{{Short description|Anime convention held in New Jersey}} {{Use mdy dates|date=June 2022}} {{Use American English|date=May 2012}} {{Infobox convention | name = KotoriCon | image = File:KotoriLogo.jpg | caption = Kotori, mascot of KotoriCon | status = Defunct | genre = Anime, Manga, Japanese pop culture, and Video games<ref name="SecondKotoriCon"/><ref name="game"/> | venue = Rowan College at Gloucester County | location = Sewell, New Jersey | country = United States | first = 2010 | last = | organizer = RCGC Japanese Anime Guild<ref name=nj12102014>{{cite news|title=Kotoricon returns for sixth year to Rowan College at Gloucester County|url=http://www.nj.com/south-jersey-towns/index.ssf/2014/12/kotoricon_returns_for_sixth_ye.html|accessdate=January 31, 2015|newspaper=South Jersey Times|publisher=NJ.com|date=December 10, 2014}}</ref> | filing = | attendance = 1,020 in 2018<ref name="AC-2018" /> | website = {{URL|rcgc.edu/Kotoricon}} }}
'''KotoriCon''' was an annual two-day anime convention held during January at Rowan College at Gloucester County (formerly known as Gloucester County College) in Sewell, New Jersey.<ref name="SecondKotoriCon">{{cite news|url=http://www.nj.com/gloucester-county/towns/index.ssf/2011/01/second_kotoricon_planned_on_gc.html|title=Second KotoriCon planned on GCC's campus|date=January 7, 2011|accessdate=December 14, 2011|newspaper=Gloucester County Times|publisher=NJ.com|first= Kristie|last=Rearick}}</ref><ref name=njcomnamechange>{{cite web|url=http://www.nj.com/gloucester-county/index.ssf/2014/01/rowan_university_officially_enters_partnership_agreement_with_gloucester_county_college.html|title=Gloucester County College to become Rowan College at Gloucester County|date=January 11, 2014 |publisher=NJ.com|accessdate=September 14, 2014}}</ref> It was sponsored by the college's Japanese Anime Guild and KotoriCon's name came from the Japanese word for little bird, inspired by the colleges roadrunner mascot.<ref name="GCC_to_host_convention_4">{{cite news|url=http://www.nj.com/indulge/index.ssf/2013/01/gloucester_county_college_host_1.html|title=Gloucester County College hosts fourth annual KotoriCon anime convention|date=January 12, 2013|accessdate=March 3, 2013|newspaper=South Jersey Times|publisher=NJ.com|first=Kelly|last=Roncace}}</ref><ref name=pv01082015>{{cite news|last1=Nagle|first1=Aubrey|title=Anime convention lands in South Jersey|url=http://www.phillyvoice.com/anime-convention-lands-south-jersey/|accessdate=January 31, 2015|work=Philly Voice|date=January 8, 2015}}</ref> The convention was designed to be family-friendly.<ref name="GCC_host_KotoriCon">{{cite news|url=http://www.nj.com/gloucester-county/index.ssf/2011/12/gloucester_county_college_to_h_21.html|date=December 24, 2011|accessdate=January 9, 2012|title=Gloucester County College to host KotoriCon|newspaper=Gloucester County Times|publisher=NJ.com|first=John|last=Barna}}</ref> The convention ran its final event in 2020.<ref name="fb01112020">{{cite web |title=Kotoricon Final |url=https://www.facebook.com/KotoriCon/posts/2575897275793312 |via=Facebook|accessdate=January 23, 2020 |language=en}}</ref>
==Programming== The convention typically offered anime music videos contest, artists' alley, charity auction, comedians, cosplay events, dealers' rooms, Jedi events, karaoke, live performances, martial arts demonstrations, panels, and video game tournaments.<ref name="game">{{cite news|first=Robert|last=Carr|title=KotoriCon 2011 Kicks Off With Game Night|date=January 15, 2011|newspaper=WestDeptfordPatch|publisher=Patch Media}}</ref><ref name="GCC_host_KotoriCon" /><ref name=philly12122014>{{cite news|last1=O'Reilly|first1=David|title=Gloucester County - Anime festival at county college|url=http://www.philly.com/philly/news/local/20141212_GLOUCESTER_COUNTY.html|accessdate=January 31, 2015|work=Philly.com|date=December 12, 2014}}</ref><ref name="costumes_cartoons"/>
==Charity== Proceeds from the 2011 convention went to the Doctors Without Borders and Child's Play charity.<ref name="costumes_cartoons">{{cite news|first=Olivia|last=Biagi|url=http://westdeptford.patch.com/articles/costumes-cartoons-and-good-causes-at-kotoricon|title=Costumes, Cartoons and Good Causes at KotoriCon|accessdate=December 14, 2011|date=January 17, 2011|newspaper=WestDeptfordPatch|publisher=Patch Media}}</ref> In 2012 the charity auction benefited Direct Relief International and the Lauren Rose Foundation.<ref name="GCC_host_KotoriCon" /> Proceeds from the convention in 2012 resulted in a $700 donation to Mothers Matters.<ref name="GCC_mothers">{{cite news|url=http://www.nj.com/gloucester-county/index.ssf/2012/02/local_anime_and_gaming_club_gi.html|title=Gloucester County College anime and gaming club gives back to mothers in need|date=February 20, 2012|accessdate=March 3, 2013|newspaper=South Jersey Times|publisher=NJ.com|first=Phil|last=Davis}}</ref> Charities the 2013 convention benefited were Hurricane Sandy victims and Liberty in North Korea (LiNK).<ref name="GCC_1000">{{cite news|url=http://www.nj.com/gloucester-county/index.ssf/2013/01/little_anime_convention_draws.html|title='Little anime convention' draws 1,000-plus to Gloucester County College|date=January 13, 2013|accessdate=March 3, 2013|newspaper=South Jersey Times|publisher=NJ.com|first=Jason|last=Laday}}</ref> The 2014 charity auction benefited The AbleGamers Foundation, a North Korean human-rights group, and others.<ref name="philly01132014">{{cite news|url=http://articles.philly.com/2014-01-13/news/46116381_1_anime-conventions-costume-video-game|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140201192218/http://articles.philly.com/2014-01-13/news/46116381_1_anime-conventions-costume-video-game|url-status=dead|archive-date=February 1, 2014|title=Halloween in January? No, anime|date=January 13, 2014|accessdate=January 16, 2014|newspaper=Philly.com|publisher=Interstate General Media LLC|first=Tom|last=Avril}}</ref> The 2015 charities that KotoriCon supported were Able Gamers, Doctors Without Borders, Liberty in North Korea, and Pets for Vets.<ref name=pv01082015/><ref name=philly12122014/> 2017's charities included Child's Play, Doctors without Borders, Indochinese-American Council, KotoriCon Endowment, Liberty in North Korea, Pets for Vets, and Seabrook Buddhist Temple.<ref name=nj01082017>{{cite news|title=Rowan College hosts annual anime convention Kotoricon (PHOTOS)|url=http://www.nj.com/gloucester-county/index.ssf/2017/01/rowan_college_hosts_annual_anime_convention_kotori.html|accessdate=February 6, 2017|newspaper=South Jersey Times|publisher=NJ.com|date=January 8, 2017}}</ref> KotoriCon's 2019 charities included the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, Fisher House Foundation, KotoriCon Scholarship Endowment, Liberty in North Korea, Seabrook Buddhist Temple, and Samaritan's Purse.<ref name="twts01092019">{{cite news |last1=Mazziotti III |first1=Anthony J. |title=RCGC set to host 10th annual KotoriCon |url=https://thesunpapers.com/2019/01/09/rcgc-set-to-host-10th-annual-kotoricon/ |accessdate=April 14, 2019 |work=The Sun Newspapers |date=January 9, 2019}}</ref>
==History== The convention in 2010 started under the name Gloucester County Anime Convention.<ref name="GCC_to_host_convention_4"/> Video gaming was held in the cafeteria on Friday night in 2011.<ref name="game"/> The convention was spread out among three buildings on the Gloucester County College campus including the Fine Arts Center, College Center, and The Instructional Center.<ref name="costumes_cartoons"/> The third KotoriCon was in two locations, Pitman High School and Gloucester County College; in the first location, a concert by Eyeshine took place on January 6, 2012.<ref name="GCC_to_host_convention_3">{{cite news|url=http://www.nj.com/gloucester-county/index.ssf/2012/01/gloucester_county_college_to_h_22.html|title=Gloucester County College to host KotoriCon anime convention|date=January 4, 2012|accessdate=January 9, 2012|newspaper=Gloucester County Times|publisher=NJ.com|first=Jessica|last=Driscoll}}</ref> The 2019 convention had a ticket limit of 1,500 attendees.<ref name="twts01092019"/>
===Event history=== {| class="wikitable" width="100%" |- ! Dates !! Location !! Atten. !! Guests {{Convention list | date = January 16, 2010 | venue = Gloucester County College | location = Sewell, New Jersey | attendance = 250-350<ref name="SecondKotoriCon"/><ref name="game"/> | guests = Aikido Agatsu Dojo, Dr. Ross Beitzel, Chie Matsumura Dusk, geist, Jamie McGonnigal, Pennsylvania Jedi, Princeton Kendo and Iaido Club, Michael Shore, Katie Tom-Wolverton, and Peter Tom-Wolverton.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://anime.gccnj.edu/2010/guests.cfm|title=2010 Guests|work=KotoriCon|accessdate=February 28, 2012|year=2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101201014735/http://anime.gccnj.edu/2010/guests.cfm|archive-date=December 1, 2010|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name="AC-2010">{{cite web | title = KotoriCon 2010 Information | publisher = AnimeCons.com | url = https://animecons.com/events/info/14005/kotoricon-2010 | accessdate = November 21, 2019}}</ref> }} {{Convention list | date = January 14–15, 2011 | venue = Gloucester County College | location = Sewell, New Jersey | attendance = 505 | guests = Robert Axelrod, Cosplay Joe, Jonny "Jace" Davidson, Chie Matsumura Dusk, KyoDaiko, LeetStreet Boys, MaeMae, Reni Mimura, Pennsylvania Jedi, Promise Sisters, Katie Tom-Wolverton, Peter Tom-Wolverton, and Uncle Yo.<ref name="AC-2011">{{cite web | title = KotoriCon 2011 Information | publisher = AnimeCons.com | url = https://animecons.com/events/info/2306/kotoricon-2011 | accessdate = March 2, 2013}}</ref> }} {{Convention list | date = January 6–7, 2012 | venue = Pitman High School;<ref name="GCC_host_KotoriCon"/> Gloucester County College | location = Pitman, New Jersey; Sewell, New Jersey | attendance = 1,000 | guests = +2 Comedy, The Asterplace, Johnny Yong Bosch, Daniel Coglan, Jillian Coglan, Elderberry, Eyeshine, Gavin Goszka, Ichigo Pantsu, Michele Knotz, DJ Kurono, KyoDaiko, Catherine Maiorino, Jamie McGonnigal, Mesquite Honey, Pennsylvania Jedi, Bill Rogers, Sneko, Uncle Yo, and Stuart Zagnit.<ref name="AC-2012">{{cite web | title = KotoriCon 2012 Information | publisher = AnimeCons.com | url = https://animecons.com/events/info/2705/kotoricon-2012 | accessdate = December 31, 2018}}</ref> }} {{Convention list | date = January 12, 2013 | venue = Gloucester County College | location = Sewell, New Jersey | attendance = 1,000+<br>(est)<ref name="GCC_1000"/> | guests = +2 Comedy, The Asterplace, Daniel Coglan, Jillian Coglan, CJ Henderson, Michele Knotz, Jamie McGonnigal, Scott A. Melzer, Pennsylvania Jedi, Platform One, Mike Pollock, Bill Rogers, Ian Rubin, Sneko, Uncle Yo, and Uzuhi.<ref name="AC-2013">{{cite web | title = KotoriCon 2013 Information | publisher = AnimeCons.com | url = https://animecons.com/events/info/3452/kotoricon-2013 | accessdate = January 17, 2013}}</ref> }} {{Convention list | date = January 11–12, 2014 | venue = Gloucester County College | location = Sewell, New Jersey | attendance = 1,200<ref name="GCC01112014">{{cite news|url=http://www.nj.com/gloucester-county/index.ssf/2014/01/kotoricon_celebrates_anime_video_game_and_geek_culture.html|title=KotoriCon at Gloucester County College celebrates anime, video game and 'geek' culture|date=January 11, 2014|accessdate=January 16, 2014|newspaper=South Jersey Times|publisher=NJ.com|first=Phil|last=Davis}}</ref> | guests = +2 Comedy, 501st Legion, The Asterplace, The Audio Pool, Daniel Coglan, Jillian Coglan, Gavin Goszka, CJ Henderson, The Hsu-nami, Michele Knotz, Jamie McGonnigal, Mega Ran, Scott A. Melzer, Bill Rogers, Ian Rubin, Sneko, Sonny Strait, Uncle Yo, and Uzuhi.<ref name="AC-2014">{{cite web | title = KotoriCon 2014 Information | publisher = AnimeCons.com | url = https://animecons.com/events/info/4069/kotoricon-2014 | accessdate = February 2, 2014}}</ref> }} {{Convention list | date = January 9–10, 2015 | venue = Rowan College at Gloucester County<br>(formerly Gloucester County College) | location = Sewell, New Jersey | attendance = 1,500 | guests = Danielle Ackley-McPhail, The Asterplace, Greg Cipes, Charles Dunbar, Chuck Huber, Michele Knotz, KyoDaiko, Jamie McGonnigal, Scott A. Melzer, The Ricecookers, Ian Rubin, Sonny Strait, Uncle Yo, Lisle Wilkerson,<ref name="AC-2015">{{cite web | title = KotoriCon 2015 Information | publisher = AnimeCons.com | url = https://animecons.com/events/info/4785/kotoricon-2015 | accessdate = December 31, 2018}}</ref> K-Ble Jungle, Ciro Nieli, and Ted Williams.<ref name=nj01092015>{{cite news|last1=Pritche|first1=Kristina|title=KotoriCon: 5 things to see while attending the two-day conference|url=http://www.nj.com/gloucester-county/index.ssf/2015/01/kotoricon_5_things_to_see_while_attending_the_two-day_conference.html|accessdate=January 31, 2015|newspaper=South Jersey Times|publisher=NJ.com|date=January 9, 2015}}</ref> }} {{Convention list | date = January 8–9, 2016 | venue = Rowan College at Gloucester County | location = Sewell, New Jersey | attendance = 1,374 | guests = The Asterplace, James Carter Cathcart, Daniel Coglan, Jillian Coglan, Mr. Creepy Pasta, Patrick Drazen, Charles Dunbar, Hoh Daiko Taiko, Kazha, Michele Knotz, Reuben Langdon, Jamie McGonnigal, Brandon Jay McLaren, "Trailer" Drake McWhorter, Scott A. Melzer, Daman Mills, Ian Rubin, Uncle Yo, and Greg Wicker.<ref name="AC-2016">{{cite web | title = KotoriCon 2016 Information | publisher = AnimeCons.com | url = https://animecons.com/events/info/6020/kotoricon-2016 | accessdate = December 31, 2018}}</ref> }} {{Convention list | date = January 6–7, 2017 | venue = Rowan College at Gloucester County | location = Sewell, New Jersey | attendance = 1,110 | guests = +2 Comedy, The Asterplace, James Carter Cathcart, COMezik, Charles Dunbar, Tiffany Grant, Hoh Daiko Taiko, Michele Knotz, Jamie McGonnigal, Scott A. Melzer, Daman Mills, Sarah Palmer, Uncle Yo, Greg Wicker, and Stuart Zagnit.<ref name="AC-2017">{{cite web | title = KotoriCon 2017 Information | publisher = AnimeCons.com | url = https://animecons.com/events/info/7978/kotoricon-2017 | accessdate = December 31, 2018}}</ref> }} {{Convention list | date = January 5–6, 2018 | venue = Rowan College at Gloucester County | location = Sewell, New Jersey | attendance = 1,020 | guests = +2 Comedy, The Asterplace, James Carter Cathcart, Hoh Daiko Taiko, Natalie Hoover, Kazha, Michele Knotz, Michaela Laws, Jamie McGonnigal, Scott A. Melzer, Daman Mills, Alejandro Saab, and The Slants.<ref name="AC-2018">{{cite web | title = KotoriCon 2018 Information | publisher = AnimeCons.com | url = https://animecons.com/events/info/9420/kotoricon-2018 | accessdate = December 31, 2018}}</ref> }} {{Convention list | date = January 11–12, 2019 | venue = Rowan College at Gloucester County | location = Sewell, New Jersey | attendance = | guests = James Carter Cathcart, Gelatine, Hoh Daiko Taiko, Kiba, Michele Knotz, Jamie McGonnigal, Scott A. Melzer, Daman Mills, Megan Shipman, Paul St. Peter, Brad Swaile, and Uncle Yo.<ref name="AC-2019">{{cite web | title = KotoriCon 2019 Information | publisher = AnimeCons.com | url = https://animecons.com/events/info/11076/kotoricon-2019 | accessdate = January 10, 2019}}</ref> }} {{Convention list | date = January 10–11, 2020 | venue = Rowan College at Gloucester County | location = Sewell, New Jersey | attendance = | guests = Charles Dunbar, Hoh Daiko Taiko, Jamie McGonnigal, Scott A. Melzer, Show Us Your Pokeballs, and Uncle Yo.<ref name="AC-2020">{{cite web | title = KotoriCon 2020 Information | publisher = AnimeCons.com | url = https://animecons.com/events/info/14284/kotoricon-2020 | accessdate = January 23, 2020}}</ref> }} |}
==See also== {{portal|New Jersey}} * List of anime conventions * List of festivals in New Jersey
==References== {{reflist}}
==External links== {{commons category|KotoriCon}} * [http://www.rcgc.edu/Kotoricon Kotoricon official website]
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Category:Defunct anime conventions Category:Recurring events established in 2010 Category:2010 establishments in New Jersey Category:Tourist attractions in Gloucester County, New Jersey Category:Conventions in New Jersey Category:Defunct festivals in New Jersey