Now in its sixth year, Rowan College at Gloucester County’s KotoriCon will be held in Sewell, N.J., this weekend on Jan. 9 and 10. Dubbed “the little anime convention with the big heart,” KotoriCon celebrates Asian culture with a focus on Japanese animation, known as anime.
Hosted by the school’s Japanese Anime Guild, a club that has grown in popularity on campus, this year's KotoriCon theme is space. The convention’s name stems from Rowan’s College’s mascot -- a roadrunner -- and kotori is Japanese for little bird
In addition to serving as a creative, safe space for the anime fan community to gather, KotoriCon also donates its proceeds to charity each year. This year, Doctors Without Borders, Liberty in North Korea, AbleGamers and Pets for Vets will receive donations.
The two-day convention features a pretty astounding list of activities for anime fans. In addition to a cosplay professional wrestling show and screenings of “Guardians of the Galaxy,” there will be video and board game tournaments, a singing contest, panels on everything from learning Japanese to gender in anime, and more.
For the schedule-oriented con-goer, there are “programming tracks” which highlight events focused on one area of interest. For instance, the C.J. Henderson Memorial Writer’s Track features panels especially for writers and the Science Track features a planetarium visit and guests from Rittenhouse Astronomical Society. Musical performers and voice actors like Pokemon’s Michele Knotz will be on hand to join panels and sign autographs.
Pre-registration is required to attend. Tickets will not be sold at the door.
KotoriCon
Friday, January 9 and Saturday, January 10
Friday, 4-8:30 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m.-8:30 p.m. | $30, free for children 8 and under
Rowan College at Gloucester County
1400 Tanyard Rd., Sewell, NJ
(856) 468-5000