Nostalgia Con: A Voice Actor-Focused Con for Anime, Cartoon Lover

I. Introduction

Nostalgia Con marks the beginning of a new era in conventions, focusing on celebrating the cherished memories of the 90s and early 2000s. This event, conceptualized and brought to life by ThePokeHive, a renowned Pokémon and anime card shop in San Antonio, Texas, is not just a convention but a journey back in time. The inaugural event in San Antonio is just the start, with plans to expand to new locations and dates in the future.

ThePokeHive plays a pivotal role in the conception of Nostalgia Con, leveraging their deep connection with the anime and trading card communities. Their vision is to create a space where fans can relive their favorite moments, meet the voices behind beloved characters, and immerse themselves in the nostalgia of their youth.

As the first of its kind, the San Antonio show sets the stage for what is expected to be an expanding series of events, bringing the unique experience of Nostalgia Con to fans across the country.

II. The Origins of Nostalgia Con

A. ThePokeHive’s Inception and Vision

ThePokeHive, a cornerstone in the San Antonio anime and trading card community, was instrumental in the inception of Nostalgia Con. With a passion for bringing people together over shared memories and beloved collectibles, ThePokeHive envisioned a convention that transcends the typical event experience, focusing on reliving the golden years of anime and gaming.

B. San Antonio: The First Stop of Nostalgia Con

The inaugural Nostalgia Con is set to take place in San Antonio, Texas, between May 20th and 12th 2024. San Antonio convention-goers will be familiar with the con’s venue which will take place at the Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center located at 900 E. Market St, San Antonio, TX 78205. This first event is a testbed for what promises to be a series of nostalgia-filled conventions, each aiming to recapture the magic of the past.

C. Future Locations and Dates

While the San Antonio event marks the beginning, ThePokeHive and the organizers of Nostalgia Con have ambitious plans to expand the convention to new locations. Future dates and cities are expected to be announced, bringing the unique experience of Nostalgia Con to a wider audience and allowing more fans to partake in this nostalgic journey.

III. The Extensive Guest List

Nostalgia Con boasts an impressive lineup of guests, particularly voice actors from beloved animes. This extensive roster offers fans an unprecedented opportunity to meet the voices behind their favorite characters and complete cast pieces with autographs.

A. Focus on Voice Actors from Popular Animes

The convention features a deep roster of voice actors from iconic shows like Yu-Gi-Oh!, Pokémon, and more. These guests bring a touch of authenticity and nostalgia, making the event a must-visit for anime enthusiasts.

B. Importance of Completing Cast Pieces

One of the unique aspects of Nostalgia Con is the opportunity for fans to obtain cast pieces – posters or other items signed by an entire cast. This is a rare chance to collect signatures from all the main voice actors of a show in one place.

C. Full List of Guests with Top 3 Characters and Shows

• Dan Green: Yugi Muto / Pharaoh Atem – Yu-Gi-Oh!, Knuckles the Echidna – Sonic X, Entei – Pokémon
• Eric Stuart: Brock – Pokémon, Seto Kaiba – Yu-Gi-Oh!, James – Pokémon
• Bret Iwan: Mickey Mouse – Various Disney Productions
• Bill Farmer: Goofy – Disney’s Goofy, Pluto – Disney’s Mickey Mouse Universe, Horace Horsecollar – Disney’s Mickey Mouse Universe
• Kenny James: Bowser – Super Mario Series
• Samantha Kelly: Princess Peach – Super Mario Series, Toad – Super Mario Series, Baby Peach – Mario Kart Series
• Wayne Grayson: Joey Wheeler – Yu-Gi-Oh!, Michelangelo – Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Syrus Truesdale – Yu-Gi-Oh! GX
• Jonathan Todd Ross: Marik Ishtar – Yu-Gi-Oh!, Yami Marik – Yu-Gi-Oh!
• Jason Marsden: Max Goof – A Goofy Movie, Haku – Spirited Away, Chester McBadbat – The Fairly OddParents
• Neil Kaplan: Optimus Prime – Transformers: Robots in Disguise, Hawkmon / Halsemon – Digimon, Emperor Zarkon – Voltron: Legendary Defender
• Tara Sands: Bulbasaur – Pokémon, Mokuba Kaiba – Yu-Gi-Oh!, Biscuit Krueger – Hunter × Hunter
• Lisa Ortiz: Lina Inverse – Slayers, Amy Rose – Sonic X, Serenity Wheeler – Yu-Gi-Oh!
• Darren Dunstan: Maximillion Pegasus – Yu-Gi-Oh!, Splinter – Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles
• Michael Haigney: Psyduck – Pokémon, Snorlax – Pokémon, Geodude – Pokémon
• Megan Hollingshead: Nurse Joy – Pokémon, Mai Valentine – Yu-Gi-Oh!, Shizune – Naruto
• Marc Thompson: Kevin Thompson – Daria, Anthony DeMartino – Daria, Duke Devlin – Yu-Gi-Oh!
• Stephanie Nadolny: Kid Goku – Dragon Ball, Kid Gohan – Dragon Ball Z, East Kai – Dragon Ball Z
• Dameon Clarke: Cell – Dragon Ball Z, Handsome Jack – Borderlands, Scar – Fullmetal Alchemist
• Brad Swaile: Light Yagami – Death Note, Amuro Ray – Mobile Suit Gundam, Rock – Black Lagoon
• Michael Yurchak: Obito Uchiha – Naruto Shippuden, Tobi – Naruto Shippuden, Jet the Hawk – Sonic the Hedgehog series
• Brian Drummond: Vegeta – Dragon Ball Z (Ocean Group dub), Ryuk – Death Note, Zechs Merquise – Mobile Suit Gundam Wing
• Alessandro Juliani: L – Death Note, Prince Clovis – Code Geass, Amuro Ray – Mobile Suit Gundam 00
• Marty Grabstein: Courage – Courage the Cowardly Dog
• David Kaufman: Danny Fenton / Danny Phantom – Danny Phantom, Jimmy Olsen – Superman: The Animated Series, Stuart Little – Stuart Little: The Animated Series
• Ted Lewis: Giovanni – Pokémon, Bakura Ryou / Yami Bakura – Yu-Gi-Oh!, King Dedede – Kirby: Right Back at Ya!
• Paul St Peter: Xemnas – Kingdom Hearts series, Nine-Tailed Fox – Naruto, Wormmon – Digimon
• Amy Birnbaum: Téa Gardner – Yu-Gi-Oh!, Max – Pokémon, Charmy Bee – Sonic X
• Debi Derryberry: Jimmy Neutron – The Adventures of Jimmy Neutron, Boy Genius, Zatch – Zatch Bell!, Coco Bandicoot – Crash Bandicoot series
• Greg Abbey: Tristan Taylor – Yu-Gi-Oh!, Yusei Fudo – Yu-Gi-Oh! 5D’s, Raphael – Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (2003 series)
• Tony Salerno: Donatello 1987 – Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Turtles Forever
• Zeno Robinson: Hawks – My Hero Academia, Alan Albright – Ben 10: Alien Force and Ultimate Alien, Remy – Big City Greens
• Tony Oliver: Arsène Lupin III – Lupin the Third, Minato Namikaze – Naruto Shippuden, Ulquiorra Cifer – Bleach
• Rachael Lillis: Misty – Pokémon, Jessie – Pokémon, Jigglypuff – Pokémon
• Lex Lang: Dr. Neo Cortex – Crash Bandicoot series, Goemon Ishikawa – Lupin the Third, WarGreymon – Digimon
• Bob West: Barney – Barney & Friends
• Josh Martin: Majin Buu – Dragon Ball Z
• Kirk Thornton: Kisame Hoshigaki – Naruto, Shadow the Hedgehog – Sonic the Hedgehog series, Saix – Kingdom Hearts series
• Stuart Zagnit: Professor Oak – Pokémon
• Lee Quick: Officer Jenny – Pokémon
• Phil LaMarr: Samurai Jack – Samurai Jack, Static/Virgil Hawkins – Static Shock, John Stewart/Green Lantern – Justice League
• Walter Jones: Zack Taylor/Black Ranger – Mighty Morphin Power Rangers
• Matthew Sussman: Meowth – Pokémon
• Ben Diskin: Numbuh 1 / Numbuh 2 – Codename: Kids Next Door, Eugene – Hey Arnold!, Sai – Naruto Shippuden
• Tony Salerno: Donatello 1987 – Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Turtles Forever

IV. Q&A Panels: A Deep Dive into the Anime World

Nostalgia Con’s Q&A panels are a highlight, offering fans a unique opportunity to delve deeper into the worlds of their favorite animes. These panels will feature a mix of moderated discussions and audience interactions, providing insights into the creative process behind beloved shows.

A. Expectations from the Panels

Attendees can expect an engaging and informative experience at the Q&A panels. Voice actors and creators will share their experiences, discuss character development, and reveal behind-the-scenes stories.

B. Interaction Between Cast and Audience

The panels will allow for direct interaction between the cast and the audience. Fans will have the chance to ask their burning questions and hear answers straight from their favorite voice actors.

C. Moderator-Led Discussions

Moderators will guide the discussions, ensuring a wide range of topics are covered. This format will help in uncovering fascinating details about voice acting, character portrayal, and the anime industry.

V. The Vendor Experience

The vendor area at Nostalgia Con is a treasure trove for fans, offering a wide range of merchandise and collectibles. From rare finds to the latest in anime and gaming memorabilia, the vendors bring a diverse and exciting shopping experience.

A. Variety of Vendors and Their Offerings

Attendees will find an array of vendors selling everything from vintage collectibles to contemporary merchandise. This includes action figures, posters, apparel, and exclusive items that cater to a wide range of interests.

B. Exclusive Merchandise and Collectibles

Many vendors will offer exclusive items that can only be found at Nostalgia Con. These unique collectibles are perfect for commemorating the experience and adding to personal collections.

VI. Autographs, Photo Opportunities, and Send-In Service

A highlight of Nostalgia Con is the opportunity for fans to interact with their favorite voice actors and celebrities through autograph sessions, photo ops, and a unique send-in service.

A. Organizing Autograph Sessions

Autograph sessions will be a key feature of the event, allowing attendees to get their favorite items signed. These sessions provide a personal interaction with the celebrities and voice actors.

B. Memorable Photo Ops with Celebrities

Alongside autographs, dedicated areas for photo opportunities will be available. Fans can take photos with their favorite stars, creating lasting memories of their experience at the convention.

C. Send-In Service for Autographs

Understanding that not everyone can attend in person, Nostalgia Con offers a send-in service. This service allows fans to send in items such as Funko Pops, trading cards, and small to medium-sized collectibles to be autographed by the attending celebrities. For more information about the send-in service, visit Nostalgia Con Send-In Service.

VII. Conclusion

Nostalgia Con represents a unique blend of nostalgia, entertainment, and community. It’s more than just a convention; it’s a celebration of cherished memories and beloved characters from the 90s and early 2000s. With its extensive guest list, engaging Q&A panels, diverse vendor offerings, and opportunities for autographs and photos, Nostalgia Con offers an unprecedented experience for fans.

As the first event of its kind, with plans to expand to new locations, Nostalgia Con is setting a new standard for fan conventions. It’s an event that promises to bring joy, excitement, and a sense of community to all who attend. We look forward to seeing how Nostalgia Con evolves and brings its unique flavor to fans across the country.