Looking into Early Anime Cons

[vexxervee]

I'm currently researching the history of anime conventions in the United States (specifically WA) and was wondering if anyone who was around for the early days (ie Yamato Con for US more broadly, Baka! Con for WA) would be willing to chat about their experiences. For context, I'm hoping to use the paper I'm writing on this to enter the History PhD program at the University of Idaho. I'm happy to share more about my background (anime-wise and academics-wise) if you're curious. If you (or someone you know) wants to chat, feel free to do so here or send me an email at lexrvanhorn@gmail.com!

[DonMagness]

I can answer most questions about Yamatocon.

[vexxervee]

Hi Don! That would be great, especially knowing your involvement with Yamtocon. I have a few questions, feel free to answer them either here or in an email to the address I listed in the post, and to be as succinct or lengthy as you're comfortable with. If they seem a little vague, it's because I'm trying to make sure I'm using the same questions for all con runners, so I want them to be broadly applicable. If there's details or topics you think I've missed, please let me know!

• How were you involved in the con?
  How long did you stay involved in that capacity?
  Why did you decide to get involved?
  What was the experience like? Describe the environment, the culture of the con.
  How did the con at its start differ from the environment you've experienced at cons more recently?
  What was the local culture like at the time? Was it seen as “cool” or “elite” to like anime or was it seen as something to hide?
  Do you remember what was happening in terms of U.S.-Japan official (and unofficial) relations at the time of the con’s establishment?
  I’m especially interested in seeing how Japanese immigrants impacted the establishment of anime conventions. Were there any Japanese immigrants involved in the early days of the con, in your memory? If so, would you be able to connect me to any of them?
  Who else could you connect me to that was involved or attended?

[DonMagness]

How were you involved in the con?

Well, I was one of three people who produced the convention. I promoted the convention by sending flyers to comic book stores throughout Texas and surrounding states. I sold dealer tables, worked with the venue to arrange the event, helped edit together the videotapes shown in the video room and worked the registration table at the convention.

How long did you stay involved in that capacity?

From about 6 months before the event until it ended.

Why did you decide to get involved?

Bobb Waller, Mark Hernandez and I were heavily involved in Dallas area Sci-Fi events. We had all worked several conventions, both together and separately. The three of us met hanging out at the Remember When shop in Carrollton. Remember When was a comic and movie poster store and most of the area fans hung out there.

The three of us worked a convention earlier in ’83 that was just awful. We started joking around that we could do better. We talked on and off for a few weeks and then decided we would try our hand at a one day con.

What was the experience like? Describe the environment, the culture of the con.

The experience was surprising, we weren't sure anyone would actually attend. I think everyone had a good time, including those of us working the event. I would say the culture was one of discovery, there wasn't an anime culture in Dallas at the time and many of us didn't know there were other fans in the area. We brought together about 150 people who discovered they weren't alone.

How did the con at its start differ from the environment you've experienced at cons more recently?

I haven't attended a convention in several years so I can't really make a comparison.

What was the local culture like at the time? Was it seen as “cool” or “elite” to like anime or was it seen as something to hide?

Mark and I were anime fans, Bobb was not. As far as we knew, before the convention, we were the entire fan base. It wasn't seen as cool or elite or anything else, we were scattered fans unaware that other people were interested. I later came to understand there was some anime culture on the west coast but at the time, I was only aware of fandom in the Texas area and there was no organized anime fandom as far as I knew. There was no merchandise available until just a few weeks before the convention (That's another story). So going to comic shops or Sci-Fi conventions you wouldn't know anime even existed.

Do you remember what was happening in terms of U.S.-Japan official (and unofficial) relations at the time of the con’s establishment?

I'm afraid I don't recall off the top of my head.

I’m especially interested in seeing how Japanese immigrants impacted the establishment of anime conventions. Were there any Japanese immigrants involved in the early days of the con, in your memory? If so, would you be able to connect me to any of them?

None as far as the convention team. I'm not aware of any that attended.

Who else could you connect me to that was involved or attended?

The people involved was limited to myself, Bobb Waller and Mark Hernandez. I lost touch with Mark several years ago and unfortunately Bobb passed about a year ago. I haven't been involved with fandom in quite some time and have lost touch with anyone who attended.

[vexxervee]

This is immensely helpful, thank you so much! If you'd like, I'd be happy to post a copy of the finished paper here once I'm done with it so you can see what you contributed to.

[DKop]

Bobb Waller, Mark Hernandez and I were heavily involved in Dallas area Sci-Fi events. We had all worked several conventions, both together and separately. The three of us met hanging out at the Remember When shop in Carrollton. Remember When was a comic and movie poster store and most of the area fans hung out there.

I haven't lived in the Dallas/Carrollton area since 1994. My dad moved my family there to build apartments (which got me to move from one end of the country to the other growing up). There was no way I would've known this place exsisted then.

[DonMagness]

This is immensely helpful, thank you so much! If you'd like, I'd be happy to post a copy of the finished paper here once I'm done with it so you can see what you contributed to.

That would be great.