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Anime paradise: Setsucon returns to Blair County Convention Center

Setsucon returns to Blair County Convention Center

By Hannah Pollock 10 min read

Nearly 2,000 visitors -- many dressed in costumes -- are expected to descend on the Blair County Convention Center this weekend for a festival celebrating Japanese animation.

Setsucon, a yearly convention run by the Penn State Anime Organization, brings anime, manga, gaming and Japanese pop culture to the region, organizers said.

Billed as "winter's warmest anime paradise," Setsucon comes from the Ja­p­­­anese word setsu, meaning "snow."

The event is expected to draw quite a large crowd since last year's gathering was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, said Michael Tartaglia, Setsucon public relations director.

Anime, manga and Japanese pop culture have become popular in America in recent years and aren't just for youth.

"Japanese animation has connected people both young and old," Tartaglia said. "It spans across so many different generations and people from many different walks of life."

For those unfamiliar with the terms, anime is the Japanese translation for "animation," but the American meaning refers to animated features produced in Japan, according to the Penn State Anime Organization website.

McKinley Morris, the organization's president and Setsucon chair, said it is really another form of media with limitless varieties. Morris compared it to American TV. There are some bad shows, but everyone has certain shows they enjoy.

Anime projects are often characterized by their distinct drawing styles, unusual facial expressions and intricate plots.

"Animation is just another way to express a story," she said.

Manga translates to "comics" in English, but the creative works are different from American comics, according to the Penn State organization's website. Manga are in black and white and are usually more personal to the artist.

Setsucon brings all those animated features and stories into one location through concerts, car shows, guest panels, vendors, cosplay contests and charity gaming tournaments.

Tartaglia said about 80% of attendees are from Pennsylvania, noting the convention draws crowds from Pittsburgh and the Poconos.

"There's stuff going on throughout the weekend for everybody," he said.

The family-friendly event is like a reunion for the Central Pennsylvania anime and manga community. The student- and alumni-run convention started in 2007 in State College with a few hundred attendees before expanding and moving to Blair County in 2018.

Building community

While anime is the focus, Morris said the Penn State Anime Organization and Setsucon are about so much more.

Morris initially joined PSAO during her freshman year, following a friend who had an interest in anime. Although she watched some shows and movies during high school, she said she didn't feel a connection -- until a friend introduced her to "Kaguya-sama: Love Is War," a Japanese romantic comedy series.

Morris recommended newcomers to the genre try shorter series that have a less long-term commitment like "Demon Slayer" or the 12-episode "Death Parade." While a series like "Naruto" may sound familiar, it has more than 200 episodes, which may seem daunting to get into, Morris said.

Like any community, Morris said there are some misconceptions. She admitted that she thought the group would be male-dominated and that if she didn't know everything about anime she wouldn't be a real fan.

What she found instead was a welcoming community.

"It's a really diverse fan base. You can be into anime and other things and evolve," Morris said.

Morris continued her involvement with the Penn State club, eventually taking on leadership positions.

The organization meets three times a week, hosting game nights, anime viewings, manga nights, Discord online chats and social outings.

"Everyone's welcome," Morris said of PSAO. "You can step into a meeting at any time and it builds this great community."

The Penn State junior spent a lot of time the past year organizing Setsucon and is excited to be back with everyone this weekend.

"I'm most looking forward to the artists' alley and the people," Morris said. "I can't wait to see everything that people have created."

Morris is slated to lead a trivia panel with another student and is looking forward to engaging and interacting with the audience.

Penn State Altoona student Drake Loose first attended Setsucon in 2019 and was "overjoyed" that there was an anime and video games convention so close to home. A member of a gaming and eSports club at the Altoona campus, Loose offered to help run games at Setsucon.

He said he got involved in anime as a kid, as he enjoyed playing video games, many of which were inspired by or heavily influenced by Japanese culture.

"Compared to modern television, anime isn't limited to anything and can be about anything from fantasy, war or even cooking," Loose said. "There's something for everyone in anime, and in recent years it's become way more mainstream."

"There is no 'right place' to start, but just watch whatever seems interesting," Loose said of how others can get into anime. "There is a huge community surrounding most shows that you can find online and talk about the shows ... Setsucon is a huge get-together for all of that."

Like Morris, he is looking forward to the artists and vendors who offer Japanese-

imported merchandise that can sometimes be hard to find online.

"It's nice knowing there's vendors that know their customers at the convention, which benefits everyone," he said.

Local vendors like Wayne Nekro's "The Curious Wanderer" and Pamela Diaz-Marlin's "Cutie Pie Kawaii" will help to fill the exhibitors hall.

Local connections

Nekro has a small retail business in Altoona and is expanding more into anime and manga-related products, but supply chain issues have delayed the expansion. He is hoping to begin selling wands to fulfill a market fueled by the popularity of "Sailor Moon," an anime series. The store currently sells crystals, statues, books, incense and other items relating to mythology and older culture.

His fascination with comics as a child led him to create his business.

"I was a big fan of comic books for a while, but it seems that manga are doing comic books better than American comic books these days," he said.

Nekro recalled watching the SyFy Channel on Saturday nights where "Vampire Hunter D" and "Robot Carnival" could be found.

"I've had a fascination with animation and the Japanese stuff is, as far as I'm concerned, the cream of the crop. I've had a fascination with that for as long as I can remember," Nekro said.

He started his business four years ago to fill the need in the community and has made some friends along the way.

Diaz-Marlin opened her business in 2012 when she said the community was relatively new, with no local businesses focusing on animated or Japanese merchandise. She started out selling Japanese candy and "squishies," Japanese toys.

"We were one of the first to bring real, direct Japanese products into the area," she said. "It was really hard to get stuff from Japan back then."

She opened a business because "I wanted other people to feel this joy from this stuff," she said.

Diaz-Marlin described most of her products as "cute," often relating to an animated character.

"Most of the stuff I sell is more kawaii-based, which is just really cute, like cutesy images that are popular in Japan," she explained. Most Japanese products are centered around whatever trend or character that is popular. Visual merchandising is huge in Japan, she said.

Product availability adds to the lure of Japanese merchandise, as producers only make a limited number of stock.

"Whenever they bring something out, whether it's a packaging or a type of candy or snack or even toy, it's always limited. They produce it one time and then it's gone forever," she said. "With the Japanese merchandise and even the snacks, most people keep their packaging because it's cute. It's like an art. Basically everything you get from Japan will eventually be collectible because it's only ever made once."

Diaz-Marlin's interest in Japanese pop culture started in the 80s in a Hollidaysburg store, "Sparkles on the Diamond." The store offered products from Sanrio, a company that focuses on kawaii and featured the popular feline, "Hello Kitty."

"It always held a special place for me, just remembering that store," she said.

Diaz-Marlin left the area for San Francisco, where she spent time in what she said was the most diverse place in the country. She recalled spending a lot of time in Japantown and Chinatown.

"And when I came back here, there was nothing like that," she said, noting the closure of the Hollidaysburg store.

She began ordering for herself and wanted to share the joy.

"There are a lot of people in the anime community who kind of struggle with mental health or fitting in or depression. And these products bring joy to people, even if it's for a moment. It's a community," Diaz-Marlin said.

The business's Setsucon offerings will include traditional Japanese snacks like mochi, instant bubble tea and plush toy assortments.

What is on tap

Tartaglia said Setuscon will feature multiple concerts with groups like Heroes 4 Hire, Otaku Ongaku and Antipode, as well as a "Setsu Odori," an evening dance event complete with DJs. There are also multiple cosplay -- costume play -- competitions scheduled, including the popular Masquerade Showcase.

"The people who make cosplays dedicate hours into it. It's very impressive," Morris said, noting some participants spend days perfecting their costume.

There are two charity video game tournaments scheduled in cooperation with Penn State Altoona eSports and other student groups. Players can register by paying a $15 entry fee to participate with proceeds going toward the National Alliance on Mental Illness.

Tabletop and card game free play and tournaments will also be available, with an opportunity for novices to learn how to play in a no-pressure environment, according to the Setsucon website.

For the non-gamers, there are also multiple panels and meet-and-greets scheduled including with voiceover actors Brittany Lauda and Matt Shipman, who have lended their voices to some of anime's favorite characters.

The "Maid Cafe" will merge cosplay, games, music and more with multiple seatings available on Saturday and Sunday, or attendees can relax with a manga at the provided library.

"We're lucky to have a great alumni base helping us both with the club and the convention. The convention itself is very strongly rooted both in the students and alumni," Tartaglia, a 2018 graduate, said.

Setsucon began Friday and will run through Sunday. The convention schedule, panel, guest and safety information are available online at setsucon.com. Access badges can be purchased at the door for $40 for the weekend, $30 for Saturday only and $20 for Sunday.

Those attending are required to wear masks in all public and event spaces at the convention center. Vaccination proof or a negative pharmacy test (dated no earlier than Jan. 25) are also required for attendees.

"We take (COVID-19) very seriously and we want to make sure that everyone there is safe," Tartaglia said.

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