events every year, these events consists of musicals, dance events, music events, cabaret, theatre events and conventions. The venue has a capacity of 2.500 visitors.
- 2012
Anime 2012 (J-POP Foundation - nr. 14)
Apocalypse Cow
May 2012
At Theaterhotel Almelo, Almelo
Number of visitors: Friday 1.500, Saturday 2.000, Sunday 1.400, so approximately 4.900 visits over three days by more than 2.450 unique visitors
Special: m.o.v.e and Tom Nagae came over from Japan, Dutch preliminaries for the World Cosplay Summit, EuroCosplay and the European Cosplay Gathering, the second Dutch Manga Awards, Helen McCarthy, Lizemijn Libgott, Martin Lodewijk and Sytse Algera as special guests.
- 2011
- 2010
- 2009
- 2008
- 2007
- 2006
- 2005
- 2004
Hotel Haarlem-Zuid, Haarlem
Located on the edge of Haarlem, Van der Valk Hotel Haarlem has great accessibility. With 20 conference rooms of different sizes, it is an ideal location for events with many workshops. Over 300 rooms made sure festivals can go on until the dark hours of the night. The capacity is now 1300 visitors.
- 2003
Anime 2003 (J-POP Foundation - nr. 5)
Anime Strikes Back
February 2003
At Hotel Haarlem-Zuid, Haarlem
Number of visitors: 770 unique visitors
Special: Bigger dealer room.
Koningshof, Veldhoven
The Koningshof is a combination of a hotel with 509 rooms and a conference center near the city of Veldhoven. It originates from 1886 as a monastery and serves as a hotel and congress center since 2010. The complex consists of multiple rooms for events/meetings, an swimming pool, terrace, multiple halls for bigger events and is surrounded by nature. The venue has a capacity of 8.500 visitors.
Holiday Inn, Rotterdam
The Holiday Inn in Rotterdam used to be at a very different place than where it is now. Located at the Schiedamsedijk, it had a view at the river Meuse and its, back then brand new, Erasmus bridge. Being the first AnimeCon location, it was the start of a journey lasting for more than 20 years.
- 1999
Anime ’99 (J-POP Foundation - nr. 1)
February 1999
At Holiday Inn, Rotterdam
Number of visitors: 208 unique visitors
Special: First real festival, guests from Xebec and Bandai
Predecessors
Before AnimeCon started with the J-POP Foundation as organizor, there were predecessing events organized by the Dutch Anime Society and Anime Workgroup Holland.
These previous events were:
Location: Maastricht
Date: 1998
Number of visitors: Unknown
Special: Organized in a film theatre
Location: Den Bosch
Date: 1998
Number of visitors: 150+
Special: First 2 day event
Location: Maastricht
Date: 1998
Number of visitors: Between 100 and 150
Special: Sales people from Pioneer UK and Dynamic Benelux
Location: Den Bosch
Date: 1997
Number of visitors: 110
Location: Maastricht
Date: 1997
Number of visitors: 40
Location: Den Bosch
Date: 1996
Number of visitors: 80
Location: Papendrecht, The Netherlands
Date: 1995
Number of visitors: 32 (including an American)
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