What is Wai-Con?
Wai-Con is Perth’s premier anime convention! First held at the Unversity of Western Australia in 2004, it has only taken a few short years for Wai-con to almost triple in size. Wai-con now runs anually at the Perth Convention Exhibition Centre.
Wai-Con promotes Japanese animation and culture, manga and gaming to a captive audience over two fun-filled days in the final weeks of January.
This year Wai-con will be held on January 28-29 at the PCEC with the theme of INVASION. Are we escpaing a zombie hoarde, fleeing alien attack, or simply being invasive? Who knows, but it’s bound to be a great weekend!
Attendance
From humble beginnings of just 400 attendees in 2004, Wai-con 2011 had over 3600 people make their way through the gates over the entire weekend. 2012 is set to be bigger and better!
Events
Wai-con has a number of activities and events to keep its attendees satisfied including:
- Cosplay held in the state-of-the-art theatre on both Saturday and Sunday
- Martial Arts demonstrations
- Panels headed by some of Perth’s best and brightest
- Art competitions
- A dedicated games room with a variety of platforms and competitions
- Interactive workshops such as language and origami
- Two dedicated screenings rooms showing non-stop anime
Theme
Every year Wai-con chooses a new theme to represent the convention and events. This theme is used in marketing and when planning events such as the Ball and Wai-con itself. An art competition is held to select the official artist for the year who best depicts the theme.
2004 – Journey to the West
2005 – Fantasy
2006 – Space Cadets
2007 – Spies
2009 – Steampunk
2010 – Angels & Demons
2011 – Sports
2012 – Invasion
What happened to Wai-Con 2008?
Late 2007 due to inability to book larger venues over the Christmas period, PAniC decided it was time to move Wai-con’s dates from December to another part of the year. After polling members it was decided by popular choice that January would be the best time to hold the convention from then on. 2008 Wai-con essentially became 2009, so really there was no Wai-con in 2008, but we didn’t miss a year!
