Sacramento's bi-annual event "Sac Anime" has grown to become much more than a local anime convention. These days there are many anime and Japan related events happening all over the world, and here in the US just about every major city in the country has its own anime convention/s. Most sport the usual vendors room and cosplay masquerade w/guest combo, slinging along a gaming room and usually an artist alley. Sometimes you'll also get a musical performance- this can range from local bands and/or singers who perform anime songs- all the way to the big-time artists who have sung many anime opening and ending themes.
Today we're talking about Sac Anime, a convention home to the capital of one of the most talked-about (if not THE most talked about) states in one of the most talked-about countries in the world. It has a lot to live up to, and a lot of competition with many enormous events also taking place in the bay areas and in southern California. As my grandfather would have put it, Sac Anime is "nothing to shake a stick at"- as it is not gargantuan, nor is it a translucent attempt of a local con which is something that is unfortunately being accomplished by many smaller city's jumping into the convention scene in recent years. Sac Anime is different and it exceeds at being what it is: a decent medium-sized event attended by core fans from mostly northern and central California, the SF bay area region, and sometimes Nevada. It is noted that almost every con-goer from northern Cali has at least attended Sac Anime 1-2 times, and news from Sac Anime makes it around the globe in many forms. I have been covering it since the beginning, and am responsible for quite a bit of that global coverage I mentioned.
From its humble beginnings at the Scottish Rite Center to its illustrious and groundbreaking presence and success at the Radisson (now Woodlake) Hotel- Sac Anime has evolved into an event that is growing each time the doors are open. As August rolls on the convention is getting closer with little more than 2 weeks away- what better than to prepare by having a trusty guide to make things easier at navigating Sac Anime Summer 2012?
The guide below breaks things down a bit so that you can see each of the main event areas and what is happening on each day in each category by the hours. This lets you know when and where each event takes place! Its very possible that parts of this schedule could change leading up to the day of the event, but I'll be sure to update this asap if something changes.
Main Events
Friday, August 31st
1:00pm-2:00pm - Globalization of Synthetic Music
2:30pm-3:30pm - Eyeshine Q&A
4:00pm-5:00pm - Opening Ceremonies
5:30pm-6:30pm - The Zombie Apocalypse and You
7:00pm-7:30pm - Japanese Fashion Runway
8:00pm-9:30pm - Anime Music Video Contest
10:00pm-2:30am - Sac Club Rave
Saturday, September 1st
10:30am-11:30am - Bleach Voice Actor Q&A
12:00pm-1:00pm - Jennifer Hale Q&A
1:30pm-2:30pm - Voice Actor Overload Q&A
3:00pm-4:30pm - Cosplay Masquerade Signups
4:30pm-5:30pm - Who's Line
6:00pm-8:00pm - Cosplay Masquerade
8:30pm-10:00pm - Anime Music Video Contest
10:30pm-2:30pm - Sac Club Rave
Sunday, September 2nd
11:00am-12:00pm - Amateur Voice Acting
12:30pm-1:30pm - Billy Martinez Q&A
2:00pm-3:00pm - Voice Actor Q&A Finale
3:00pm- 4:00pm - Closing Ceremonies
Panels
Friday, August 31st
12:30pm-1:30pm - Soul Eater Q&A
2:00pm-3:00pm - What is Lolitta?
3:30pm-4:30pm - From Fan to Creator
5:00pm-6:00pm - Japanese Fashion Runway Pre-Show Q&A
6:30pm-7:00pm - Art of Itasha Saturday, September 1st
10:00am-11:00am - Up-Close Cosplay
11:30am-12:30pm - We Are Bronies!
1:00pm-2:00pm - How to Cosplay for You!
2:30pm-4:00pm - Gaia Online Meetup
Sunday, September 2nd
10:30am-11:30am - Homestuck Variety Hour
12:00pm-1:00pm - Intro to Ball Jointed Dolls
Everywhere!
August 31st-September 2nd
Here's some things that happen everywhere throughout the convention that you can look forward to.
Run Around:Sacramento Instead of a panel, meet-up, or event, this time I (Hikaru Kazushime) and/or any of the RUN AROUND:NETWORK staff & some partners that are attending the event will be enjoying the show right alongside the public- feel free to chat with us, ask for autographs, or ask those burning questions you've always wanted to ask us and we'll be happy to converse and interact with any readers that approach us. I will also be taking part in the Art of Itasha panel Friday evening so you can catch me there as well.
And of course throughout the weekend you can also expect:
Hall Cosplay
Cosplayer Photoshoots
Convention Photography
Autograph Sessions
Friday, August 31st
3:30pm-5:00pm - Johnny Yong Bosch & Eyeshine
6:00pm-8:00pm - Roger Craig Smith and Jennifer Hale
Saturday, September 1st
10:00am-12:00pm - Roger Craig Smith, Laura Bailey, and Travis Willingham 12:00pm-2:00pm - Johnny Yong Bosch and Michelle Ruff
2:00pm-4:00pm - Jennifer Hale
Sunday, September 2nd
12:00pm-2:00pm - All Guests
Amphitheater (The Grove)
Friday, August 31st
12:00pm-7:00pm - Matsuri Festival
7:30pm-10:00pm - Sac Anime Concert Series
Saturday, September 1st
11:00am-6:30pm - Matsuri Festival and Hylian Usual
7:30pm-10:00pm - Sac Anime Concert Series
Sunday, September 2nd
12:00pm-1:00pm - Harrison Randall Memorial
Karaoke Room
Friday, August 31st
3:00pm-5:00pm - Karaoke Contest Signups and Warmups
5:00pm-9:00pm - Karaoke Contest
9:00pm-12:00am - Open Mic Karaoke
Saturday, September 1st
3:00pm-12:00am - Open Mic Karaoke
Sunday, September 2nd
There is no Karaoke Room activities scheduled for Sunday, September 2nd.
CCG and Table Top Gaming
Friday, August 31st
1:00pm-7:00pm - Open Gaming
Saturday, September 1st
10:00am-6:00pm - Open Gaming
Sunday, September 2nd
10:00am-4:00pm - Open Gaming
Artist Alley
Friday, August 31st
10:00am-1:00pm - Artists Alley Setup
1:00pm-8:00pm - Artist Alley Open
Saturday, September 1st
10:00am-8:00pm - Artist Alley Open
Sunday, September 2nd
10:00am-5:00pm - Open Artist Alley
Video Game Room
Friday, August 31st
4:00pm-12:00am - Open Gaming
4:00pm-7:00pm - Poke'mon Black & White 1 vs. 1
7:00pm-10:00pm - Street Fighter x Tekken
8:00pm-11:00pm - Dance Central 2: Dance Battle Mode 1 vs. 1
Saturday, September 1st
10:00am-12:00am - Open Gaming
1:00pm-2:30pm - Street Fighter Third Strike Online Edition
2:00pm-3:00pm - Dance Central 2 Co-Op 1 vs.1
2:30pm-4:00pm - Halo 3 2 vs. 2 Slayer
3:00pm-4:30pm - Street Fighter IV Arcade Edition 2012
4:00pm-5:30pm - Poke'mon Black & White 1 vs.1
4:30pm-6:00pm - Super Smash Bro. Brawl
6:00pm-7:30pm - DDRMAX 2 Perfect Attack
6:00pm-7:30pm - Pac Man Championship Edition Score Attack
Sunday, September 2nd
10:00am-4:00pm - Open Gaming
1:00pm-2:00pm - Soul Caliber V
1:00pm-3:00pm - Just Dance Challenge (Freestyle Performance)
2:00pm-3:30pm - King of Fighters XIII
Sac Cafe (Pavilion)
Friday, August 31st
12:00pm-1:30pm - Cafe Hoshi
2:00pm-3:30pm - Cafe Hoshi
4:00pm-5:30pm - Cafe Hoshi
Saturday, September 1st
12:00pm-1:30pm - Cafe Hoshi
2:00pm-3:30pm - Cafe Hoshi
4:00pm-5:30pm - Cafe Hoshi
Sunday, September 2nd
10:00am-11:30am - Lolita Morning Tea (ticket required)
12:30pm-2:00pm - Cafe Hoshi
Vendor Hall
Friday, August 31st
11:00am-12:00pm - Vendor Setup
12:00pm-7:00pm - Vendor Hall Open
Saturday, September 1st10:00am-7:00pm - Vendor Hall Open
Sunday, September 2nd
10:00am-5:30pm - Vendor Hall Open
And there you have it! Sac Anime Summer 2012 will also be the final event to take place at the Woodlake Hotel (previously the Radisson Hotel) and will be returning January 4th-6th 2013 at the Sacramento Convention Center! And again if you spot me come say hello! Don't be shy. How many of you visit Sac Anime? If far away how many of you would be interested in this years event based on the programming line-up? Let us know in the comments below!
-Hikaru Kazushime
