Anime USA

Annual anime convention in Washington, D.C.

Not to be confused with Anime USA (magazine).

Anime USA

Status| Active
Venue| Hyatt Regency Crystal City at Reagan National Airport
Location(s)| Arlington, Virginia
Country| United States
Inaugurated| 1999
Attendance| 3,608 in 2009[1]
Filing status| 501(c)(3)[2][3]
Website| http://www.animeusa.org/

Anime USA (AUSA) is an annual three-day anime convention held during September/October at the Hyatt Regency Crystal City at Reagan National Airport in Arlington, Virginia.

## Programming

[edit]

The convention typically features an AMV contest, artist's alley, cosplay contest, dealer's room, host club/maid cafe, LARP, musical performances, tabletop gaming, video rooms, and workshop rooms.[4][5][6][7]

## History

[edit]

The Northern Virginia Anime Association first organized the convention.[7] Anime USA moved from the Sheraton Premiere in Tyson's Corner to the Hyatt Regency Crystal City in 2007, a location previously used by Katsucon and Otakon, due to the convention's growth.[4][8] Renovations and the Hyatt Regency Crystal City layout caused problems during the 2008 convention.[9] In 2010, the video games room was located in a sectioned off part of the parking garage, with at times a cap of 45 people, due to crowding and fire marshal concerns.[4] In 2011 the video game room had to moved out of the parking garage due to concerns from the fire marshal, causing board gaming to be cancelled.[10] For 2012, Anime USA moved to the Washington Marriott Wardman Park in Washington, D.C.[7][10][11]

The convention partnered with the Make-A-Wish Foundation in 2011 to help an ill girl attend the convention.[2] The conventions charity auction raised $3,621.25 for the Taylor Anderson '04 Memorial Gift Fund in 2011.[12] The charity auction in 2012 benefited The DC Arts and Humanities Education Collaborative.[13] Anime USA 2020 was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[14][15] No convention was held in 2021 due to the continuing COVID-19 pandemic, along with Anime USA's venue closing.[16]

Anime USA returned to the Hyatt Regency Crystal City At Reagan National Airport in 2022.[17][18]

### Event history

[edit]

Dates | Location | Atten. | Guests

|
|
|

October 15–17, 1999 | Crowne Plaza Washington National Airport Hotel
Arlington, Virginia| | Jan Scott-Frazier.[19]
September 8–10, 2000 | Holiday Inn Rosslyn Westpark Hotel at Key Bridge
Arlington, Virginia| 200[20]| Steve Bennett, Austell "DJ Asu" Callwood, Michael Granberry, and Jan Scott-Frazier.[20]
October 12–14, 2001 | Holiday Inn Rosslyn Westpark
Arlington, Virginia| 475[21]| Steve Bennett, Austell "DJ Asu" Callwood, Jaxon Lee, Jan Scott-Frazier, Doug Smith, and Amanda Winn-Lee.[21]
October 11–13, 2002 | Sheraton Premiere in Tyson's Corner[a]
Vienna, Virginia[b]| 800[26]| Hiroshi Aro, Steve Bennett, Al Bigley, Keith Burgess, Kelli Shayne Butler, Austell "DJ Asu" Callwood, Christina Chen, Jo Chen, Amy Howard-Wilson, Andy Lee, Hidenori Matsubara, Scott McNeil, Pop Mhan, Mustard Seed Comics, Tantara "Tani" Person, Ryuhana Press, Jan Scott-Frazier, Patrick Strange, Temple Studios, and Terry Tymczyna.[26]
November 21–23, 2003 | Sheraton Premiere in Tyson's Corner[a]
Vienna, Virginia[b]| 1,500[27]| Steve Bennett, Austell "DJ Asu" Callwood, T. Campbell, Christina Chen, Jo Chen, Greg Eatroff, Sanford Greene, Amy Howard-Wilson, Shimpei Itoh, Carol Jacobanis, L. Jagi Lamplighter, Andy Lee, Jamie McGonnigal, David Newbold, Mio Odagi, Otaku Duet, Chris Patton, Christian Savage, Jan Scott-Frazier, Patrick Strange, Shawn the Touched, and Terry Tymczyna.[27]
October 29–31, 2004 | Sheraton Premiere in Tyson's Corner[a]
Vienna, Virginia[b]| 2,339[28]| Robert V. Aldrich, Greg Ayres, Steve Bennett, Eirik Blackwolf, Austell "DJ Asu" Callwood, Camino, Ron Chiu, James Harknell, Onezumi Hartstein, Janyse Jaud, Shizumi Manale, Monica Rial, Leo Saunders, Carrie Savage, Jan Scott-Frazier, Sue Shambaugh, Joe Silver, Doug Smith, Shawn the Touched, David L. Williams, and Toshifumi Yoshida.[28]
November 18–20, 2005 | Sheraton Premiere in Tyson's Corner[a]
Vienna, Virginia[b]| 2,800[29]| Robert V. Aldrich, Greg Ayres, Eirik Blackwolf, Matt Boyd, Ron Chiu, Kara Dennison, Caitlin Glass, Hilary Haag, Yaya Han, Mohammad "Hawk" Haque, Pop Mhan, Vic Mignogna, Move, Nen Daiko, Ananth Panagariya, Chris Patton, Monica Rial, Jez Roth, Kristine Sa, Leo Saunders, Takafumi Sekiguchi, Joe Silver, and David L. Williams.[29]
November 17–19, 2006 | Sheraton Premiere in Tyson's Corner[a]
Vienna, Virginia[b]| 3,482[30]| Robert V. Aldrich, Greg Ayres, Eirik Blackwolf, Jo Chen, Karen Dick, Ricky Dick, Crispin Freeman, Marty Gear, Caitlin Glass, Dave Lister, Chris "Kilika" Malone, MAX, Pop Mhan, Tee Morris, Nen Daiko, Chris Patton, PLID, Monica Rial, Rosiel, Jez Roth, Leo Saunders, Patrick Seitz, Brian Wilson, and X-Strike Studios.[30]
November 16–18, 2007 | Hyatt Regency Crystal City
Arlington, Virginia| | Back-On, Capital Area Budokai, Jo Chen, Luci Christian, Colleen Clinkenbeard, Richard Epcar, Mohammad "Hawk" Haque, Chris Hazelton, Charlene Ingram, Chris "Kilika" Malone, Haruka Miyabi, Tee Morris, Nen Daiko, Ananth Panagariya, Kristine Sa, Patrick Seitz, Ellyn Stern, Amanda Tomasch, Brett Weaver, E. K. Weaver, and Michael Wetterhahn.[31]
October 10–12, 2008 | Hyatt Regency Crystal City
Arlington, Virginia| 3,482[32]| Jason Canty, Jo Chen, Lori Collins, Robert DeJesus, Freezepop, Caitlin Glass, Garth Graham, Mohammad "Hawk" Haque, Matt Herms, Cherami Leigh, Dave Lister, Tee Morris, Miguel Antonio Nieves, Yuko "Aido" Ota, Ananth Panagariya, Chris Patton, Peelander-Z, Alison Rementer, Antimere Robinson, Jez Roth, Patrick Seitz, Allison Strom, Michael "Mookie" Terracciano, Dirk Tiede, Versailles Philharmonic Quintet, and Brian Wilson.[32]
November 20–22, 2009 | Hyatt Regency Crystal City
Arlington, Virginia| 3,608[1]| Troy Baker, Steve Blum, Jo Chen, Leah Clark, The Clockwork Dolls, Lori Collins, Yaya Han, Mohammad "Hawk" Haque, Matt Herms, Kaya, Dave Lister, Yuko "Aido" Ota, Ananth Panagariya, Quaff, Michael Sinterniklaas, Allison Strom, J. Michael Tatum, and Dirk Tiede.[1]
November 12–14, 2010 | Hyatt Regency Crystal City
Arlington, Virginia| 4,500
(est)[4]| 12012, Takuya Angel, Heidi Arnhold, Kevin Bolk, Breathlessaire, The Clockwork Dolls, echostream, Monica Gallagher, Yaya Han, Lady Ava, Dave Lister, DJ Luminal, Mary Elizabeth McGlynn, Meghan Murphy, Steve Napierski, Brina Palencia, Promise Sisters, Christopher Sabat, Patrick Seitz, Michael Sinterniklaas, DJ Speed Demon, Starlighthoney, Donnie Sturges, and Danny Valentini.[33]
November 18–20, 2011 | Hyatt Regency Crystal City
Arlington, Virginia| 5,000
(est)[10]| Blood, Kevin Bolk, Eien Strife, Erin Fitzgerald, James Harknell, Onezumi Hartstein, H. A. "Chezhnian" Kennedy, Tina Lam, Wendee Lee, Krys "Ambrosia" Lewis, Dave Lister, Matenrou Opera, Miguel Antonio Nieves, Trina Nishimura, Tony Oliver, Kambrea Pratt, Thom Pratt, Alison Rementer, Monica Rial, Mighty Mike Saga, SiSeN, Micah Solusod, DJ Speed Demon, J. Michael Tatum, and Uncle Yo.[34]
November 9–11, 2012 | Washington Marriott Wardman Park
Washington, D.C.| | Chipocrite, Richard Ian Cox, Marty Gear, Caitlin Glass, Michele Knotz, Phil LaMarr, Cherami Leigh, Dave Lister, Mix Speakers, Inc, Jamie Noguchi, Platform One, Kambrea Pratt, Thom Pratt, Elizabeth Schram, Keith Silverstein, DJ Speed Demon, Paul St. Peter, Danny Valentini, Video Game Orchestra, and Lex Winter.[35]
September 13–15, 2013 | Washington Marriott Wardman Park
Washington, D.C.| | Back-On, Laura Bailey, Troy Baker, Breathlessaire, David Brehm, Byron Connell, Jesse James Felice, Garth Graham, Hiroaki Inoue, Catherine Jones, Danny Kang, Dave Lister, Lilith Lore, Mike McFarland, Kyoko Okamoto, Psyche Corporation, Roger Shackelford, Sisen, Christopher Corey Smith, DJ Speed Demon, Starlighthoney, Michael "Mookie" Terracciano, Kari Wahlgren, Travis Willingham, Lex Winter, and Stephanie Young.[36]
October 3–5, 2014 | Washington Marriott Wardman Park
Washington, D.C.| | Steve Blum, Johnny Yong Bosch, Eyeshine, Charlene Ingram, Kaya, Michele Knotz, Lauren Landa, Schwarz Stein, J. Michael Tatum, Lex Winter[37] and Joshua Hart.[7]
October 30 - November 1, 2015 | Washington Marriott Wardman Park
Washington, D.C.| | Beau Billingslea, Steve Blum, Colleen Clinkenbeard, Melissa Fahn, Anna Fischer, Sarah Hodge-Wetherbe, Wendee Lee, Lord Ramirez, Lilith Lore, Kass McGann, Mary Elizabeth McGlynn, Brandon Potter, and Psyche Corporation.[38]
October 21–23, 2016 | Washington Marriott Wardman Park
Washington, D.C.| | Jessie James Grelle, Sarah Hodge-Wetherbe, E. Jason Liebrecht, Manly Battleships, Kate Oxley, Professor Shyguy, Psyche Corporation, Jad Saxton, Micah Solusod, Alexis Tipton, and Lex Winter.[39]
December 8–10, 2017 | Washington Marriott Wardman Park
Washington, D.C.| | Robert V. Aldrich, Ilya Alekseyev, Chris Cason, Leah Clark, Disorganization XIII, Edo Bushido, Fire Lily, Sarah Hodge-Wetherbe, Kuniko Kanawa, Ralph Lambiase, Briana Lawrence, Mason Lieberman, Trina Nishimura, Chris Patton, Oscar Seung, Matt Stagmer, The Triforce Quartet, Dave Trosko, Jessica Walsh, Lisle Wilkerson.[40]
October 19-21, 2018 | Washington Marriott Wardman Park
Washington, D.C.| | Akidearest, Robert V. Aldrich, The Anime Man, Kira Buckland, Jim Cummings, Crispin Freeman, Sarah Hodge-Wetherbe, Lisa Ortiz, John Ratzenberger, Monica Rial, Mighty Mike Saga, The Sound Bee HD, DJ Speed Demon, Karen Strassman, Super Art Fight, Lex Winter, and Toshifumi Yoshida.[41]
November 1-3, 2019 | Washington Marriott Wardman Park
Washington, D.C.| | Sarah Hodge-Wetherbe, Xanthe Huynh, Kuniko Kanawa, Michele Knotz, Cherami Leigh, Faye Mata, Daman Mills, Bryce Papenbrook, and Keith Silverstein.[42]
October 14-16, 2022 | Hyatt Regency Crystal City
At Reagan National Airport
Arlington, Virginia| | Tiffany Grant, Sarah Hodge-Wetherbe, Emi Lo, Chris Patton, and Sarah Anne Williams.[17]
September 22-24, 2023 | Hyatt Regency Crystal City
At Reagan National Airport
Arlington, Virginia| | Asheru, Aaron Campbell, Sean Chiplock, Mary Claypool, Les E. Claypool III, Amelia Gotham, Joe Hernandez, Sarah Hodge-Wetherbe, Emi Lo, Amanda C. Miller, Jamie Mortellaro, Molly Searcy, Shing02, and Substantial.[43]
October 11-13, 2024 | Hyatt Regency Crystal City
At Reagan National Airport
Arlington, Virginia| | Jordan Dash Cruz, Jill Harris, Sarah Hodge-Wetherbe, Emi Lo, Mallorie Rodak, and Spike Spencer.[44]
October 10-12, 2025 | Hyatt Regency Crystal City
At Reagan National Airport
Arlington, Virginia| | Aaron Campbell, Kyle McCarley, Molly Searcy, Jack Stansbury, and Super Art Fight.[45]

## Notes

[edit]

1. ^ a b c d e AnimeUSA and other time period sources have hotel named as Sheraton Premiere in Tyson's Corner.[5][22][23][24]
2. ^ a b c d e Time period sources have hotel in Vienna, Virginia.[23][24][25]

## Notoriety

[edit]

Edward Snowden attended Anime USA 2002 and received attention while playing the video game Tekken.[46]

## References

[edit]

1. ^ a b c "Anime USA 2009 Information". AnimeCons.com. Retrieved 2010-11-15.
2. ^ a b "Anime USA Partners with Make-A-Wish Foundation". Anime News Network. Retrieved 2012-11-12.
3. ^ Cohen, Rick (June 30, 2015). "Comic-Con Struggles for Its Brand Identity and Nonprofit Provenance". Nonprofit Quarterly. Retrieved 9 November 2015.
4. ^ a b c d Stehmer, Eric (2010-12-01). "Anime USA 2010: Ending the Convention Year on a Smooth Note". Toon Zone. Archived from the original on 2017-12-23. Retrieved 2012-11-04.
5. ^ a b Meyer, Marianne (24 October 2002). "Life Imitates Animation at Tysons Gathering". The Washington Post. Retrieved 5 August 2022.
6. ^ "AnimeCons TV: December 2010". AnimeCons TV. 2010-12-01. Retrieved 2018-06-04.
7. ^ a b c d Lucero-Carter, Bailey (September 29, 2014). "Get Your Geek On at Anime USA". Northern Virginia Magazine. Retrieved 19 October 2014.
8. ^ Stehmer, Eric (2006-11-30). "Toon Zone Was There: Anime USA Overview". Toon Zone. Archived from the original on 2017-12-23. Retrieved 2012-11-04.
9. ^ Stehmer, Eric (2008-10-17). "AnimeUSA Leaves Weatherman Feeling All Patriotic". Toon Zone. Archived from the original on 2017-12-23. Retrieved 2012-11-04.
10. ^ a b c Stehmer, Eric (2011-12-07). "Anime USA 2011: Every Time We Say...Good Bye..." Toon Zone. Archived from the original on 2017-12-23. Retrieved 2012-11-04.
11. ^ "Anime Festival Comes to Crystal City For Last Hurrah". ARLnow. November 21, 2011. Retrieved 9 November 2015.
12. ^ "Anime USA Charity Auction Announces Record Earnings". Anime News Network. Retrieved 2012-11-12.
13. ^ "DC Collaborative Selected to Be Beneficiary of AnimeUSA Auction". Anime News Network. Retrieved 2012-11-12.
14. ^ "IMPORTANT BREAKING NEWS". Anime USA. Archived from the original on 18 September 2020. Retrieved 13 September 2020.
15. ^ "Anime USA 2020 Information". AnimeCons.com. Retrieved 2020-09-12.
16. ^ "AnimeUSA 2021 Twitter Update". AnimeUSA Twitter. Retrieved 3 February 2022.
17. ^ a b "Anime USA 2022 Information". AnimeCons.com. Retrieved 2022-10-24.
18. ^ Dreisonstok, Mark (21 October 2022). "The AnimeUSA Convention: Cosplaying in Crystal City and Much More". Falls Church News-Press. Retrieved 25 October 2022.
19. ^ "Anime USA 1999 Information". AnimeCons.com. Retrieved 2012-10-30.
20. ^ a b "Anime USA 2000 Information". AnimeCons.com. Retrieved 2016-07-14.
21. ^ a b "Anime USA 2001 Information". AnimeCons.com. Retrieved 2016-07-14.
22. ^ "About Anime USA". Anime USA. Retrieved 5 August 2022.
23. ^ a b Koulikov, Mikhail (December 2, 2003). "Anime USA 2003 - Studio Ironcat Returns". Anime News Network. Retrieved 5 August 2022.
24. ^ a b "Events Anime USA 2004 - Anime News Network". Anime News Network. Retrieved 5 August 2022.
25. ^ Macdonald, Christopher (September 3, 2002). "Anime USA Considering Guest Reception". Anime News Network. Retrieved 5 August 2022.
26. ^ a b "Anime USA 2002 Information". AnimeCons.com. Retrieved 2008-01-26.
27. ^ a b "Anime USA 2003 Information". AnimeCons.com. Retrieved 2008-01-26.
28. ^ a b "Anime USA 2004 Information". AnimeCons.com. Retrieved 2008-01-26.
29. ^ a b "Anime USA 2005 Information". AnimeCons.com. Retrieved 2008-01-26.
30. ^ a b "Anime USA 2006 Information". AnimeCons.com. Retrieved 2008-01-26.
31. ^ "Anime USA 2007 Information". AnimeCons.com. Retrieved 2016-07-14.
32. ^ a b "Anime USA 2008 Information". AnimeCons.com. Retrieved 2008-08-22.
33. ^ "Anime USA 2010 Information". AnimeCons.com. Retrieved 2010-11-15.
34. ^ "Anime USA 2011 Information". AnimeCons.com. Retrieved 2012-05-15.
35. ^ "Anime USA 2012 Information". AnimeCons.com. Retrieved 2012-10-30.
36. ^ "Anime USA 2013 Information". AnimeCons.com. Retrieved 2013-09-11.
37. ^ "Anime USA 2014 Information". AnimeCons.com. Retrieved 2014-10-12.
38. ^ "Anime USA 2015 Information". AnimeCons.com. Retrieved 2015-11-09.
39. ^ "Anime USA 2016 Information". AnimeCons.com. Retrieved 2016-11-07.
40. ^ "Anime USA 2017 Information". AnimeCons.com. Retrieved 2017-12-22.
41. ^ "Anime USA 2018 Information". AnimeCons.com. Retrieved 2018-10-21.
42. ^ "Anime USA 2019 Information". AnimeCons.com. Retrieved 2019-11-19.
43. ^ "Anime USA 2023 Information". AnimeCons.com. Retrieved 2023-09-29.
44. ^ "Anime USA 2024 Information". AnimeCons.com. Retrieved 2024-10-31.
45. ^ "Anime USA 2025 Information". AnimeCons.com. Retrieved 2025-04-19.
46. ^ Cooke, Kristina; Shiffman, John (June 12, 2013). "Exclusive: Snowden as a teen online: anime and cheeky humor". Retrieved 8 November 2016.

### Other Related News Articles

[edit]

* Anime USA: Crafts, Cultures, and Cosplayers Convene in Crystal City Falls Church News-Press, Retrieved 31 October 2024

## External links

[edit]

* Anime USA Website

* v
* t
* e

List of anime conventions in North America

Canada|

* Ai-Kon
* Animaritime
* Anime Evolution
* Anime North
* Anime Revolution
* Animethon
* G-Anime
* Nadeshicon
* Otafest
* Otakuthon

United States|

| Northeast|

* Anime Boston
* Anime NYC
* Anime USA
* Castle Point Anime Convention
* Katsucon
* Otakon
* PortConMaine
* Setsucon
* Tekko
* Tora-Con

|

Midwest|

* Anime Central
* Anime Detour
* Anime Festival Wichita
* AnimeIowa
* Anime Midwest
* Anime Milwaukee
* Anime NebrasKon
* ColossalCon
* EvilleCon
* JAFAX
* Kitsune Kon
* Matsuricon
* Naka-Kon
* Ohayocon
* QC Anime-zing!
* Youmacon

Southern|

* A-Kon
* Animate! Raleigh
* Animazement
* Anime Festival Orlando
* Anime Frontier
* Anime Matsuri
* Anime Weekend Atlanta
* Arkansas Anime Festival
* Ikkicon
* Kami-Con
* Metrocon
* Middle Tennessee Anime Convention
* Nekocon
* OMGcon
* Oni-Con
* San Japan
* Tokyo, OK
* Tsubasacon
* Ushicon
* Yama-Con

Western|

* Anime Expo
* Anime Los Angeles
* Anime Pasadena
* Bak-Anime
* Con-Nichiwa
* FanimeCon
* Kawaii Kon
* Kumoricon
* Nan Desu Kan
* Saboten Con
* SacAnime
* Sakura-Con
* SNAFU Con

* Category
* WikiProject

38°50′55″N 77°3′6″W﻿ / ﻿38.84861°N 77.05167°W﻿ / 38.84861; -77.05167
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