The officials of Japanese Anime Manga Paradise Anime Comic & Gaming Convention (JAMPCon) have confirmed the return of the convention to Chattanooga. The event will be held on April 21 to 23 at The Chattanoogan Hotel, and is expected to draw approximately 1,500 attendees.
Badges for the convention are already up for grabs for $30. This will increase to $40 on the day of the event, according to Chattanooga's local news website, Nooga. The badge will serve as an entry pass to anime fans who will participate in the convention.
Eric Stuart and Dan Green, who lent their voices in the popular anime program "Yu-Gi-Oh!," are reportedly the two major voice artists who will make an appearance during the event. "Our main draw right now is these two guests. 'Yu-Gi-Oh!' is almost as popular as 'Pokemon.' Everybody wants to get involved. Stuart and Green represent the protagonist/antagonist element of the show," said JAMPCon's social media director, Cory Barnes, via the official website of JAMPCon.
Aside from the Eric Stuart Band's performance over the weekend, other activities lined up during the three-day convention are cosplay events, an artist alley, some activities for children and an after-hours event for adults. Barnes said they are offering great value for $30, with plenty of opportunities for participants who are also interested in video games and tournaments. He also teased that this year's JAMPCon is going to be a really classy and organized event.
The program will also feature Greg "Greggo" Wicker and his anime game shows, as well as Nexus Gaming, which will provide tournaments and a whole lot of retro games for those in attendance. Chattanooga-based cosplay group Chattooine, in cooperation with the Chattanoogan Public Library, will also bring in their manga and anime collections for the exhibit.
In their aim to reintroduce locals and anime convention enthusiasts to the upcoming convention, JAMPCon officials have organized a contest that offers a chance to win a vacation package, which includes four three-day badges, four tickets to the formal dance event, four tickets to the dinner buffet and a two-night stay at The Chattanoogan Hotel.
Watch JAMPCon President Devon's invitation to the convention here: