Zenkaikon

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title: "Zenkaikon" type: doc version: 1 created: 2026-02-28 author: "Wikipedia contributors" status: active scope: public tags: ["multigenre-conventions", "recurring-events-established-in-2006", "2006-establishments-in-pennsylvania", "annual-events-in-pennsylvania", "anime-conventions-in-the-united-states", "festivals-in-pennsylvania", "tourist-attractions-in-lancaster-county,-pennsylvania", "culture-of-lancaster,-pennsylvania", "tourist-attractions-in-lancaster,-pennsylvania", "conventions-in-pennsylvania"] description: "Multi-genre convention in Lancaster, Pennsylvania" topic_path: "geography/united-states" source: "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zenkaikon" license: "CC BY-SA 4.0" wikipedia_page_id: 0 wikipedia_revision_id: 0

::summary Multi-genre convention in Lancaster, Pennsylvania ::

::data[format=table title="Infobox convention"]

Field	Value
name	Zenkaikon
image	Zenkaikon Logo.jpg
image_size	250px
status	Active
genre	Multi-genre including Anime, Manga, Science Fiction, and popular culture
venue	Lancaster County Convention Center
Holiday Inn Lancaster
location	Lancaster, Pennsylvania
country	United States
first	2006
organizer	Zenkaikon Entertainment, Inc.
filing	501(c)(3)
attendance	5,364 in 2018
website	http://www.zenkaikon.com/
::

| name = Zenkaikon | image = Zenkaikon Logo.jpg | image_size = 250px | caption = | status = Active | genre = Multi-genre including Anime, Manga, Science Fiction, and popular culture | venue = Lancaster County Convention Center Holiday Inn Lancaster | location = Lancaster, Pennsylvania | country = United States | first = 2006 | organizer = Zenkaikon Entertainment, Inc. | filing = 501(c)(3) | attendance = 5,364 in 2018 | website = http://www.zenkaikon.com/

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. 2025's charity was the Lancaster Public Library.

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. The convention continued to be split between the Lancaster County Convention Center and Holiday Inn in 2025, along with having Thursday programming. Artists Alley and the guest list were also expanded.

Event history

::data[format=table]

Dates	Location	Atten.	Guests
date = October 28, 2006	venue = Valley Forge Scanticon Hotel and Conference Center	location = King of Prussia, Pennsylvania	attendance = 450
::

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

::data[format=table]

Dates	Location	Atten.	Guests
date = May 31, 2003	venue = Villanova University	location = Villanova, Pennsylvania	attendance = 73
::

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

::data[format=table]

Dates	Location	Atten.	Guests
date = October 16, 2005	venue = The Rotunda	Philadelphia, Pennsylvania]]	attendance = 365
::

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.

References

References

1. "Kosaikon Anifest 2003 Information". AnimeCons.com.
2. link. "KosaiKon Winter AniFest 2004 Information". AnimeCons.com
3. "KosaiKon Autumn AniFest 2004 Information". AnimeCons.com.
4. "KosaiKon Easter Anifest 2005 Information". AnimeCons.com.
5. "Zentrancon 2005 Information". AnimeCons.com.
6. "Zenkaikon 2006 Information". AnimeCons.com.
7. "Zenkaikon 2007 Information". AnimeCons.com.
8. "Zenkaikon 2008 Information". AnimeCons.com.
9. "Zenkaikon 2009 Information". AnimeCons.com.
10. "Zenkaikon 2011 Information". AnimeCons.com.
11. "Zenkaikon 2012 Information". AnimeCons.com.
12. "Zenkaikon 2013 Information". FanCons.com.
13. "Zenkaikon 2014 Information". FanCons.com.
14. "Zenkaikon 2015 Information". FanCons.com.
15. "Zenkaikon 2016 Information". FanCons.com.
16. "Zenkaikon 2017 Information". FanCons.com.
17. "Zenkaikon 2018 Information". FanCons.com.
18. "Zenkaikon 2019 Information". FanCons.com.
19. "Zenkaikon 2020 Information". FanCons.com.
20. "Zenkaikon 2021 Information". FanCons.com.
21. "Zenkaikon 2022 Information". FanCons.com.
22. "Zenkaikon 2023 Information". FanCons.com.
23. "Zenkaikon 2024 Information". FanCons.com.
24. "Zenkaikon 2025 Information". FanCons.com.
25. "Zenkaikon 2026 Information". FanCons.com.
26. "Kosaikon and Zentrancon announce plans to merge". Anime News Network.
27. "Zenkaikon Announces 2011 Attendance and Japan Relief Effort Donation". Anime News Network.
28. Parks, Andrew. (July 2025). "Con Men Animation Celebration". Philadelphia City Paper.
29. Dyroff, Denny. (2012-05-11). "Convention in Oaks celebrates Japanese animation and pop culture". Daily Local News.
30. (March 13, 2020). "Zenkaikon 2020 in Lancaster County cancelled". FOX43.
31. (March 19, 2016). "Lancaster's Zenkaikon: Sci-fi and anime fans unite". FlipSidePA.
32. Hartstein, Onezumi. (2011-02-18). "How to start your own anime convention". New Jersey On-Line.
33. Davis, Hannah. (2005-03-25). "Drawn to anime Fans find other aficionados along with video games, films, a costume contest and art show at KosaiKon.". Philly.com.
34. Harris, Bernard. (2013-03-24). "Zenkaikon a chance to see and be seen". Lancaster Online.
35. (2014-01-27). "Zenkaikon: Anime and more at Lancaster County Convention Center April 25–27". Lancaster Online.
36. Wright, Mary Ellen. (2014-04-24). "Fans of anime, sci-fi, fantasy, gaming and more converge at Zenkaikon this weekend in Lancaster". Lancaster Online.
37. (March 25, 2015). "Zenkaikon to draw costumed throng ready for sci-fi, fantasy, anime weekend". Lancaster Online.
38. (April 27, 2017). "Zenkaikon brings costumed sci-fi, anime, gaming and comic fans back to Lancaster this weekend". Lancaster Online.
39. (May 3, 2018). "Here's what's new at Zenkaikon this weekend at the Lancaster County Convention Center". Lancaster Online.
40. (March 21, 2019). "Zenkaikon is back Friday for its 'lucky' 13th cosplay convention in Lancaster". Lancaster Online.
41. (March 20, 2020). "Zenkaikon announces abbreviated schedule of virtual panels for Saturday". LancasterOnline.
42. (March 23, 2022). "Zenkaikon 2022: A full guide to Lancaster's yearly downtown anime convention". Lancaster Online.
43. (March 24, 2023). "Zenkaikon 2023: Your complete guide to this year's convention that celebrates all things nerdy". Lancaster Online.
44. (21 March 2024). "Zenkaikon 2024: Your guide for downtown Lancaster's multi-genre pop culture convention". LancasterOnline.
45. (23 March 2024). "Lancaster city businesses' busy Saturday was disrupted by threats to library". LancasterOnline.
46. (18 March 2025). "Zenkaikon 2025: Your guide to Lancaster's annual pop culture, anime convention". LancasterOnline.
47. Ulaby, Neda. (2011-03-21). "Japan Disaster Strikes Home Among Anime Fans". NPR.
48. (27 March 2024). "Parsons, D'Agostino stand by drag story hour statements". One United Lancaster.
49. Hatmaker, Julia. (2014-04-26). "Zenkaikon invades Lancaster with more than 4,000 anime and sci-fi enthusiasts". Penn Live.
50. (March 29, 2015). "Zenkaikon 2015 review: Attendance records broken, Dracula officially slain". Penn Live.
51. (July 2025). "Photos: Sakura Sunday". Philadelphia Weekly.
52. (2008-10-16). "Zenkaikon to provide anime content at VGXPO 2008". AnimeCons.com.
53. (2008-09-16). "Meet Zenkaikon at Video Game Expo, GameX, & Video Games Live". AnimeCons.com.
54. "Zenkaikon Announces 2012 Convention". Vidgle.
55. Parmley, Suzette. (2011-04-28). "Valley Forge casino expansion, financing plan approved". Philly.com.
56. (March 27, 2015). "Inside the 'Zenkaikon Anime' Convention in Lancaster". WGAL.
57. (29 March 2024). "Business owners concerned about bomb threat's impact on future tourism". WGAL.
58. "Zenkaikon 2012 Press Kit". Zenkaikon.
59. (2008-02-20). "Zenkaikon 2008 announces first round of guests". AnimeCons.com.
60. (2008-11-17). "Zenkaikon announces 2009 convention dates". AnimeCons.com.
61. (2009-10-27). "Zenkaikon announces Reni Mimura, programming changes, attendance cap". AnimeCons.com.
62. (2010-04-11). "Zenkaikon announces fifth convention".
63. (12 March 2020). "Zenkaikon 2020 Cancellation". Zenkaikon.
64. "Zenkaikon 2021 cancelled".

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