# Zenkaikon

Zenkaikon is a multi-genre convention held during March at the Lancaster County Convention Center and Holiday Inn Lancaster in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. The convention was formerly based around King of Prussia, Pennsylvania (a Philadelphia suburb). Zenkaikon's name is a portmanteau of Zentrancon (science-fiction convention) and Kosaikon (anime convention), created when they merged in 2006. The convention has an all-volunteer staff.

## Programming

The convention typically offers anime and live action screenings, AMV's, artist alley, concerts, cosplay masquerade, costume competitions, dances, dealers room, formal costume ball, game shows, iron cosplay, karaoke, LARP, live bands, maid cafe, manga library, panels, swap meet, tabletop gaming, vendors, video gaming, and workshops.
In 2015, the charity auction benefited the Lymphoma Research Foundation and raised over $1,800. The foundation was chosen due to the death of guest CJ Henderson from Lymphoma. In 2017, the charity auction benefited Ocean Conservancy. In 2018, the charity auction benefited The AbleGamers Foundation. 2019's charity was the Arch Street Center.

## History

Zenkaikon was formed in 2006 by the merger of two Philadelphia-area events, Zentrancon and Kosaikon. In 2008, Zenkaikon became a two-day convention. In 2009 due to significant attendance growth, Zenkaikon moved to the larger Valley Forge Radisson Hotel (same complex as its former location the Scanticon) and capped attendance at 1,500 attendees per day. In 2010, Zenkaikon announced it would become a three-day convention, move to a spring date (skipping 2010), and increase convention space by using both the Valley Forge Convention Center and Scanticon Hotel and Conference Center (same complex). The changes were made to improve weather, allow for better preparation, and increase staff. During the convention in 2011, Zenkaikon and its attendees raised $3750 for the American Red Cross Japanese Earthquake and Pacific Tsunami Relief Fund. Due to construction of the Valley Forge Casino Resort at the Valley Forge Convention Center, Zenkaikon 2012 was held at a new location, The Greater Philadelphia Expo Center at Oaks, and reduced to two days.
Zenkaikon moved to the Lancaster County Convention Center for 2013 and returned to being a three-day event. The convention returned to the Lancaster County Convention Center in 2014 and occupied every (four) floor. Zenkaikon returned to the convention center in 2015, and 2016 for its 10th anniversary. In 2017, the convention used Tellus360's Temple Room for additional space. Zenkaikon 2020 was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The convention held virtual programming on what was to be the Saturday of the event. Zenkaikon 2021 was also cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, with an online event announced in its place. The convention's 2022 COVID-19 policies required masks and vaccination. Zenkaikon for the first time used both floors of Tellus360 for events.
Changes in 2023 included the convention printing no program booklet, the video game room being upgraded, and the addition of a cosplay repair room. The convention expanded to the Holiday Inn Lancaster in 2024 and moved the gaming programming there. A shuttle bus was provided to travel between the venues. Thursday evening programming was available to attendees who pre-registered. The Holiday Inn had to be evacuated on Saturday due to public disturbances occurring at the Lancaster Public Library.

### Event history

| Dates | Location | Atten. | Guests |
| October 28, 2006 | Valley Forge Scanticon Hotel and Conference Center King of Prussia, Pennsylvania | 450 | Peter Fernandez, Corinne Orr, Prism, and Alex Strang. |
| October 13, 2007 | Valley Forge Scanticon Hotel and Conference Center King of Prussia, Pennsylvania | 570 | D-Chan, Hsu-nami, and Uncle Yo. |
| October 17–18, 2008 | Valley Forge Scanticon Hotel and Conference Center King of Prussia, Pennsylvania | 1,429 | Charles Batschelet, Jessi Bavolack, Michael Gans, CJ Henderson, Ikuzo! Studios, Michele Knotz, Matt Pascal, Raqs Attaq!, Laura Robinson, Will Robinson, Bill Rogers, The Slants, Rose Thompson, Ultraball, and Uncle Yo. |
| November 7–8, 2009 | Radisson Valley Forge Hotel King of Prussia, Pennsylvania | 1,988 | Robert Axelrod, Johnny Yong Bosch, Stephanie Celeste, C. J. Collins, Eden Star, Eyeshine, Geek Comedy Tour, Gerry Giovinco, CJ Henderson, Hi5, Chris Kalnick, Mike Leeke, Kevin McKeever, Reni Mimura, Trina Nishimura, Jessi Pascal, Matt Pascal, Rich Rankin, Laura Robinson, Will Robinson, Bill Spangler, Uncle Yo, Neil Vokes, Tommy Yune, and [geist]. |
| March 18–20, 2011 | Valley Forge Convention Center and Scanticon Hotel and Conference Center King of Prussia, Pennsylvania | 3,422 | Kevin Bolk, Gelatine, Todd Haberkorn, James Harknell, Onezumi Hartstein, CJ Henderson, DJ Luminal, Sarah Martinez, Vic Mignogna, Rose Noire, Uncle Yo, and Greg Wicker. |
| May 11–12, 2012 | Greater Philadelphia Expo Center at Oaks Oaks, Pennsylvania | 2,822 | The Asterplace, Jillian Coglan, Samurai Dan Coglan, CJ Henderson, Hi5, Michele Knotz, DJ Kurono, KyoDaiko, Pennsylvania Jedi, Platform One, Sonny Strait, Uncle Yo, and Japan America Society of Greater Philadelphia. |
| March 22–24, 2013 | Lancaster County Convention Center Lancaster, Pennsylvania | 3,376 | T. Campbell, John de Lancie, Eien Strife, Richard Epcar, Phil Kahn, DJ Midget, The Slants, Ellyn Stern, and Greg Wicker. |
| April 25–27, 2014 | Lancaster County Convention Center Lancaster, Pennsylvania | 4,422 | Gina Biggs, Cosplay Burlesque, Jim Cummings, The Extraordinary Contraptions, CJ Henderson, Greg Houser, Kuniko Kanawa, Lolita Dark, Jonathan Maberry, Brina Palencia, Bill Rogers, Marc Swint, Trifecta, Uncle Yo, Doug Walker, and Greg Wicker. |
| March 27–29, 2015 | Lancaster County Convention Center Lancaster, Pennsylvania | 5,079 | Cosplay Burlesque, Richard Horvitz, Kuniko Kanawa, Lauren Landa, Matthew Mercer, Trina Nishimura, Kambrea Pratt, Thom Pratt, The Ricecookers, Rikki Simons, Uncle Yo, Doug Walker, Rob Walker, and Greg Wicker. |
| April 1–3, 2016 | Lancaster County Convention Center Lancaster, Pennsylvania | 5,755 | Dante Basco, Kevin Bolk, Cosplay Burlesque, Eien Strife, Richard Epcar, Sarah Martinez, Vic Mignogna, Ellyn Stern, Alex Strang, Uncle Yo, Greg Wicker, and Lex Winter. |
| April 28-30, 2017 | Lancaster County Convention Center Lancaster, Pennsylvania | 5,569 | Steve Blum, Cosplay Burlesque, Cosplay Pro-Wrestling, Keith R. A. DeCandido, Kuniko Kanawa, John Patrick Lowrie, Mary Elizabeth McGlynn, Ellen McLain, The Slants, Uncle Yo, Greg Wicker, and Lex Winter. |
| May 4-6, 2018 | Lancaster County Convention Center Lancaster, Pennsylvania | 5,364 | Jessica Calvello, Cosplay Burlesque, Quinton Flynn, Kiba, Phil LaMarr, Jonathan Maberry, Jad Saxton, The Triforce Quartet, Greg Wicker, Sarah Wiedenheft, and Lex Winter. |
| March 22-24, 2019 | Lancaster County Convention Center Lancaster, Pennsylvania | | Cosplay Burlesque, Cosplay Pro-Wrestling, Michaela Dietz, Todd Haberkorn, Kiba, The Manly Battleships, Monica Rial, Samantha Sawyer, Austin Tindle, Lex Winter, and The X-Hunters. |
| March 19-21, 2021 | Online convention | | |
| March 25-27, 2022 | Lancaster County Convention Center Tellus360 Lancaster, Pennsylvania | | Awesomus Prime, Beau Billingslea, Chalk Twins, Greg Cox, Debi Derryberry, The Manly Battleships, Uncle Yo, Kari Wahlgren, and Mick Wingert. |
| March 24-26, 2023 | Lancaster County Convention Center Lancaster, Pennsylvania | | Chalk Twins, Keith R. A. DeCandido, Emi Lo, The Manly Battleships, Zeno Robinson, John Swasey, and Uncle Yo. |
| March 22-24, 2024 | Lancaster County Convention Center Holiday Inn Lancaster Lancaster, Pennsylvania | | Dani Chambers, Richard Epcar, The Manly Battleships, David Sobolov, Ellyn Stern, Super Art Fight, Kirk Thornton, and Uncle Yo. |
| March 20-23, 2025 | Lancaster County Convention Center Lancaster, Pennsylvania | | Awesomus Prime, Kira Buckland, SungWon Cho, Greg Cox, Lizzie Freeman, Michael Kovach, Lex Lang, The Manly Battleships, Casey Mongillo, Ashley Nichols, Natalie Rial, Jack Stansbury, Super Art Fight, Uncle Yo, Kari Wahlgren, and Matthew Waterson. |

## Kosaikon Anifest

Kosaikon was an anime convention held from 2003 to 2005 on the campus of Villanova University. The convention featured anime screenings, artists' alley, an artist's gallery, cosplay contest, and video gaming with tournaments.

### Event history

| Dates | Location | Atten. |
| May 31, 2003 | Villanova University Villanova, Pennsylvania | 73 |
| February 21, 2004 | Villanova University Villanova, Pennsylvania | 103 |
| October 9, 2004 | Villanova University, Bartley Hall Villanova, Pennsylvania | 110 |
| March 26, 2005 | Villanova University, Bartley Hall Villanova, Pennsylvania | 380 |

## Zentrancon

Zentrancon was an anime and science fiction convention held on October 16, 2005 at The Rotunda, University of Pennsylvania. It was created by members of the Delaware Anime Society. The convention featured autograph sessions, costume contests, dealers, film screenings, raffles, tabletop gaming, and video game tournaments.

### Event history

| Dates | Location | Atten. | Guests |
| October 16, 2005 | The Rotunda Philadelphia, Pennsylvania | 365 | Eric Bresler, D-Chan, and Corinne Orr. |

## Collaborations

Zenkaikon staff provided anime and Asian content to America's Video Games Expo 2008 (VGXPO) at the Pennsylvania Convention Center, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on November 21–23, 2008. Content included screenings, panels, gaming tournaments, and karaoke. Zenkaikon returned to VGXPO 2009 on October 9–11, 2009 and provided two screening rooms for anime. Zenkaikon hosted a Cosplay Fashion Show in Fairmount Park during Sakura Sunday at the 2012 Subaru Cherry Blossom Festival of Greater Philadelphia.