JAFAX

JAFAX
Status Active
Genre Anime, Manga, Gaming[1][2]
Venue Grand Valley State University
Location(s) Allendale, Michigan
Country United States
Inaugurated 1996
Attendance 5,500 in 2014[3]
Organized by Otaku No Anime and AltReal[2]
Website
http://www.jafax.org/

JAFAX is an annual two day anime convention held during June at Grand Valley State University in Allendale, Michigan.[4] The conventions full name stands for Japanese Animation Film and Art Expo and is organized by the universities anime club (Otaku No Anime) and tabletop gaming club (AltReal).[2][5] The event is free.[6][7]

Programming

The convention typically offers anime screenings, am artist alley, fashion shows, game shows, guest speakers, masquerade, music video contest, panel discussions, tabletop gaming, vendors, and video games.[2][4][5][6]

History

The event was started in 1995 by Rob Grimes, to spread anime in West Michigan.[2][5] JAFAX for its first two years was held at the Kendall College of Art and Design, before moving to Grand Valley State University.[2]

Event history

Dates Location Atten. Guests
June, 1996 Kendall College of Art and Design
Grand Rapids, Michigan		150[8]
June 21–22, 1997 Kendall College of Art and Design
Grand Rapids, Michigan		350[9]
June 27–28, 1998 Grand Valley State University
Allendale, Michigan		500 Robert DeJesus[10]
June 19, 1999 Grand Valley State University
Allendale, Michigan		750[11]
June 24–25, 2000 Grand Valley State University
Allendale, Michigan		800 Robert DeJesus[12]
June 24–25, 2001 Grand Valley State University
Allendale, Michigan		900 Steve Bennett, Robert DeJesus, and Doug Smith.[13]
June 22–23, 2002 Grand Valley State University
Allendale, Michigan		1,300 Steve Bennett, James Dawsey, Robert DeJesus, Nickey Froberg, Amy Howard-Wilson, and Doug Smith.[14]
June 21–22, 2003 Grand Valley State University
Allendale, Michigan		1,500 James Dawsey, Robert DeJesus, Amy Howard-Wilson, Bruce Lewis, Jan Scott-Frazier, and Doug Smith.[15]
June 26–27, 2004 Grand Valley State University
Allendale, Michigan		2,200 Michael Coleman, James Dawsey, Emily DeJesus, Robert DeJesus, Newton Ewell, Nickey Froberg, Amy Howard-Wilson, Bruce Lewis, Kevin Lillard, Jan Scott-Frazier, and Doug Smith.[1][16]
June 25–26, 2005 Grand Valley State University
Allendale, Michigan		 Michael Coleman, James Dawsey, Emily DeJesus, Robert DeJesus, Trevor Devall, Nickey Froberg, Amy Howard-Wilson, Bruce Lewis, and Jan Scott-Frazier.[17]
June 24–25, 2006[18] Grand Valley State University
Allendale, Michigan
June 24–25, 2007 Grand Valley State University
Allendale, Michigan		2,500[19]
June 21–22, 2008 Grand Valley State University
Allendale, Michigan		 James Dawsey, Emily DeJesus, Robert DeJesus, Amy Howard-Wilson, Bruce Lewis, Mundee Lewis, Joseph Onyskow, Jan Scott-Frazier, Bruce Lewis, and David G. Wilson III.[20]
June 27–28, 2009 Grand Valley State University
Allendale, Michigan		 Mark Crilley, James Dawsey, Emily DeJesus, Robert DeJesus, Amy Howard-Wilson, Bruce Lewis, Mundee Lewis, Joseph Onyskow, Jeremy Robinson, Jan Scott-Frazier, Doug Smith, and David G. Wilson III.[21]
June 26–27, 2010 Grand Valley State University
Allendale, Michigan		3,000 Tiffany Grant, Amy Howard-Wilson, Joseph Onyskow, Jan Scott-Frazier, and Doug Smith.[22]
June 25–26, 2011 Grand Valley State University
Allendale, Michigan		3,200 James Dawsey, Emily DeJesus, Robert DeJesus, Kyle Hebert, Michael House, Dan Houser, Joseph Onyskow, Kristene Onyskow, Jan Scott-Frazier, and Doug Smith.[23]
June 23–24, 2012 Grand Valley State University
Allendale, Michigan		3,500 Mark Crilley, James Dawsey, Emily DeJesus, Robert DeJesus, Dan Houser, Amy Howard-Wilson, Joseph Onyskow, Kristene Onyskow, Jeremy Robinson, Salia, Jan Scott-Frazier, Doug Smith, and David G. Wilson III.[24]
June 22–23, 2013 Grand Valley State University
Allendale, Michigan		3,800 Yunmao Ayakawa, James Dawsey, Emily DeJesus, Robert DeJesus, Dan Houser, Amy Howard-Wilson, Comfort Love, Joseph Onyskow, Kristene Onyskow, Jan Scott-Frazier, Doug Smith, David G. Wilson III, and Adam Withers.[4][25]
June 21–22, 2014 Grand Valley State University
Allendale, Michigan		5,500 James Dawsey, Emily DeJesus, Robert DeJesus, Darrel Guilbeau, Dan Houser, Amy Howard-Wilson, Joseph Onyskow, Kristene Onyskow, Chris Rager, Jan Scott-Frazier, Doug Smith, Lisle Wilkerson, and David G. Wilson III.[3]

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 "Celebrating Japanese Animation". Grand Valley State University. June 25, 2004. Retrieved 24 June 2014.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 Phillips, Ellie (July 7, 2013). "Modern expo also offers traditional Japanese entertainment". Grand Valley Lanthorn. Retrieved 24 June 2014.
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 "JAFAX 2014 Information". AnimeCons.com. Retrieved 2014-06-24.
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 Hayden, Jim (June 18, 2013). "JAFAX anime convention teeming with just plain cool costumes". Holland Sentinel. Retrieved 24 June 2014.
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 Odette, Linda (June 24, 2010). "JAFAX, Grand Rapids anime expo, opens Saturday at GVSU". MLive. Retrieved 24 June 2014.
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 Hayden, Jim (June 20, 2014). "Annual anime conference JAFAX will bring out creative costumes". Holland Sentinel. Retrieved 24 June 2014.
  7. ↑ Ayakawa, Yunmao (August 2, 2012). "JAFAX Cosplay Takes Over Grand Rapids, MI". Otaku USA. Retrieved 24 June 2014.
  8. ↑ "JAFAX 1996 Information". AnimeCons.com. Retrieved 2014-06-23.
  9. ↑ "JAFAX 1997 Information". AnimeCons.com. Retrieved 2014-06-23.
  10. ↑ "JAFAX 1998 Information". AnimeCons.com. Retrieved 2014-06-23.
  11. ↑ "JAFAX 1999 Information". AnimeCons.com. Retrieved 2014-06-23.
  12. ↑ "JAFAX 2000 Information". AnimeCons.com. Retrieved 2014-06-23.
  13. ↑ "JAFAX 2001 Information". AnimeCons.com. Retrieved 2014-06-23.
  14. ↑ "JAFAX 2002 Information". AnimeCons.com. Retrieved 2014-06-23.
  15. ↑ "JAFAX 2003 Information". AnimeCons.com. Retrieved 2014-06-23.
  16. ↑ "JAFAX 2004 Information". AnimeCons.com. Retrieved 2014-06-23.
  17. ↑ "JAFAX 2005 Information". AnimeCons.com. Retrieved 2014-06-23.
  18. ↑ "JAFAX 2006 Information". AnimeCons.com. Retrieved 2014-06-23.
  19. ↑ "JAFAX 2007 Information". AnimeCons.com. Retrieved 2014-06-23.
  20. ↑ "JAFAX 2008 Information". AnimeCons.com. Retrieved 2014-06-23.
  21. ↑ "JAFAX 2009 Information". AnimeCons.com. Retrieved 2014-06-23.
  22. ↑ "JAFAX 2010 Information". AnimeCons.com. Retrieved 2014-06-23.
  23. ↑ "JAFAX 2011 Information". AnimeCons.com. Retrieved 2014-06-23.
  24. ↑ "JAFAX 2012 Information". AnimeCons.com. Retrieved 2014-06-23.
  25. ↑ "JAFAX 2013 Information". AnimeCons.com. Retrieved 2014-06-23.

External links

Coordinates: 42°57′47.77″N 85°53′17.2″W / 42.9632694°N 85.888111°W