AnimeNEXT

Summary

AnimeNEXT (AN) is an annual three-day anime convention held at the New Jersey Convention and Exposition Center in Edison, New Jersey. The convention was previously held at the Meadowlands Exposition Center in Secaucus, New Jersey, the Garden State Exhibit Center in Somerset, New Jersey, and the Atlantic City Convention Center in Atlantic City, New Jersey.

AnimeNEXT
Animenext logo
Berryz Kobo at AnimeNEXT 2012
StatusActive
GenreAnime, Manga, Japanese culture[1]
VenueNew Jersey Convention and Exposition Center
Location(s)Edison, New Jersey
CountryUnited States
Inaugurated2002[2][3]
Attendance11,026 in 2018[4]
Organized byUniversal Animation, Inc.[1][2][3]
Websitehttp://www.animenext.org/

Programming edit

The convention typically offers anime music video (AMV) screenings, cosplay chess, a dance, dealer's room, karaoke, panels, masquerade, video gaming, and video rooms.[2][5][6][7]

History edit

The first convention in 2002 was put on with limited staffing and was planned in eight months.[6] In 2008 parts of the convention were held in the parking garage below the Meadowlands Exposition Center.[8] The convention then moved to the Garden State Exhibit Center, although it experienced crowding issues in 2012 with outdoor space used for lines.[9] AnimeNEXT moved to the Atlantic City Convention Center in Atlantic City, New Jersey for 2016, with the deal lasting until 2020.[2][10] The convention moved due to outgrowing the Garden State Exhibit Center.[2] In 2016, the United States finals of the World Cosplay Summit were held at AnimeNEXT.[2][11] Major communication and scheduling issues with panels occurred before and during the 2017 convention.[12] Accusations of past staff member harassment were published in 2019, with former con chair Eric Torgersen being suspended in April.[13][14]

AnimeNEXT 2020 was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[15][16] The convention was changed to an online only event for 2021, due to the Atlantic City Convention Center being used as a large scale COVID-19 vaccination center.[17][18][19] AnimeNEXT 2022 was cancelled due to problems with the Atlantic City Convention Center. Issues included significant price increases for the venue, lack of COVID-19 policies, and no communication about another event in the area during the same weekend, the Orange Loop Rock Festival.[20][21]

AnimeNEXT would move to the New Jersey Convention and Exposition Center in Edison, NJ in 2023. The organizers would shift the COVID-19 policy from "masks required" to "masks encouraged" just two weeks prior to the 2023 event.[22]

In February 2024, AnimeNEXT management made a post across their social media accounts stating that "Universal Animation, Inc., the parent company of AnimeNEXT, recently faced circumstances that brought planning for our 2024 convention to a screeching halt." The post went on to confirm that the convention would not be held that year, stating that "As a result, we will not be holding AnimeNEXT 2024."[23]

Event history edit

Dates Location Attendance Guests
October 11–13, 2002 Crowne Plaza Meadowlands
Secaucus, New Jersey
1,071Kia Asamiya, Robert Bricken, C.B. Cebulski, Richard Ian Cox, Robert DeJesus, Mike Hayes, Jamie McGonnigal, Kristen Nelson, Frank Pannone, Steve Pearl, Bill Rogers, Michael Sinterniklaas, Myriam Sirois, and Toshifumi Yoshida.[24]
October 3–5, 2003 Rye Town Hilton
Rye Brook, New York
1,571B! Machine, Steve Bennett, Chris Beveridge, Robert Bricken, C.B. Cebulski, Clark Cheng, Tiffany Grant, Wayne Grayson, Jon Guttierez, Daniel Kevin Harrison, Himawari, Takehiko Ito, Trish Ledoux, Rob Malda, Jamie McGonnigal, MegaZone, Kristen Nelson, Frank Pannone, Peelander-Z, Mike Pollock, Georgette Reilly, Bill Rogers, Jan Scott-Frazier, Trisha Lynn Sebastian, Michael Sinterniklaas, John Sirabella, Moneca Stori, James Arnold Taylor, Marc Thompson, Bill Timoney, Tom Wayland, David L. Williams, Barry Winston, and Toshifumi Yoshida.[25]
June 18–20, 2004 Crowne Plaza Meadowlands
Secaucus, New Jersey
3,400Alissyn Brock, Kelli Shayne Butler, C.B. Cebulski, Cosmicity, Richard Ian Cox, Edwin De La Cruz, Lauren Goodnight, Trish Ledoux, Rob Malda, Kenneth Robert Marlo, Matt K. Miller, Mari Morimoto, Merideth Mulroney, Lisa Ortiz, Stephen Pakula, Peelander-Z, Mike Pollock, Bill Rogers, Michael Sinterniklaas, The Spunks, Moneca Stori, Veronica Taylor, Marc Thompson, Matt Thorn, Tom Wayland, David L. Williams, Barry Winston, and Toshifumi Yoshida.[26]
June 17–19, 2005 Meadowlands Exposition Center
Holiday Inn Meadowlands
Secaucus, New Jersey
4,200Alissyn Brock, Akitaroh Daichi, Mark Diraison, Caitlin Glass, Lauren Goodnight, Wayne Grayson, Lance Heiskell, Mayumi Kobayashi, Trish Ledoux, Vic Mignogna, Sean Molyneaux, Merideth Mulroney, Ed Paul, Peelander-Z, Mike Pollock, Justin Sevakis, Uzuhi, Tom Wayland, David L. Williams, Kerry Williams, Travis Willingham, Reiko Yasuhara, and Toshifumi Yoshida.[27]
June 16–18, 2006 Meadowlands Exposition Center
Holiday Inn Meadowlands
Secaucus, New Jersey
6,000Laura Bailey, Colleen Clinkenbeard, D'espairsRay, Caitlin Glass, Lauren Goodnight, Wayne Grayson, Trish Ledoux, Masao Maruyama, Vic Mignogna, Mari Morimoto, Mike Pollock, Rintaro, Bill Rogers, Harold Sakuishi, Michael Sinterniklaas, Marc Thompson, Kari Wahlgren, David L. Williams, and Toshifumi Yoshida.[28]
July 6–8, 2007 Meadowlands Exposition Center
Holiday Inn Meadowlands
Secaucus, New Jersey
7,10012012, Eric Calderon, Daisuke Gomi, Wayne Grayson, Toyo Ikeda, Jonathan Klein, Michele Knotz, Mari Morimoto, Kensuke Okabayashi, Frank Pannone, Chris Patton, Ed Paul, Mike Pollock, Monica Rial, Bill Rogers, Michael Sinterniklaas, Gustavo Sorola, Tom Wayland, and Kathleen Zuelch.[29]
June 20–22, 2008 Meadowlands Exposition Center
Holiday Inn Meadowlands
Secaucus, New Jersey
7,900Greg Ayres, Steve Bennett, Leah Clark, Joe Digiorgi, Aidan Drummond, Brian Drummond, James Harknell, Michele Knotz, Chris "Kilika" Malone, Rich McNanna, Dallas Middaugh, Mari Morimoto, Kensuke Okabayashi, Rentrer en Soi, Bill Rogers, Brad Swaile, Michael "Mookie" Terracciano, Alison Viktorin, and Tom Wayland.[30]
June 12–14, 2009 Garden State Exhibit Center
Somerset DoubleTree Hotel
Somerset, New Jersey
Shihan Carbonaro, Fake?, Wayne Grayson, Kyle Hebert, Michele Knotz, Dave Lister, Chris "Kilika" Malone, Misako Rocks!, Mike Pollock, Stacie Renna, Bill Rogers, Michael "Mookie" Terracciano, Bill Timoney, Tom Wayland, and Toshifumi Yoshida.[31]
June 18–20, 2010 Garden State Exhibit Center
Somerset, New Jersey
Greg Ayres, Martin Billany, Eirik Blackwolf, Gashicon, Kyle Hebert, Kenji Kamiyama, Anthony Kresky, Dave Lister, Chris "Kilika" Malone, Kevin McKeever, Tony Oliver, Stacie Renna, Sleeping Samurai, Stereopony, and Uncle Yo [32]
June 10–12, 2011 Garden State Exhibit Center
Somerset, New Jersey
Robert Axelrod, Greg Ayres, Chipocrite, Leah Clark, Joe Foering, Onezumi Hartstein, Kanon, Yu Kimura, Michele Knotz, Dave Lister, Scott A. Melzer, Vic Mignogna, Mix Speaker's,Inc., Satoru Nakamura, Trina Nishimura, Promise Sisters, Matt Pyson, Bill Rogers, Takamasa Sakurai, Sixh, Uzuhi, Mike Wall, Tom Wayland, Steve Yun, and Tommy Yune.[33]
June 8–10, 2012 Garden State Exhibit Center
Somerset, New Jersey
9,850Berryz Kobo, Kevin Bolk, C.R.A.Z.Y.O.T.A.K.U., Chipocrite, Leah Clark, Kara Edwards, Bill Ellis, Toshihiro Fukuoka, Kyle Hebert, Michele Knotz, Dave Lister, Kevin McKeever, Dani O'Brien, Satsuki, and Z8 (Z-Ann).[34]
June 7–9, 2013 Garden State Exhibit Center
Somerset, New Jersey
10,283The Asterplace, Greg Ayres, C.R.A.Z.Y.O.T.A.K.U., Chris Cason, Chipocrite, Greg Houser, Akinori Isobe, Masumi Kano, Michele Knotz, Kevin McKeever, Mint, Moon Stream, Mike Pollock, Bill Rogers, Hiroshi Shimizu, Saki Tachibana, Mike Toole, Uncle Yo, Hiro Usuda, Sayo Yamamoto, Steve Yun, and Tommy Yune.[35]
June 6–8, 2014 Garden State Exhibit Center
Somerset, New Jersey
11,940C.R.A.Z.Y.O.T.A.K.U., Chipocrite, Richard Epcar, Jessie James Grelle, Luna Haruna, Greg Houser, Kimura U, Jonathan Klein, Michele Knotz, Shigeto Koyama, Matthew Mercer, Gerald Rathkolb, Bill Rogers, ROOKiEZ is PUNK'D, Ellyn Stern, Daryl Surat, Alexis Tipton, Hiromi Wakabayashi, and Lex Winter.[36]
June 12–14, 2015 Garden State Exhibit Center
Somerset, New Jersey
14,500Kira Buckland, C.R.A.Z.Y.O.T.A.K.U., Chipocrite, Elisa, Flow, Todd Haberkorn, Naoto Hirooka, Takafumi Hori, Greg Houser, Michele Knotz, Shigeto Koyama, Matthew Lassiter, Brittany Lauda, Neil Nadelman, Tyson Rinehart, Jason Robinson, Bill Rogers, Sushio, Aya Suzuki, Marc Swint, Mike Toole, Uncle Yo, Vedetta Marie, Hiromi Wakabayashi, and Lex Winter.[37]
June 10–12, 2016 Atlantic City Convention Center
Atlantic City, New Jersey
12,374Akira Amemiya, C.R.A.Z.Y.O.T.A.K.U., Akitaroh Daichi, Richard Epcar, Clarissa Graffeo, Todd Haberkorn, Rei Hiroe, Jonathan Klein, Megumi Kouno, Shigeto Koyama, Matthew Lassiter, Naoko Matsui, Helen McCarthy, Erica Mendez, Mint, Gerald Rathkolb, Bill Rogers, ROOKiEZ is PUNK'D, Ellyn Stern, Daryl Surat, Marc Swint, Mike Toole, Uncle Yo, Vedetta Marie, Hiromi Wakabayashi, Lex Winter, and Zaq.[38]
June 9–11, 2017 Atlantic City Convention Center
Atlantic City, New Jersey
12,733Capcom Live!, Cosplay Pro-Wrestling, Zack Davisson, Richard Epcar, Sandy Fox, Toshihiro Fukuoka, Shuhei Handa, Noriko Hidaka, Izumi Hirose, Noriko Ito, Itto-Maru, Tomochi Kosaka, Shigeto Koyama, Lex Lang, Erica Lindbeck, Nao, Oblivion Dust, Takahiro Ogawa, Katriel Paige, Ellyn Stern, John Swasey, Junpei Tatenaka, Mike Toole, Reina Ueda, Uncle Yo, Viga, Hiromi Wakabayashi, Lex Winter, Junko Yamanaka, and Yoh Yoshinari.[39]
June 8–10, 2018 Atlantic City Convention Center
Atlantic City, New Jersey
11,026All Off, Shinji Aramaki, Katelyn Barr, Johnny Yong Bosch, Caitlynn French, Kenji Kamiyama, Marina Kawano, Kyle McCarley, Mint, Bryce Papenbrook, Juliet Simmons, Bill Timoney, and U.[4]
June 7–9, 2019 Atlantic City Convention Center
Atlantic City, New Jersey
Zach Aguilar, Aimi, Erika Ando, Cellchrome, Richard Epcar, Sandy Fox, Toshihiro Fukuoka, Jessie James Grelle, Kohei Hattori, Akemi Hayashi, Itto-Maru, Hirokatsu Kihara, Lex Lang, LeChat, Max Mittelman, Shihori Nakane, Ellyn Stern, Andrew Upton, Hiroko Utsumi, and Ayumi Yamada.[40]
June 11–13, 2021[19] Online convention
June 16–18, 2023 New Jersey Convention
and Exposition Center
Edison, New Jersey
Jon Allen, Morgan Berry, Beau Billingslea, Blue Encount, Charles Campbell, Bob Carter, Paul Castro Jr., Sandy Fox, Ray Hurd, Jeremy Inman, Lex Lang, Kristen McGuire, Amanda C. Miller, Phil Parsons, and Tara Sands.[41]

Manga library edit

AnimeNEXT has taken their Manga library to other conventions, including Otakon and New York Comic Con.[42][43]

See also edit

References edit

  1. ^ a b "AnimeNEXT 2011 welcomes Japanese fashion designers Sixh". AnimeCons.com. Retrieved 2018-06-04.
  2. ^ a b c d e f DiGiacomo, Robert (June 7, 2016). "A.C. Convention Center to welcome debut of AnimeNext". Atlantic City Weekly. Retrieved 26 June 2016.
  3. ^ a b "Universal Animation, Inc. Information". AnimeCons.com. Retrieved 2018-08-21.
  4. ^ a b "AnimeNEXT 2018 Information". AnimeCons.com. Retrieved 2018-10-02.
  5. ^ Sears, Stefanie (2010-11-24). "MSU's Japan Club wins at AnimeNext and Celebrates Japanese Culture". The Montclarion. Archived from the original on May 21, 2015. Retrieved 2013-02-09.
  6. ^ a b Font, Dillon (November 2002). "AnimeNEXT: First Year Con-A-Go-Go". Animefringe. Retrieved 2013-02-09.
  7. ^ Gottlieb, Christopher (2006-06-23). "Cosplayers portray their favorite characters from anime". Herald News.
  8. ^ "Who's NEXT? An Awesome Anime Convention". Toon Zone. 2008-07-13. Archived from the original on 2013-06-03. Retrieved 2013-02-09.
  9. ^ "AnimeCons TV: July 2012: AnimeNEXT, PortConMaine, and Con Plague". AnimeCons TV. 2012-07-01. Retrieved 2018-06-01.
  10. ^ Hilario, Kenneth (July 30, 2015). "A.C. nabs major Japanese convention in 5-year deal". Philadelphia Business Journal. Retrieved 26 June 2016.
  11. ^ Tracey, Sara (June 10, 2016). "Atlantic City's AnimeNEXT con explores art, appeal of Japanese animation". Press of Atlantic City. Retrieved 26 June 2016.
  12. ^ Wilder, Doug; NA, Xan; Winnicki, Tom (19 June 2017). "AnimeCons TV: AnimeNEXT 2017 Report". AnimeCons TV. Retrieved 1 June 2018.
  13. ^ Loveridge, Lynzee (May 22, 2019). "AnimeNEXT Staff Launch Investigation Into Sexual Misconduct Allegations Against Former Con Chair". Anime News Network. Retrieved 24 May 2019.
  14. ^ Loveridge, Lynzee (May 28, 2019). "AnimeNEXT: Former Con Chair Suspended From Staff Pending Investigation". Anime News Network. Retrieved 30 May 2019.
  15. ^ Tobias, Justin. "AnimeNEXT Cancellation Announcement & Next Steps". AnimeNEXT. Archived from the original on 4 April 2020. Retrieved 1 April 2020.
  16. ^ "AnimeNEXT 2020 Information". AnimeCons.com. Retrieved 2020-04-01.
  17. ^ "AnimeNEXT 2021 Online-Only Announcement". AnimeNEXT. Archived from the original on 8 June 2021. Retrieved 8 June 2021.
  18. ^ Bongard, Kimberlee (March 29, 2021). "Vaccine Mega-Site Coming To Atlantic City Convention Center". Galloway, NJ Patch. Retrieved 8 June 2021.
  19. ^ a b "AnimeNEXT 2021 Information". AnimeCons.com. Retrieved 2020-04-01.
  20. ^ Mateo, Alex (March 30, 2022). "New Jersey's AnimeNEXT Cancels 2022 Event Due to Issues with Convention Center". Anime News Network. Retrieved 25 May 2022.
  21. ^ "AnimeNEXT 2022 Information". AnimeCons.com. Retrieved 2022-05-24.
  22. ^ "AN 2023: Convention COVID Policy".
  23. ^ "New Jersey's AnimeNEXT 2024 Event Canceled". Anime News Network. 2024-02-09. Retrieved 2024-02-10.
  24. ^ "AnimeNEXT 2002 Information". AnimeCons.com. Retrieved 2018-08-21.
  25. ^ "AnimeNEXT 2003 Information". AnimeCons.com. Retrieved 2013-02-03.
  26. ^ "AnimeNEXT 2004 Information". AnimeCons.com. Retrieved 2008-05-12.
  27. ^ "AnimeNEXT 2005 Information". AnimeCons.com. Retrieved 2008-05-12.
  28. ^ "AnimeNEXT 2006 Information". AnimeCons.com. Retrieved 2008-05-12.
  29. ^ "AnimeNEXT 2007 Information". AnimeCons.com. Retrieved 2019-04-14.
  30. ^ "AnimeNEXT 2008 Information". AnimeCons.com. Retrieved 2008-08-22.
  31. ^ "AnimeNEXT 2009 Information". AnimeCons.com. Retrieved 2010-05-08.
  32. ^ "AnimeNEXT 2010 Information". AnimeCons.com. Retrieved 2013-02-04.
  33. ^ "AnimeNEXT 2011 Information". AnimeCons.com. Retrieved 2013-02-04.
  34. ^ "AnimeNEXT 2012 Information". AnimeCons.com. Retrieved 2019-04-14.
  35. ^ "AnimeNEXT 2013 Information". AnimeCons.com. Retrieved 2013-07-22.
  36. ^ "AnimeNEXT 2014 Information". AnimeCons.com. Retrieved 2014-06-16.
  37. ^ "AnimeNEXT 2015 Information". AnimeCons.com. Retrieved 2015-06-19.
  38. ^ "AnimeNEXT 2016 Information". AnimeCons.com. Retrieved 2016-09-30.
  39. ^ "AnimeNEXT 2017 Information". AnimeCons.com. Retrieved 2017-06-28.
  40. ^ "AnimeNEXT 2019 Information". AnimeCons.com. Retrieved 2019-06-20.
  41. ^ "AnimeNEXT 2023 Information". AnimeCons.com. Retrieved 2023-06-24.
  42. ^ "Otakon / AnimeNext Manga Library". Anime News Network. 2004-05-21. Retrieved 2008-05-12.
  43. ^ "AnimeNext Manga Library US Tour Stops at NY Comic Con" (Press release). Anime News Network. 2007-01-18. Retrieved 2008-05-12.

Other Related News Articles edit

  • AnimeNEXT to debut at A.C. Convention Center Press of Atlantic City, Retrieved 2016-06-26

External links edit

  • AnimeNEXT Website

40°30′05″N 74°20′51″W / 40.50147°N 74.34756°W / 40.50147; -74.34756